Luke 21:20-36

Sermon Series: “The Servant King”

1. In Jesus’ final instructions, He prophesies the future course of human history.

     A. Human history will include difficulties leading to judgment (v. 25-26, Isaiah 13:6-13, Joel 2:28-32). [Review the list of difficulties in v. 8-19]

     B. Human history will include Gentile oppression of the Jews and Gentiles being saved but God fulfilling His promises to Israel (v. 24, Revelation 11:1-2, Romans 11:25-29). 

     C. Human history is leading to the return of Jesus Christ (v. 27-28, Revelation 19:11-16).

2. In Jesus’ final instructions, He communicates that His Word is the source of our confidence regarding the future (v. 29-33).

-Explain the parable of the fig tree: the leaves are budding so the time is near

-(v. 20-21) They were protected in 70 AD by listening to, believing, and acting on Jesus’ word. According to ancient historians, there was a brief window of opportunity for Christians to flee Jerusalem between 69 when Vespasian returned to Rome and before March 70 when his son Titus besieged Jerusalem.

This reality is intended to serve as an encouragement for us to do the same thing today. Jesus’ word was accurate then, and it will be regarding His return. That is the point of v. 33.

Application: What source of authority will guide us in our planning for the future? You may push back and say that you think it’s crazy to base your future on some ancient text like this, and I would generally agree with you except for one very important fact. The One who is telling you this rose from the dead, so we can bank on everything He says.

3. In Jesus’ final instructions, He commands us to be prepared for His return (v. 34-36).

-Pictured by v. 21

-How can we prepared?

     A. Be saved 

     B. Pay close attention to our spiritual lives

     C. Don’t deal with the future through sinful escapism or worrying about it

     D. Don’t ignore these warnings

     E. Be watching

-Live every day to be ready for the final Day 

     F. Pray for strength 

4. In Jesus’ final instructions, He warns us of the consequences of not being prepared for His return.

-It’s our redemption if we have been redeemed by Him and a snare if not (v. 28, 35).

-What are the consequences?

     A. The judgments prophesied here and prefigured by the destruction of Jerusalem (v. 36, 25-26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

-God is just and deals with all sin, whether we like it or not.

     B. The final judgment before Jesus (Revelation 20:11-15)

Luke 21

Sermon Series: “The Servant King”

Introduction: Danny Akin says, “Last words are lasting words.” If you have ever been around dying people whose mental faculties are intact, you know that they say what is most important to the people who are most important to them. Jesus has told His followers that He is going to Jerusalem to be crucified and rise again, so He knows that He is about to die. He is preparing His followers for life without Him present on the earth with them, so He is teaching them very important truths. Let’s look at His final instructions and see how they apply to us.

Context: V. 37-38, v. 5-7 

-The context is Jesus answering their questions. 

-Specifically, this means that he is talking to them about the destruction of the temple.

-However, He is using the destruction of the temple as a picture and example related to His second coming as well.

-This is a dual fulfillment prophecy.

-Read v. 20-24 and give some historical background on the destruction of Jerusalem and the history of the Christians fleeing.

-This is a picture of the return of Jesus, which is a separate event (Luke 19:11). The return of Jesus is our ultimate hope, rescue, and escape (v. 25-28).

1. Place our hope in Jesus alone instead of in human religion (v. 1-6).

-Describe the magnificence of the temple and remind them of how utterly it was destroyed

-Contrast faith in Jesus with their trust in Jerusalem and the temple (John 2:13-22)

-What happened in the temple that are ultimately pictures of Jesus?

     A. Jesus is atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12).

     B. Jesus is mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

     C. Jesus is intercessor (Hebrews 7:25).

     D. Jesus is the presence of God (Revelation 21:22).

2. Persevere through difficult times (v. 8-19).

-Speaking directly to them but applicable to followers of Jesus in every age

-We should expect difficulties (John 16:33).

-What do we need to expect and persevere through?

     A. Expect and reject false prophets (v. 8).

     B. Expect wars and conflicts (v. 9-10).

     C. Expect natural disasters (v. 11).

     D. Expect and prepare for persecution (v. 12-19).

-John 15:18-21

3. Prepare for the return of Jesus (v. 27-28).

Romans 12:3-8

A sermon from Luke chapter 11.

Wiersbe: “Shechem was the ideal location for this moving farewell address by Israel's great leader. It was at Shechem that God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land (Gen. 12:6-7), and there Jacob built an altar (33:20). Shechem was located between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim, where the people of Israel had reaffirmed their commitment to the Lord (Josh. 8:30-35). Shechem was indeed "holy ground"' to the Israelites. 

If nation and land were the key words in Joshua's first address, then the Lord is the major focus in this second address; for Joshua refers to the Lord twenty-one times. In fact, in 24:2-13, it is the Lord who speaks as Joshua reviews the history of the nation. Another key word is serve, used fifteen times in this address, Jehovah gave them their land and would bless them in their land if they loved Him and served Him.”

Main Idea: Follow Jesus today because of everything God has done for us in order to be ready for the final day.

-Romans 15:4

1. Recognize what God has done for us in Christ (v. 1-13). 

     A. God chooses us (v. 1-4). [John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4]

     B. God redeems us from the bondage of sin (v. 5-7). [1 Peter 1:18-19]

Motyer replied something like this:

“Think about it. Think of what an Israelite would say on the way to Canaan after passing through the Red Sea. If you asked an Israelite, “Who are you?” he might reply, “I was in a foreign land under the sentence of death and in bondage, but I took shelter under the blood of the lamb. And our mediator led us out, and we crossed over. Now we’re on our way to the Promised Land, though we’re not there yet. But he has given us his law to make us a community, and he has given us a tabernacle because we must live by grace and forgiveness. And he is present in our midst, and he will stay with us until we arrive home.”

     C. God defeats our enemies (v. 8-12). [Colossians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 15:57]

     D. God gives us an inheritance (v. 8-12). [1 Peter 1:3-5]

     E. God does all of this by His grace (v. 13).

-Ephesians 2:1-5

2. Respond to what God has done for us by choosing to get off the fence and follow Jesus (v. 14-15).

     A. Fear God

     B. Serve God

     C. Repent of idolatry

-They were going back to the gods that their God had defeated.

     D. Live with conviction

3. Live out this choice with daily devotion (v. 16-28).

Judges 2:1-4, 10

     A. Daily surrender (Luke 9:23)

     B. Confession and repentance (Proverbs 28:13)

     C. Spiritual disciplines (Psalm 63:1-2) [Spend time with God in prayer, worship, and Bible study]

     D. Spiritual community (Hebrews 10:24-25)

4. Following Jesus today is what prepares us for the final day (v. 29-33).

A sermon from Luke Chapter 10.

A sermon from Luke, The Servant King series.

A sermon from Luke, The Servant King series.