Lead From The Future Mark 13:1-37

Mark 13:1-6 1As He was going out of the temple complex, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings! ” 2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down! ” 3While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple complex, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to take place? ” 5Then Jesus began by telling them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Mark 13: “But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to sanhedrins, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them. 10And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour — say it. For it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12Then brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and put them to death. 13And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. 14“When you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it should not” (let the reader understand ), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! 15A man on the housetop must not come down or go in to get anything out of his house. 16And a man in the field must not go back to get his clothes. 17Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days! 18Pray it won’t happen in winter.19For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of the world, which God created, until now and never will be again! 20Unless the Lord limited those days, no one would survive. But He limited those days because of the elect, whom He chose. 21“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah! Look — there! ’ do not believe it! 22For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance.

Mark 13: “But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; 25the stars will be falling from the sky, and the celestial powers will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 28“Learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that He is near — at the door! 30I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Mark 13: “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows — neither the angels in heaven nor the Son — except the Father. 33Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. 34It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. 35Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming — whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning.36Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert! ”

The Backstory Jesus tell them things that will yet to happen Some have already taken place Some are still yet to be realized Peter and the others had a chance to ask Jesus to explain what he means The interpretation of those verses can have volumes written about them We want to focus tonight on what they teach us as leaders

The Content The key for leaders is to anticipate the future by understanding the times. We must keep our ministries up to date and even in front of the changes that are coming We can lead from a place of confidence because we know the end of the story even if we don’t know the middle part yet! How can we lead in light of Jesus’ return?

The Outcome Discover what the Bible says about the future Learn what the Bible says about current conditions and how they relate to the future Learn what insightful people are predicting about the future Consider the insights of mature Christian leaders who have some ability to discern fad from trends Ask God for insight about the future

Leaders in the making They weren’t leaders at this point in the story You may not think you are a leader either While the future of the church is not dependent on the ability of her leaders to know the times and lead from the future, the health of those in the church certainly is! Begin now to take up the role of leader as God gives you opportunity Learn how to read the signs of the times Become like the men of Issachar who were mighty because they understood the times!