Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More

The Earth Will Be Destroyed

Mark 13:28-31

• We have covered many things through Mark 13. Being mindful of Christs return, the outline of the end times, if you haven’t been here, you need to go back and listen to them.
• I’m not going to go into great detail about the first parts of this scripture because we have covered much of it already.
• V28 means that you can watch the fig tree and see that summer is coming based on how the fig tree is changing with the seasons.
• The end of all things will be discernible to those who are in Christ as well. If you’re watching the signs of the times, those who are in Christ will see the changes and will know that the return of Christ is imminent.
• If you WATCH. – you must watch the changes that are happening- be prepared for JESUS return
• V29- Jesus says if you see the changes in the earth, that’s the indication that the end is NEAR
• BUT Jesus makes it clear- everything that he has said will come to pass will come to pass.
• You can rest assured, if Jesus said that its going to happen before the end, it will happen
• We’ve covered the end times in previous sermons, go back and listen. Its all going to happen
• We are going to mostly focus on this one verse from Today’s passage- Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
• This earth, the current Heaven will pass away
• Everything that God has said will endure for ever

1. Heaven and earth will pass away

• The current earth you are on will no longer be here after Jesus comes back and establishes the new heaven and the new earth
• Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
• Why is God going to destroy this earth? Probably because its filled with sin and decay and if God is going to live on the new earth with his people, he can’t live in a corruptible place
• This idea of a new heaven and new earth isn’t a NT concept- the prophet Isaiah spoke of it
• Isaiah 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.
• The prophecies of Isaiah are as true today as they were back then- God will create a new earth
• Isaiah 65: 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
• Its going to be great though! A better earth! I don’t know how- but a better heaven!
• Isaiah 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.
• This is connected to the promise of
• Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

• What does it mean to you?
• If this current Earth is temporary, why do you get so wrapped up in its affairs?
• Have you ever been listening to someone complain about something, and wonder why its such a big deal to them? Some line, some wait, something broken, an inconvenience
• There is no benefit to getting upset about the things of this world.
• I wish I could tell you that I never get wrapped up in it or I never get frustrated
• There is no benefit to longing after the things of this world
• The bible says to store up your treasures in heaven- not on earth Matt 6:19
• There is no benefit to getting wrapped up in the worlds affairs
• Christians drawing battle lines based on who they voted for is like fighting over who the captian of the titanic is. Its pointless!
• READ 2 Peter 3:10-13 v11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

• If the earth is going to be destroyed, how should we conduct ourselves?
• One- we should value the things of God over the things of this world- The things of God are the only things that are going to endure
• Two- We should love and forgive people in the name of Jesus in hope that they would repent and come to God
• Three- We should make the things of God at the center of our lives and live according to the scriptures in all manner
• We’re called out- we’re a holy nation, a holy priesthood. We were called live differently!
• Four– We should be the most forgiving people in the room
• Five- We should NOT get wrapped around the axel about anything.
• About a week ago- a local pastor died from a heart attack on a Cruise- wife 4 kids, church
• Holly and Dan were friends- on facebook probably saw-

• His wife says- “Lastly, many are astounded by my response and ‘strength’. Guys, what you are witnessing and the gift I am experiencing is this. I have my Jesus. His word and promises are TRUE! He really has been my comforter. He honestly has delivered 150% on His promises!! Guys, I really have built my life upon THE SOLID ROCK and now that all else is SINKING SAND – I REALLY WON’T Go down!! The Holy Spirit is real. God’s plan for my life IS Good. And I am living in the proof that my Jesus has been rallying on my behalf since February 24th – and He won’t stop.”
• Where’s your faith? In this earth? IN your stuff? Family? Kids? Job? Your skills and abilities?
• Friend- the time is NOW to put all your faith in Jesus for your EVERYTHING.
• If you’re holding onto ANYTHING that you think is going to take care of you in the future, give you hope, Give you purpose, ANYTHING- you’ve built your life on sinking sand-
• The ONLY Answer is faith in Jesus Christ!
• Psalm 102:25-27 25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.
• To be able to live this type of victorious life- you must be grounded in the word, love the word, and center your life around the word

1. the power of the Word

• Here’s what has happened lately- people have started to put their faith in Jesus, while trying to discount the word- They like Jesus- they just don’t like what he says or what the Bible says
• To be a Christian, is to understand and agree with that from Genesis to revelation, Everything that God has said is Jesus, and what Jesus said is the Word
• You cannot separate what God has said, and what the Bible says as the Word of God from God. God is his word. Jesus is the Word. The Word is Jesus.
• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• This is why the Bible must be held in the highest regard. In preaching. In life. It is central to who we are as Christians. We must know and love our Bibles and receive them as God speaking.
• The biggest lie that people say is that the Bible was written by man-
• 2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
• About Jesus- John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” JESUS IS EVERY WORD SPOKEN- HE IS THE ONLY GOD
• When Jesus says this- He is declaring his LORDSHIP over ALL TRUTH. ALL WORDS
• The Word changes lives- When you listen to BIBLICAL When you READ IT
• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

• YOU MUST BELIEVE 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
• If you don’t believe that the Bible is inspired and that it was written by the Holy Spirit you shouldn’t even read it. It’s a waste of time. It’s a life changing book to those who believe.
• What does it mean to you?
• YOU GOT TO Study this thing!
• Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
• If you’re lacking hope in your life, its probably because you don’t know what the Bible says about your situation
• It will increase your HOPE
• The people who are the most hopeless are the people who never read their Bibles.
• Bible readers are able to get through this life because they understand the TRUTH
• I don’t like to fly- WSJ Article- “Last year was the safest year ever for air travel, with zero passenger airline fatal accidents on jets world-wide. There hasn’t been a fatal crash at a major U.S. passenger airline since 2009.”
• That encouraging for a guy who doesn’t like to fly! Not putting my faith in it like the Bible, but if I hadn’t read that I wouldn’t know the truth- No one died in past 9 years on a airplane. I didn’t know!
• Same with the Word of God! If you’re reading, studying, meditating, listening, it will comfort!
• 2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

• It will keep you from sin!
• Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
• When you’ve mediated on it, memorized it, and ingested it, it becomes part of you
• The WORD will keep you from sin- It will guide you and protect you
• Many people wont read it because they don’t want to be held accountable to what it says
• But when you know what you’re not supposed to be doing, it will guide you, and then you can live according to the ways of GOD
• It will break the bondages in your life
• Jeremiah 23:29“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
• Many people don’t listen to bible preaching, don’t read, and then wonder why their life is in shambles? Its because you’re not living according to the word of God
• I am a word centered guy- I love the HS and the moves of God- but without he WORD- nothing changes. You have to get the word in you to have a changed life. No word- no change
• Listening to local pastor- no scripture for about 15 minutes into the sermon- what you doing bro?
• You were saved by the word! How can you not hold it in high regard? How can you not love it?
• 1 Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
• It will live and abide FOREVER
• Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

1. My word will not pass away

• Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
• Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
• Everything that God has said will come to pass- Heaven and earth will be gone- but the WORD will still be here- Why? BECAUSE GOD IS HIS WORD. HE WILL ALWAYS EXIST
• Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
• God declared that his word will stand- it will always be here- because HE will always be here
• Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
• What does it mean to you?
• If God’s word is true- STAKE YOUR LIFE ON IT
• There is nothing more powerful than God’s word
• Read your OT- Many times “The Word of the LORD came to them”
• The word will sustain you, guide you, help you, encourage you.
• Let it direct your life, marriage parenting, job, living, health, Finances.
• 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
• I have never met an unsuccessful person who lives according to the WORD
• I have met many rebellious non word believing proclaimers who walk in DEFEAT
• Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,