First Baptist Church of Titusville FL

When a black hole comes into our lives, there is a force more powerful and more amazing just beyond it.

I. Jesus has a gentle touch.

II. Jesus has power over death.

III. Jesus is the First and Last.

IV. Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades.

Jesus is making an extended forecast, but not about the weather-it is the future. It is an extended forecast because while some things did happen, others are yet to occur. We can rest assured this forecast is accurate.

Mark 13 is a parallel passage with Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

I. The temple will be destroyed. (vs. 2)

II. There will be disturbing trends. (vs. 6-8)

A. Spiritual confusion

B. Military conflicts

C. Natural calamities

III. There will be persecution (vs. 9-13)

A. 4th century

B. 16th century

C. 20th - 21st centuries

IV. What is to be our reaction?

A. Bear witness to Christ

B. Carry the gospel to everyone

C. Stand firm in challenging times

Introduction: Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the hour had come that He would depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 KJV

I. Through Pilate (vs. 11-14)

II. Through Barabbas (vs. 15-26)

III. Through the People (vs. 22-23)

IV. Through the Soldiers (vs. 27-32)

I. Predicted by the Prophets (v. 31)

II. Promised Suffering and Death (v. 32)

III. Produced the Resurrection (v. 33)

IV. Pattern for Us (v. 34)

What Was the Cross…

I. …For the Jews? See John 1:11

II. …For the Greeks? See Acts 17:21

III. …For the Apostle Paul? See Romans 7:14-25

IV. …For Us?

We have the same problem as did the Jews,

the Greeks and the Apostle Paul. It is sin.

Introduction: In Luke 15, we have three stories of lost things: a sheep, a coin, and a son. Another common theme is the celebration over what was lost being found again. Some people miss the celebration.

I. Characteristics of the In-Country Prodigal

A. An angry spirit of grumbling

B. An inflated sense of goodness

C. A faulty understanding of grace

II. God's Message to In-Country Prodigals

A. "I treasure your relationship more than your work." Luke 10:38-42

B. "You have access to all of my resources." Romans 8:17

C. "Don't miss out on my celebration."

Conclusion: How does the story end? Will we renew our place in the Kingdom, or be on the outside looking in?

Due to technical difficulties, the first 5 minutes have been omitted.

I. I've wandered far away from God

A. To a restless-nation

B. To a reckless-nation (Hebrews 11:25)

C. To ruin-ation (Galatians 6:7)

II. Now I'm coming home

A. Realize what you are (Psalm 51:17)

B. Repent of who you are

C. Return from where you are (Joel 2:13)

We Worship...

I. A God who regrets when you rebel.

II. A God who runs when you return.

III. A God who restores when you repent.

To parents or grandparents of prodigals:

A. God understands your pain.

B. Don't rush into the pigpen to rescue them.

C. Let them know the door is open.

D. Receive them when they come home.

Introduction: Some words are difficult to understand. We will examine a word Jesus did not appear to understand.

I. Three Life-Changing Lessons

A. The Compassion Lesson: Jesus Cares

B. The Faith Lesson: Jesus Does the Impossible

C. The Abundance Lesson: Jesus Turns Poverty into Plenty

II. What to Do With Your "Only"

A. Look to Heaven for Help

B. Give Thanks for What You Have

C. Cherish the Value of Brokenness

D. Serve Others Before Yourself

Conclusion: Will you give God "only" what you have?