By: Dennis Pierce
Text: Luke 21:7–19 (NKJV)
7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
Introduction
I. Wellness of soul is a quality of life, taught in scripture, available to all people and enjoyed by following Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).
A. The soul that has this quality experiences life much differently than the one without it.
1. Joy, contentment, peace, optimism, etc. are themes found in the Bible to describe this way of life (1 John1:4; Philippians 4:7,11,13; 1 Corinthians 13:7).
2. Wellness of soul is often misunderstood to be completely dependent upon physical circumstances rather than upon a relationship with Christ.
3. Without Christ, man is described as having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12).
II. The Bible provides encouraging statements such as not letting your heart be troubled, John 14:1, or not to worry about your life, Matthew 6:33-34.
A. This seems to be easier said than done.
1. How do we come to the place in life where we do not focus upon food and drink more than we should?
2. How can we stop worrying?
3. How do we know that God understands everything in our life and is concerned about what happens to us?
B. In troubled times and even in life-threatening circumstances, our souls can be well.
III. The news reports every day tell just how dark and dismal the world is all around us.
A. Threats of war and rumors of war seem never ending.
1. There are more than 40 active conflicts around the world today.
2. Twenty-two of them could erupt into major military conflicts.
B. The environment, we are told, is being destroyed rapidly and if something doesn’t change, the planet will not last much longer.
1. According to many, climate change is the biggest threat we face.
2. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. happen so often that we never know what’s coming next.
C. The national debt continues to rise at an alarming rate.
1. The 2018 Social Security Report concludes that Social Security will run out of money by 2034.
IV. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the words of Jesus concerning times of hardship that were to come (Matthew 24:1-35; Mark 13:1-31; Luke 21:5-32).
A. Comments from His disciples about the magnificent beauty of the stones and buildings in the temple prompted Jesus to say, “Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)
1. The disciples wanted to know more, and Jesus follows with a thorough explanation of future events.
2. While the fulfillment of the events Jesus describes would occur during the lives of His audience, (Luke 21:32) we learn valuable truths, to be prepared for the conflicts we encounter.
B. One definition of conflict is “mental struggle resulting from external or internal demands.”
1. Everyone experiences some degree of conflict, but when demands trouble us to the point of doubting God we need to be very concerned.
C. Conflicts can overwhelm anyone who is not prepared.
1. Paul practiced self-discipline because of the danger of becoming disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
2. Events can happen quickly and without warning, and then, if not prepared, survival will be difficult.
3. Jesus so loved His disciples and wanted to give them all they needed to endure conflicts when they came.
4. He loves each of us just as much and has shown us what to avoid so we can always say, “It is well with my soul.”
5. From Luke 21:7-19, we learn not to be deceived, not to be terrified and not to lose patience.
Discussion
I. Do not be deceived (Luke 21:8).
A. Deceit is easily accomplished during times of mental struggle.
1. The disciples are concerned about the time when the destruction of the temple would take place (Luke 21:7).
2. The first thing Jesus says in response is, “Take heed that you not be deceived.”
a. The English Standard reads, “See that you are not led astray.”
3. It is only natural, when some danger is approaching, to want to know all we can about it and to know what to look for.
a. We want answers so the pain of anguish will go away.
b. It is here, more than ever, we listen to the word of God (Psalm 119:105).
B. Truth is compromised and can be lost when deception occurs.
1. One cannot over emphasize the value of truth (John 8:32).
a. Proverbs 23:23 admonishes us to “buy the truth and sell it not.”
b. Jesus is truth, John 14:6, therefore, anyone or any doctrine that contradicts Him is to be rejected.
c. Scripture will make us wise to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
2. Jesus warns of deception by those who would come claiming to be Him (Luke 21:8).
a. This kind of claim is seldom heard today, yet many advocate to have miraculous revelation from the Holy Spirit.
3. Paul cautions the Ephesian elders about those who would speak perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).
4. He also warns in 2 Timothy 4:3-5, of those who will turn away from truth to fables and says, “But you be watchful in all things…”
C. Today we have access to an abundance of information.
1. We google anything and everything and often have no knowledge of the source for the advice we accept.
2. Not everyone is out to deceive and lead us in the wrong direction, yet some are.
3. When face to face with conflict the best place to go for help is the word of God and the next is to a trusted Christian friend (Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
4. “It is well with my soul,” when I rely on God’s truth and avoid the deceptive advice of the world.
II. Do not be terrified (Luke 21:9).
A. Fear is an enemy to calmness of soul.
1. In Matthew 24:6 and Mark. 13:7, the word “troubled” is found.
2. Fear, anxiety or worry are all closely related.
3. Research has shown that 40% of the things we worry about never happen, 30% are in the past, 12% involve the affairs of others and 10% relate to sickness, either real or imagined.
a. This leaves only 8% of the things we worry about likely to happen.
4. The context of Luke 21, describes the fear as occurring based upon the hearing of wars and commotions.
5. He does not say these would not come, but that they must come (vs. 9).
6. Therefore, we are not to be terrified or troubled even when an inevitable conflict is coming.
7. Whether the impending conflict is war, economic troubles, family problems, etc. we can face it with calmness of soul.
B. Bible verses abound with the need to avoid fear and worry.
1. Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing.”
2. “Do not worry about tomorrow.” (Matthew 6:34).
3. “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1)
C. “How?” is the question.
1. Fear and anxiety, that take away from being well in our souls, can be overcome.
2. It is only natural to experience anxiety to some extent in the everyday affairs of living.
3. We are concerned with anxiety that causes depression, sadness and loss of joy that all Christians should have (1 John 1:4).
4. Praying to God is essential (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2; 1 John 5:14).
5. Get involved in a good work.
a. Some because of health cannot do this, but for so many there is fear and anxiety because of a lack of productive activity.
b. Ecclesiastes 5:12, “The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.”
c. Colossians 3:23, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
d. Whatever fears and worries we have should be faced head on and not with fear (Philippians 4:13).
6. Conflicts can be an opportunity to teach.
a. Jesus said in Luke 21:13, “But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.”
b. The disciples are told of earthquakes, famines and pestilences, the times when they will be persecuted and brought before rulers (Luke 21:10-12).
c. When the world is in conflict around us, it is a time others are facing worry and anxiety and in need of answers.
d. It is a perfect opportunity to share the gospel so they can also say, “It is well with my soul.”
III. Do not lose patience (Luke 21:19).
A. The last words in our text are, “By your patience possess your souls.”
1. Patience is needed in so many areas of life, but perhaps nowhere is it more needed than in conflict.
2. Jesus, in these verses, has described nations at war, imprisonment, betrayal by family, being hated by everyone, and even death.
3. Patience is the key to face all of this and still conclude, “It is well with my soul.”
B. Patience can come from conflict.
1. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
2. Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
C. One need only to consider the patience of God to find the perfect example of patience.
1. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
D. Parents and grandparents have learned the value of patience for the well-being of children.
1. Patience is not developed overnight, so be patient developing patience.
2. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11)!
Conclusion
I. Perhaps the greatest motivation for maintaining wellness of soul, even in conflict, is the inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us.
A. 1 Peter 1:6-9 mentions a great rejoicing; a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory.
1. Even though trials bring grief now, it is only for a little while, and then…
II. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well with my soul.”