WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:28.080 --> 00:00:29.359 I know that's a little different. 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:32.159 We usually read the scripture reading right after this song. 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:34.119 But I just need to give you all a heads up. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:36.320 This is going to be an interesting one today, all right? 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:38.200 I don't know if you got a peek at the passage. 00:00:38.299 --> 00:00:40.000 It's going to be an interesting one. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:41.140 And I'm so sorry. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:43.960 I didn't realize that we have the fourth graders and fifth graders in here. 00:00:45.060 --> 00:00:46.620 Because it's going to be a longer one, too. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:47.420 I'm so sorry. 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:48.539 I'm so sorry. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:51.359 But last week, of course, was Easter Sunday. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:56.820 And, you know, Jonathan, of course, he preached on Mark's account of the resurrection of Jesus. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:01:00.240 But to conclude our series and Mark's gospel today, 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:03.899 we thought it'd be fitting to cap it off with a sermon on what happens next, 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:05.859 what happens after the resurrection. 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:11.019 So we're going to turn our attention to a teaching that Jesus actually gave before his crucifixion. 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:17.659 But it was a prophetic teaching about what was going to happen after his resurrection and his ascension into heaven. 00:01:17.740 --> 00:01:21.760 It's Jesus' longest teaching in the gospel of Mark, Mark chapter 13. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:31.460 Now, if you are new here, you have to know that the length of our passage this morning is way longer than we typically select to preach on. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:33.460 And again, it's going to be a longer sermon. 00:01:34.520 --> 00:01:40.800 And I also promise you that we're not one of those churches that's always preaching about the end times and Judgment Day and the end of the world. 00:01:41.360 --> 00:01:46.140 But we still are a church that's committed to preaching what we call the whole counsel of God. 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:52.099 We're still a church that wants to preach all that God's spoken and revealed in the Scriptures 00:01:52.099 --> 00:01:55.620 because we believe that all Scriptures are breathed out by God. 00:01:55.739 --> 00:02:01.599 They're inspired by God and that they're useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training us in righteousness 00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:06.099 so that all the servants of God might be equipped for every good work. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:13.400 So this means we're not going to shy away from passages that are unpalatable or unpopular or hard for people to swallow 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:15.480 or even hard for people to understand. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:18.020 You know, passages like today, Mark chapter 13. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:19.319 Thank you, Jonathan. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:20.800 I hope you had a good spring break. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:25.480 But all this is to say we're going for it today, okay? 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:26.240 We're going for it. 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:34.719 I won't be able to address all 37 verses in what most Bible interpreters call the most difficult chapter of Mark's gospel. 00:02:35.460 --> 00:02:40.620 But I do want to take it on as a whole and help us all get a better hold of it. 00:02:40.620 --> 00:02:46.420 But more importantly, I hope that the way I preach will help this text get a better hold of us. 00:02:47.700 --> 00:02:52.219 And for this to work, this is why we have this insert in our liturgies this morning. 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:53.319 If you could take that out. 00:02:53.819 --> 00:02:59.060 For this to work, I'm going to need you to pay extra close attention to the passage today, okay? 00:02:59.140 --> 00:03:00.140 So grab those liturgies. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:02.819 And as the Bible teacher, Paige Benton-Brown, she likes to say, 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:04.620 I want to see tops of heads, all right? 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:09.860 I want to see your heads down, your noses and your eyes in the Word of God, immersed in the Word of God. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:15.879 It's extra important for us as we address this long, dense, and difficult passage. 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:16.659 Okay? 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:18.620 That's my beginning stuff. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:19.900 Why don't we all stand now? 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:22.340 And I'm going to read all 37 verses for us. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:25.480 This is the gospel of our Lord. 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:30.179 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:34.099 Look, teacher, what massive stones, what magnificent buildings. 00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:37.259 Do you see all these great buildings, replied Jesus? 00:03:38.239 --> 00:03:41.079 Not one stone here will be left on another. 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:43.899 Everyone will be thrown down. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.560 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:49.899 Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:52.239 Tell us, when will these things happen? 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:56.580 And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? 00:03:57.640 --> 00:03:58.520 Jesus said to them, 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:00.560 Watch out that no one deceives you. 00:04:00.680 --> 00:04:04.280 Many will come in my name claiming I am he and will deceive many. 00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:07.939 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:12.360 Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:15.800 Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:18.600 There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:20.900 These are the beginning of birth pains. 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:23.079 You must be on your guard. 00:04:23.599 --> 00:04:27.000 You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. 00:04:27.419 --> 00:04:31.799 On account of me, you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them, 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:35.379 and the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 00:04:36.379 --> 00:04:41.099 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. 00:04:41.419 --> 00:04:46.699 Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 00:04:46.699 --> 00:04:50.560 Brother will betray brother to death and father his child. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.639 Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 00:04:53.979 --> 00:04:59.920 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:07.100 When you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it does not belong, let the reader understand. 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:09.900 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:14.759 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out of it. 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:17.939 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:22.040 Look how dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:27.420 Pray that this will not take place in winter because those will be days of distress, 00:05:27.600 --> 00:05:32.819 unequaled from the beginning when God created the world until now and never to be equaled again. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.319 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive, 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:39.319 but for the sake of the elect whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:44.959 At that time, if anyone says to you, look, here is the Messiah, or look, there he is, do not believe it. 00:05:44.959 --> 00:05:50.439 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:52.319 if possible, even the elect. 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:56.139 So be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:06:03.039 But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:07.000 The stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 00:06:07.799 --> 00:06:13.240 At that time, people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory, 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:17.220 and he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.540 from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:22.040 Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:26.620 As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 00:06:27.220 --> 00:06:32.460 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near right at the door. 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:40.000 Truly, I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:44.980 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:52.740 But about that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:57.660 Be on guard. Be alert. You do not know when that time will come. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.259 It's like a man going away. 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:03.399 He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:05.639 and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:11.339 Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back, 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:15.060 whether in the evening or at midnight or when the rooster crows or at dawn. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:18.539 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:22.560 What I say to you, I say to everyone, watch. 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:24.479 This is the gospel of our Lord. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.599 Praise to you, O Christ. 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:27.539 You can take your seats. 00:07:29.039 --> 00:07:29.699 Let's pray. 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:29.740 Let's pray. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:39.800 Lord God, this passage is a hard one, but we confess that your word is true, 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:44.160 and that your word is good, and that your word is life. 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:49.960 So would your Holy Spirit guide us this morning, not just to understand your word, 00:07:49.960 --> 00:07:52.980 but to trust it and to live by it? 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:56.800 For Jesus' sake and for the world, we pray. 00:07:57.540 --> 00:07:57.819 Amen. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:02.139 All right, so let's just dive right in. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:06.280 You need a little bit of a helpful background as we get into Mark chapter 13, 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.879 and what you have to remember is that what happens in chapter 11? 00:08:10.220 --> 00:08:12.879 Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.960 He enters the temple, and then what does he do? 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:16.519 He clears it out, right? 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:17.319 He clears it out. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:20.259 He calls it a den of robbers. 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.280 He creates quite a stir. 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:25.900 He overturns the money changers' tables, and he drives out all the buyers and sellers. 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:31.379 And then from then on in chapter 12, you have a bunch of religious leaders who come to question 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:35.279 him and test him and challenge his authority in and around the temple. 00:08:35.959 --> 00:08:41.759 So you might say that coming into chapter 13 here, the temple had become a hostile place 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.539 to Jesus. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:47.860 And you might even say that one key to understanding Jesus' whole teaching in Mark chapter 13 is 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:54.220 to understand that he has come to make that temple obsolete and to challenge people to 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:57.320 place their hopes somewhere else and not in that temple. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:03.000 So now we come to chapter 13, verse 1, and it says, as Jesus was leaving the temple, again, 00:09:03.060 --> 00:09:07.379 this place had been so hostile to Jesus, and that in many ways Jesus had just undermined 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:13.379 and discredited as Jesus was leaving this temple, one of his disciples, totally missing the point 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:18.860 of all that's just been happening at the temple, one of his disciples says to him, look, teacher, 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:22.000 what massive stones, what magnificent buildings. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:24.279 And he might as well have said, teacher, what a beautiful temple. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:29.840 Aren't we so lucky to call this temple ours, to be Jewish worshipers at this most magnificent 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.019 house of worship? 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:36.039 How befitting it is that we, who have the greatest religion and culture in the world, also have 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.779 the greatest temple in the world. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:40.980 I mean, look at those stones, look at these magnificent buildings. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:44.059 And for sure, these were massive stones. 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:50.459 Think like shipping cargo containers, all right, 400 tons each, beautifully stacked on one another. 00:09:50.579 --> 00:09:53.379 And for sure, the building was magnificent. 00:09:54.219 --> 00:09:59.919 King Herod and Jewish people from all over the world had put tons of money into this reconstruction 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:00.799 of a temple. 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:05.379 Its foundation was twice as big as the original temple that Solomon had built. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:10.299 And as the ancient historian Josephus recounts, it was covered all over with plates of gold 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:11.159 of great weight. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:16.759 And at the first rising of the sun, it reflected back a very fiery splendor and made those who 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:21.259 forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.740 at the sun's own rays. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:26.919 So in one sense, the disciples, that disciple wasn't wrong. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:33.100 This was an impressive sight to behold, probably the greatest house of worship in the known world. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:38.580 But is Jesus as impressed by this temple as his disciple? 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:39.920 No. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:44.920 No, because he, like the prophet he is, he sees the temple for what it really is and what 00:10:44.920 --> 00:10:50.980 it will ultimately be, a mere architectural structure, merely built by deep pockets and 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:52.480 a vain king, King Herod. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:59.560 Just a place ruled by a Jewish religious establishment whose hearts were far from the Lord and a house 00:10:59.560 --> 00:11:04.340 of worship filled with religious people who couldn't even recognize the Messiah right in 00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:04.740 front of them. 00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:06.039 That's what the temple was to Jesus. 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:13.039 And so Jesus saw in this temple something ultimately doomed to crumble into a pile of rubble. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:18.279 In fact, the whole reason Jesus came, we know, from the other parts of the Scriptures was 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:21.299 to be a better, more ultimate temple, right? 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:25.079 The perfect place where the fullness of God dwelt. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:29.019 The perfect and true meeting place between God and humanity. 00:11:29.599 --> 00:11:34.039 Not centralized in one little place in Jerusalem, waiting for people to come and convert to join 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:39.559 him, but a person who by his spirit would go out with his disciples to the world. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:42.119 And so he responds in verse 2. 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.039 He says, 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:44.579 Do you see all these great buildings? 00:11:44.739 --> 00:11:46.839 Not one stone here will be left on another. 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:48.959 Every one will be thrown down. 00:11:49.859 --> 00:11:54.859 And you have to understand how rattling this would have been to his disciples to hear this. 00:11:54.939 --> 00:11:59.139 Because to the Jewish people, the temple was the centralized dwelling place of God, the 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.699 very heart of the kingdom, the core of God's holy city. 00:12:01.739 --> 00:12:06.399 The temple was the religious, political, and cultural center of Jewish life. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:11.579 It was the place from which God was going to establish his rule and reign over all the 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:15.340 nations and vindicate his own honor and his people's honor. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:18.319 And remember, this is the second temple, okay? 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.240 So it's not Solomon's original temple. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:26.939 This is the temple that was built after the Israelites had been returned to Israel after 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:28.439 their exile in Babylon. 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:33.520 So it's not just the central place of God's presence, but it's a sign, right? 00:12:33.520 --> 00:12:34.600 It's a sign of God's favor. 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:39.860 It's a sign of God's commitment to them that he would indeed keep his promise to them of 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:43.600 an everlasting kingdom in the line of David. 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:46.360 And now here the disciples were. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:50.980 They'd believe they'd identified the Messiah as Jesus of Nazareth, right? 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:55.840 And they believed that the everlasting kingdom was soon to be inaugurated and that such a 00:12:55.840 --> 00:13:00.019 grand temple was well-suited for such a long-waited Messiah. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:05.039 But then Jesus tells them that not one stone of it will be left on another. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:10.500 Jesus prophesies that this site that's so central to all of Jewish life and carrying all their 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:15.680 hopes and dreams, this architectural structure that had been in construction for over 50 years 00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:17.620 up to this point when they're pointing out these stones. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.100 And it wouldn't be completed for another 30 years. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:24.340 Jesus is saying, it's all going to come crashing down. 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:29.679 And so in verse 3 and 4, four of the disciples approach Jesus because they absolutely need 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.580 to know more details. 00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:36.379 And they ask him in verse 4, actually they don't ask him, they command him, tell us, when 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.200 will these things happen? 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:40.639 Specifically, when will the temple be destroyed? 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:45.960 And they ask, and what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:49.940 All right, and these are some super loaded questions. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:53.300 Because see, in the disciples' minds, yes, their question is about the end of the temple, 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:58.440 but as Jewish students of the scriptures, in their minds, the end of the temple was also 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:00.780 the same thing as the end of the world. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:05.000 Remember, the temple was a central feature in their world, so for the temple to be destroyed, 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:10.180 for the dwelling place of God and his people to be torn down, that would signal the end of 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:10.519 the world. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:15.379 And not only that, but notice how they phrased their second question, what will be the sign 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:18.279 that they are all about to be fulfilled? 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:24.980 There's this prophecy in the book of Daniel, Daniel chapter 12, and it's about the end of 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.419 the world. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:31.319 And Daniel has this vision of a man asking a very similar question, and this man asks, 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:35.919 how long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled? 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.839 And then Daniel hears the answer. 00:14:39.099 --> 00:14:45.659 Another man cries out, it will be for a time, listen, when the power of the holy people has 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.479 finally been broken. 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.779 All these things will be completed. 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:57.500 When the power of the holy people has finally been broken, all these things will be completed. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:03.740 So in short, the disciples understand Jesus' prophecy about the temple to be more than a prediction 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:08.139 about some building, they understand it to be a prophecy about the last days. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:11.560 And that's why the disciples don't just ask, when will this happen? 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.500 When will the temple be destroyed? 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.060 But when will these things, plural, happen? 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:18.799 What will be the sign that they will all be fulfilled? 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:22.940 They have a lot of things in mind when they're thinking about the destruction of the temple. 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:27.639 And it's even clearer if you look on page 805 in your pew Bibles, if you'd like, 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:30.980 in Matthew's account of this discussion. 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:33.419 Matthew chapter 24, verse 3. 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:39.799 In Matthew's more expanded account, he puts it like this when they ask the question, 00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:41.480 when will this happen? 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:47.799 And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:51.000 So that's what's on their mind when they're asking this question. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:54.559 And that's where the difficulty of this passage really comes in. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:59.839 It's in how to understand Jesus' response to this loaded question. 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:05.019 When Jesus responds to their questions with a list of a whole bunch of things that will happen, 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:09.500 the question is, when did or when does that actually happen? 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:12.479 Like what time period was he referring to? 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:16.959 Especially since we know that the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:18.659 And you know what? 00:16:18.739 --> 00:16:22.559 First, I was going to share with you the view that I felt most comfortable with. 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:27.219 But then yesterday morning, I listened to one more talk about this chapter. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.559 And it was with a different view. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:31.719 And I was like, I don't know, maybe I'm wrong. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.659 I'm not quite sure. 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:38.500 And so I spent yesterday afternoon trying to figure out how to concisely summarize 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:40.899 maybe three of the most popular views for you. 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:44.519 But then I realized that it was going to take way too much time 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:51.220 and distract us from what I think Jesus is most importantly wanting us to have our attention focused upon. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:55.659 So all I'm going to say, and we can talk about this offline, 00:16:55.819 --> 00:17:00.259 come to my equipping class the last Tuesday of every month. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.360 We can talk about that more. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:03.139 But all I'm going to say is that some people, 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:08.279 some people think that what is predicted from verses 5 to 31, 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:11.539 all right, again, tops of heads, tops of heads, verses 5 to 31. 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:15.379 Some people think that all that's predicted there, 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:20.319 about all the wars and the earthquakes and the famines and persecution and false prophets 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.519 and the gospel being preached to all the nations 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:26.720 and the tribulation and the abomination that causes desolation, 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.259 leading people to flee to the mountains, 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:31.279 and the destruction of the temple and the sun and the moon, 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:33.279 darkening stars falling from the sky, 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:36.139 the son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory, 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:38.740 and the angels gathering all God's people from the ends of the earth, 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:42.200 and this whole generation not passing away before all these things happen. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:46.339 Some people think that this is all in the future. 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:51.000 You might call that the futurist view or the dispensationalist view, 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:54.319 particularly conservative American evangelicals, 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:57.480 Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary, 00:17:57.879 --> 00:18:02.119 guys like Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, Charles Stanley, Tony Evans. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:04.299 You may have heard of Hal Lindsey, right? 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:09.299 And those famous New York Times best-selling books, 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:14.659 the Left Behind series, Tim LaHaye, that's this view, right? 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:20.799 And while I probably would consider myself a theologically conservative American evangelical, 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:24.159 while I also grew up being taught this view, 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:29.359 today I would say I actually find this the least compelling, the least compelling view. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:31.639 Because the temple was destroyed, 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:35.259 and a lot of this stuff already did happen by 70 A.D. 00:18:36.219 --> 00:18:40.359 And Jesus says in verse 30 that the generation that he's speaking to 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:43.079 would not pass away until all these things happened. 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:46.699 And some people think, well, maybe he's talking about generations upon generations, 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:49.979 not just, you know, beyond the time of Jesus' disciples, 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:55.859 but the best Greek and New Testament scholars feel that that's kind of a dishonest reading, 00:18:55.859 --> 00:19:01.240 a twisting of the word generation, beyond how the word generation is used in the rest of the Bible 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:03.979 and in the rest of classic Greek literature. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:09.279 So it seems to me that you have to at least admit that a lot of this stuff has already happened 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:12.619 by 70 A.D. at the destruction of the temple. 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:16.959 Now there's another camp, they're called the Preterist Camp. 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:20.819 I wasn't going to say that, but Jonathan dared me to use that word in this sermon, all right? 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:26.299 But they think that all these things mentioned in verses 5 through 31, 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:32.019 that they already happened by 70 A.D., by the time the temple was destroyed. 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:36.859 Even the coming of the Son of Man in the clouds with great power and glory 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:39.980 and his gathering of all people from the four winds. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:43.759 And honestly, as I studied this passage this week, 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:46.539 I actually became a lot more sympathetic to this view 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:48.519 for a variety of reasons I can share with you later. 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:53.579 The top commentator on the Gospel of Mark, his name was Richard France. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:56.379 He was a scholar out at Oxford. 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.039 He held this view. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:02.379 So does N.T. Wright, R.C. Sproul, Kevin DeYoung. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:06.720 But that part about the Son of Man already coming, 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:09.740 even if we take that spiritually and figuratively 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:13.480 and believe in another physical coming of Jesus, 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.680 it doesn't sit right with me. 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:19.799 I think it takes kind of some gymnastics to hold this view as well. 00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:22.580 And then there was the view that I was taught in seminary 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:26.480 that some of these things did happen leading up to the destruction of the temple, 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:31.500 but other things, like the Son of Man returning, hasn't happened yet. 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:34.759 That's the view I was probably going to teach and promote, 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:37.900 but honestly, I'm not really sure that one's right either. 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:44.120 I think it takes maybe a less intuitive kind of lumpy, 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:46.900 back-and-forth reading of this text. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.400 All right, so that's the end of the sermon. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.900 No, but I think from time to time you need to hear 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:56.560 that the pastor doesn't know. 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:58.560 And that's the truth. 00:20:59.080 --> 00:21:00.480 That's God's word to you this morning. 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:02.280 The pastors don't know everything. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:06.220 And this was just a brief and broad sketch 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.759 of some of the most popular views out there, 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:11.079 but again, I guess what I need to admit here is, 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:13.379 as your pastor, I'm not really sure exactly 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:16.740 what Jesus was referring to here in Mark chapter 13. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:20.799 But also as your pastor, I want you to hear 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:24.639 that that doesn't mean what Jesus is saying here isn't important, 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:28.759 or that we can just ignore his teaching about the end of the age, 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:32.160 or that there is nothing we can hold onto and glean 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.440 from these portions of Scripture 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:37.980 that are more difficult to interpret and get consensus upon. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:41.759 Actually, in this very difficult passage about the last days, 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.440 there is still a ton of relevant, significant, 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.160 and even profound truth here 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:49.319 for us to trust and apply in our lives. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:52.799 The end times aren't some speculative Christian teachings 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.980 that Christians are meant to bicker over 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:57.819 or raise alarm about to manipulate people. 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:59.879 Jesus' teaching on the end 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:03.079 has incredible significance for the present. 00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:05.139 And if you're here today 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:07.740 and you're having trouble seeing the relevance 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:11.879 of this apocalyptic end-of-the-age conversation 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:13.740 between Jesus and his disciples, 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.539 maybe you're here, 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:16.079 you're not even sure if you believe in God. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:18.500 And maybe you're not even sure you can believe 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.799 there was a beginning or that there will be an end, 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:23.879 even if the AI robots take over and wipe us out, 00:22:24.179 --> 00:22:27.319 or we wipe ourselves out with wars and nukes 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:30.659 and consuming so much that we make this world uninhabitable. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.819 Or maybe you're here and you are a Christian 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:34.319 and you do technically believe 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:36.079 that there's a beginning and an end, 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:38.879 but honestly, you have trouble thinking that far ahead. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:41.159 You're just trying to keep your head above the water, right? 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.839 And the end of the age just seems so far, 00:22:43.939 --> 00:22:45.419 so distant that functionally, 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:48.220 it seems just as irrelevant to you 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:51.039 as to those here who aren't even sure they believe in God. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.980 Well, I'm sorry, I don't have time 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:55.359 to give a comprehensive argument 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:58.259 about why you should believe in the end of the age, 00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:01.619 but what I will say is that if we try to live 00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:03.319 as if there is no grand story, 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:07.339 if we try to live as if there is no meta-narrative, 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.659 no rightful ending, 00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:11.339 no one in control of the beginning or the middle 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.920 or the end of the story, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:16.659 we will never live with a kind of confident hope, 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:20.840 comforting peace, and convicted purpose 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:23.860 that we all long to live with. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:27.320 See, underlying the entire Christian faith 00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:30.460 is the conviction that we are living in God's story, 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:34.380 a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end, 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:37.000 a good creation, a world gone wrong, 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:39.360 and God's redemptive action to judge the world 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:41.519 and yet at the same time save it 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:45.220 and transfigure it into something glorious and imperishable. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:50.080 But without a grand narrative like the Christian narrative, 00:23:50.080 --> 00:23:51.540 if we don't have a good beginning, 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.800 and if we're confused or divided 00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:55.700 about how to understand the messy middle 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.279 that we all find ourselves in, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.640 and if we don't know the end 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:01.600 or if there even is an end, 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:04.620 and whether or not it bends toward justice 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.460 like Dr. King used to preach 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:08.060 from his own Christian convictions, 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:11.060 then it's gonna be hard to live this life 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:12.019 with hope for the future, 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.540 peace in the present, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:15.720 and convictions about the way 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.460 things were always meant to be 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.359 from the beginning. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:21.299 So what I hope to show you from this passage 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.619 is more than just the details 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:24.099 about the end of the ages 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.759 that the Bible interpreters 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:27.200 disagree with each other about. 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:29.059 What I hope to show you 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:31.200 and what is clear from this passage 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:34.259 is that it's only when we entrust ourselves 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.839 to the end of God's story 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:38.539 that we'll ever live with confident hope, 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.819 comforting, peace, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.279 and convicted purpose. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.960 It's only when we entrust ourselves 00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:45.359 to the end of God's story 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:47.079 that we'll ever live with confident hope, 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.240 comforting, peace, 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.839 and convicted purpose. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:52.599 I think that's what Jesus most importantly 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.679 was trying to get across 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.539 to his disciples 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:56.659 who were asking him 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:58.839 about the destruction of the temple 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.240 and the end of the world, 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.139 and I think that's what he wants 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:02.139 for us this morning too. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.839 Now notice how I phrased this 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.919 kind of main point that I just spoke. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.179 I didn't say when we know the details 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.360 of the end of God's story. 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.860 I said when we entrust ourselves 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:14.620 to the end of God's story. 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:17.240 And that's absolutely key 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:20.200 to understanding this most important thrust 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.340 in Mark chapter 13. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.180 Rather than focusing on all the details 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:25.480 and the events that Jesus speaks about 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.100 and rather than trying to predict 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:30.519 the future and the exact time 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.600 when the end will come, 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:33.400 which Jesus says in verse 32, 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.660 even he doesn't know, 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:37.880 a better way to read and understand 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.040 Mark chapter 13 00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:41.300 is by focusing on Jesus' clear 00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:44.720 and direct commands and promises, I think. 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:47.019 To focus on the when, I think, 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.920 is not the point 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:50.759 or not the main point. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.720 And in fact, it shows that 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.980 we are totally missing the heart 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.980 and the mind 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.240 and the person of Jesus. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.700 I want you to notice something here. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.480 So this isn't the first time, right, 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:01.200 that Jesus has prophesied 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.640 about the future to his disciples. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.540 He's prophesied many times. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.639 We've seen him many times 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.920 constantly foretelling them 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:08.259 of his suffering, right, 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.579 and of his death. 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.700 And yet this is the first time 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:14.920 when they're actually curious enough 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:17.039 to ask him when. 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:20.680 When this prophecy would be fulfilled, 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.440 when it would happen. 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:23.759 Not when it's about his destruction, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.639 but when it's about 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:27.720 their beloved temple's destruction. 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.180 And this should show us 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:32.000 not only how much Jesus' disciples 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:34.399 were totally missing the point 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:36.740 and how far their hearts were from him, 00:26:37.280 --> 00:26:38.880 but it's a mirror for us, too, 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.180 to consider the ways 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.840 that we might be missing the point 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.900 and ultimately missing Jesus. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.200 This is an opportunity 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:48.220 to consider the areas 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.120 where our hearts 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.940 might be less concerned about Jesus 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:53.220 and more concerned about things 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.560 like the temple 00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:56.580 that won't last. 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:58.699 What are the things 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.419 that we think 00:26:59.419 --> 00:27:00.659 are more important 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:02.299 than they actually are 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.659 to Jesus? 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:07.419 Notice also how the disciples ask, 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:10.019 they ask when, 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:12.220 but they don't ask why, 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.919 or how do you want us 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.799 to live and respond? 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.240 They were more concerned 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.439 with the bare facts 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:18.579 and the circumstances 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.879 around them 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:22.079 than God's purposes around them. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:24.359 More concerned with factual knowing 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:26.000 than with faithful living. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.879 And the application question for us is, 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.240 do we also care more 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.519 about our circumstances 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:34.419 than God's purpose for our lives? 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.899 Are we more concerned 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:38.779 with predicting the future 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:40.359 and setting ourselves up 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:42.039 for favorable circumstances 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.719 than we are 00:27:42.719 --> 00:27:45.179 with a personal relationship with God 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:47.579 and living into his purposes? 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:51.779 The disciples totally missed the point. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.659 And we will too 00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:56.439 if we only see Jesus' response 00:27:56.439 --> 00:27:57.579 as an answer to their 00:27:57.579 --> 00:28:00.099 when will this happen question. 00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:02.419 Jesus isn't interested 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:03.439 in just simply answering 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:04.359 their question 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.460 and puffing them up 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.359 with knowledge 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.359 about the details 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.899 of their future circumstances. 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.899 No, he is far more interested 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.899 as we will see 00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:13.699 in how they will live faithfully 00:28:13.699 --> 00:28:15.559 into and toward the future 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:17.000 as his disciples 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.940 even without knowing 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:22.119 the exact timing of the end. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:25.000 I love how this commentator, 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.079 he was formerly the president 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.859 at Baylor, 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.460 David Garland, 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.559 he puts it this way 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.319 in his commentary 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.259 on this passage. 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.339 He says, 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.319 Mark's message 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.599 is more subtle 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.679 than to give us events 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.960 to enter onto our 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.179 end of time charts. 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:41.059 The message is simply this. 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:42.599 God's way, 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.079 God's Christ, 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.019 and God's people 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.720 will be vindicated 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.240 in a conclusive manner 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.799 that all will recognize. 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:52.899 That time is not yet. 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:55.359 The disciple is not called 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:57.059 to eliminate his ignorance 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.419 of the timing of the end. 00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.699 He is called to cope with it 00:29:00.699 --> 00:29:03.419 and respond to it appropriately. 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:06.339 The question the text addresses 00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:11.439 is how does one live 00:29:11.439 --> 00:29:12.439 in difficult times? 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:14.620 The end times drama 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.600 will run its course 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.660 scene by scene, 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:18.180 but the actors on the stage 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.440 have only vague clues 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:21.620 about where they are 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.900 precisely in the play. 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:25.640 Only the stage director knows. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.820 He has given the actors 00:29:27.820 --> 00:29:29.420 instructions about what to do 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.620 and what to say 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:32.620 when they see certain things happen, 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.600 but that is it. 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:36.220 They know how the play ends, 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.000 but they do not know 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.960 when the curtain will fall. 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:40.640 And I would add, 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.640 they don't need to know. 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.620 They don't need to know 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:45.140 when the curtain will fall. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.960 They need to know 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.140 the father, 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.740 the play director. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.680 Now, I don't have that much time left, 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:53.140 but I do want to draw your attention 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.759 to what I believe 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.820 were the most important things 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:56.200 Jesus wanted to get across 00:29:56.200 --> 00:29:57.000 to his disciples, 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.800 far more important 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:59.380 than accurately timing 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.740 and predicting the future. 00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.880 I want to draw your attention 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.040 to three commands 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:03.740 and a promise. 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:05.100 Three commands and a promise. 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.279 So first, notice the first thing 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.419 Jesus says in verse five. 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:09.259 He actually doesn't direct, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.879 he doesn't directly answer 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.480 their question, 00:30:11.719 --> 00:30:13.079 their when will this happen question, 00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:14.599 but he gives them a command instead. 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.819 They ask him, 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.579 when's this going to happen? 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.439 And what does he say? 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:18.379 He says, 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.240 watch out 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:21.159 that no one deceives you. 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.740 Many will come in my name 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.179 claiming I am he 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.899 and will deceive many. 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:28.519 Jesus' first response 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.939 is not to answer their question 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:30.519 and tell them 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.579 when these things will happen, 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.799 like when the temple 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.419 will be destroyed 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.759 and when he will return 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.480 at the end of the age, 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.560 but his main concern 00:30:36.560 --> 00:30:37.820 is that they watch out, 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.519 hold steadfast to him 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.560 and not be deceived 00:30:40.560 --> 00:30:42.140 by fake Messiah figures 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.340 who will claim to solve 00:30:43.340 --> 00:30:44.480 all the world's problems 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.720 if people would just trust 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.960 and hope in them. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.320 And this isn't just because 00:30:48.320 --> 00:30:49.660 he wants them to just know 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.420 the right things, 00:30:50.560 --> 00:30:51.320 know the right facts 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.120 from the wrong ones, 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.060 but it's because he wants them 00:30:53.060 --> 00:30:54.580 to know him. 00:30:55.840 --> 00:30:57.240 He wants them to trust him. 00:30:57.300 --> 00:30:58.460 The more important thing to Jesus 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.620 is his relationship 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:01.100 with his disciples. 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.320 That they don't fall away 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.480 after false messiahs 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.259 who do not love them 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.480 and cannot save them, 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.599 no matter how powerful, 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:09.159 no matter how charming, 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.079 beautiful, impressive, 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:10.619 and promising, 00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:11.819 they seem to be 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:13.519 just like Herod's 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:15.019 shiny temple was. 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:17.099 They too will fall. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.439 They too will crumble. 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.339 So that's the first command. 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.899 Watch out 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.740 and do not be deceived. 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.439 It's a command 00:31:22.439 --> 00:31:24.079 to hold fast to Jesus 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:26.740 and not go after false messiahs. 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.480 It's relevant to them. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.439 It's relevant to us. 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.399 Another command Jesus gives 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.500 is a word of preparation 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.580 and peace in verse 7. 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.820 Do not be alarmed. 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:36.780 Notice even when Jesus 00:31:36.780 --> 00:31:37.620 begins to approach 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.820 this topic of when 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:40.000 in verse 7, 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:42.000 when you hear of wars 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.780 and rumors of wars, 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.800 do not be alarmed. 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:45.680 Such things must happen, 00:31:45.780 --> 00:31:46.759 but the end is still to come. 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.560 Notice he's not saying 00:31:47.560 --> 00:31:48.480 certain wars. 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.400 Look out for this special war 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.400 in Iran, 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.420 in Iraq, 00:31:52.560 --> 00:31:53.900 in Palestine. 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.400 That's going to be the one 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:56.680 that's going to finally signal 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.500 the end to come. 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.560 He's just saying that wars 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.740 will definitely come. 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.079 There will be wars 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:02.379 on the way toward the end 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.899 and they shouldn't alarm us 00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:05.000 or turn us into 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:07.019 alarmist future predictors. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.579 They simply will happen, 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.359 but he says, 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.500 they're not the end. 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.720 The end, he says, 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.639 is still to come. 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.299 It's still to come, 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:15.799 verse 7. 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.500 Verse 8, 00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:19.099 nation will rise against nation 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.179 and kingdom against kingdom. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.339 There will be earthquakes 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.440 in various places 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.059 and famines, 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:23.740 but Jesus says, 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.460 these are just the beginning 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.600 of birth pains. 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.180 Meaning, 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.779 meaning that yes, 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.640 these indicate that 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.400 we are in the last days, 00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:33.740 but these are just 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.200 the beginning 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.360 of the last days 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.340 and signs at the end 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:38.079 will eventually come, 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.920 even though 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.640 we don't know 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.400 the exact time. 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.160 We can't know. 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.539 Just as a mother 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:46.740 having her initial contractions 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:48.019 knows the baby is coming 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.319 and even soon, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.140 but does not know 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.440 the exact time 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.279 and hour 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.680 that the baby will come, 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:55.259 whether in half an hour, 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.900 or in 24 hours, 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:57.940 he's telling them 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.799 what to expect 00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.360 and reminding them 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.960 that none of these hard things 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.220 is the end of the world. 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.100 Do not be alarmed, 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:04.680 but in fact, 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.819 these things, 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.600 these hard things 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.480 are the very way 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.460 of Jesus himself. 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.019 More than predicting, 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.220 more important 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.279 than predicting the future, 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:12.860 what he's doing 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.860 is he's preparing them 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.840 for a life 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:16.440 of faithfully following 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.120 in his footsteps. 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.299 Notice all these details. 00:33:18.840 --> 00:33:19.420 Verse 6, 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.120 deceivers, 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:20.740 false teachers, 00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:21.240 verse 7, 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.539 wars, 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.200 rumors of wars, 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.740 verse 8, 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.660 national and kingdom hostilities, 00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:25.140 earthquakes, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.920 famines, 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.420 verse 9, 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.460 disciples handed over 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.279 to local councils, 00:33:28.660 --> 00:33:29.620 flogged in synagogues, 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.480 standing before governors 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.000 and kings, 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.500 verse 11, 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.700 arrested and put on trial, 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.480 verse 12, 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.640 families divided, 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.700 verse 13, 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.680 hatred from the world. 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:39.319 These are all things 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.680 that in many ways 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:42.240 could very much describe 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:45.000 Jesus' human experience, 00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:45.480 can't they? 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.539 So when he says, 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.299 do not be alarmed, 00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:48.920 he's telling them 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.319 that yes, 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.319 hard times will come, 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.079 but you don't need 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.600 to be alarmed. 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:51.940 No, 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.579 you're simply following 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:55.379 in the way of your Lord, 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:58.199 a road that involves suffering, 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.319 but that ends in glories. 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.579 He's telling them 00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:02.319 that their stories 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:02.980 are being written 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:05.079 exactly how Jesus' story 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.579 was written, 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.199 and that that's an honor 00:34:07.199 --> 00:34:08.039 and a privilege, 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.900 and that is exactly 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.819 how God intended 00:34:10.819 --> 00:34:12.360 to write their stories 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.880 with a guarantee 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:15.440 of a better ending 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.199 to come. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:17.460 Do not be alarmed, 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.299 he commands them. 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.120 The last command 00:34:20.120 --> 00:34:20.539 I want to draw 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.240 your attention to 00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:22.120 is toward the end 00:34:22.120 --> 00:34:22.600 of the passage 00:34:22.600 --> 00:34:23.420 in verse 32. 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:25.539 It's in verses 32 to 37. 00:34:27.100 --> 00:34:28.360 It's a couple commands, 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.380 but I want to clump them together. 00:34:30.200 --> 00:34:30.800 Be on guard, 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.300 he says. 00:34:31.640 --> 00:34:32.280 Be alert, 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:32.760 he says. 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:33.400 Stay awake, 00:34:33.660 --> 00:34:34.300 keep watch, 00:34:34.580 --> 00:34:35.160 Jesus says. 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:36.820 And he gives this illustration 00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:38.260 of servants not knowing 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:38.980 when their master 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.000 will come home. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:42.120 Now I know that this 00:34:42.120 --> 00:34:43.560 can sound pretty scary, 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.060 like a terrible way 00:34:45.060 --> 00:34:46.060 to end this teaching, 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:46.580 right? 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:48.900 And when we read this, 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.639 you know, 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:50.480 I think a lot of us 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:50.819 can think, 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.199 like, wait, 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.299 do I have to be perfect 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:53.440 all the time 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:55.019 with every second 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.860 of my existence? 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:58.099 Am I supposed to live 00:34:58.099 --> 00:34:59.199 with a kind of anxiety 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.719 like Jesus could return 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.340 at any second 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:01.759 and be like, 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.199 boo, 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.119 I caught you. 00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.119 I caught you 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.400 not being faithful. 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.279 Is this saying 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:08.699 that I better stay awake 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.880 and be on edge 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.500 all the time? 00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:12.500 Even be afraid 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:14.420 of Jesus' return? 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:15.900 You know, 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.980 for most of my life, 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.280 that's how I read 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:18.980 this passage. 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:21.220 And I said, 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.380 how is this good news? 00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:25.460 When I gave some deeper thought 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:26.320 to this illustration 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.380 that Jesus gives, 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.680 I began to wonder 00:35:29.680 --> 00:35:30.760 if it was actually 00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:32.380 less about being on edge 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:33.539 and fearful 00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.320 of the master 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:35.039 who could arrive 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:35.940 at any moment 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:38.519 and more about understanding, 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.260 appreciating, 00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.780 believing in, 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.820 and taking pride 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:44.640 in the good job 00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.340 and role 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.720 that I've been 00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:47.720 graciously assigned 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:49.780 by my all-wise, 00:35:50.120 --> 00:35:51.820 all-loving master, 00:35:52.300 --> 00:35:53.519 a master who I definitely 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.880 want to be serving 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:56.260 in the first place. 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:58.720 Like, think of it that way. 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.460 Jesus is not saying, 00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:01.640 be on edge 00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:03.220 because you never know 00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:04.560 when I might peekaboo. 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.200 No. 00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:07.600 He's saying, 00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.180 be vigilant. 00:36:09.120 --> 00:36:10.160 Stay on task. 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.160 Do not grow weary 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.980 in doing good. 00:36:13.060 --> 00:36:13.780 Do not grow weary 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.380 or lazy 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.700 or do not get distracted 00:36:15.700 --> 00:36:17.200 from the good mission 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.980 and purpose 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.780 that God has called you to, 00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:21.940 even if you don't know 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:23.200 how long you'll be 00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:24.280 on this mission. 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:26.760 Even if you don't know 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.500 when the curtain's 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.060 gonna fall, 00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:29.960 play your role, 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.060 play your part 00:36:31.060 --> 00:36:31.940 and enjoy it. 00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:33.880 Jesus is calling us 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.560 to keep living 00:36:34.560 --> 00:36:35.440 in light of the end, 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:35.940 to stay awake, 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.940 to have our eyes open 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.680 and attentive 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:38.640 to his story 00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:40.280 and how it ends. 00:36:41.040 --> 00:36:42.160 Even when we don't know 00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:42.740 the time, 00:36:43.100 --> 00:36:44.480 the end will come. 00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:47.080 Those are the three commands. 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.040 Now let's end 00:36:49.040 --> 00:36:49.720 with this last, 00:36:50.040 --> 00:36:50.880 with the promise, 00:36:51.160 --> 00:36:51.320 right? 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.040 Because I'm probably 00:36:52.040 --> 00:36:52.600 over time 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:55.339 but know this, 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.539 Jesus doesn't just 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:57.339 give us commands, 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.299 he gives us promises. 00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.199 He gives us promises 00:36:59.199 --> 00:37:00.639 to sustain and inspire 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.460 our obedience 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.079 to his commands 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:03.219 and if I had time, 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.699 I'd give you like 00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:05.460 three more, 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.519 like verse 13, 00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:07.380 the promise that 00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:08.179 those who stand firm 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:09.000 will be saved 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:09.819 no matter what 00:37:09.819 --> 00:37:10.380 they go through, 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.559 salvation's coming 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.339 for those who stand firm 00:37:12.339 --> 00:37:12.759 in Christ 00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.519 or verse 26, 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.219 the promise that 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:15.500 regardless of how we 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.619 interpret the events 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:17.219 discussed here, 00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:17.739 the Son of Man 00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.539 will come in glory 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:18.900 and power. 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.259 That's something 00:37:19.259 --> 00:37:20.360 everyone agrees upon. 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.759 There's a glorious end 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.240 to the story 00:37:22.240 --> 00:37:23.280 and Jesus wins 00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:24.880 or this other promise 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.540 in verse 31, 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.260 heaven and earth 00:37:26.260 --> 00:37:26.900 will pass away 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.780 but Jesus' words 00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.560 will never pass away 00:37:28.560 --> 00:37:29.740 that all that Jesus 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:31.380 has ever said 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.960 is true 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:33.240 or will come true 00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:34.160 and we can bet 00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:34.780 our lives on it 00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:35.860 with even more confidence 00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:39.600 than we have 00:37:39.600 --> 00:37:40.060 that the sun 00:37:40.060 --> 00:37:40.780 will rise tomorrow 00:37:40.780 --> 00:37:41.760 or that the earth 00:37:41.760 --> 00:37:42.520 will continue 00:37:42.520 --> 00:37:43.440 to spin in orbit. 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.240 I'd love to say more 00:37:45.240 --> 00:37:46.000 about all these promises 00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:47.200 but I want to pick 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:47.900 one in particular, 00:37:48.020 --> 00:37:49.060 the promise in verse 10, 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:51.480 the promise that 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.079 the gospel 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:53.799 must first be preached 00:37:53.799 --> 00:37:54.940 to all nations 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:56.860 and I want to get 00:37:56.860 --> 00:37:57.279 your attention 00:37:57.279 --> 00:37:58.119 on this promise 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:58.619 because I think 00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:59.619 it illustrates the point 00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.500 that I'm making 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.019 all along 00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.799 in this chapter of Mark 00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.960 that we miss out 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:04.699 on so much 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:05.880 if we read Mark 13 00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:07.199 as just a puzzle 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:08.679 to try to figure out 00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:09.279 the details 00:38:09.279 --> 00:38:09.920 and the timing 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.840 of the last days. 00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:12.279 You know, 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:13.239 for so many years 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:13.759 reading the Bible, 00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:14.579 I always just read 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.039 verse 10 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:16.019 as a mere sign, 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.460 as a mere marker 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:18.519 of when the world 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.480 would end, 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.119 of when the end 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.519 would come 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.480 and I've seen 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.599 so many like missionaries 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.480 and mission agencies 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:24.480 base their whole strategy 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.199 off of this, right? 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:26.340 Try to reach this nation 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:26.900 and that nation 00:38:26.900 --> 00:38:27.900 so Jesus can finally 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:29.099 come back, right? 00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:31.340 But revisiting this text 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:31.679 this week 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.220 opened my eyes 00:38:32.220 --> 00:38:33.539 to the better emphasis 00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.400 that I think 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.099 that Jesus had 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.599 on his heart. 00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:36.280 See, verse 10 00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:37.920 isn't simply a marker 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.679 in time for us 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.539 to look at our maps 00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:39.920 and say, 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:41.240 okay, how many more 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:41.860 people groups 00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.460 does the gospel 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.179 need to go to 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.619 and how long 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:44.139 will that take 00:38:44.139 --> 00:38:44.900 so we can predict 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:45.980 the day when Jesus 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.760 will come back? 00:38:46.760 --> 00:38:47.120 No. 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.800 Verse 10 00:38:48.800 --> 00:38:50.020 is Jesus' promise 00:38:50.020 --> 00:38:51.100 that no matter 00:38:51.100 --> 00:38:52.080 what tribulation 00:38:52.080 --> 00:38:52.840 may come 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:55.240 that his disciples 00:38:55.240 --> 00:38:56.780 will always have 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.380 good news 00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:58.040 to hope in 00:38:58.040 --> 00:38:59.240 and to share 00:38:59.240 --> 00:38:59.880 with the world 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:01.540 because his good news 00:39:01.540 --> 00:39:02.440 will never fail 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.520 to be good news 00:39:03.520 --> 00:39:04.760 worth believing in 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:05.800 and living by 00:39:05.800 --> 00:39:06.740 and sharing. 00:39:08.240 --> 00:39:08.880 And so verse 10 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:10.080 is Jesus' insistence 00:39:10.080 --> 00:39:10.700 to his disciples 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:11.960 in these last days 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.840 that the most important 00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:13.280 thing 00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:15.060 is the preaching 00:39:15.060 --> 00:39:15.760 of the gospel, 00:39:15.760 --> 00:39:16.940 the preaching 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.640 of the good news 00:39:17.640 --> 00:39:18.180 about Jesus. 00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:18.780 It's a promise 00:39:18.780 --> 00:39:19.560 that his disciples 00:39:19.560 --> 00:39:20.940 filled and empowered 00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.960 by the Holy Spirit 00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:23.700 will not fail this task 00:39:23.700 --> 00:39:25.640 but will be incredibly successful 00:39:25.640 --> 00:39:26.700 even in spite 00:39:26.700 --> 00:39:27.720 of tribulation. 00:39:28.620 --> 00:39:29.040 He was saying 00:39:29.040 --> 00:39:29.840 just as certainly 00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:30.460 as the world 00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.020 will seem like 00:39:31.020 --> 00:39:31.900 it's falling apart 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:33.180 and just as surely 00:39:33.180 --> 00:39:34.160 as you will be arrested 00:39:34.160 --> 00:39:35.100 and flogged 00:39:35.100 --> 00:39:35.700 and hated 00:39:35.700 --> 00:39:36.560 just like me, 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.100 just as surely 00:39:38.100 --> 00:39:38.860 Jesus says 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:40.100 will the good news 00:39:40.100 --> 00:39:41.640 still find its way 00:39:41.640 --> 00:39:42.320 to the world 00:39:42.320 --> 00:39:43.040 from Jerusalem 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:43.800 to Samaria 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.500 to the ends 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:44.900 of the earth 00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:45.500 all throughout 00:39:45.500 --> 00:39:46.300 the Roman Empire 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:47.159 and beyond. 00:39:48.259 --> 00:39:48.980 And just like 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:49.480 the suffering 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.039 of the cross 00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:50.900 could not hold me 00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:51.699 down in the grave 00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.380 nothing, 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.139 nothing 00:39:53.139 --> 00:39:54.900 is going to be able 00:39:54.900 --> 00:39:55.440 to sour 00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:56.480 or stop 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.500 the good news 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.340 about me 00:39:58.340 --> 00:39:59.259 and my kingdom. 00:40:00.099 --> 00:40:01.440 And that is his promise 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:03.079 to the church. 00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:04.960 This was to be 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:05.460 the disciples' 00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:06.039 heartbeat 00:40:06.039 --> 00:40:07.460 after Jesus' 00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:08.500 resurrection 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:09.340 and ascension 00:40:09.340 --> 00:40:10.079 into heaven 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.880 and this is to be 00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.800 our heartbeat 00:40:11.800 --> 00:40:12.579 as well, 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:13.340 Christ's church 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:14.079 as we await 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:15.239 Jesus' return 00:40:15.239 --> 00:40:16.519 in the last days 00:40:16.519 --> 00:40:17.260 of history. 00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.460 No matter 00:40:18.460 --> 00:40:19.960 how many millennia 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:21.000 these last days 00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:21.760 will last, 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:23.099 no matter what 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:24.059 kinds of difficulties 00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:25.039 we face, 00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:25.960 no matter who wins 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:27.360 the 2024 elections, 00:40:28.199 --> 00:40:29.079 it's not the end 00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:29.539 of the world 00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:31.360 until Jesus says so 00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:33.219 and we will always 00:40:33.219 --> 00:40:34.239 have good news 00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:36.199 because while kingdoms 00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:37.880 may rise and fall 00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:38.559 and even the greatest 00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:39.400 temples in the world 00:40:39.400 --> 00:40:41.019 and even while the Messiah 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:42.720 himself might be slain, 00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:44.220 he is risen 00:40:44.220 --> 00:40:46.559 and he is returning 00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:48.800 and this is good news 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:49.500 for us, 00:40:50.160 --> 00:40:50.940 it's good news 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.900 for the nations, 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.500 the good news 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.480 that the greater temple 00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:56.000 who was torn down 00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:56.640 yet raised 00:40:56.640 --> 00:40:57.579 in three days 00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:58.619 to pay for our sins 00:40:58.619 --> 00:41:00.360 and bring resurrection life 00:41:00.360 --> 00:41:01.240 into this world, 00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:02.519 this is the gospel, 00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:04.559 the gospel of Jesus 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:07.019 and this gospel of Jesus 00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:09.340 is the only possible source 00:41:09.340 --> 00:41:10.980 of confident hope, 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.980 comforting peace 00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:14.900 and convicted purpose. 00:41:16.119 --> 00:41:16.699 So Christchurch, 00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:17.980 is that what we're 00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:19.000 going to be about? 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:21.039 Proclaiming the gospel 00:41:21.039 --> 00:41:22.039 to all the nations, 00:41:22.800 --> 00:41:24.940 is it a must to us 00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:25.940 as it was for Jesus 00:41:25.940 --> 00:41:27.699 and for his disciples? 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:29.139 The gospel must first 00:41:29.139 --> 00:41:29.639 be preached 00:41:29.639 --> 00:41:30.800 to all the nations 00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:32.920 because if it's true, 00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:34.960 how could it not be? 00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:36.579 How could it not be 00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:37.420 a must to us? 00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:39.199 Christ has died, 00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.699 Christ has risen 00:41:40.699 --> 00:41:42.699 and Christ will come again. 00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:43.900 Let's pray. 00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:49.740 Lord, I thank you 00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:51.940 for my brothers and sisters 00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:53.500 in this room 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:54.940 who endured 00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:56.059 a longer sermon 00:41:56.059 --> 00:41:56.639 than normal 00:41:56.639 --> 00:42:00.039 but I pray 00:42:00.039 --> 00:42:01.039 that they will come away 00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:04.179 with that confident hope, 00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:06.059 that comforting peace 00:42:06.059 --> 00:42:07.960 and that convicted purpose 00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:09.659 that you desire 00:42:09.659 --> 00:42:10.539 for all those 00:42:10.539 --> 00:42:12.099 who would entrust themselves 00:42:12.099 --> 00:42:13.039 to your story 00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:14.940 as the perfect story writer 00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:16.239 who's shown us 00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:17.079 the way in Jesus. 00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:18.519 In his name we pray. 00:42:18.960 --> 00:42:19.199 Amen. 00:42:19.199 --> 00:42:19.279 Amen. 00:42:19.280 --> 00:42:20.280 Amen.