Roby Ellis | Scripture Reading: Mark 13:1-8 | August 24, 2014

Introduction

A. On September 11, 2001, there was little anyone could do for the hundreds of people trapped inside the burning towers of the WTC.

B. What happened in New York on that September morning doesn’t begin to compare with what happened in Jerusalem in 70 AD.

C. Although Jesus was not there when the city fell, He did more to save the people of that doomed city than anyone else ever could.

Discussion

I. Jesus sounded a warning to a city doomed to destruction.

A. His warning showed a tremendous love for the people of Israel, considering what He was facing (Mark 14:27-31).

B. Jesus didn’t water down His message to make it more believable (Mark 13:1-2,14,24-27).

C. Jesus advised them to leave while there was still time (Mark 13:7-8,14-18).

D. He told them that the precise moment was unknown to any but the Father (Mark 14:32-37).

II. It is our turn to sound a warning to the doomed world around us.

A. Love compels us to warn our neighbors of the coming destruction (Ezekiel 3:17-19; Ephesians 4:15).

B. We need to tell the truth in all plainness and boldness (Acts 17:32; Ephesians 6:19-20).

C. We must remember that our time is limited (James 4:13-14) and that only God knows when the end will be (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10).

Conclusion

A. In spite of all the worries that He had to deal with at the time, Jesus paused to warn the people of Jerusalem of the end that lay ahead.

B. Are we willing to set aside things concerning us long enough to warn those around us of the end coming to this world and to all those who reject the Lord? Time is running out—for all of us.