Be Ready: Living with Purpose for His Return
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Mark chapter 13, a passage that is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. This chapter is a profound teaching from Jesus about the end times, and it parallels passages in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Jesus provides a roadmap for His disciples, explaining the signs of the end times and His second coming. He emphasizes that while the exact date and time of His return are unknown, there are clear signs that will indicate its nearness.
We began by reflecting on a recent mission trip to Costa Rica, where our church team helped build a home for a family in need. This experience was a powerful reminder of the tangible ways we can live out our faith and serve others. Transitioning to the scripture, we explored the significance of Herod's Temple and Jesus' prophecy about its destruction. This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, a historical event that underscores the accuracy and reliability of Jesus' words.
Jesus' discourse is not meant to be confusing but rather a clear guide for His followers. He warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared. The destruction of the temple serves as a precursor to the ultimate end times, where Jesus will return in glory. He uses the analogy of a fig tree to illustrate that just as we can discern the changing seasons, we should also be able to recognize the signs of His return.
Jesus calls us to be vigilant, to stay spiritually fit, and to carry out our assignments faithfully. This includes loving God and our neighbors, spreading the gospel, and living in community with other believers. We are reminded that our mission is not just individual but collective, as we work together to fulfill the Great Commission.
In conclusion, Jesus' message is clear: be ready, stay alert, and live out your faith with urgency and purpose. His return is imminent, and we are called to be His faithful disciples, eagerly awaiting His glorious return.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Spiritual Readiness: Jesus emphasizes the need for His followers to be spiritually prepared at all times. This means living a life of repentance, obedience, and active discipleship. We are called to be vigilant and ready for His return, not by predicting dates but by living faithfully each day. [27:25]
2. Understanding Prophecy and History: Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple in AD 70 serves as a historical anchor for understanding the reliability of His words. This event reminds us that God's word is true and that His prophecies will come to pass. It also serves as a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of end-time events. [12:01]
3. Collective and Individual Assignments: We are given both collective and individual assignments as followers of Christ. Collectively, we are to spread the gospel to all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. Individually, God has specific tasks for each of us, which He will reveal as we continue to follow Him. [33:13]
4. The Role of Community in Discipleship: Jesus modeled discipleship within a community. We are not meant to walk this journey alone but in fellowship with other believers. Being part of a church community helps us grow, stay accountable, and fulfill our collective mission more effectively. [30:50]
5. Eagerly Awaiting His Return: Jesus calls us to watch and wait for His return with eager anticipation. This is not a passive waiting but an active engagement in His work, living out our faith with urgency and purpose. Our hope in His return should motivate us to live holy and dedicated lives. [35:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - 4th of July Reflections
[00:55] - Mission Trip to Costa Rica
[03:30] - Prayer and Introduction to Mark 13
[04:31] - Understanding Eschatology
[06:26] - Herod's Temple and Jesus' Prophecy
[08:43] - Disciples' Questions and Jesus' Answers
[12:01] - Historical Fulfillment in AD 70
[19:08] - Signs of Jesus' Second Coming
[23:03] - The Great Commission
[27:25] - Be Ready and Stay Ready
[30:50] - Importance of Community
[33:13] - Individual Assignments
[35:53] - Eagerly Awaiting His Return
[39:47] - Invitation to Accept Jesus
[41:06] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 13:1-37 - The Olivet Discourse
2. Matthew 24:1-35 - Parallel passage to Mark 13
3. Luke 21:5-36 - Parallel passage to Mark 13
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus predict about Herod's Temple, and when was this prophecy fulfilled? ([08:15])
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the signs that Jesus mentioned would indicate His second coming? ([12:34])
3. How did the mission trip to Costa Rica serve as an example of living out faith and serving others? ([01:33])
4. What analogy did Jesus use to explain how we can recognize the signs of His return? ([20:55])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for Jesus' followers to be spiritually prepared at all times, according to the sermon? ([27:25])
2. How does the historical fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about the temple's destruction in AD 70 reinforce the reliability of His words? ([12:01])
3. What does it mean to carry out both collective and individual assignments as followers of Christ? ([33:13])
4. How does being part of a church community help in fulfilling our mission as disciples of Jesus? ([30:50])
### Application Questions
1. Jesus emphasized the need for spiritual readiness. What specific steps can you take this week to be more spiritually prepared for His return? ([27:25])
2. Reflecting on the mission trip to Costa Rica, how can you find tangible ways to serve others in your local community? ([01:33])
3. Jesus warned against false prophets. How can you discern and protect yourself from false teachings in today's world? ([12:34])
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of living in community with other believers. How can you actively engage and contribute to your church community? ([30:50])
5. Jesus used the analogy of a fig tree to explain recognizing the signs of His return. What are some "signs" in your life that indicate you are growing spiritually? ([20:55])
6. The Great Commission is a collective assignment for all believers. What role can you play in spreading the gospel, either locally or globally? ([33:13])
7. How can the anticipation of Jesus' return influence your daily decisions and actions? ([35:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Readiness: Living Faithfully Every Day
Jesus emphasizes the need for His followers to be spiritually prepared at all times. This means living a life of repentance, obedience, and active discipleship. We are called to be vigilant and ready for His return, not by predicting dates but by living faithfully each day. Jesus' message is clear: be ready, stay alert, and live out your faith with urgency and purpose. His return is imminent, and we are called to be His faithful disciples, eagerly awaiting His glorious return. [27:25]
Luke 12:35-36 (ESV): "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are living a life of active discipleship and spiritual readiness?
Day 2: The Reliability of Prophecy and History
Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple in AD 70 serves as a historical anchor for understanding the reliability of His words. This event reminds us that God's word is true and that His prophecies will come to pass. It also serves as a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of end-time events. Understanding the accuracy of Jesus' prophecies helps us trust in His promises and remain steadfast in our faith. [12:01]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of past prophecies strengthen your trust in God's promises for the future?
Day 3: Embracing Our Collective and Individual Assignments
We are given both collective and individual assignments as followers of Christ. Collectively, we are to spread the gospel to all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission. Individually, God has specific tasks for each of us, which He will reveal as we continue to follow Him. Embracing these assignments requires us to be attentive to God's guidance and willing to step out in faith. [33:13]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: What specific task or calling do you feel God is leading you to pursue in your life right now?
Day 4: The Role of Community in Discipleship
Jesus modeled discipleship within a community. We are not meant to walk this journey alone but in fellowship with other believers. Being part of a church community helps us grow, stay accountable, and fulfill our collective mission more effectively. Engaging in community allows us to support one another, share our burdens, and celebrate our victories together. [30:50]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to and engage with your church community this week?
Day 5: Eagerly Awaiting His Return
Jesus calls us to watch and wait for His return with eager anticipation. This is not a passive waiting but an active engagement in His work, living out our faith with urgency and purpose. Our hope in His return should motivate us to live holy and dedicated lives. As we await His return, we are encouraged to remain faithful and diligent in our spiritual walk. [35:53]
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you live with a greater sense of urgency and purpose in anticipation of Jesus' return?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You know, his commands, his word are for our benefit. This is a love letter that he wrote for us to know how to avoid the pitfalls and the challenges of the world around us. It's also the instructions we need for how to get right with God when we make a mistake or mess up. None of us is perfect. We are disciples. We're called to be people that love, honor, and follow God by obeying his commands." [00:28] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God is still in control back then and still today of all the events of world history. He is monitoring them. He is in control of them. Even though things seem crazy, even though difficult things happen, God is still in control. If he wasn't, a madman would have nuked the earth by now. That's just a reality. There's no reason why that shouldn't have happened by now besides God is in control. His hand is monitoring the events of human history." [16:09] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God has given us, the church, a task. He's given us a group project. He's given us an assignment that will carry on for generations. That we're all a part of, that we're all supposed to carry out. When Jesus said go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations, he wasn't talking about Canada and Pakistan and Russia. Those are geographical countries, right? There's approximately 200 countries on the earth." [23:03] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are to make ourselves and keep ourselves ready. That's the first take-away from this passage. It's not to try to discover when Jesus is gonna come again. It's not to discover the date of the hour. It's simply be ready, make yourselves ready. What does that look like? What does it mean to make and keep ourselves ready. That's another fancy way of saying, be a disciple, be a follower of Jesus, surrender to him fully and completely, obeying his commands with a great attitude." [28:05] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He says, I'm coming. Just be ready. Look for my return. I'm excited to see you. And I want the same feelings that I have for you, for you to have for me. He says, watch, wait, be looking for it. This is not a scary, horrible thing. Yes, there will be traumatic events and things to come, but the father wants his kids to want him to come back. He says, wait, look, watch." [38:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Mark is a book about Jesus and his life, but it's also a book about being a disciple. This is intended to be a handbook for us. In other words, handbooks are something that make it readily, easily, and available to know what the next step is. A handbook is not meant to be an engineer's diagram for a new generation. It's not meant to be a nuclear submarine that nobody's ever gonna understand, right? That's not what Mark is. Mark is a simple handbook meant to be read, believed, and obeyed, and applied." [04:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus said to them, watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name claiming that I am he and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. This won't be, this won't be the end. The temple being wiped out will not be the end." [12:34] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says, be on your guard. You will be handed over to local councils and flogged in the synagogues. Jesus is talking directly to the disciples and their followers. This applies to them, not to our generation, but to them. He was preparing them. Whenever you're arrested and brought to trial, don't worry about what to say. The Holy Spirit's gonna help you." [14:20] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are called to go to the nations but God has also brought the nations to us. Should make it a little bit easier right? There's a lot of people right around us at the very footsteps for us to reach if we're willing. In his book, Cobb estimates that we will see all ethnos groups reached with the Bible in their language by the end of this decade. Now, we wanna be careful. We don't wanna be guilty of picking a time or a date." [24:56] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We all have an assignment. We've all got the group project and we all have individual projects to carry out as well. And lastly, the third thing we want to take from this passage for us specifically is that we're to diligently watch for his return. We're to diligently watch for his return. Wait, watch, look, Jesus says at the end of this chapter. We're not supposed to know the day or the hour, but we should know the season." [34:30] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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