Look Up
Luke 21:25–28 (ESV)
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
There is a "macro" concept here: The coming of Jesus
It is the idea that Christ will return to a world that is not necessarily doing great
You may have heard your whole life that Jesus was coming back - that doesn't make it any less real
The chaos becomes more broad-spread around us, the more important it becomes to narrow our attention
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
"Straighten up and fly right" - Grandma
It's easy to excuse ourselves from repentance just because of our belief system isn't flawed
Repentance is more about how I act than what I believe
It is more than acknowledging that something is wrong - it is turning from it!
Jesus demonstrated in "The Lord's prayer" the necessity for daily repentance.
What does repentance do for me?
1. It enriches my life!
Proverbs 13:15 (NKJV) 15 Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
2. It aligns me for the blessings of God!
Deuteronomy 28:1–6 (ESV) 1 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. 5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
John 14:15 (ESV) 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
I cannot expect God to bless my life if I'm living with sin!
To expect God to make exception for my sin is to expect God to make exception to His character!
1 Peter 1:14–16 (NKJV) 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
3. It brings me into fellowship with God!
The whole premise of Jesus was his coming to break down the wall that stood between us!
Fellowship with God - Abiding in Jesus - is the context of this passage:
This passage is Jesus reminding the disciples that when they are surrounded by chaos and turmoil - it's time to pay close attention to God
I feel like we are living in a significant moment in history
With 2020
With 2021
Now in 2022
We have never been surrounded by as much turmoil and chaos as right now!
Now is the time to pay close attention to your relationship with God
Jesus said - LOOK UP!
If the enemy can keep your head down -
He'll convince you that there's nothing ahead
He'll convince you that you're alone
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sinwhich so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
