110120AM ODF SERMON NOTES The Parable of the Fig Tree

 The Parable of the Fig Tree 

MATTHEW 24:29–32

 

THEME:  Today, we will examine the parable of the fig tree and explore its meaning as Christ taught his disciples concerning his return.

 

I.                A CLEAR PICTURE TO BE _________________

 

 

II.              A CONCISE POINT TO BE _________________

 

Statement of Truth:  The generation that sees the __________ will see the ____________!

 

 

III.             A CONSISTENT PRINCIPLE TO BE _______________

 

 

IV.             A CERTAIN PROMISE TO BE _________________

 

Dig Deeper:

Did you know? The fig tree is the first plant mentioned by name in the Bible? Read Genesis 3:7. Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to create clothes to cover their nakedness.  Jesus was able to use the fig tree as a point of reference in this parable because growing all over the Middle East then and now were fig trees.

 

Number 1:  According to what Paul said to the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 what is required to be able to look at life and draw biblical conclusions?

 

Number 2: Why is the study of Scripture so important when it comes to drawing conclusions about the present and considering the future? What must we do to gain understanding in life? 
{Read Proverbs 2:2–3}

 

Number 3:  From whom does understanding ultimately come?  {Read Proverbs 2:7}

102520AM ODF Sermon Notes THE SECOND COMING

THE SECOND COMING 
MATTHEW 24:29–32

Theme:  We will study the characteristics of Christ return and what that means to us.  

Statement of Truth:
Prophecy studied correctly will motivate us to live in this world

I. THE PROGRESSION OF EVENTS v29

II. THE PANORAMA IN THE HEAVENS v29

III. THE PERSON IN THE SKY v30

IV. THE POWER OF THE LORD v30

V. THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING

    a. Because Christ is coming again, we should refrain from judging other people
    

    b. Because he is coming, we can restore the bereaved
    

    c. Because the Lord is coming, we may commit ourselves to ministry
    

    d. Because the Lord is coming, we should remain steadfast
    

    e. Because he is coming, we can relate to one another in love
    

    f. Because he is coming, we should remember the Lord's table

Statement of Truth: 

 How foolish to judge one another when the judge himself is coming

101820AM ODF Sermon Notes A Time of Trembling

  

A Time Of Trembling

Matthew 24:15-19 


Today’s Theme:  

The Tribulation period will be a time of great uncertainty, when the Antichrist will claim to bring peace to the world and will deceive nearly everyone into worshipping himself.

 

I.   THE EVENTS v15 &FF        

 

I.      The Destruction of Jerusalem


II.    The Anti-Christ and His Abomination 


III.   The Second Coming of Christ 


IV.   The Millennial Reign of Christ

 

II.  THE REACTION TO THE EVENT  V16 -20  

•     Great Urgency

•     Get Out

 

III.  THE PROTECTION v21-22

•     The Elect

 

Dive Deeper:   {For Personal Study}

Did You Know?

The Old Testament knew something of the precise eschatological events but these things are revealed more clearly in the New Testament?  God spoke of the coming Tribulation through the prophet Jeremiah, calling it “the time of Jacob’s trouble.”  Study this week Jeremiah 30:7.    Like many of the biblical prophecies, there was likely a “near” interpretation (meaning Judah being conquered by Babylon) and a “far” interpretation (meaning Israel’s judgment during the Tribulation)  “Jacob” is often used to refer to Israel as a nation in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 30:10).  Though Israel will suffer during the time of “trouble” not all will perish: see Romans 11:26.

 

 

101120AM ODF Sermon Notes The Worst Day Ever

THE WORST DAY EVER IMAGINABLE 

Matthew 24:15-19

Today’s Theme:  A day is coming that is worse than any day the world has ever seen.  It is the worst day on earth.  

Note:

The “abomination that causes desolation” is a time when the nation of Israel will be forced to worship a pagan god.  Daniel first prophesied the day when it would occur in history, and  Jesus said, that a more complete version of that day is coming in the future.   

All the things Jesus spoke about in the first 14 verses have been precursors, a build up to the Great Tribulation.  In Verse 15, he speaks of an event that initiates the most awful period in the history of Israel. 

The word abomination is a Greek word which means “disgust” or “repulsion.”  In the scriptures, it is primarily used to describe things associated with idolatry or gross ungodliness.   In Hebrew this word often was used to refer to pagan rites and ceremonies.  

I.  THE ____________ THAT CAUSES ________________

People of Interest:

• ______________ __________________
  
• ______________ __________________
  
• The Antichrist

II.  The New _______________________________

Current Issues:

• No ___________________
• No ___________________
• The __________________

Dive Deeper:   {For Personal Study}

The Bible says one day the Jews {and everyone else left on earth} will be forced to worship the Antichrist.  When the Antichrist comes, how will he create abominations in the Temple there in Jerusalem?   Consider 2 Thessalonians 2:4…

• If he acts “as God” in the Temple, how is that an abomination?  What does this suggest about the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem during the tribulation?
• Paul spoke of abomination in Romans 1:25.  How do these abominations compare?
• Consider 1 Corinthians 6:18–20.  When you consider the themes of the “Temple”, “abomination”, and “God's presence” what does Paul seem to say to Christians concerning the lifestyle we should live?
• Write for yourself a definition of “abomination”.
• What kind of things might qualify as an abomination in the Christian's life given the definition of “abomination”?

 

092720AM ODF Protected Preachers

 Protected Preachers During the Tribulation

Matthew 24:14 + Revelation 7

I.  Who Are these Protected Preachers?

    A.  These witnesses are true jews

    B.  These witnesses are from the tribes of Israel   

II.  What Will These Witnesses Have?

    A.  Protection

    B.  Power

    C.   Promise

III.  What Will They Do?

    A.  They will preach the Gospel During the Tribulation

    

IV.  Who Will Be Left Out?

    See Paul 2 Thessalonians 2

 The Future Tribulation

Mark 13:3-23 + Revelation 6, 8, 9, 11, & 16

Today’s Theme: Today as we study the Tribulation, Jesus gives a view of future history and John gives us great detail.  These are certainly days of trembling for those who will endure.

Statement of Truth:  

The Bible always corresponds to reality.

Three Sequences That John Saw:

• The Seven Seals {Revelation Chapter 6 & 8}
• Verse 2:
• Verse 3:
• Verse 5:
• Verse 7:
• Verse 9:
• Verse 12:
• Chapter 8:1:
  
• The Seven Trumpets {Revelation Chapter  8, 9 & 11)

1. Verse 7:
2. Verse 8:
3. Verse 10:
4. Verse 12:
5. Chapter 9:1:
6. Verse 13:
7. Chapter 11 Verse 15
   

• The Seven Bowls {Revelation 16}

1. Verse 2:
2. Verse 3:
3. Verse 4:
4. Verse 8:
5. Verse 10:
6. Verse 12
7. Verse 17:

Dive Deeper:   {For Personal Study}

One question every Bible student must decide is if these judgements found in Revelation are literal judgements?   You must decide that for yourself.  Clearly, I have my opinions. 

Question to Consider:

Are the judgments in Revelation literal judgements? 

The best way to decide if these judgements are literal or symbolic is to study them in connection with the plagues of Egypt.  {see Exodus 1-11}  There we see Moses performing the symbolic act of waving his rod over the waters of Egypt, which physically turn to blood.  In Revelation we see angels performing symbolic acts of blowing trumpets, and pouring out bowls.  Why should the result on the earth be less physical than the events in Moses’ day?  Note: also five of the plagues of Egypt are repeated in the book of Revelation.   No one suggests what happened in Egypt was not literal in its judgment; I suggest we can conclude that the same thing applies during the tribulation.

091320AM ODF Sermon Notes Tribulation Trouble

Tribulation Trouble

Matthew 24:1-14 + Revelation 6

Today’s Theme: Today we will begin to study the seven year Tribulation. We will look at tribulation preachers, the worst day on earth, and a terrible time of trembling. 

A Real Reality: 

The world is not getting better.  Quite the opposite is true: The world is more scary, more dangerous,  and more hopeless.

Question: Why Study The Second Coming?

      God has recorded it for us in his eternal perfect word and we have a responsibility to study it.

• It should make us Grateful 

• It should make us Prayerful

• It should make us Careful

Jacob’s Trouble:

Under the inspiration of God, the ancient prophet Jeremiah spoke of “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).

Note:  Even though Jacob’s descendants will face severe punishment in “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” they will eventually repent and be restored.  Still, during the tribulation the Antichrist will be the one to bring the greatest amount of pain, to the Jewish nation.  He will slaughter more than Hitler ever thought about.  

Dive Deeper:   {For Personal Study}

The Olivet Discourse is one of the most complete outlines of prophecy in all of Scripture.   Jesus put all this information together so that we could see and understand the times.  With that in mind, compare His words with the vision John had in Revelation chapter 6.  I encourage you to lay the signs that Jesus gave over the seals that John describes, there is in my opinion a great harmony that exist here.   

Jesus said very clearly,  be careful that no one deceives you. {Matthew 24:4}. As John sees the scroll being opened and the seal broken he begins to see a white horse, whose rider carries a bow {without arrows} symbolizing someone bringing a false peace to the world. He is a deceiver, the one claiming, “I am the Messiah.”

In Matthew 24 verse 6 Jesus talked about wars and rumors of wars.   As you read the second seal in Revelation chapter 6 you see a red horse, symbolizing war.  The false peace will be broken by a time of bloodshed and war, just as Jesus predicted.

In Matthew 24 verse 7, Jesus talked about famines, pestilences and earthquakes.  As John is shown the third seal,  he sees a man on a black horse holding balances in his hand.  He symbolizes famine, weighing money for grain.

There is no doubt the earthquakes, famines, and pestilences that Jesus spoke about in Matthew will bring about death upon the earth.  As John sees the fourth seal he sees a pale horse whose name is death.  During the tribulation people will die in vast numbers due to the wars, the famine, the disease, and the natural disasters.  All the things Jesus prophesied are all the things confirmed in John’s vision.  Spend some time this week comparing Matthew 24 and Revelation chapter 6;  it really is worth your personal study.