08.05.2018
SERMON SUMMARY:
Turn on the news and you are likely to hear of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, heat waves, famines, and crises all over the world. Is it the end? Are we living in the end times? What should we do? Build a bunker and store up enough food to last through the Apocalypse? What does Jesus say about the end, it’s timing, and our attempts to create security? Join us this week as we continue our sermon series on the Gospel of Mark.
REFLECTIONS:
All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.
—Flannery O’Connor
“Surely I am coming soon.”
—Jesus
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
—John the Apostle
Fear operates as an appetite or an addiction. You can never be safe enough.
—Marilynne Robinson
SCRIPTURE:
Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
Mark 13:1-8; 32-37
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
CONFESSION OF SIN:
In confession, we admit our faults before a God who loves to forgive. Let’s spend a moment in silence, admitting our faults and confessing the ways we’ve sinned against God.
SONG TO CONSIDER:
Chorus 1
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Come Lord Jesus come
Verse 1
Come again to claim Your own
Come to reap what You have sown
All creation weeps and groans for You
It’s to You that we belong
It’s to You we lift our song
How our spirits look and long for You
Verse 2
Like a thief in dead of night
Come our everlasting light
Let Your brilliance shame the brightest day
With Your voice like endless seas
Wielding swords and stars and keys
Bring the nations to their knees we pray
Verse 3
For though fitful is our flame
You’re from age to age the same
Jesus faithful is Your name and true
So until the sun does rise
Till Your trumpets rend the skies
Help us keep our restless eyes on You