Shadows of the End
Steve McKenzie September 26, 2021

September 26, 2021

INTRODUCTION

  • Mark’s gospel is paced like an action film. Chapters 1-10 span 3.5 year. The action moves in slow motion starting in chapter 11. Chapters 11-16 span 7 days.
  • Sunday – Triumphal Entry
  • Monday – Cleansing of the Temple and Cursing the Fig Tree
  • Tuesday – Questioning Jesus & Jesus’ Teaching, The Great Commandment,

BACKGROUND

  • Mark 13  is called one of the most difficult chapters in the Bible to understand. It is known as the Olivet Discourse.

COMING DESTRUCTION

  • Mark 13:1-8
  • The disciples admire the beauty of things today
  • Jesus warns that it is all about to go away
  • The Disciples ask 2 Questions: [1] WHEN will all this happen, and [2] WHAT are the signs that the end is near?
    • The disciples believes that the destruction and the temple and the end times were one and the same.
    • Jesus answer speaks to both these questions but it is difficult to distinguish between when Jesus is referring to which event.

BE CALM

  • Mark 12:35-8
  • Warning: False teachers will come, wars and rumors of wars, nation rise against nation, earthquakes and famines
  • Command: “do not be anxious,” tumultuous
  • How: How can we remain calm? All this serves the purposes of God and the must take place before Jesus returns. This is the same as when a woman endures contractions that lead to the birth of a child. There is purpose in the pain, it is not meaningless.

BE CONFIDENT

  • Mark 12:9-13
  • Warning: Christians will be persecuted. Family and friends will betray you.
  • Command: “do not be anxious.”
  • How? God will give you the strength you need when you need it. God is continuing to draw people to himself through such persecution before he returns.

BE CAREFUL

  • Mark 12:14-23
  • Warning: There will be false teachers who point to false signs to try and lead people away from God.
  • Command: “be on your guard”
  • How?
    • Guard your mind – “remember the words of Jesus”
    • Guard your heart – things are going to get worse before Jesus returns. Jesus is in control
    • Guard you hands – this warning encourages us to walk in obedience to the one true God

APPLICATION

  • Listen to Jesus
    • Jesus makes himself clear, “be on your guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”
    • How will we know what Jesus is saying unless we are listening by reading and listening to his words.
    • DWELL Bible App – CrossPointe’s free gift to you that allows you to listen to God’s Word in a way that allows you to customize the live reader and background sound.  Get you free account here. 
  • Rejoice as God Works
    • God is actively working to draw people to himself from around the world. Sometimes the headlines can distract us from what God is accomplishing around us. We need to be reminded of how God is working and rejoice with Him.
    • Maverick Podcast – This is the story of Bishara who came to Christ in 2019. Pastor Steve led the team the initiated Pioneers work in this country. The voices you will hear are that of his previous teammates.