Final Warnings

Good morning, welcome to NHCC, please open your Bibles to Mark 13.

Dad teaching Sunday School- Genesis, Daniel, the Gospel.

This morning, a review sermon (no test next week).

My hope- reiterating what has already been taught. Solidified, built up.

Read Mark 13:28-37- “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Pray.

Quick overview of the text- Weaving in and out of the destruction of the temple, answering the disciples’ question, and teaching on His coming victorious return.

Where I’d like us to focus this morning- Jesus shifts His teaching once again back to the parable.

He has communicated a lot, now it is time to illustrate it.

In so doing, Jesus draws our attention to what is most important in the entirety of this discourse.

How do we prepare ourselves for the return of Christ?

A mindset, a behavior, and a warning.

1. Focus our attention on the things above.

This is a constant theme, not only over the past couple weeks, but in Mark.

2 Kingdoms, where is your allegiance and your focus?

What has captured your heart and your mind?

Jesus distinguishes between the two once again in v. 31- heaven and earth will pass away, but the words of Christ will endure, will remain, will persevere.

This is not a rare theme throughout Scripture.

Matthew 6:19-21- Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What is truly my treasure? What is treasured in my life?

Colossians 3:1-3- If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Because you have been raised, set your mind elsewhere.

Nostalgic kids when we upgrade things in their lives. Focus on what is now yours!

Mark 8:32-33- And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Think differently Peter- Think of how God will work, not how you want God to work.

There is a clear theme throughout Scripture that devotion to Christ translates over to a focus on those things that are of God.

Please understand what I do not mean- this doesn’t mean that we neglect the things of earth.

Instead, eternity is a lens through which we see our current existence.

Blue ray sunglasses- Eternity tints everything in our lives.

We are meant to see our earthly experience through a heavenly priority.

How do we view other people?

Eternal creatures- Will experience the eternal mercy of God or wrath of God.

How do we view possessions?

Tools for sharing the gospel and building up in the gospel.

How do we view ourselves and our present responsibilities?

What are we doing here?

2. Get to work with the work of Christ.

What does it practically look like to focus our attention on the things of eternity?

Notice the parable- people left in charge with work to do.

There is a danger in the return of the master with nobody doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Kids- running to bed.

Do we regularly ask the question- Lord, what is your expectation of me today? Or, Lord, for what are you equipping me today?

Thomas Chalmers- "The sum and substance of the preparation needed for a coming eternity is that you believe what the Bible tells you, and do what the Bible bids you."

This is what it means to do the work of Christ, and I’m guessing that many of us know this to be true. We likely just need reminded.

2 distinct parts- knowing and trusting Scripture; living Scripture.

The point to be made, Scripture is meant to impact us deeply.

For many, we get away from one part of the other, but let’s notice how both are important in the work of readying ourselves for Christ’s return.

First- knowing and trusting Scripture.

Romans 15:4- For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Our hope for eternity is rooted in the Scriptures, which were written for our instruction and encouragement.

If we find ourselves lacking in the work of Christ, time in Scripture is likely the number one necessary discipline.

Counter-intuitive- Don’t feel connected, stop gathering with believers; difficult times in life send us away from Scripture.

Scripture is meant to inform all of life. How do we love God? How do we pray? How do we love others? All is found in our careful study of Scripture.

When we neglect Scripture, we not only neglect the very voice of God, but we neglect the source of how we are to live.

Second- doing what Scripture instructs.

James 2:26- For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

The point James is making- it is possible to know everything about faith and not have faith.

Same way- possible to know Scripture without living Scripture.

Youth ministry. Same with adults.

Are we putting into practice ALL that we find in the Word of God?

3. Don’t get distracted.

Finally, I’d like to draw our attention to one of the most puzzling things that Jesus says in closing the Olivet Discourse.

In v. 32- nobody knows the time or the day. Not even the angels or the Son.

This text gets to the heart of Christ’s divinity, His omniscience, or knowledge of all things, etc.

At the most basic level, our text seems to indicate that Jesus in some way limits His knowledge while in His incarnate, or humanly, form.

Some are fine with such an argument, others find it troubling.

I’d rather focus on something else entirely. Why did Jesus make the statement?

While we may run the risk, as we discussed earlier, of focusing our lives entirely around this present world, there seems to be an equal risk of thinking in a skewed way about things eternal.

As stated earlier, eternity is meant to be a lens, a means to an end. For some, it becomes an end.

Detach ourselves from the present to focus entirely on the future.

This is what Jesus warns against.

Consider the past couple years.

What changes if the return of Christ is imminent? If you knew Christ was at the door, readying His return, how would your life change?

Here is the point- Life ought to not change. All of our life is meant to be lived in ready anticipation of His return.

Conclusion- What difference has the looming return of Jesus made in your life?

The reason Jesus had this conversation with His disciples was that it was meant to change the way that they saw things, change the way that they lived.

Has the return of Christ made such a difference in our own lives today?

To be a follower of Jesus is to be a hope-filled, hope-fueled watcher.

Let’s pray.

Time of prayer- tell us how we can pray for you.