Sermon 2024-12-15 Luke 21:5-19

·44 min·4 clips

Jesus foretells that not one stone of the magnificent Jerusalem Temple will be left upon another.

The episode opens with a reading of Luke 21:5-19, where Jesus foretells the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and his disciples ask for signs. The speaker immediately frames the Gospel of Luke as having an unfinished story, with the final chapter being the return of Jesus. He mentions the upcoming Christmas season and a planned pre-Christmas message, but focuses this sermon on the second coming. To provide context, the speaker delves into the history of 70 AD, when the Romans destroyed the temple after a siege, citing the historian Josephus's record of 1.1 million deaths. He describes the siege in detail, including starvation and bombardment, and notes that only the substructure stones (the Wailing Wall) remained. Jesus's prophecy is shown to be fulfilled in this event. The speaker then analyzes Jesus's response, which serves as a teaching on the end times. He emphasizes two key pieces of advice: do not be led astray by false teachers or messiahs, and do not be afraid, even when hearing of wars and tumults. The speaker broadens the timeline to the 'last days,' which began with Jesus's ascension and continue today. He lists contemporary examples like the Russia-Ukraine war, Hamas, and earthquakes as ongoing fulfillments. He also discusses famines, pestilences (like pandemics), terrors (e.g., 9/11), and signs from heaven (e.g., solar eclipses). A major point is that before the end, disciples will face persecution, both religious and political, as seen historically and in modern times in places like North Korea and China. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about being disciplined by church authorities for speaking against an ungodly decision, illustrating how God provides wisdom in such situations. He notes that persecution can come from family and friends, and cites early Christian martyrs like Peter, Andrew, and Thomas. The sermon concludes by linking endurance to gaining eternal life, referencing Luke 9, and encouraging listeners to be ready for Jesus's return, which is imminent.

As heard by us

A direct sermon on Luke 21:5-19 turns fear of upheaval into a call to endure and bear witness.

Luke 21:5-19 is handled here as a sermon about fear, endurance, and the steady shape of Christian witness when public life begins to fracture.

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Why you'd press play

If headlines, fear, and end-times questions have you rattled, press play for a steadier answer from Luke 21.

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