The Signs of the End – Wk 1

“The purpose of prophecy is not to entertain the curious but to encourage the faithful.” Warren Wiersbe

Matthew 24:1-14 (NLT)

1 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

EIGHT SIGNS OF THE END:

Sign #1: Deception.

Sign #2: Conflict.

Sign #3: Chaos.

Sign #4: Persecution.

Sign #5: Offense.

Sign #6: Betrayal.

Sign #7: Increased sin.

Sign #8: Indifference.

HOW TO ENDURE:

1. Be alert, not alarmed.

2. Stay, don’t fall away.

3. Rest that Jesus will return.

Matthew 24:13-14 (MSG)

13-14 “Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Those who endure to the end will be saved.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Matthew 24:1-3. What is your natural response most like in regards to the end times:

– Anxious – concerned that you aren’t ready or are missing some sort of sign you should know about.

– Unaware – you don’t really think about it at all.

– Something else?

▶ Read Matthew 24:4. What does it look like to be alert, but not alarmed?

▶ Read Matthew 24:12. Share the practices you have in place to keep your love from growing cold, to “Stay, and not fall away”.

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Matthew 24:13-14. Ask God how people are seeing His Kingdom preached through your life. Share with the group a particular practice you want to guard or keep building in your life.

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray that as a church we will be a people of peace, at rest and filled with joy so we can be carriers of the message of hope.