Bible Passage: Luke 21:5-19
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: November 13, 2022

Bulletin November 13, 2022

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

Our text from Luke this morning is intensely fascinating to many Christians.  It is part of Jesus’ “End Times” discourse spoken on Tuesday of Holy Week.  In this discourse Jesus speaks at length about the end of the world and what fascinates so many about this topic, the signs of the end!  And certainly Jesus gives us information here that we don’t get anywhere else.

But if we approach this text merely as a source of “information,” we do ourselves a small disservice.  You see, while it is true Jesus gives us INFORMATION about end times, he gives us more than cold “data.”  Nestled within Jesus’ words and the interesting information are some action words.  In English grammar we call them “imperatives.”  They tell us what to do with the information.  This text is more than just end times information, this is An End Times Action Plan!

The whole matter of end times comes up on Tuesday of Holy Week as Jesus and his disciples are walking away from the Temple.  As they walk, some of the disciples are commenting on the magnificent stones used in the construction of the Temple.  And they are commenting on the decorations on some of the stones.   The Temple truly was a wonder to behold!

It is at this point that Jesus comments on the Temple.  These things that you see here – the days will come when there will not be one stone left on another – every one will be thrown down. (v. 5)  Jesus was predicting what would happen in 70 A.D. when the Romans would completely destroy the Temple.  This is new information for the disciples!  They fire back, Teacher, when these things happen?  And what is the sign that these things are about to happen? (v. 7)  From the accounts of this event recorded in the other Gospels, we know two things ran together in their minds in the question they asked.  They wanted to know when the Temple stones would be so scattered, and in their minds, that could only happen at the end of the world!

They wanted information on the signs of the end.  So Jesus gives them information on the signs of the end.  There will be signs in the realm of religion. He warns them about false Christs who will come and say, I am he [Christ] and The time is near (v. 8)  There will be signs in the realm of politics.  Jesus tells them that there will be wars and revolutions (v. 9).  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (v. 10)  There will be signs as we look to earth and nature.  Jesus talks of earthquakes – big ones!  And famines.  And plagues striking various places in the world.  Jesus speaks of signs that will happen up in the sky – horrifying and great signs! (v. 11)

Jesus gives his disciples more information.  He lets his followers know what they can expect.  Persecution is coming.  It will happen right there in their own backyard.  Christians will  be arrested and turned over to synagogues for punishment.  Persecutions will spread wherever Christianity spreads.  Christians will be arrested and put on trial before governors and kings.  The persecution of disciples will be shocking in its range and scope!  Parents, brothers, cousins, friends will blow the whistle on Christian family members and turn them over to the authorities to be killed!  The reason for it all?  Jesus gives us that information:  You will be hated by all people for my name’s sake. (v. 17)  Here is that stunning depravity of fallen man on full display!  The world hated Christ, and it hates those today who have those six letters as the first part of the word that identifies them:  Christians!

So there you have it!  You have the information.  You have the signs of the end.  Now what are we going to DO with the information?  Let’s continue to listen to Jesus, for he gives us an action plan in our text.

What is our action plan when someone proclaims, “I am he” and “The time is near”?  Jesus says, Watch out so that you are not deceived! (v. 8)  We need to understand that Satan has an end time action plan too!  He wants to deceive as many as he can.  He will use charismatic leaders, slick preachers who even, as Jesus says, come in my name (v. 8)  Paul told the Corinthians Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  So it is no great surprise if his ministers also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)  That’s chilling, isn’t it?  Satan’s ministers!  Satan has his “pastors.” They are deceivers.  Jesus’ action plan is clear:  Do not follow them. (v. 8)

What is our action plan when we hear of wars and revolutions, nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom?  Back to our Christ-given action plan:  Do not be terrified. (v. 9)  The word that is used means not to be startled or panicked.  The root of the word means to fly or flutter.  When we see conditions in our world, we don’t have to fly into a frenzy, arms waving wildly over our heads.  Our Savior Jesus has told us this is going to happen.  Nothing is out of control.  Alarms are not going off in heaven.  “Mayday!  Mayday!”  The Lord Jesus is on the throne.  Calm.  In Charge.  This is all part of the plan.  No need for fear.

And what is our action plan when it comes to this persecution Jesus talked about?  Jesus says, It will turn out to be your opportunity to testify.  So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand how to defend yourselves, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (v. 13-15)  Jesus tells the disciples not to spend a lot of time planning their defense strategy.  They will be on trial for Christ!  Jesus promises to give them fitting words at the proper moment, not to make a skillful legal defense, but to confess Christ!  That is our action plan, too.  What will we Christians say when the world puts us on trial for Christ?  We will continue, with Jesus’ help, to confess Christ!

To this action plan Jesus attaches a most comforting promise.  Not a hair of your head will perish.  By patient endurance you will gain your lives. (v. 18-19)  Wait a second!  Just a moment before Jesus told them some of them were going to be betrayed and put to death.  Now he says not a hair will perish?  Which is it?  He is speaking here of “the big perish.”  Jesus’ work secures the outcome!  Hell cannot have you!  Jesus paid too dear a price for you!  Every part of you – down to the last hair on your head – has been redeemed, purchased by Jesus.  The outcome is guaranteed:  “whoever believes in him [Jesus] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

So let’s take the information Christ has given us, and put into action the plan he has commended to us.  In these gray and late days, let us watch out for deceivers, let us not be terrified, and let us continue to confess Christ.  Remembering his promise:  By patient endurance you will gain your lives. (v. 19)

Amen.