Sermon Overview

Scripture reference: Matthew 24:1-3

Mankind has always been fascinated with knowing the future; our only reliable source of prophecy is the Word of God. In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied His literal, physical return to earth, offering signs of the times and the beginning of the end. “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (v. 2)

The temple was the center of Jewish life – spiritually and socially. No one could believe it would ever be desolated. Yet, Jesus had prophesied its destruction and it came to fruition. In response, the disciples ask Jesus three questions: When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (v. 3) Jesus gives them seven marks of the beginning of the end.

1. Deceptions of counterfeit christs

One of the marks of the last days will be a time of great deception, in which all the world will be deceived by the antichrist.

2. Division of continuing conflicts

The generations to come will see more terrorism, hijackings, bombings, and assassinations than ever before.

3. Disasters of cataclysmic consequence

Jesus spoke candidly of famine, plagues, and earthquakes.

4. Defamation of committed Christians

Religious persecution will increase, particularly toward those who follow Jesus Christ.

5. Distortion of christless cults

Adrian Rogers reiterates G.K. Chesterson’s statement: “When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing, they then become capable of believing in anything.”

6. Disposition of carnal coldness

Adrian Rogers says, “When you take away moral limits, you destroy the fire and the glow of true love and you substitute that with the false fire of lust, and theology turns to me-ology.”

7. Discharge of Christ’s commission

Before Jesus left this earth, He commissioned us to take the Gospel to all of the world.

Jesus calls these marks “the beginning of sorrows.” (v. 8) In this context, the word “sorrow” also translates to, “birth pangs.” As these sorrows multiply and intensify, we know we are nearing the return of Jesus Christ, and the Great Tribulation that comes with it.

Apply it to your life

Knowing Jesus could return at any moment, the wisest thing to do is follow Jesus and spend time in His Word.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Hebrews 13:5-6

So many of us do not explore new territories because of our fear of potential opposition. But we can overcome fear when facing the unknown future, particularly a new year.

There are four key principles from Hebrews 13:5-6 to help us face the new year without fear:

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

The Contentment of His Provision

We must first be content with what we already possess. Adrian Rogers says, "Contentment is not getting what you want, but it is wanting what you already have."

Material things cannot truly satisfy the heart's deepest needs (Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:15). True satisfaction and security are found in something that can't be tampered with, which is Jesus Christ.

The Companionship of His Presence

God promises not to leave us or forsake us. The Greek translation of this phrase is noted to contain five negatives: "I will never, no not ever, no never leave nor forsake you.”

It is clear that God will not abandon, give up on, or leave even one believer as a "helpless orphan". God's presence is a source of solace when discouraged, lonely, or worried.

The Confidence of His Promise

“For He Himself has said" emphasizes the value of this promise by the identity of the one who makes it: the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. This assurance addresses our fears of lacking strength, facing the unknown, or not knowing what to do. The God of all comfort will be faithful.

The Comfort of His Protection

The final principle states that contentment, companionship, and confidence in Christ lead to the ability to boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What man can do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).

Although the New Year may bring heartaches and trials, we can rely on God's promises. The original Hebrew Christians faced severe opposition, mockery, and robbery, yet could boldly declare God’s presence and protection, and so can we.

Apply it to your life

If you are fearful of what the New Year has in store, rest assured, you can find contentment, companionship, confidence, comfort, and courage in Jesus.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 2

One of the chief weapons that God has given us is the principle of submission; it is the thing that closes the mouths of those who oppose us and allows us to exercise our kingdom authority.

However, what if we experience the problem of unworthy authorities? 1 Peter 2-3 reveals how to submit to godless authority figures.

Submission is simply getting under the authority that God has established, not for that authority’s sake, but for God’s sake. Being submissive does not demean us, it exalts us; it makes us like Jesus Christ.

This passage recognizes three places in which our submission is needed: the government, the job, and the home.

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake...” (1 Peter 2:13).

We are called to demonstrate a spirit of submission in our social lives, in our churches, and in our politics, for 1 Peter 2:17 confirms, “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

We are also instructed to submit in the workforce. Anyone can gripe and rebel against a bad boss, but Christians are held to a higher standard.

Adrian Rogers says, “There is no better place for you to demonstrate the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if you have an unfair or an ungodly boss.”

Third, we’re to submit in the home: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands…” (1 Peter 3:1). Women are not inferior to men; however, when a wife voluntarily places herself under her husband, who is her equal, God is glorified.

But we must understand that submission doesn’t always mean obedience. All human authority is limited because our ultimate loyalty belongs to God. If there comes a time when someone commands us to do something antithetical to the Word of God, we must obey God rather than men.

Adrian Roger says, “Submission does not embolden tyranny, it destroys it. It was the spirit of these early Christians that brought the Roman Empire crashing down. They turned that world upside down because they learned the strength of submission.”

Apply it to your life

Do you have the spirit of submission? Remember: We will never be over those things that God has put under us, until we get under those things that God has put over us. Submit to the Lordship of Christ, the Word of God, and the institutions that God has put in place.