"Safety Insurance"
TEXT: Matt. 24:14, 16:13; Luke 21:20-21
TRUTHS:
1. When delivering the Olivet discourse, Jesus gave His disciples the “sign” to look for that would reveal the threat of imminent danger (when they see armies surrounding Jerusalem). We live in a world that could rightly be considered dangerous, especially concerning how the end of the age will conclude. The Olivet discourse is part of a pattern that can be found throughout the Bible that reveals Christ is willing and able to save His people in the face of such end-time dangers.
2. Jesus is building a place of safety for His people and wants us to build alongside Him. What is this place of safety that Jesus is building? The Church!
3. When studying the pattern that emerges from the Bible concerning how God leads His people to safety, there are some important details that we should take note of. What should individual believers be committed to so that they join Jesus in building His Church? We have been called to: (1) intercede in prayer on the behalf of others, (2) be intimately connected to the “called-out” ones (through a local church), (3) repent of sin, and (4) follow the commands or instructions that our Father provides us. These are necessary if you wish to be led to the place of safety when facing "the end."
4. We must remember Lot’s wife. Her story reminds us that we should not love this present world more than we love the world to come.
5. The following is true of the Christian faith: it’s not just about what we do, but rather what you do and why you do it. Our intent and motives need to be righteous as well.
6. We should not be concerned with finding out dates, times, and seasons concerning the end. We should focus on what Jesus told us to focus on if we desire to be kept safe--building His Church. Every believer should ask themselves, “Am I Church-builder?”
7. What are some practices that enable us to build the Church of Jesus Christ? We must: (1) take the Word of God seriously and continue to grow and mature in our faith, (2) pray, (3) give (more than money), (4) be quick to repent, and (5) proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in both word and d
TALK TO EACH OTHER:
1. How does 'Truth 1' make you feel? What does it immediately make you think of?
2. Do the truths we talked about Sunday mean that we can expect a life of ease and comfort? Why or why not?
3. How can a believer discern that they might be more in love with this present world than the world to come? What do you think would be present in the life of someone with wrongly ordered loves? What motivations and practices?
4. It seems as if it is quite common for the children of God to "plateau" in their spiritual growth (and perhaps just settle there). How have you continued your growth throughout the various seasons of your life? What would you say is the biggest contribution to your ongoing spiritual maturity?
5. How would you define what it means to be a "Church-builder?" Additionally, in what ways can someone destroy or divide the Church?
6. What does it mean to "give more than money?" What else is there to give?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray into the following areas:
For those who are confused or scared about the end
To be builders of the Church (and not those who tear down the Church)
For continued spiritual growth and maturity
Comments