Sermon prepared the Holy Spirit

& Pastor Andrew T. Okai

Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

November 13, 2016

 

Sermon text: Luke 21:29-36

Sermon theme: Exploring the signs of the end times

 

Introduction

Grace, mercy, and peace...

 

In last week’s message, we talked about how God has established his kingdom on earth, and how the agenda of this kingdom is to wage war against evil...

 

Well, in today’s gospel, we find a continuation of this subject as Jesus is addressing the calamities that would befall Israel and also the whole world leading to his appearing...

 

Some had carried the idea that this discourse found in the gospel of Luke 21 was for Israel only. We can all disagree with that notion because in as much as he was addressing the people of Israel in this text, there are prophetic events mentioned here that is yet to be fulfilled (Such as would impact the entire universe...)

So the phrase be on verse 36 of the passage; Luke 21:36“always be on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen”is not a statement intended only for the children of Israel, but for all of us today... (The church needs to be watching and praying...)

 

There is a need to watch and pray because one of Satan’s biggest schemes today is “distractions” and here are his tools - self, money, hobbies, relationships, science (Theories), technology (solve problems), etc.

 

All of the things that I just mentioned were all created by God and are needed in our world today; but, unless we align with God, we will never be able to use them properly...

E.g. Technology: Malachi 1:11my name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

 

Ecclesiastes 1:10 Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

 

We have to first be conscious about what God is saying about our world (what it was, what it is, and where it is going...)

 

But the conclusion of the matter is; it is going to hell...

 

So from our gospel text this morning let’s together look at how we need to be on the watch and praying...

 

The signs of the endtimes

Luke 21:29- 31 he told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

False teachings – 2 Peter 2:1-3

Men lovers of themselves – 2 Timothy 3:2

Earthquakes in different places Matthews 24:6

Tsunami Luke 21:25 (Nations will be in anguish at the tossing of the sea)

Many wars Matthew 24:6

Wickedness increases, the law of God forsaken Matthew 24:12

Cold religious system – a form of godliness 2 Tim. 3:5

Deadly diseases Matthew 24:7

The decrease in marriage 1 Timothy 4:3

The possession of Jerusalem at the center of international turmoil: Zach. 12:3

The increase of wisdom Daniel 12:4

 

The safety for the end times

Luke 21:33heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The word of God... nothing can save us not except the word of God...

The word of God has been through a lot... it still stands

 

The stand for the end times

Luke 21:34“be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.

A call to guide our hearts – don’t become swallowed up in the sea of this temporal life...

The phrase “guide your heart” (is a call to personal conviction and personal attention...)

 

The phrase “guide your heart is also a call to a particular direction (the cross of Christ) Hebrews 12:1-2