Scripture:
Matthew 24:9-14 ESV
[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.
Observation:
These words are in red. They are the words of Jesus’ HIMSELF. His sacrificial death was quickly approaching, and the disciples needed a crash course in how all this was going to happen. It was time to make it real and prepare them for what was about to happen. HE only had a few years to pass on all the information they would need to carry on the work after HE was gone. But now HE was down to days, and HE had to have their full undivided attention. I’m pretty sure the statements that were made in these verses got that. HE had told them a few times how HE would be handed over and put to death, and now that was about to happen, but preparing them for their own death was another ball game. I’m sure the statement “you will be handed over.” Was not what they had wanted to hear. After all, they were looking for a ruler, a king, someone who would reclaim the kingdom and return it to the Jews but now the one they had hoped for was talking like they would have to die. Not to mention the hard times that were coming. People are falling away from the faith and betraying each other. None of it made sense from a human perspective. How is this going to reclaim the kingdom? How is it going to help if the one who we are counting on is killed, and then we have to give our lives as well? If the lawlessness increases and evil men continue to rule? The persecution will finish the nation. It will seemingly stop existing. But wait, there’s more… the gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth. Oh yeah, that’s right. Then there’s that as well. We’ll still need to tell others about all this. What seemed like the end was only the beginning. There was work to do, and Jesus knew that the persecution was what would get that done. HIS disciples would run for their lives, taking with them the gospel. Everywhere they went, they would not be able to erase what had happened. Seeing HIM dialed to a cross placed in a tumb and then raised from the dead. Yes, fear for their own lives would be there, but so would the gospel. They wouldn’t be able to help but tell it.
Application:
What if it costs you your life? Would you still be willing to speak the truth? That Jesus Christ rose from the dead? What if being a Christian was against the law? Would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you? I have a book that is a collection of stories of people who gave their lives for their belief in Jesus. People who had seen the power of the gospel in their own lives and would not back up. Let’s think honestly about this. We can say whatever we want to at this point because no one is standing over us with a sword, asking if we believe in Jesus. It’s easy to say yes, I would, I would give my life for Christ. But in the face of true persecution… would you? Standing firm on the truth of GOD’S word is going to be the key. In the end, this life is temporary. This flesh will go away, and the only way we will have the courage to give our lives for the gospel is through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I can sit here right now in the face of the freedoms we have in the United States and tell you I would give my life. But honestly, we don’t know persecution… there’s not much risk. However, as we look at GOD’S word and see it unfolding right before our very eyes in the news and all around us, we can see that the gospel is under attack, and we don’t yet know the pressures that are coming. There are complete denominations that are falling away from the truth. We need to be ready to stand on GOD’S word. Knowing that this life is temporary. Life with HIM is eternal. We do not yet understand the persecution… but it is coming. The question is, are you ready? Is your life here on earth worth a life in eternal glory with the risen king? Will you still proclaim the gospel when things get hard? Are you willing to look past your flesh into eternity? I know these are hard questions. But they have to be answered, and you have to set your face as to flint. Right now… when it’s easy. Or you will not be ready when it’s hard. One last thing, and then we will close in prayer. Your enemy doesn’t care about your life. You are better off dead to him. But if your death proclaims the victory of Christ, it’s a win. If you won’t proclaim the gospel now when it’s easy. You will fold when it’s hard. GOD is looking for courageous men and women to stand firm on HIS word. Not backing up when things get hard. Shouting it from the rooftops Jesus Christ is king. HE is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We killed HIM, but GOD rose HIM from the dead, and now… right now… He is waiting to come back and take us home.
Prayer:
Father, we know it’s easy right now here in the United States to say we believe. There is no real opposition. I mean, there is a little… we might get called a bible thumper. But that’s nothing compared to what others have faced. So what we are asking for this morning is boldness. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. We do not want to back up. The armor you provide does not have any back piece. You have built us to advance. When Peter revealed who Jesus is. The next statement said it all. You are building a church that the gates of hell will not prevail against. We want the kind of boldness that will run through those gates with a battering ram kicking them down to set our brothers and sisters free. We are not captives, and we were not made to be victims… we are Victorious through Christ Jesus. Your Holy Spirit will give us boldness. So today, we ask that you would fill us all the way up with that boldness that can only come from the presence of you in our lives. we know you are building an army that will stand against the darkness and shine the light that you have placed within us. Let your soldiers suit up and be wholeheartedly ready for battle. Give us just one more salvation for the kingdom and then one more and then one more. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray amen.