Being Prepared
Pastor Jim Fikkert
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 25.21 Jesus teaches another parable about the end of the age. The emphasis of the story is on the long journey of a landowner. […]
A Thief in the Night
Pastor Jim Fikkert
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 24.36 Every few years a well-meaning Christian leader claims to have ‘seen the signs’ and makes a declaration of Jesus’ return. Every time, the date and time passes, the followers are bewildered, and […]
The Coming of the Son of Man
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 24.35 There are two points in life that matter more than any other: birth and death. The same is true for the world we live […]
Abomnation and Desolation
Pastor Jim Fikkert
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Matthew 24:21-22 Much of chapter 24 […]
It will happen
Pastor Jim Fikkert
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 24.13-14 False prophets, some even claiming to be the Savior, international conflict, violent persecution of Christians, natural and economic disasters will constantly be present […]
God’s plan unfolding
Pastor Jim Fikkert
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 23.27 In contrast to the woes earlier in the chapter, Jesus laments over Jerusalem—the city […]
The Problem of Pharisees
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 23.27 Jesus’ woes are the angry laments of wounded love, incited by compassion for those whom religious leaders have led astray (see 23:37). Second-century rabbis, probably passing […]
Practice what you Preach
Pastor Jim Fikkert
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” 23.12 Chapter 23 amounts to an unrestrained tongue lashing against the Scribes and Pharisees. Even though Jesus speaks directly to the crowds and his disciples, He is indirectly condemning the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. They do not practice what they preach […]
God of the Living
Pastor Jim Fikkert
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. 22.31-32 People are easily divided by political issues and parties. Even […]
To God what is God’s
Pastor Jim Fikkert
And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22.20-21 Religious Pharisees hope to weaken Jesus influence with people by involving him in a political controversy regarding an unpopular Roman poll […]
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