Yesterday morning, after taking two months to focus on other topics, I was back in Luke's Gospel. I read Luke 21:5-38, with the plan of taking three Sundays (January 2nd, 9th, and 16th) to walk through it.
As of right now, my plan is to finish Luke's Gospel on May 29th, 2011. We'll see!
Being that yesterday was the second day of the new year, my focus was on what Jesus said in Luke 21:19: "By your endurance, you will gain your lives." According to Jesus, those who endure to the end will be saved (see also Matthew 24:13). So, those who are genuinely saved, thus, genuinely born again by the Spirit of God, will endure to the end. Being saved is not just for those who think they can coast. It takes blood, sweat, and tears to endure to the end. So, my aim was to look at what Jesus said regarding the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and His own 2nd coming still yet to occur, and give some actions believers can take in 2011 to 'remain saved' throughout 2011.
Later today, you can watch or listen to the sermon here.
Here some additional questions to help you process/apply the message:
1. Do you agree with Bro. Matt that Jesus was speaking of both the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 AND His own 2nd coming in these verses? Why or why not?
2. In what ways do you need to replace affections for temporary things with that which will last forever? How much have you given to the Lottie Moon Offering this year? Could you still give more? If not, why not?
3. Bro. Matt mentioned several ways to aggressively and intentionally grow in the knowledge of and affections for Jesus:
1.) Read the Gospels over and over and over.
2.) Pray for God to protect you from error and to help you grow in knowing and following the biblical Jesus.
3.) Read sections of solid theology books that focus on the Person of Christ.
4.) Have family devotions and let your children ask you questions.
5.) Memorize portions of Scripture that describe Jesus.
6.) Make every effort to be here as we wrap up Luke’s Gospel.
3.) Read sections of solid theology books that focus on the Person of Christ.
4.) Have family devotions and let your children ask you questions.
5.) Memorize portions of Scripture that describe Jesus.
6.) Make every effort to be here as we wrap up Luke’s Gospel.
Which of these can you immediately put into practice in your life?
4. How can assuming that the world will continue in chaos and move from bad to worse actually benefit a Christ-follower?
5. What is at least one action you can take in 2011 that puts all the pressure on God to show up and help you follow-through on?
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