This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled "Signs of the Times." Pastor Ben walked us through Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24, reminding us that what we believe about the end times influences how we live today. He highlighted Jesus' warnings that deception, global unrest, persecution, and false prophets will increase, while the Gospel continues to be proclaimed to all nations. Rather than living in fear, Pastor Ben encouraged us to remain watchful, steadfast in our faith, and ready for Christ's return, holding firmly to His promise that He will come again in power and glory.
✍️ Notes Title: Signs of the Times – Ben Johnson "Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:1-14 (NIV)
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:30-31 (NIV)
⭑ What you believe about the end, influences how you live now. ⭑ Deception will increase ⭑ Global chaos will increase ⭑ Persecution will increase ⭑ Many will turn away and hate – false prophets ⭑ The Gospel will be preached
Be Ready “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
