Mark 13 Club House

Ever found your world turned upside down?

Often just when we think life is sorted, nothing can go wrong - something hits us, turns whole world upside down.

Sometimes good sometimes bad.

Maybe the excitment of going to new school only to find its horrible and rubbish.

There are other events that effect everyone and turn everyones world upside down, like wars or natural disasters.

Sometimes we wish we would only have know what would happen so we could prepare!

In todays section of Mark - Jesus wants the disciples and us to know of an event that will happen that will turn not just their world upside down, but the whole worlds - so that we can be ready. Big thing Jesus wants to say to us is this

Judgement is coming - be ready - and be safe!

What about in the face of tragedy and death - turns world upside down. What hope is there?

Read: Jesus with disciples in Jerusalem. Last week of his life. In someways Jesus is preparing his disciples for life after he is gone. And will Jesus is about to tell them is that their whole world will be turned upside down! For them it will But as Jesus tells them of an event that will happen very soon in their future, he is also telling them and us of an event that will happen that will turn the whole world upside down for everyone.

Read: Jesus with disciples in Jerusalem. Last week of his life. But Jesus has a warning for his disicples - about 2 events in the future that will turn world upside down. First will be local - effect them and all in Jerusalem and local area. And 2nd will effect the whole world - through all history, including us.

Mark 13:1–13 NLT

As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives across the valley from the Temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately and asked him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

What is the most impressive or famous building you can think of?

TEMPLE IMAGE

Well for people living in Jesus day it would have been Herod’s temple. It was seriously impressive. Beautiful and expensive and big. Would have been seen from miles around. And everyone would have heard about it. Sort of place you would want to go and see. Disciples - even say it - magnificent! Wasn’t impressive. It was important. Centre of society. Like Bullring shopping centre.

Think of that building - and just tomorrow someone stood up and said. It’s going to be completely demolished.

Look at what Jesus says. But more than that. What else does Jesus say will happen? v6-13. Jesus is telling them about the future. And it looks pretty grim! Temple destroyed. Wars, earthquakes, famines. And the what does Jesus say will happen to them? beaten, arrested, killed! Their world is going to be turned upside down. Doesn’t sound like itll be much fun being a Christian in these times either v13.

Look at what Jesus says. But more than that. What else does Jesus say will happen? v6-13. Jesus is telling them about the future. And it looks pretty grim! Temple destroyed. Wars, earthquakes, famines. And the what does Jesus say will happen to them? beaten, arrested, killed! Their world is going to be turned upside down.

This is what Jesus said would happen. But he wanted the disciples to know so that they would be ready. This is a message of warning - that everyones world would be turned upside down - but for the Christian at least there is hope. What hope does Jesus give in v8, v10 and v13

Why is talk of birth pains hopeful? What is the hope for someone who experiences birth pains?

(illustrate your own excitement to be a dad. and Laura’s to be a mum. Pain will end, and wonderful news)

Jesus speaks words about the future. He is talking about 2 events. One that turned world upside for people in Jerusalem. And one that will turn world upside for everyone in history - including us.

First event AD70

The first happened in 70AD - 70 years after Jesus birth, so about 40 years after his death. while some of disciples would still have been alive. And you can read about it in history books - you may have already. In AD70 after time of tension,

JERUSALEM DESTRUCTION

the Romans ransacked Jerusalem and the temple - centre of city life was destroyed, many were killed. What Jesus said came true. It wasn’t an accident - but God’s judgement on those who were supposed to be God’s people but had rejected Jesus. For everyone in Jerusalem, world was turned upside down - and the only people there was hope for was for those who followed Jesus. Whatever they faced they would be safe. Even in the face of death- they were safe because Jesus gives new life. So Jesus told his disciples to stay awake.

Remember I said 2 events one would turn world upside down for people in Jerusalem but one would effect everyone. Jesus in this passage wasn’t just talking about judgement on Jerusalem but his judgement of the whole world. Bible says that Jesus died, and rose again - and went up to heaven to sit on his throne as King. But one day he will return. We can believe it because Jesus has never lied. Everything he said would happen did happen. Whole world, not just your world will be turned upside down.

Remember I said 2 events one would turn world upside down for people in Jerusalem but one would effect everyone. Jesus in this passage wasn’t just talking about judgement on Jerusalem but his judgement of the whole world. Bible says that Jesus died, and rose again - and went up to heaven to sit on his throne as King. But one day he will return. We can believe it because Jesus has never lied. Everything he said would happen did happen. Whole world, not just your world will be turned upside down.

Mark 13:26–27 NLT

Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Mark 13:26 NLT

Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.

Mark 13:

Jesus says there will be two groups of people on that day. Those who face his judgement - punished for their rebellion against him. And those who will be saved - people who have chosen to put their trust in him, decided to live with him as rescuer and King, and have kept trusting him. Chosen ones - gathered.

Which side are you on? Jesus promises that for those who are trusting him - following him with their lives, living with him in charge - their is eternal safety and that all the difficult stuff we go through up until that day when he returns will be like birth-pains - resulting in new life - a perfect life forever with him. So for the Christian life now is full of hope. Is that you?

Not just about future. Because with Jesus in charge, even when life feels like its thrown upside down, you can have hope. I know this. Ive experienced it. I’ve been struck with illness that kept me housebound for 2 months, ive lost my grandad, i’ve suffered depression - but through all of it, as rubbish as it was - I know there is hope - because Jesus is in charge. And I love to talk about him so others can know it. I’m going to pray and if you want to know more talk to me or another leader.

Where is your final hope and safety?