Keep Your Eyes Moving

Some of you know that I used to drive for FedEx and now I manage drivers.

When you are training to drive, FedEx trains you to become a defensive driver using a method call the Smith System. They teach you 5 principles to practice as you are driving.

Aim High In Steering

Get The Big Picture

Keep Your Eyes Moving.

Leave Yourself An Out

Make Sure They See You

These 5 principles, if practiced will make you a better driver. The principle, keep your eyes moving means when your driving your eyes are moving and watching for potential dangers in the road way every 3-5 seconds. You check driver side mirror, then look out the windshield, then passenger side mirror, then back to the windshield, then driver side mirror, then the windshield, then back to passenger side mirror. To train this, the trainer makes you do a commentary as you driver calling out potential dangers in the roadway.

In our passage today, Mark 13 Jesus tells them be watchful, to keep your eyes moving.

See that no one leads you astray (5)

Be on your Guard (9)

But when you see (14)

But in those days (24)

when you see these things (29)

be on guard (33)

What Jesus is telling his disciples and what he is telling us today is keep your eyes moving. Jesus wants you to stay alert, to be watchful, be aware of the dangers that you are going to face. That is what today’s passage is about, Jesus commands us to be alert because following Jesus will bring trouble and suffering, but Jesus promises to be with us as we suffer.

All this starts because they are in jerusalem and admiring the Temple, to a Jew the Temple was the center of worship, but it was also a very beautiful building. The disciples were admiring the structure of the Temple. As the disciples are admiring the temple, Jesus tells them “all this is going to be wiped out, destroyed, gone.” This probably devastated the disciples, it would be like taking a very patriotic American to Washington DC to the Washington Mall and see the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and Jesus saying see all this, it will be destroyed, wiped out, gone.

The disciples thought about this as they walked and Peter, James ,John and Andrew, come to Jesus privately and ask;

Mark 13:3–8 (ESV)

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (Pause) 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. 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.

3 Y estando Él sentado en el monte de los Olivos, frente al templo, Pedro, Jacobo[, Juan y Andrés le preguntaban en privado: 4 Dinos, ¿cuándo sucederá esto, y qué señal habrá cuando todas estas cosas se hayan de cumplir? (Pause) 5 Y Jesús comenzó a decirles: Mirad que nadie os engañe.6 Muchos vendrán en mi nombre diciendo: «Yo soy el Cristo», y engañarán a muchos. 7 Y cuando oigáis de guerras y de rumores de guerras, no os alarméis; es necesario que todo esto suceda, pero todavía no es el fin.8 Porque se levantará nación contra nación, y reino contra reino; y habrá terremotos en diversos lugares; y habrá hambres. Esto solo es el comienzo de dolores.

I. Jesus Tells Them Keep Your Eyes Moving Globally

The reason I say globally is because Jesus says “many will come” and I believe he is talking about many inside your religious community and outside your religious community, but he also talks about wars and nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom. These are troubles on a global level that impact us where we are.

Now the command, because it is a command that Jesus is issuing here, it is something that we as followers of Jesus need to adhere to and obey, is “See that no one leads you astray”. Jesus’ concern for his followers is that you do not depart from the faith, that you stay focused on the mission of God, which is making disciples who live by God’s grace and for his glory at home and across the world. Don’t be led astray, stay focused, keep your eys moving to be aware of the dangers that arise.

There are two types of dangers Jesus mentions in this section, controllable dangers and uncontrollable dangers. The uncontrollable dangers are easy, they are in verse 8; “There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Jesus says there will natural disasters, possibly an increase in natural disasters. These are things we cannot control, earth quakes, famine, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. These will continue to happen and increase. How do natural disasters lead us astray?

They shake our faith because we begin to ask the question “how can God do this to me?”

Why did God allow this to happen?

Jesus says keep your eyes moving so that you are not led astray.

Jesus also talks about controllable dangers, when I say controllable, I am talking about dangers that you do not allow yourself to get sucked in by, dangers that do not lead you astray. Jesus mentions two dangers and it is dangers around today, that we all can get sucked into.

False teaching in the church and out of the church.

Politics

I can guarantee you that every adult in this room has been impacted by false doctrine at one point or another in life. This is something that impacts us continually and if we are not aware, we can be led astray. There are false theological systems that appear to be Christian but they are false and deceptive, things like the prosperity gospel, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness there are also world religions which can lead you astray. There are also secular philosophies that can lead you astray from God’s word like the Gender Confusion our society is facing today. Gender Dysphoria is a very sensitive topic and we should handle these issues with compassion, grace and mercy. But they are issues we need to speak truth in love. We need to care more about the person and their struggle than how they may choose to define themselves, you are not there to change them, you are there to share the Gospel and love them like Jesus would love them, let the Holy Spirit do his work in their lives.

Jesus says nation will rise against nation, as I sat and thought how this can lead us astray, I must admit I did not have to think long because our churches and our nation, currently is fractured by politics. Many of us have allowed politics to define our lives and relationships to the point it cause division in the church. When that happens we are being led astray. The Christian church is not the political arm fo any party, The church belongs to Jesus Christ and he neither Republican, Democrat or an Independent, he is for the extension and growth of his kingdom period.

With that said, I am not telling you not to be involved with the political affairs in our world. Jesus says to keep your eyes moving, he wants your to be aware, just do not be led astray, do not become unfocused of the mission. Do not falter and waver.

Two things that can help you stay firm in your faith in life, one is having a solid theological foundation from which to view the world and two any teaching, political agenda or religion that you are confronted with, see what the Bible has to say about it. You may think the Bible doesn’t talk about immigration or gender dysphoria or what ever topic. The Bible addresses topics directly but soemtimes it address them through the principles it teaches. The answer is there and if you can’t find it, come talk to Alfredo. If you can’t find seek us out, Alfredo, me Dave, John, your D-group Leaders, we will find it together.

II. Jesus Tell Them to Keep Your Eyes Moving Personally

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

9 “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. 10 And 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. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

9 Pero estad alerta[; porque os entregarán a los tribunales y seréis azotados en las sinagogas, y compareceréis delante de gobernadores y reyes por mi causa, para testimonio a ellos. 10 Pero primero el evangelio debe ser predicado a todas las naciones. 11 Y cuando os lleven y os entreguen, no os preocupéis de antemano por lo que vais a decir, sino que lo que os sea dado en aquella hora, eso hablad; porque no sois vosotros los que habláis, sino el Espíritu Santo. 12 Y el hermano entregará a la muerte al hermano, y el padre al hijo; y los hijos se levantarán contra los padres, y les causarán la muerte. 13 Y seréis odiados de todos por causa de mi nombre, pero el que persevere hasta el fin, ese será salvo.

After Jesus talks about the global issues he comes closer to home and lets them know that they will be persecuted for following Jesus. Jesus says keep your eyes moving because persecution is coming. Jesus says you will be persecuted by family and by governments because you are a follower of Jesus. Some of you may have experienced this already with your families rejecting you because you are a follower of Jesus. It can be a lonely road. Which is why Jesus says be aware of this danger because you may feel like giving up but don’t give up because I am with you.

When you are persecuted and they turn you over to the governments or you are talking with your family and they are threatening you and asking you thousands of questions, Jesus says i am with you, I will give you the words to speak through the Holy Spirit. Trust me. The book of Acts is filled with stories of the Apostles taken before the courts or confronted by people and the Holy Spirit gave them the words to speak at that moment. God is faithful to do what he promises to do.

Jesus says you will be persecuted because his followers will share the Gospel to all nations. For a follower of Jesus, sharing the Gospel is not optional. Jesus says we must share the Gospel and as you do you will be persecuted and hated because of me. Do not worry, I will be with you.

Jesus also says “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” what does that mean? Does that mean I can lose my salvation? What is Jesus saying? Here is an example of letting Bible interpret the Bible. We have to take this passage with rest of scripture. So how do we make sense of this? I like what Danny Akin says “Perseverance is the proof that our profession is real.” If the Spirit has transformed your life through the Gospel of Jesus, God will keep you to the end.

III. Jesus Tells Them to Keep Your Eyes Moving by being a good steward.

English Standard Version (Chapter 13)

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 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. 35 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— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

32 Pero de aquel día o de aquella hora nadie sabe, ni siquiera los ángeles en el cielo, ni el Hijo, sino solo el Padre.

33 Estad alerta, velad; porque no sabéis cuándo es el tiempo señalado.34 Es como un hombre que se fue de viaje, y al salir de su casa dejó a sus siervos encargados, asignándole a cada uno su tarea, y ordenó al portero que estuviera alerta. 35 Por tanto, velad, porque no sabéis cuándo viene el señor de la casa, si al atardecer, o a la medianoche, o al canto del gallo, o al amanecer; 36 no sea que venga de repente y os halle dormidos. 37 Y lo que a vosotros digo, a todos lo digo: ¡Velad!

Sometimes we can get so caught up in the details that we miss the whole point of what Jesus is trying to say. This passage is a perfect example, when people read this passage they become so focused that Jesus says he doesn’t know the timing of his return that the whole point of Jesus saying this is ignored. I am not saying it isn’t a conversation that we should have and it is a conversation I would enjoy having if anyone wants to discuss it in the future. But Jesus’ point in mentioning that no one knows but the Father is to let you know to keep your eyes moving by being a good steward of your resources as you live your life waiting for his return.

I am a manager at FedEx, my boss manages 3 locations one in Memphis, one in Little Rock and one in Jackson. My boss is based in Memphis, I see him maybe 3 -4 times a year. There is a level of trust he places in me to run my station because he is not here everyday and he expects me to run as if he was there everyday. This is what Jesus’ parable is about, about his servants who are in charge and we are to handle his business while he is gone. What is his business, making disciples who live by God’s grace and for his glory.

The danger is falling asleep, checking out, getting so busy with life’s routines we forget why we are here. Jesus tells us keep your eyes moving, be aware of the danger of being led astray, be on guard and watch for persecution, do not be lured to sleep by life’s routines, stay awake and be a good steward of the resources God has given you, use them for the mission God has left for you. There is a passage that I go to from time to time as a reminder to myself

1 John 2:28 (ESV)

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

28 Y ahora, hijos, permaneced en Él, para que cuando se manifieste, tengamos confianza y no nos apartemos de Él avergonzados en su venida.

When Jesus comes back will I be ashamed at what I was doing or how I was leaving my life when he returns or will I have the confidence that I was a good steward of the resources he has given me.?

Here is what i like about this chapter, Jesus is warning us we will have trouble in this world, we will suffer because we are followers of Jesus, but Jesus does not take you where he has not been already. In the next chapter we will see Jesus get arrested, persecuted, killed. We will see Jesus before Rome and the Sanhedrin facing trial, we will read of Jesus’ death. Jesus does not take you where he has not been already.

We may experience trouble and suffering for the sake of following Jesus, but resurrection day is coming. What will you be doing until then?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 13:13.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 13:8.