Sermon for 11/14/21 13 Minutes "Busy, But Ready"

Mark 13:1-8

This morning I'll be reading Mark chapter 13 verses 1 through 8. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Mark 13:1-8 In the verses that we look at this morning,,, Jesus comes out of the temple,,, sits on the Mount of Olives and speaks to the disciples about the destruction of the temple and the things that they should be concerned about.

Mark 13:1–8 (HCSB) 1 As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” 2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!” 3 While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple complex, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to take place?” 5 Then Jesus began by telling them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------- Last Sunday we looked at Hebrews 9:24-28 and we learned why Jesus is the “Superior Sacrifice” and that even though He died for all,,, not everyone will be prepared when He returns.

Satan is doing his job to deceive as many as he can and that's why we,,, as Christians,,, need to be prepared.

We need to be vigilant and ready because we know not the day or hour of His coming back,,, nor the day that will be our last here on earth.

This morning we will look at these verses in Mark and see how they will help us in our walk with God this week.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 1 says: 1 As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!”

The disciple was amazed at the building,,, the massive stones,,, maybe he was wondering at the amount of power it took to handle those stones and to get them into place.

Remember that they didn’t have cranes or any other type of heavy equipment like they use today.

So I can just imagine the awe that he felt,,, as he gazed at this wonderful building.

Even today,,, I’ve experienced some of the same feelings that I imagine this disciple felt.

As I read this verse beginning my study for this morning,,, I remembered looking at buildings today,,, churches,,, courthouses,,, homes,,, etc.,,, all beautiful buildings,,, but as I listened for God’s voice about this verse,,, I felt Him saying,,, that if I’m not allowed in it,,, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is,,, it’s just a building,,, that has no meaning.

That’s what was wrong with the temple,,, too many times,,, the religious leaders just went through the motions as they performed their duties.

Worried more about their appearance,,, the pride they felt of themselves,,, they were better than so many,,, looking for the approval of other men instead of God,,, as they should have been doing.

We see Jesus’ reply in the next verse.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 2 says: 2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down!”

Jesus is telling them about the destruction of the temple that we know happened somewhere around A.D 70.

The disciples apparently were wanting to know when all of these events would take place though as we see from the next couple of verses

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 3 and 4 say: 3 While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple complex, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to take place?”

As I just said,,, Jesus’ words have gotten their attention and they want to know more,,, they want to know what signs to look out for.

The disciples wanted to know then,,, and we are still searching for signs today,,, or doing our best to predict the future as we go about our daily lives.

Of course the disciples thought that once the temple was destroyed,,, Jesus would be returning very soon since they only understood parts of the Old Testament prophesies,,, as found in Zechariah 14.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 5 and 6 say: 5 Then Jesus began by telling them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many.

Jesus tells them,,, first,,, to watch out,,, there will be many that proclaim to be the messiah,,, and they will deceive many.

And,,, as always,,, it’s the same for us today,,, we must watch out as well.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 7 says: 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but the end is not yet.

Jesus warned the disciples about this,,, and I’m sure that they wondered a little bit if the end was near when they began to be prosecuted.

And then again when the temple was torn down,,, even though Jesus,,, had warned them.

Because we are still wondering the same thing,,, of course,,, we are almost 2 thousand years closer,,, but we are still waiting.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 8 says: 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Today we are seeing more and more signs that make us aware that it’s getting closer to Jesus’ return.

But we must remember the words that Jesus gave the disciples,,, and through our study of God’s word,,, to us as well,,, that These are the beginning of birth pains.

The imagery of birth pain was commonly used by the Old Testament prophets for divine judgement,,, for example,,, Isaiah 13:6-8,,, 66:7,,, Micah 4:9-10.

Imagery of birth pains came to refer to a final period of hardship preceding the full establishment of God’s reign at the end times.

So the disciples understood this type of imagery used by Jesus.

And I believe that we understand them as well,,, but we need to remember that Jesus didn’t want the disciples keeping an eye out for signs,,, but to be ready at all times.

That was true then,,, and even more so today.

----------------------------------------------------------- If Jesus wanted the disciples to be aware of these signs,,, but not spend time worrying about them,,, or looking for them,,, what did He intend for them,,, and us today,,, to do?

We need to look at Mark 13:10 where it says “And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations.”

We need to be busy doing the work that God intended for us to do.

It was true for the disciples after Jesus ascended to heaven,,, and it’s true for us today.

We must be ready at all times,,, but not sitting around waiting for the end of time,,, either in fear,,, or anticipation.

Instead we should be working to bring as many to Christ as we can before it comes,,, and of course,,, we must remember that we also don’t know when our time is up and we will be called home,,, so we need to be ready for that as well.

----------------------------------------------------------- So we need to remember these verses this week as we go our separate ways.

Remember that Jesus thought it was important to warn the disciples about this then,,, and it’s important for us as well.

If we are doing God’s work as we should,,, then we won’t need to worry about the time.

All we need is to stay busy,,, and ready,,, because the day will come,,, when we least expect it,,, ,,, like a thief in the night,,, Jesus will return,,, and we must be ready,,, at all times!

----------------------------------------------------------- If you have never made the commitment to allow Jesus to be your Personal Savior,,, please make that decision today.

We aren't promised tomorrow,,, so the choice must be made today.

We don't know the hour or the day when Jesus comes back nor do we know if we will be called home,,, we are just told to be ready.

And to be ready,,, you must have made the decision to follow Jesus,,, be sure that you have made that decision today!

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So as we sing our final hymn,,, let me remind you that the alter is always open,,,

If you feel God speaking to you,,, don't hesitate to come,,, maybe you just have questions,,, God will answer,,, you just have to ask Him,,, whatever the need may be,,,

As we sing the final hymn,,, come if needed! ----------------------------------------------------------- Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------