Preparing for the End Times
Luke 21:5–36
Key Takeaway: When Jesus returns, the only thing that will matter is whether you were ready to meet Him.
1. Outward Impressiveness vs. True Transformation
Like the disciples who were dazzled by the temple’s beauty, in what ways do we (individually or as a church) tend to become more impressed with outward signs of “success” (crowds, buildings, programs, social-media reach, etc.) than with genuine heart-level transformation and people actually becoming more like Jesus?
2. Weighed Down by the Cares of This Life
Jesus warns that the great danger is not just the big tribulations, but that our hearts get “weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life” (v. 34). What specific worries, responsibilities, or desires are most likely right now to distract you or pull your heart away from treasuring Jesus and living ready for His return?
3. Lifting Our Heads in Every Circumstance
In verse 28 Jesus commands His people, when the hard things start happening, to “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” How can we cultivate that same posture of hope-filled expectation in the middle of everyday trials (sickness, family struggles, work stress, persecution, etc.)—and how does looking up actually change the way we endure those things?
4. Found Faithful and Fruitful
The sermon closed with Ravenhill’s piercing question: When Jesus returns, will He find you doing what He told you to do? Take a moment of quiet honesty: If Jesus returned this week, would He find you faithfully loving Him, loving people, and making disciples—or would some urgent adjustments be needed? What is one specific step of obedience or repentance the Holy Spirit might be nudging you toward today so that you’re found ready and active in His mission?
Luke 21:5–36
Key Takeaway: When Jesus returns, the only thing that will matter is whether you were ready to meet Him.
1. Outward Impressiveness vs. True Transformation
Like the disciples who were dazzled by the temple’s beauty, in what ways do we (individually or as a church) tend to become more impressed with outward signs of “success” (crowds, buildings, programs, social-media reach, etc.) than with genuine heart-level transformation and people actually becoming more like Jesus?
2. Weighed Down by the Cares of This Life
Jesus warns that the great danger is not just the big tribulations, but that our hearts get “weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life” (v. 34). What specific worries, responsibilities, or desires are most likely right now to distract you or pull your heart away from treasuring Jesus and living ready for His return?
3. Lifting Our Heads in Every Circumstance
In verse 28 Jesus commands His people, when the hard things start happening, to “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” How can we cultivate that same posture of hope-filled expectation in the middle of everyday trials (sickness, family struggles, work stress, persecution, etc.)—and how does looking up actually change the way we endure those things?
4. Found Faithful and Fruitful
The sermon closed with Ravenhill’s piercing question: When Jesus returns, will He find you doing what He told you to do? Take a moment of quiet honesty: If Jesus returned this week, would He find you faithfully loving Him, loving people, and making disciples—or would some urgent adjustments be needed? What is one specific step of obedience or repentance the Holy Spirit might be nudging you toward today so that you’re found ready and active in His mission?