INTRODUCTION

1. Challenging Times

a) They will come

b) We have been forewarned

2. Why were these warnings given?

a) To prepare our hearts and minds

b) To do what we need to fortify ourselves for what lies ahead’

 

SOLEMN WORDS OF WARNING ABOUT TRIBULATION

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. Matthew 24:9

1. Tribulation

2. Killed

3. Hated

 

SIMILAR WORDS OF WARNING I

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

1. The 8th Beatitude

2. The blessing of the Kingdom of heaven

3. The challenge to rejoice

 

SIMILAR WORDS OF WARNING II

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men,

for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. 18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake,

as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.

For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub,

how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed,

and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:16-26

1. In the Context of Ministry

2. In the Context of being identified with the Lord Jesus

a) The Teacher is persecuted

b) The Disciple may suffer the same fate

3. Not even in the End-Times scenario

4. Negative and hostile attitudes of enemies:

a) Delivered up

b) Scourged

c) Betrayed and persecuted by family

d) Hatred

5. Challenge:

a) Not to be afraid

b) Endure to the end

c) Believe in the empowering of the Spirit of God

 

POTENTIAL NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:10-12

1. Many will be offended

2. Some will betray

3. Others will hate

4. False prophets will arise and deceive many

5. Lawlessness will abound

6. The love of many will grow cold

 

POTENTIAL POSITIVE OUTCOMES

13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:13-14

1. Endurance

2. Preaching of the kingdom of God

3. Then will the end come!

 

CONCLUSION

1. To overcome our Fears

2. To build a strong Faith

3. To learn how to have Endurance to the very end