Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Open your Bibles to Mark chapter 13.
•We are continuing our study of the Gospel of Mark.
•This morning we come to the beginning of our time in the Olivet Discourse.
This sermon is going to be a bit different than usual.
•This sermon will set the stage for how I plan to interpret this whole chapter.
And it takes some ground work.
•You’re going to have to think hard this morning.
•Christianity is a religion of the mind.
And you’re going to have to use yours today.
Also, this sermon will probably be long.
I don’t think there is any real way to get around that.
•So settle in and prepare to be here for a while.
We’re in it for the long haul so we can properly understand the Olivet Discourse.
Since this sermon is going to be a bit unusual, let’s go ahead and begin by reading the text.
And then I’ll give an introduction and then we’ll dive in.
•We’re going to read the entirety of Mark 13.
If you would and are able, please stand with me now for the reading of the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God.
Mark 13
[1] And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”
[2] And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings?
There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
[3] And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
[4] “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
[5] 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.
[7] 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.
[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.
[14] “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
[15] Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, [16] and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.
[17] And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!
[18] Pray that it may not happen in winter.
[19] For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
[20] And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved.
But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
[21] And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
[22] For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
[23] But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
[24] “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, [25] and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
[26] And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
[27] And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
[28] “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.
[29] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
[30] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
[31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
[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.”
(PRAY)
Our Great God,
We come before you this morning in need of grace.
The text before us is difficult.
But it is indeed your Word.
You’ve given it to us to instruct, warn, encourage, and point us to our Lord Jesus Christ.
And so, we ask that you, by your Spirit, would grant us insight into your Word.
Give us sharp minds, open hearts, and faith to receive your Word soberly and gladly.
Glorify yourself in us as you work in our hearts by your Word and Spirit.
We ask these things in Jesus’ Name and for His sake.
Amen.
1.)
This chapter is a famous passage.
And it is also a judgment passage.
•While it certainly contains some rays of light and encouragement for the People of God, nevertheless it is predominantly a judgment prophecy from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ.
•Not only is it a judgment passage, it is also one of the toughest texts to interpret in the NT.
It is certainly the most difficult and disputed text to interpret in the Gospels.
•There are many different schools of interpretation with this chapter.
And there is much disagreement even among good, godly, faithful men regarding how we should understand the text before us.
I’ll tell you straight up: There is some wild language in this passage, as you all noticed in the reading.
•And in light of all of this kind of language, most people believe that almost all of the Olivet Discourse has to do with the future history of the world just prior to the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
•This is most certainly an important text.
And it is full of vivid imagery and difficult language to interpret.
I confess that I’ve been nervous about getting to this chapter since we started the Gospel of Mark three years ago.
•So, please be praying for me as I prepare and teach through it.
•But I’ve been studying this text off and on for the last two years.
I’ve read about five books on it, listened to many lectures, read tons of articles, and listened to some sermons on it.
•I’ve been trying to prepare myself for this tough passage so that I might be a blessing to you all.
•And I’ve spent time thinking about how to interpret the difficult words and imagery found in the text.
•And, wouldn’t you know it, I’ve come to the minority position on this passage.
•The vast majority of Bible interpreters (many of whom I have profound respect for) would disagree with many things (though not all) that I will be teaching as we go through this chapter.
But let me be clear: I do not go searching for novel interpretations of Scripture.
•I actually hate to disagree with the majority of interpreters.
I like being able to point to many others who have seen what I see in the Scripture.
•BUT, if after studying the Word, I am forced to disagree with the many, I will.
•One example of this is the fact that I’’m a Baptist.
•My flesh would rather be Presbyterian.
•I hate disagreeing with theological giants like Calvin, Knox, Bavinck, Turretin, almost all the Puritans, Sproul, and many other paedobaptist giants in the Faith.
•BUT, I humbly disagree with them on baptism because I believe the Word of God teaches otherwise.
And my conscience is held captive to the Word of God, not a theological tradition, no matter how great it may be.
I say that to say this: I want you to know that I’m being as sincere and honest with the text as I know how to be when I teach this minority position on the OD.
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