The Journey to the Cross - Week 12

The Journey to the Cross – Week 12           Mark 13:26-37      “The Already but Not Yet”Big Idea: We are living in the tension between Christ’s first coming (already) and His second coming (not yet).Thesis: The return of Jesus is both a future certainty and a present reality shaping how we live today.I. He is Coming (v26-27) – The promise for a future celebration, should cause a rejoicing TODAY!He is coming back with great power and glory (v26)He will exercise His authority/control [He will send out His angels and control the four winds] (v27) II. Recognize the Signs (v28-31) – The signs should serve to keep us alert and focused on the first love.Remember the fig tree [Mark 11:12-14] – Every season has it’s signs (v28)The signs point to the Savior (v29)The Temple will fall [Mark 13:1-2] as promised and those hearing this message will likely see its destruction (v30)            Live from the Amen [Mark 12:43, The Poor Widow] Truly I say to you. Assuredly I say to you.                         Learn. Lead. Love. – From the Amen.The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord stands forever [Isaiah 40:8] (v31) III. God Is In Control (v32) – It’s easy to loose sight of the first love, especially when you’re trying to predict the end.Jesus took on Earthly limitations (humanity), to free us from our very same limitations (humanity) [Philippians 2:6-8] (v32)He didn’t allow His divinity to separate Him from His love for humanity (v6)        He took on the humble position of humanity, while never losing His divinity (v7)            He became sin, who knew no sin that we may become the righteousness of God [2 Cor. 5:21] (v8)God is working all things together, for our good [Romans 8:28] (v32) IV. Be Alert (v33-37) – Tomorrow is too late (it isn’t promised), today is the day of salvation!The repetition to attentiveness [BE ALERT x4 – v33, 34, 35, 37] should cause us to live in His righteousness. (v33)It all points to Him! He has for a season returned to Heaven, but He’s coming back! (v34) The master = Jesus. The servants = believers, each with a task. The doorkeeper = as believers, we are those called to spiritual watchfulness.He is coming back, and while there are signs, no one knows the day or time. (v35)            The Four Watches of the Night: Evening (6 PM-9 PM) Midnight (9 PM-12 AM) Rooster crow (12 AM-3 AM) Morning (3 AM-6 AM) The unpredictability emphasizes that Christ could return at any moment.Where you are the moment of His return (spiritually) is where you will spend eternity! (v36)Take heed, watch and pray! His return could happen at any moment. (v37) Conclusion/Application – How We Should Respond Is How the Early Church RespondedIt is a wonderful day when Jesus returns in His’ Glory! (Titus 2:11-13)Come Lord Come! [Maranatha] (1 Corinthians 16:22, Revelation 22:20)Eagerly look forward to His reappearing! (2 Timothy 4:8) Closing Thought – We are living in “The Already but Not Yet”, we must not be afraid of His return but rather living in celebration of the fact that this Fallen Age will one day come to an end and we will live forever with God the Father in the Perfection of completion! Take heed, watch and pray, His return could come at any moment and that is a cause for celebration!