The Signs of the End – Wk 2

Matthew 24:29-42 (NLT)

29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days,

30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Matthew 24:43-45 (NLT)

43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.

Distraction is a silent enemy that makes us indifferent.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NLT)

1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

THREE QUESTIONS TO GUARD AGAINST INDIFFERENCE TO JESUS:

1. Is Jesus your first love?

2. Are you filled with the Spirit of God and the Word of God?

3. Are you ready and willing to take risks for the kingdom of God?

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Overcome distraction by focusing on what is important in the kingdom of God.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Matthew 24:32-45.

–  What are some of the obvious or non-obvious distractions in the word pictures in this passage?

– What are some of the obvious or non-obvious distractions in our lives and in our world?

▶ Read Proverbs 27:12. What are some ways we can be more prudent with our health, finances, family, marriage or other?

▶ What makes it valuable to have Jesus as your first love?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Matthew 25:1-13. When you think of your priorities, what is one thing God wants you to know or do in this season?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray that as a church we would continue to grow in relationship with Jesus and love for each other, and not allow distractions to fog our focus of the most important thing.