11-13-22 Sermon Notes “The Time Has Come”

Sometimes the meaning of Jesus’ actions and parables in the Gospel of Luke are pretty easy to interpret. For instance, in Luke 21: 1-4, there is the time when Jesus and his disciples were in the Temple, and people were putting their offerings in the collection boxes. Some were giving large offerings in with great fanfare. A poor widow came in and put in two very small copper coins – two “mites.” Jesus said, “This widow has put in more than all the others.” How could that be? Well, the rich folks had given something that didn’t cost them that much. The widow had given everything she had. Pretty easy to understand the message.

And then comes verses 5-19 in Luke 21…

5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.

9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom;11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Multiple things are going on in this passage: The Second Coming of Christ; prediction of the Fall of Jerusalem; the persecution of the early Church; and the Jewish concept of “The Day of the Lord.” Most of the theme is “The time will come when…”

This Sunday we will look at the Scripture from the angle of “The time HAS come…” Knowing that Jesus will return…knowing that times are changing… The time has come for us to (1) Get our priorities in order; (2) Prepare to be tested; (3) Engage in ministry.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Sam