March 23, 2014
Evening Service

Since we are in the middle of basketball’s “March Madness,” it is only fitting to tie in a basketball story to our teaching tonight.  Larry Bird was an amazing basketball player and the story came out that at the end of a tight game, he told the man guarding him how the game would end.  Not only did Larry win the game with a “buzzer beater” shot, but his words he spoke came true.  In just hitting the shot, he amazed many, but when word came out that he told his defender before he did it is truly astounding.

As we have walked through Luke, Jesus has repeatedly told the disciples what awaited Him at Jerusalem.  We know for a fact that it happened just as He said.  Our faith in His words grows as we see His plan coming together.  Tonight Jesus speaks on things that are still ahead in our future.  We must embrace them as and use them to motivate us to a closer walk with Him.  His words are true and these things will happen just as He said.  It is up to us to listen and obey.

 Luke 21:5-6  And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said,  (6)  As to these things which you see, days will come in which there shall not be left a stone on a stone, which shall not be thrown down.

• Jesus again adds to our faith as He predicts the fall of Jerusalem correctly.   This statement spurs the disciples to question the timing of this event.  Jesus actually begins to speak to us about the events that will precede His second coming.

 

Luke 21:7-19  And they asked Him, saying, Teacher, but when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when these things are about to take place?  (8)  And He said, Take heed that you are not deceived, for many shall come in My name, saying, I AM! Also, the time has come! Do not go after them.  (9)  But when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for all these things must first occur, but the end is not at once.  (10)  And He said to them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  (11)  And great earthquakes shall be in different places, and famines and plagues. And there shall be terrors and great signs from Heaven.  (12)  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  (13)  And it shall return to you as an occasion for  testimony.  (14)  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand what you shall answer.  (15)  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.  (16)  And you shall be betrayed also by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends. And they will cause some of you to be put to death.  (17)  And you shall be hated by all for My name's sake.  (18)  But there shall not a hair of your head perish.  (19)  By your patience you will gain your souls.

• Notice the many things Jesus mentions here for us to anticipate happening; false prophets (v 8), wars and disturbances (v9), nation vs nation (v10), natural disasters (v11). 
• He then gets very personal with them and us.  We can look for imprisonment, persecution, and trials for His name’s sake.  Notice our attitude in verse 13.  Our suffering becomes our opportunity to testify.
• His instructions include trusting Him for words to say and for the safety of our souls, not our physical lives (v 16-19).  Our patience or endurance will prevail.

 

Jesus now returns to the immediate question the disciples asked.

 

Luke 21:20-24  And when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its destruction has come.  (21)  And let those in Judea flee to the mountains. And those in its midst, let them go out. And those in the open spaces, let them not go into her.  (22)  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  (23)  But woe to those who are with child, and to those suckling in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land and wrath on this people.  (24)  And they shall fall by the sword's edge. And shall be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the nations until the times of the nations is fulfilled.

• This occurred just as He spoke in AD 70 as Titus destroyed Jerusalem.  It was a terrible, terrible day.  A day that God was in control of, as He will be on the day of His return.  “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”
• Jesus again switches to that timeframe.

 

Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  (26)  men fainting from fear, and expecting those things which have come on the earth. For the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.  (27)  And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  (28)  And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near.

• As we see all these things notice the two reactions that will occur.    There will be those who are full of anxiety and “fainting in fear” for they have not made the preparations necessary for salvation.  To us who believe we are to “lift up our heads, because our redemption draws near.”  We are to have no fear only great expectation.

 

Jesus illustrates His point with another parable.

 

Luke 21:29-33 And He spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees.  (30)  Now when they sprout leaves, seeing it you will know that summer is now near.  (31)  So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.  (32)  Truly I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled.  (33)  The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.

• We are all able to discern the changes in the seasons, as we see it now.  In those changing seasons, it reflects on steadfastness of God.  He is the One who created them and through His power are they maintained.  What He says WILL happen.   When all these things begin to occur that generation will see it all come to pass.  Just as no one can stop winter from coming back next year, no one will stop these events or His second coming.

 

So what are we to do with this knowledge?

 

Luke 21:34-38  And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with headaches and drinking and anxieties of this life; and that day should suddenly come on you;  (35)  for it shall come as a snare on all those sitting on the face of the whole earth.  (36)  Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.  (37)  And in the days He was teaching in the temple. And in the nights He went out, and lodged in the mount called the Mount of Olives.  (38)  And all the people came early in the morning to Him in the temple, in order to hear Him.

• NLT verse 34: “Watch out!  Don’t let me find you living in carless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life.”  In other words, “don’t fall asleep spiritually.”
• We are being warned not to be so busy with this life that we lose sight of what He has promised is coming.
• Peter sums up this thought far better than I can.

 

2Pe 3:9-14  The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up.  (11)  Then, all these things being about to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy behavior and godliness,  (12)  looking for and rushing the coming of the Day of God, on account of which the heavens, being on fire, will melt away, and the elements will melt, burning with heat?  (13)  But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  (14)  Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, be diligent, spotless, and without blemish, to be found by Him in peace.

• Knowing how this world will end, should affect the way we live our daily lives.  The Word tells us and we must not only believe it, but also live like we believe it.

 

Lord, fill us with the reality of your soon return and help us to live a life that reflects it.