Badenoch Free Church

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Mat 24 Morning Service. 13 Jan 08
Chapter 24 is a private lesson given to the disciples.
In this chapter the great theme is the 2nd coming.
Jesus uses the historic judgment on Israel that took place in AD70, and the Genesis Flood as a symbols for the 2nd Coming.
There is much in the chapter that is hard to fit together but the overall theme is clear: the 2nd Coming.
Intro:
in the first 4 verses we see a clear picture of Jesus the human.
We see him: v1 Stepping (walking), v2 Seeing, v3 Sitting & v4 Speaking.
These are all things a human does.
It is important for us to recognise and relate to Jesus as Man.
He did all the things we do, walking and talking, resting and watching!
And he did all this ‘in time’.
So here is the historic Jesus, a man, just like us, apart from sin.
What are we to do with this Man today?
We are to come to him!
The disciples came to him and asked v3 - “when will this happen, what will be the sign of your coming.”
Theirs is a two part question that refers 1st to the destruction of the temple and 2nd to the End.
parousi,a, aj f coming, arrival; presence
Out of the 4 gospels this is the only place that the word Parousia is used.
Jesus is not visible today, we cannot see him, yet we believe in him and we want to see him. We love him. And as with all those whom we love we want to be with them.
So we to can ask when are you coming Lord?
Application:
Our desire for Christ to come ought to be because we love Him.
We long to see Him.
Thus, if we are not longing for Jesus, we need to pray that our love for him would grow.
Jesus responds to the disciples in question v3 throughout the rest of the chapter.
We will look at two aspects of the answer to the second part of the qestion.
1) Matthew 24:27 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
His 1st answer focuses on the visibility of the Coming.
All will see Jesus when he comes for the last time!
This is in great contrast to the first coming. Then he came secretly and in obscurity. The world outside paid no attention!
He came as a baby in weakness and vulnerability.
The 2nd coming will be the exact opposite.
The image is of lightening that lights up the whole sky in all its vast expanse.
Everyone can see it: its big, its grand, its bright, its frightening.
And it is totally obvious! Unmistakable!
When Jesus comes that is what it will be like.
Also he will come as the “Son of Man”.
Not a weak baby but the glorified, risen and exalted Lord.
The One who has all Authority of Heaven and earth.
And in appearance He will still be fully Man. In fact he will be the Perfect Man.
Man at His peak, the high point of Humanity. Glorious and Awesome.
 
 
2) Matthew 24:36-39
His 2nd answer focuses on the mystery over the exact time of the 2nd coming and the general lack of expectation about it in the world.
A) the time of the 2nd Coming is known only by the Father, v36.
Even Jesus did not know when this was going to take place.
Shows he was content to live by simply trusting that the Father knew what was best. He did not need to know everything, he did not need to be totally in control.
The Father knew and that was enough for him.
Application:
Are we content to rest in the Father? He knows, that is all we need to know.
2nd coming guessing is a waist of time and energy.
B) When the event happens it will be obvious and unmistakable to all, but right up to the moment before it, life will go on just as normal. V38-39.
Although the event itself will be so obvious, when it happens it will be a total surprise!
This is either a good thing or a bad thing!
Its bad for those who do not believe.
Because “life as normal” for them is life without God. The 2nd coming will be a judgement on those who live life without God.
Its good for those who believe.
“Life as normal” for the believer is life with God.
Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage are all good things, all gifts from God. When used properly God is honoured.
The 2nd coming for them will be a vindication.
Application:
God wants us to live normal lives under Him.
Normal lives under God are supernatural and blessed, but that really is what God wants for us as a normal life.
The thought of the 2nd coming then should not paralyse, but empower us to live hopefully and normally. God is coming, therefore all will be well.
All we need to do is get on with life. Being obedient every day!
The problem with dates is that they alters behaviour.
Thus we live unnaturally. God wants us to live naturally - from the heart out.
Living in that way will make us ready for the great Day when it arrives.
As we will see tonight!
 
 
Evening service 13th Jan 08
 
How then are we to live in light of the Fact that Jesus is coming again?
1) Matthew 24:4
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no-one deceives you.
The 1st note Jesus makes with regard to how we are then to live in light of the 2nd coming is an interesting one.
He talks about deception, or being fooled, or lead astray.
The Devil is the deceiver.
His work is to deceive people, taking them away from the Truth.
V5, 11 & 24 - all speak of deception.
The believer is to stand apart from this work of the evil.
More than that we are to “watch out” for it!
Why is there such an emphasis on deception?
Because our human nature is easily attracted to the ‘wonderful’ and ‘amazing’.
We crave something more tangible and visible to the eye!
The simple life of faith can at times seem unattractive, dull and boring!
How do we keep watch?
- reading, praying, etc. The basics, help us “keep watch”
 
2) Matthew 24:32-33
"Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
Speaking to the disciples specifically of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, and in answer to their question of v3, Jesus tells the disciples to be observant.
In response to a Jewish uprising the Romans sent in an army who put Jerusalem under siege - about 1million Jews died.
Most of the Jewish Christians escaped as they saw the events unfolding before their eyes.
How can we apply it?
Having seen this morning the goodness of leading ‘normal lives’ we can add to that here by saying that we are to live sensible lives.
Particularly with a view to persecution. We are to avoid it when we can!
We are not called to be foolish Christians! So that we suffer needlessly.
Often believes have been mistreated because of pigheadedness rather than the Cross.
1 Peter 2:19-20 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?
 
 
3) Matthew 24:42-51 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come………..”
The chapter closes with Jesus returning again to the End.
How are we to prepare for it?
By keeping watch, which means we will be expecting the Return at any time and therefore are living in obedience.
Just as it is a waist of time to try and predict the exact date of the Return so it is the height of folly to be unprepared!
Being prepared means carrying out our God given responsibilities.