June 18, 2010
Central Truth
God has promised to give us wisdom when we are called to defend our faith.
"When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour: for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit." (Mark 13:11)
1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
14 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
I will be the first to admit that I always want to come across as an intelligent, deep, and wise person. I like pondering what responses I will give when others question why I love Jesus, why I do what I do, and why I try to live for Christ in such a radical fashion. I am concerned about saying the right thing so that others will come to trust in the Jesus I love and serve.
But often, my good intentions turn from glorifying Jesus to glorifying myself. Increasingly, when I become engaged in conversations about Jesus, I am reminded not to worry about the words I will speak because the Holy Spirit will speak through me. (Mark 13:11)
Now, I am not suggesting that we passively sit back and gain wisdom through some kind of spiritual osmosis. We always need to be ready to give an account for the hope that is in us. (1 Peter 3:15) The key to keeping the balance is this: pray, knowing that it is all up to God; and work, staying confident that He will use you.
People are not going to come to know Christ just because someone can spout off several Bible verses and answer all of their theological questions. Christ must draw them through the truth being presented. Knowing the Bible and understanding foundational truths is important, but it will not by itself bring people to Christ. Jesus must work on their hearts, and then we must be available to love them where they are and share truth from God's Word. That is the perfect combination. I heard it said once that God does not want our abilities as much as our availability.
1. How are you doing at preparing yourself to love others both scripturally and emotionally?
2. Check your heart and ask about the motivation for what you are doing. Is it to love others and glorify God, or is it to glorify yourself?
3. When was the last time you gave a friend your shoulder to cry on? If you are not that kind of person, why? The best way to resemble Christ is to be the kind of person others will go to when they are hurting.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In this passage, what is Jesus talking about ending?
2. When you hear all these things that will come at the end, how does it make you feel?
3. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, where is your last stop?
4. How can you have peace now in the hard times and even knowing that harder times will come?
5. Memorize Romans 8:38-39 this week.