Introduction

13 It (persecution) will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

18 And yet not a hair of your head will perish.

19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus instructs His followers to discern wisely:

#1. When Israel will be destroyed.

“But when you see (see with discernment) Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize (learn through experience) that her desolation is near. 21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled.

23 Woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people; 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations;

#2. Who is central in the next era.

…and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

#3. How the disciples should respond.

25 “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

So What?!

We should :

#1. Be who God calls us to be.

Your testimony is your discernment through experience.

#2. Change what God commands us to change.

Your testimony is your connection to culture.

#3. Serve where God creates opportunities.

Your testimony is serving people.

Jesus the Philosopher: Answers for Life

Luke 21:20-28, October 27 & 30, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: Who was the strictest disciplinarian in your family/school?

Read out loud: Luke 21:20-28, we should :

#1. Be who God calls us to be.Your testimony is your discernment through experience.

What event/relationship led you to finally accept Jesus or get serious about following Him? Was it a slow process or sudden encounter? What gift or ability did He give you that you feel you need to use more often or wisely? What gift or ability did He give you that you underutilize?

#2. Change what God commands us to change. Your testimony is your connection to culture. “To the Jew I became a Jew that I might win the Jews, to the Gentiles I became a Gentile so I might win the Gentiles.” I Corinthians 9:20. Do you struggle talking with people who are of a different: age, culture or social strata? Do you realize that GateWay has succeeded where a lot of churches fail by having 2 different styles of worship music! Why has it been not only accepted but identified as a strength of ministry at GateWay?

Read:“When they had set a day for Paul, people came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:23-24. Do you need to be an Apostle Paul in someone’s life? Who do you need to invite into relationship?

#3. Serve where God creates opportunities. Your testimony is serving people.

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.” I Thessalonians 1:7. Who do you need to be more tender with whom your interacting? Why? Were your parents more on the nurturing side or disciplinary side? How did that impact you? If you have children, how have you absorbed or intentionally changed to deal with your own children?

Family Time: Use the word “redemption” from Luke 21:21. See if you can find a coupon or a soda can that has the word redemption on it. Explain to your kids that people collect them and take them to the recycle center and redeem them for money. People buy back cans, bottles, and plastic to reuse it. It has value. Jesus buys us and pays our way to heaven by giving His life on the cross.