Pastor Marshall Ochs | May 26, 2024
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Luke 21. This chapter begins with a picture of religious excess and ends with a warning against worldly excess. The middle section is a lengthy teaching on the destruction of the temple and the return of Jesus. The sermon on Christ’s second advent is bracketed with a warning against religious hypocrisy and a warning against worldly indulgence. The focus of this chapter is to prepare God’s people for the arrival of Jesus with a deep examination of our hearts.
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In the conclusion of Luke 20:45-47, we see Jesus warning His disciples to be careful to not become like the religious leaders who are arrogant, pious and consumed with money and power. This is a warning to all of us. It is easy to become puffed up as we grow spiritually and look down on others who we think appear weaker in their faith. This is the sin of pride.
In Luke 21:1-4 we see the stark contrast between those giving out of their abundance and the widow who gave all she had. This teaching on giving is a picture of the difference between total surrender – giving all that we have to the Lord vs giving something that costs us nothing. Total surrender is a sacrifice to God. What costs us nothing is worth nothing.
1. What have you been holding tightly and not surrendering to the Lord? This can be more than just material possessions. We can hold on to bitterness, unforgiveness, secret sin, etc. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal the area or areas of your life that you have been holding back from Him. Ask Him to help you surrender your ALL to Him.
2. The temple of Jesus’ day was adorned lavishly. It took 83 years to build this temple that was beautiful on the outside, but was void of God. Through the acceptance of Christ as our Savior, we are to be the temple where God dwells. Like the temple building, we can look good on the outside and be Godless on the inside. As you examine your life, have you been more concerned with looking like a follower of Christ, rather than really being a follower of Christ?
In Luke 21:5-19, Jesus explains that the temple building will one day be destroyed. The disciples ask when this will happen. He goes on to explain that His followers will also be persecuted. Jesus is addressing both the destruction of the temple and the final days before His return. This is also addressed in Matthew 24:3. (Please refer to Marshall’s notes for a more detailed explanation.) Jesus explains that false teachers, wars, famine and natural disasters will occur. In verse 12, Jesus says that before all this there will be great persecution of believers. We see this happening in our world today.
1. Have you been persecuted or rejected by others for your faith in Christ?
2. Have you tried to blend in with the world in order to avoid being ostracized by others for your faith?
Read Luke 21:20-28. Jesus is explaining what will happen to the nation of Israel in the future and explaining what will happen in the last days before His return. He is saying that His second coming will be like His first. Let’s continue reading Luke 21:29-33 for furtherunderstanding. Jesus is using this parable to show us that just like we know when summer is coming due to seeing sprouts on trees, there will be signs to let us know that His return is near. What are we to do with this knowledge? Read Luke 21:34-38. We are to be mindful of His return, but not consumed by watching for religious signs. We should be more concerned with knowing our own heart towards God. We should be careful to avoid the pitfalls of religious hypocrisy and worldly excess. We are to be watchful! Stay awake and aware! We are to be ready! Examining our life – inspecting our hearts!
1. Is your heart right with God?
2. If Christ returned today, are you ready? If not, pray today and ask the Lord to transform your heart and life to be fully surrendered to Him.