Coping in the Last Days. Luke 21:25-33

Transcription

1 Coping in the Last Days Luke 21:25-33

2 Luke 21:26 men s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth...

3 Luke 17:26-27 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

4 Luke 17:28-29, Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

5 Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

6 How does someone cope in such a time as this? I. By Being Aware of the Signs of the Times (vv ) A. Signs in nature (vv ) B. Signs in the nations (vv ) Mark 13:28-29, Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near at the doors!

7 I. Being Aware of the Signs of the Times C. Technology to monitor world commerce (Rev. 13:17) - and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. D. Few looking for Christ s return (Matt. 24) - v.12, And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. - v.44, Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. E. Signs should cause us to look up and be encouraged.

8 How does someone cope in such a time as this? II. By Seizing Opportunities to Witness for Christ. A. We are to witness until He returns (Acts 1:8-11) - v.8, "you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Luke 19:12-13 of a certain nobleman who went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, Do business till I come.

9 II. Seizing Opportunities to Witness for Christ. B. Signs of His return should increase our witnessing. - Matthew 24:13-14, But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. v.21, For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

10 II. Seizing Opportunities to Witness for Christ. C. Reaching out to others enables us to cope with our times. - Romans 10:14-15, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!

11 II. Seizing Opportunities to Witness for Christ. D. When serving, we don t focus on our problems. E. Keep looking upward and outward until He appears. F. The time is near (vv. 28, 30, 31)

12 How does someone cope in such a time as this? III. By Being Diligent in Devotional Life (vv ) A. God s Word endures through troubled times. B. We must be diligent in private worship. - Rom. 10:17, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Psalm 119:9,11, How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

13 III. Being Diligent in Devotional Life C. We must be diligent in public worship. - Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. - Heb. 10:25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. D. A strong devotional life brings peace in any storm.

14 NOW!