Becoming a Stronger Disciple

HOW A DISCIPLE WATCHES

How a Disciple Watches (THE DECEPTION)

I don’t want to be deceived about the Lord’s second coming.

(Mark 13:1-8) As He was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”

1. The Achievements of Men

(1) As He was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

A. This temple was the greatest architectural achievement in the Middle East.

(2) “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.”

B. In 70 A.D. Rome descended on Jerusalem and totally dismantled this temple.

C. God is not impressed with man’s achievements.

D. Let’s not let the achievements of men distract or deceive us.

2. The Acclamations of Men

(3b-4) Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

(5-6) Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.”

A. Don’t be deceived by people claiming to be the solution to the world’s problems.

B. Only Jesus is the solution to the world’s problems.

3. The Atrocities of Men

(7-8a) “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

A. There seems to be no end to the atrocities of men against men.

B. The labor pains are growing more frequent and intense.

C. Great rejoicing is just around the corner.