NOTES: Plug In, Part 5
Sermon: Plug In part 5- When Rumors become Reality
Text: Matthew 24:3-14
Date: Sunday February 27, 2022
Matthew 24:3–14 (ESV)
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
“The End”:
Jesus and the disciples:
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
6 …See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
10 rumors that have become realities in our lifetime:
Rumor #1
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
Reality #1 Many are following many “Saviors”
Rumor #2
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars…For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom
Reality #2 International conflicts on most every continent
Rumor #3
there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Reality #3 Famines (disease) and Natural disasters are common
Rumor #4
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake
Reality #4 The Church and her members are/will experience great suffering
Rumor #5
you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake
Reality #5 The Church is increasingly hated by the world
Rumor #6
10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
Reality #6 The Church community continues to divide itself and be increasingly hated by the world.
Rumor #7
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Reality #7 The digital “prophets” have enormous influence and go unchecked.
Rumor #8
12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Reality #8 Today’s false teaching is especially humanistic; Love of God and others fades.
Rumor #9
13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Reality #9 The greatest testimonies continue to be those who finish strong
Rumor #10
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Reality #10 The Gospel continues to penetrate unreached people groups like never before.
The value is knowing when these rumors become reality:
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Reconnect with the purpose and joy of God’s Kingdom:
“…and then the end will come.”
“The End” ?
Matthew 24:29–31 (ESV)
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.