A Right Mind Set for His Return
A Right Mind Set for His Return
A message for Oasis of Grace Assembly of God
April 30, 2006
Luke 21:7-19 (NKJV)
7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: h“Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ 4Therefore do not 5go after them. 9 But when you hear of iwars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10 jThen He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great kearthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 lBut before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and mprisons. nYou will be brought before kings and rulers ofor My name’s sake. 13 But pit will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 qTherefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will 6answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom rwhich all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or 7resist. 16 sYou will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put tsome of you to death. 17 And uyou will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 vBut not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
Introduction: The setting for this discussion between Jesus and His disciples is Jerusalem, just prior to the Last Supper and His crucifixion. The disciples ask a question concerning the last days and what will things be like. Jesus gives many details about what will be going on just prior to His return, and while these are very interesting and the source of much debate in the prophetic realm this morning let us examine what Jesus said about our attitudes, or mind set in being prepared for His soon return.
Having the right attitude can mean a lot!
Attitudes are capable of making the same experience either pleasant or painful.
A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, baseball cap in place, toting ball and bat. He was heard to say, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world." Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it and missed. "Strike one!" Undaunted he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself, "I'm the greatest baseball hitter ever," and he swung at the ball again. And again he missed. "Strike two!" He paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. Then a third time he threw the ball into the air. "I'm the greatest hitter who ever lived," he said. He swung the bat hard again, missed a third time. He cried out, "Wow! Strike three! What a pitcher! I'm the greatest pitcher in the world!"
--James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 40.
This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude is that `single string' that keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
n Charles R. Swindoll
In this chapter Jesus points out two types of attitudes or mindsets that can determine our response to His return. This morning let us spend some time looking at what Jesus says we should and should not do in anticipation of His return.
1. Wrong Mindset:
Practicing a wrong mindset or wrong attitude will lead to a disappointing final outcome for anyone. Jesus speaks of four distinct things that every believer must not do!
n Do not be deceived! Verse 8. Jesus said in John 8:32 “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” And in John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life”
o There are not many roads to heaven!
§ You won’t get there by Mohammed
§ You won’t get there by Krishna
§ You won’t get there by confusious
§ You won’t get there by being a good person!
§ You won’t get there because you belong to a church!
§ You won’t get there any other way but the way Jesus said!
o Jesus is soon returning!
§ Acts 1:11 “This Same Jesus is returning!”
§ Most of the messages given in the early church spoke of two things the resurrection of Christ and His soon return!
§ They would have you think it ain’t gonna happen! 2Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but all should come to eternal life!”
n Do not be disturbed! Verse 9. “ But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified” For good reason Jesus tells us in many passages “do not be afraid”. But being afraid is natural to the human spirit. I want to suggest to you here that Jesus was not condemning fear as an emotion but fear as a motive for action.
Fear. His modus operandi is to manipulate you with the mysterious, to taunt you with the unknown. Fear of death, fear of failure, fear of God, fear of tomorrow-his arsenal is vast. His goal? To create cowardly, joyless souls. He doesn't want you to make the journey to the mountain. He figures if he can rattle you enough, you will take your eyes off the peaks and settle for a dull existence in the flatlands.
Max L. Lucado (1955- )
n Do not be doubtful! Verse 14. “Therefore settle it, in your hearts.” Settling means to make a firm stand! A place of residence a fortress of belief. “ I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able!”
n Don’t be dragged into debauchery! Verse 34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Friends this morning let me assure you by the Word of God that there is coming a return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The question in the old song still bears asking this morning; “Are you ready should the Savior come today? Will Jesus say well done or go away? His home is for the pure the vile can never stay!”
The Lord warns those who have a wrong mindset that they will fall! Because they will be caught unawares of His return, or they will deny His return or they will think His return is of no consequence to them.
2. The right mind set: So how are we to think and act in our waiting for the Lord to return? Well in this chapter Jesus gives four attitudes that should be in the mindset of every believer.
n Be Patient! Verse 19; “By your patience possess your souls.” Friends what is a lifetime in comparison to eternity? Our lives are but a vapor that is here and then gone. But eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place.
o Patiently wait for His return.
o Patiently keep yourselves in the word.
o Patiently endure hardship for this too will pass.
o Patiently trust that God will work all things together for good.
n Be Prudent!
1 to discern, understand, consider. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to perceive, discern. 1a2 to understand, know (with the mind). 1a3 to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider. 1a4 to have discernment, insight, understanding. 1b (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding. 1c (Hiphil). 1c1 to understand. 1c2 to cause to understand, give understanding, teach. 1d (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligentl y. 1e (Polel) to teach, instruct. 2 (TWOT) prudent, regard.
n Awareness of the kingdom! Verse31.
n Aware of our spiritual condition verse 34,36.
n Aware of what is happening around us. While it may be the will of the people or the government to do that which is against the Word of God we are to remain steadfast in obedience to His Word.
n Be Perceptive: Watch! The Lord wants us to be constantly on the lookout. We are engaged in a war over our souls and the enemy will take advantage of our every weakness and attack us when we are not looking.
We are to keep a careful watch so that we are never caught out of fellowship with God. Look how many times Jesus declares to the disciples to “Take Heed”
“Take heed that you not be deceived.” V.8
“Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down.” V34
His admonition to look to see to hear to settle, to look up all indicate a mindset that is not fixed on signs and wonders but on the wonder of wonder Jesus Christ the Savior!
n Be Prayerful! v.36 Jesus tells us to pray.
This morning it is a fact that Jesus Christ is returning. He will come in the fullness of time. Though many dispute this and many do not believe it let me assure you that as sure as this is Sun Lakes Arizona and today is April 3oth 2006 He is coming again.
The question we need to ask ourselves today is do I have the right mindset or the wrong one?
If I am deceived or disturbed or doubtful or living in debaughery I will not look forward to the coming of the Lord
Luke 21:25-26 (NKJV)
25/ a“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, bfor the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [1] /
But if I am living in the right mindset I will rejoice when He returns!
Luke 21:27-28 (NKJV)
27 Then they will see the Son of Man ccoming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because dyour redemption draws near.”
/[2]/
Is there any doubt this morning?
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a Is. 13:9, 10, 13; Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24; [2 Pet. 3:10–12]
b Matt. 24:29
[1] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
c Dan. 7:13; [Matt. 16:27; 24:30; 26:64]; Mark 13:26; Rev. 1:7; 14:14
d [Rom. 8:19, 23]
[2] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.