Due to a technical error, the audio recording for this sermon in the Luke series is not available.

You can listen to a similar sermon on the UpSideDown21.org website here.

The speaker’s notes from the  sermon for Eugene are below, they are an adaptation of Kip McKean’s sermon of the same name from his series on Luke.

“The Olivet Discourse”

Sunday Sermon for the Eugene International Christian Church

• Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem.

• Jesus drove the animal sellers – who had made the temple “a den of robbers” out of the temple.

• Jesus then taught the people daily in the temple courts.

• Jesus then preaches this “discourse” which is delivered from the mount of olives. Hence the name.

Matthew, Mark, Luke = the “synoptic” gospels. They all cover the same material.

These gospels all have the “Olivet Discourse” in them.

Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and now Luke 21.

Many want to stay away from it – consider it confusing. We cannot be afraid of this passage. When we actually break it down, it is fascinating.

This is Jesus last full sermon before his crucifixion.

Two very essential things.

• The Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD at the hands of the Gentiles – specifically Titus.

• Parallel that to the Judgment of the entire world and of course then Jesus’ second coming.

Right at the end of Luke 20 – Luke foreshadows by recording the actions of the many teachers of the law and of course, one poor widow.

Luke 20:45

45While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46″Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

• Out for self. Make a show. So full of greed – taking a poor widows home for their own show.

• Jesus promises that these men, with these hearts, will be punished – very, severely.

• They may have long and lengthy, showy prayers – but will be punished very severely.

• CONTRAST this…

Luke 21:1-4

1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.[a] 3″I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

• When someone would place their gift in the temple offering…announce what it was…

• Gave this much, that much, don’t let the outward facade fake you out…

• Not a matter of portion…but proportion.

• Lepton. Not worth much. 1/8th of a penny. Quarter of a penny into the contribution for God. All she put in all she in all she had to live on. She put in her BIOS. Her life. Gave her life to God. That is what a Sold Out Disciple is! AMEN! What a contrast to the pharisees. Make such a great outward show of their religion. Empty and dead.

• Appearance can be deceiving…

  • Olympic Gymnast. Circus. No openings for any acrobats.

  • Our gorilla just died yesterday. You could play a gorilla.

  • Dons the gorilla outfit. A lot of people seeing him.

  • Swing on the rope – swung over the lions cage…

  • Swinging – rope, snapped…

  • Lion – shut up! You’ll get us all fired.

• Look one way on the outside – and be different on the inside.

Afraid of this passage. Approach it with ravenous delight.

1 – Address two themes. End of Jewish nation. 70 AD – the Judgment against the Jews.

2 – Parallel that with his second coming and the Judgment of the Entire world.

Right after this episode…contrast…and foreshadowing appearances are not everything.

Luke 21:5

5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6″As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7″Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

• Talked about it last week.

  • 1st Temple, built in the 10th Century B.C. Destroyed by the Babylonians. Baptized in Gold.

    • Complete destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. 586 BC

  • 2nd 516 – Zerubabel’s temple. Modest building. Poor.

  • 3rd temple, many hundreds of years later – 30 year renovation project. Beautify the temple. For Jew – Temple represented how they stood with God.

    • Brought marble 68′ long 12′ wide, 18” high. Dazzling white.

    • Quadrupled the size of the temple area to God.

    • Silver and gold. Hammered into the gates and the doors of the temple itself.

    • “I was in awe – of the immensity of it’s opulence.” – Tactius.

    • Dazzling, cranking. Spiritually – we must be doing well!

• Jesus – guys, don’t get to enamored. It’ll be leveled completely.

• When? What will be the signs?

Answers in two ways. For Jesus there is:

1 – Judgment of Jewish nation.

2 – Judgment of the entire world.

Be able to pick up which he talks about when…

Luke 21:8

8He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

• #1 – last few days before the end of Jewish nation.

10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

• #2 – now all the earth and all the heavens – this is talking about the entire world, Jesus’ second coming.

• Same kind of events – will happen before the judgment of the Jews AND the judgment of the entire world.

12″But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.

• Events that precede the end of Jerusalem, judgment of the Jewish nation.

• Following me is not going to be easy. Going to be tough. But – when you get persecuted. Remember, it is going to bring you before the kings and governors. Chance to talk about kingdom to rulers. Set your mind – persecution is coming.

• Even from your own family (family) don’t romanticize that every aunt, uncle, cousin, child, sister – some of them will hate you and even have you put you to death.

• Not this life…but if you stay firm – life eternal.

20″When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.

• Given…end is about to come…

21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

• Wow. Josephus – most well known of the Jewish historians. Titus – desolation.

• 1.2 Million people. 1.1 were slaughtered. The remainder – 97,000 (taken as slaves).

• When Jesus talks about desolation – he means desolation.

  • Jesus’ words, “How dreadful it will be…”

  • When the Armies came. Laid siege to the city.

  • Starve it into submission.

  • Josephus has an account of a woman eating the infant son at her breast. That is how bad it will get.

  • Jesus’ words are true. That desperate, the dreadful. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles.

• Until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled…Of course – this time, this is fulfilled.

  • Paul – talks about that in Romans 11. Until all the number of Gentiles come in – then the Jews will be saved. There will be a few Jews that will be saved – even though the judgment fell on them…some were going to be saved.

(Mirrored – first talked about Jerusalem’s judgment, then talks about judgment of the world and his second coming)

25″There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.

• Above the whole earth.

On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

• Jesus was giving the saints hope.

• Son of Man (all through book of Luke) – When the Jew hears “the Son of Man” thinks – Daniel 7 – turn there quickly.

Daniel 7:13-14

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

• And the church said – Amen!

• Jesus references this – Daniel 7 – there is going to be a day. All peoples, all nations, of all time – drawn up to the son of man! Worship him forever in a everlasting kingdom. Fire you on up right here!!!

(Back to Luke 21)

Luke 21

29He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32″I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

• Very simple parable.

  • That dramatic and dazzling time. That the trees just before the spring…miraculous time, trees – seemingly a dead tree come to life.

  • Planet Earth – forests.

  • That clear of sign. Leaves come on out – the time of Judgment is coming.

  • Focus on the trees – look at the fig tree – represents the Jewish nation. All the trees – all the nations. Clear on the Jewish nation (70 AD with Titus). With all the nations – clear in the end with ALL the nations in “THE END” when Jesus comes in his glory!

• Verse 32 – this generation – all these things happen.

  • Idea that Jesus lives in 30AD ? 70 AD destruction.

  • Confuses – all these things happen. Idea – Jesus in 30, destruction of Jerusalem 70. Not come yet, but Jesus point is – every thing is parallel. All these kinds of events are going to come in this Generation and then Jerusalem will be destroyed. And to be clear, all these kinds of events are going to happen and then the end of all things will come.

Luke 21:34

34″Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

• Could not wait to be with and hear the LORD.

Two Simple Points

Luke 21:8

#1 Deception In This Generation

2 Corinthians 11

• would have been in this Generation. What began to happen to the church. Mid 50’s AD. Church starts in 30-33 AD. Paul is writing Corinth – church he planted.

2 Corinthians 11:1-5, 13-15

1I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. 2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 5But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

…

13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

• Paul lays it out. As your father in the faith, I wanted to present you as a pure virgin to Christ, on the last day. Instead of being a pure virgin bride, just like eve. Easily enough. Different Jesus, Different spirit, different gospel, go with the flow and put up with it.

• These guys preach a different Jesus, spirit, gospel – they are deceitful workman.

  • Warning Jesus was giving? Do no be deceived.

  • These were preachers – thought they were preaching right thing. They were deceived.

  • Satan is masquerading as an angel of light. Someone who is deceived is persuasive – sincerity.

• Good for us – to study out Luke. Good for me.

• Luke lays out who Jesus is.

• Jesus is the man that is going to die for the Jews AND the Gentiles – whole world.

  • Our Jesus: My mission to seek and save the lost – that is why I have come.

  • Our Jesus: Called people to total commitment…(Bios OR lays it out with the rich young ruler, did not want to give up everything…let him walk away…)

  • Our Jesus: Preached to the LOST and poured his life into those 12 men…because he knew that the hope of entire world rested on them being able to make disciples who make disciples…

• Is that your Jesus? No? Repent.

  • Put up with a Jesus who is fuzzy about whose lost and saved, Put up with a Jesus who is fuzzy about commitment, fuzzy about discipling commanded or optional, fuzzy about coming to church whenever you want (Sundays only)…

  • Paul ticked off? Why? Led to the damnation of those who accepted a different Jesus!

Different Gospel

• Grew up believing in God and Jesus.

• I was taught to say a prayer when I was seven-eight years old. Thought that saved me. Just accept Jesus. I felt saved, I felt sincere.

• This is why you need the bible – the WORD of GOD is very clear on who is lost and who is saved.

• (Turn to Acts 2)

• The Gospel is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  • Luke lays out – Jesus is the son of God.

Acts 2:36

36″Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

• Accuses every one of them of crucifying Jesus – because they all sinned! (Romans 3:23)

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

• There are millions that believe all you need to do to be baptized as a baby. (They do not remember it, they do not want it…)

• Hundreds of millions that believe you just say a prayer…and become a Christian. Very sincere. A true disciple opened the scriptures to me…

  • When I first saw it – ticked off. Are you saying I am lost. I had to wrestle with this…this is not what I taught…this is not what I felt…

  • I had to WRESTLE with it

  • I knew that it meant everything. I knew it mean repenting. I knew it meant conflict. I knew I could find a theological excuse…needed that rebuke.

• March 11, 1992 was the night I was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  That time I was sure! Why? Not one word of scripture is going to change.

  • Some in our fellowship, think that “maybe God will change his mind…when we get into heaven.”

  • If the word of God is not going to change. God does not change his mind.

  • Who is saved, who is lost, get a conviction on it. Be like Jesus.

• Public confession of LORD.

  • Baptism. Monica and Lynn.

  • Rest of our lives. Day by day.

• Call brothers and sisters – not to live a double life.

  • We need to call people out of a double life.

  • Minimize impurity. Ephesians 5:3 and following. It’ll kill you spiritually. In love, gently restore one another…don’t allow them to be deceived. Wants all sin to come out of us. Be this kind of brothers and sister…help each other aggressively deal with our sins.

Deception in this generation – watch out…with deception comes condemnation.

#2 Proclamation In This Generation

• So much here – about the double judgment. Desolation of Jerusalem, desolation of the world!

• Every time we are persecuted – awesome. Chance to proclaim Christ.

Matthew 24:2-3,9,10-14

2″Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

…

9″Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

• They were known by all the nations…

10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

• He is saying this – this is a prophecy of Jesus.

• Not one commentator who does not think that the end right here is the end of Jerusalem.

Paul writes.

Colossians 1:23

As a congregation – we believe that Jesus called them to reach the world in our day.

This is the teaching, and the very prophecy of Jesus Christ. Why would someone want to teach otherwise?

• The call to autonomy. That each congregation is “self-governing.” Only look after yourself.

• An autonomous church produces autonomous disciples.

• There is no way one community church could evangelize the world by itself.

In order for the evangelization of the world to happen in the first century it took several things:

• Leadership

• Pooling resources.

• Pool people and money together.

1 Corinthians 4:14-17

14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

• Why united? A common leadership. Everywhere in every church.

• How – sent those he trained in other churches.

• Preachers applying for a job in a church. Paul’s application…he was hated everywhere he went and had many, many enemies and was VERY controversial…given these factors, the modern day church would never hired Paul!

• Paul sends into that church Timothy. That’ll fix your problems – send a man who is just like Paul, who has the same LIFE and the same DOCTRINE (1 Timothy 4:16)

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

1Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

• Commanded ALL the Galatian churches to do this.

• Commanded the Corinthian churches.

• • Eugene – pulled in the new Portland church. Helping plant and build it.

  • Ron and Tracey – at our staff meeting last week.  Tracey was in Lynn’s bible study during her visit as well.

  • Eugene – built Mumbai and Bangalore websites.  Pulled in Chennai.

  • Hilo took over supporting these churches in India.  When the former Portland church had stepped out of the movement, In Hilo, the biggest giver in the fellowship stopped giving contribution…so they were going to be forced to stop supporting the work in India, and Raja and Debbie were about to lose their jobs in the ministry.

    • Evan’s charge to the church in Hilo is to give 1000$ to support Raja and Debbie in India.

    • Then when biggest giver pulled out…this became impossible…

So – one of the married Shepherding brothers there in Hilo Called together the married men. “Here is 50$ more per week I am going to give for contribution…” and they responded in kind.  And the church in Hilo can support the work in India.  They each added more. Now Raja is full time.  When Raja spoke to Evan about Hilo’s sacrifice…”Debbie and I started to cry…when we heard about it…”  The Hilo church has only 8 disciples on campus. Yet they had 19 visitors at their last campus service.Vision to evangelize the world? Evangelize locally!

Don’t look at the outside…Jews faked out. Silver, marble, gold, inside it was empty. Temple was leveled – God left and Jews destroyed.

Transparent. Like the widow – Gives her life for God.

That is a sold out disciple of Jesus Christ.