Ending the Year Spiritually

Introduce the idea of ending the year spiritually.

I'm going to read a very challenging passage—hard to understand—and make some points. Hopefully you can get familiar with this passage and be inspired by the things Jesus taught.

Two things I thought we need right now:

1. Perseverance

   1. Finishing the Semester well

   2. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically (literally 'from the soul'), as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord—you serve the Lord Christ.

   3. Maybe tonight can remind you of who you're living for?

2. Godliness

   1. Preparing to be faithful over the Christmas break

   2. What are going to be some challenges, obstacles, trials?

   3. What are going to be some opportunities?

      1. For spiritual growth and just for enjoyment

I thought of this passage because Jesus talks about Ending Spiritually, so I think it is a helpful thought to Ending Your Year Spiritually

Text: Luke 21:1-36

1. Jesus has awesome spiritual vision

1. 2Peter 1:8-9 talks about being "nearsighted and blind" when we're not growing

2. There is more predicted than we can possibly be totally sure about; we know:

   1. Destruction of Jerusalem (predicted by Jesus because the order of Luke and then Acts)

   2. Prediction of the Christians escaping (vs.20)

   3. Great persecutions (which started after this book, and after the book of Acts—see Foxes Book of Martyrs for more detail)

   4. Second Coming and Redemption

      1. What did "the day of the LORD mean to the Jews"?

3. Jesus made connections—to a first-century Jew mindset

   1. They had all kinds of imagery of a heroic savior—probably like Super Man--

      1. A Messiah leading them into an age of glory for God's people, where it was a Utopian empire

      2. These images related to them in more ways than us

4. Jesus connects with us in some ways more with vss.33-36

   1. These are the words we trust in!

   2. This more than anything helps us persevere!

1. Jesus speaks honestly

   1. There will be challenges if you follow me—there is a cross we must bear!

   2. But we have such an opportunity to be useful for His glory and the salvation of many others

   3. Vs.19 by endurance you will gain life!

2. Jesus promises to be there with us

   1. Verses 13-19

   2. Give you exactly what you need to say—

      1. Use it as a testimony—opportunity to witness!

      2. Make connection with them being with family members

   3. Why did disciples die so heroically and even at times joyfully?

      1. I believe it was because Jesus was right there with them!

3. Jesus promises redemption

   1. Vs.13 – I just love that expression of safety—it is like a Dad would say

   2. Vs.27 has a connection with the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation 1:7 and Daniel 7:13

   3. What a glorious statement in vs.36 "stand before the Son of Man"

In prayer today I thought through Ending the Year spiritually. I'm going to need to devote much more prayer to it. One thing I thought was how far our Campus Ministry has come over the last year. I just thought how much I love you all! It is such a joy being together and sharing in one another's lives! It's not over, but it has been a great year! I thought: where will we be a year from now? I think life is special when you look forward to growing together with people.

I was a little emotional thinking of God's joy to want to spend time with us. God longs to purify our hearts so we can enjoy our relationships with Him. God is looking forward to the next 1, 2...5, 10, 20 (not years) but millennium!

Let's not be like the world, but let's gain a more perseverance and a more godly focus going into the New Year!