Untitled Sermon (3)

Sermon Goal: The hearers will recognize how we often cling to things that don’t last, they will be draw to what last, that is the word of God.

Textual Notes:

“As he came out of the temple” As Jesus comes out of the temple, we should remember that this is the last time he is in the temple. This is most likely on the Tuesday of Jesus’ passion week.

“Look, teacher, what wonderful stones and wonderful buildings.” The disciples are fixed on the beauty of the temple. Remember is is the verse “The stone the builders reject has become the corner stone.” With the disciples is a greater, more beautiful cornerstone, that is Christ.

“Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus acknowledges the great buildings but teaches his disciple that even the greatest things we see here on earth doesn’t last. The Temple that the disciples are admiring would be destroyed in 70AD by the Roman Emperor TItus. Not only was the temple destroyed but also most of the great city of Jerusalem was left in ruins.

English Standard Version Chapter 13

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple

“And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple” Mount of Olives overlooks all of Jerusalem. The city and the temple in all of it beautify could be seen from mount olives

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” The disciples are concerned about “when” this will happen.

“And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” Jesus does not respond with the “when” rather he directs them for readiness… See that no one leads you astray. One concern are those that try to take the place of the LORD.

Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.

“And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Two major warnings. First, the political/military warning of war and stories of wars. As acknowledged before the Jerusalem fell in 70AD due to tensions between the Jews and the Roman Empire. During this time, peace was a forgotten concept among the Jews at this time. The other warning is about natural problems that arise (earthquake, famine, etc).

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.” “be on your guard” again is Jesus telling them to be ready and prepare. For Christians because we do not know when his blessed return is going to be, we must always then be prepared and ready.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.

“And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Our help comes from God. The tools that we use are of God. The Gospel to bring to the nations. “Anxious” here refers to events yet to come. Even as you know things will be challenging do not approach those things with anxiety. God is with us. He gives us to Spirirt to give us the words to speak.

10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Sermons:

Over the course of this past week I have noticed a change take place in the way that we speak. Over a week ago, we spoke with a sense of urgency. As new directives were given to us about being in community and social distancing there was an urgency of remaining healthy and getting ready for the change that was before us. Schools were readying themselves to a new structure of teaching online. Churches were readying themselves for doing what we are doing today in providing worship online. Local law enforcement were readying themselves for keeping order with new changes to the way with live and operate in our world today. Stores were readying themselves by keeping order with the crowds coming in all at once. Hospitals were readying themselves for the waves of sick people that were need ventilators and hospital beds.

This week in conversation, I noticed a change in people. Where as last week was a sense of urgency and preparedness, in the conversations I had this week, I notice there was a clear sense of questioning. Some people asked the question of “Why” “Why is this happening?” Other’s asked another question…that question is “when” When will all of this be over. When will I be able to see my family without the fear of passing something to them. When will I be able to go to the grocery store with out the fear of being in the midst of the unknown. When will we as a church community be able to gather again for worship. When will we be back to a bit of normalcy.

The disciples leave the temple admiring its greatness and beauty.

Jesus tells His the disciples that the temple and the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed.

Hearing the temple and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed must have really shaken the disciples. After all the temple in Jerusalem was the center of their religious life and experience. If the temple would be destroyed what would be the center of their faith.

Hearing this Peter, James, John and Andrew are sitting on the mount of Olivers looking down upon the city of Jerusalem.

The mount of Olives a place where as you visit the mount you can actually see just about the entire city of Jerusalem. And as they are sitting at the mount of Olives looking at the city of Jerusalem they ask Jesus the big question… “When” “When will these things be...

Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.