Life with the Messiah

Scripture

Matthew 24:1–10 KJV 1900

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Introduction

Recently of an older woman was on an airplane and she happened to be seated right beside a young businessman. After the in-flight meal she took out her Bible and starts reading. The businessman glances at her and said. Do you really believe all that stuff in the Bible is true?

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do." "the man sort of scoffed, "like... what's that guy's name, you know the one who got swallowed by a whale..." "You mean Jonah?"

"Yeah, Jonah, I mean, how do you actually survive for 3 days in a fish's belly?" "I don't know, but when I get to heaven I’ll ask him…" Feeling kind of smart, the young man said: "Ok, but what if he's not in heaven?” She calmly replied, well then maybe you can ask him.

Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ.

1.I think we would all agree that we are living in difficult times. I mean all we have to do is to look at this Pandemic?

2.The job market. 3. The building market. 4. Unemployment.

3.The number of wars we are in simultaneously.

4.And we could go on and on.

5.But we need to stop and ask ourselves the question, “What is happening?”

6.Well all we have to do is look at the words of Jesus given to his disciples in Matt. 24 in answer to their question.”Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

7.The truth is all we have to do is open the newspaper – any newspaper, and we will see a reflection of these signs.

As Jesus told Simon Peter just before the crucifixion, in Luke 22:31

Luke 22:31 KJV 1900

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

But I have good news for you this evening, Jesus is praying for you right now at the right hand of God the father. Matthew 22:32

Matthew 22:32 KJV 1900

32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

“But I have prayed for you that you faith fail not.”

Jesus is telling us that in the last days you cannot afford to lose your faith. There is nothing you get from God that you do not get except by faith. This is no time to lose the faith.

It is obvious that we are coming into the time we are warned about in Matt. 24.

•Our own government refuses to recognize Jesus in public settings.

•The Ten Commandments are denied in public setting and display.

•The public use of the Bible is prohibited everywhere expect Prisons, Jails and some courtroom settings.

And remember that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. There is no battle to great for the Sword of the Lord and the Shield of Faith. Amen

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The bible says that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith” Hebrews 12:2

Jesus will help us finish strong. He told us that if we “endure to the end” or “stands firm to the end” we will be saved. So -

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV 1900

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Colossians 3:1–2 KJV 1900

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

We need to be reminded often that it will be worth it to serve the Lord. We all need a lot of encouragement. What troubles we go through now are not worth comparing with what God has prepared for us. Our troubles are light and momentary. Every thing is perspective, isn’t it? And we need to remember that they are achieving for us an ETERNAL glory that FAR outweighs them all.

Sometimes we get so bogged down in our trials and tribulations and woes. They can overwhelm us. Depression can fall on us like a cloud and suck all the joy and hope out of life. Don’t let it do that to you. You have the power; you have the ability to control things. God has given you that ability – and responsibility. You have to use it. You have to avail yourself of this power.

I. See to it no one misleads you (vs 4-5)

II. See that you are not frightened (vs 6-8)

III. You will be hated (vs 9-13)

Closing

Let me conclude with some words from Jesus. Jesus was only hours away from being arrested, hauled off to a kangaroo court, beaten, mocked and then crucified. He would be resurrected after three days and a month or so later – ascend into heaven. He knew all that was coming so He left His disciples with a wonderful positive picture of the future. He told the parable of three men who were given responsibilities. Two met them and maybe even exceeded the expectations of them. And as a result they heard these words:

Matthew 25:21 KJV 1900

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

The servants or managers were given different abilities or resources but the reward was the same for both – a share in the Master’s joy; a share in the Master’s happiness. It doesn’t matter if you are a one talent person or a ten talent person – if you fulfill your calling you will be rewarded the same.

I want you to be encouraged in knowing YOU have a share in the Master’s joy. We have the promise of eternal life. Not only that – but Jesus, Himself, is preparing a place for us John 14:3

John 14:3 KJV 1900

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Don’t give up.

Don’t get discouraged.

Don’t quit trying.

It will be worth it all.

All of the promises of God fine their fulfillment in Jesus.

The promise of provision is fulfilled in Jesus.

The promise of protection is fulfilled in Jesus.

The promise of healing is fulfilled in Jesus.

The promise of eternal life is fulfilled in Jesus.

He promises to always be with us.

Jesus is great than our trials.

Jesus is greater than our difficulties.

Jesus is greater than anything this life can throw at us.

Greater he is that is in you than he that is in the world!