September 25, 2016 Love One Another!

Mark 13: BE ALERT!

Text: Mark 13:1-37 is set exactly in the middle of the passion narrative in the gospel of Mark. The overall theme for these five chapters (11: :47) could be entitled: Jesus reveals the temple of his body as the true and living presence of God. A sub-theme identifies the disciples’ inability and failure to watch with Jesus as the drama of His life comes to a close. The first act of the drama of Jesus the Messiah begins in Mark 11:1-12:44, Jesus enters Jerusalem, the city of David and is acclaimed “the Son of David.” Jesus enters the temple precincts and moves in and out revealing the truth of God’s presence now incarnated in His teaching. The cursing of the fig tree (11:14), the parable of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7), and rejection of the cornerstone (Psalms 118:22).

In 12:1-12, we see Jesus’ opponents to the forefront. One by one they line up to test and challenge Him; Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees and scribes. Jesus turns the table on all of them with His teaching on the true Identity of David’s Son (Psalms 110:1), and concludes His teaching, judging the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who demand honor and devour widow’s houses (12:38-44). Th. The second act focuses on the apocalyptic chapter, Mark 13:1-37. The audience that hears Jesus’ teachings has changed. Jesus, the rabbi, now teaches His disciples concerning the truth of God’s presence, not in a temple made of stone, but in His very body. The inner core, Peter, James, John and Andrew, question Jesus about the destruction of the temple.

Jesus answers their question by drawing them into the drama and instructing them that this will not take place until the gospel is proclaimed to all nations. A desolating sacrifice in the temple and cosmic signs will signal the end and the coming of the Son of Man. Only the Father knows this day according to Christ. Focus verse: Mark 13:35-37, “Therefore be on the alert for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, Be on the alert!” The verses are about AD 70, the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. I encourage you to read also the parallel accounts. (Mathew 24, and Luke 21) Significant verses to prove this!

Lesson: Even though this is about AD 70, there is a phrase in Mark 13: 33, 34, 35 that has a message for us today. In each verse is the phrase, “Keep on the alert, Stay on the alert, and Be on the alert, in the NAS version.” But it is a phrase that is used in scripture that pertains to times that the early church lived in, but also is a message for us. A message of warning-Be Alert! What does it mean?: To be vigilantly attentive; watchful, mentally responsive and perceptive, brisk or lively in action. To be watchful and prepared for danger or action, emergency, opportunity. Fully aware and attentive; wide awake; quick to understand or respond; perceptive; acute, watchful and ready to act; vigilant. To be on guard and ready for any impending attack. Be Alert!

Passages: Warnings given to the church and us. 1)Acts 20:31-Be on the alert against false teachers. How do we do this? Be involved in the body and that which is being taught. Wrestle with the body the truths in scripture. 2) I Corinthians 16:13-”Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith.” How do we do this? Study ourselves and know the truth, live the truth and share the truth. 3) Ephesians 6:18-”Be on the alert with all perseverance.” How do we do this? We need understand that we are at war with the devil, and need to put on our whole armor. But with out staying focused or alert it will do us no good.

Conclusion: Hebrews 12:1, “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We are in the race for our lives and we ought to stay focused and alert. For the Son of Mans coming! *1954 Commonwealth Games “Miracle Mile”, Roger Bannister/John Landy.

Points: 1) Know who you are. (Children of God) 2) Be disciplined. (Self-controlled 3) Be consistent. (Predictable) 4) Train thru the pain. (Push thru it) 5) Be Focused and Alert. Watch for His coming. (Present or Future)