Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, October 22, 2008
Total Unconcern
Matthew 24:36-51
Introduction: Jesus’ disciples asked Him a question: “Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (24:3b). Jesus will answer: “And they know nothing…” (4:39). When Jesus returns there will be wholesale unconcern about God! “ …warnings enough and more than enough, but ears deaf, hearts obdurate, every sign being explained away ‘naturally’, ‘reasonably’, even ‘scientifically’ until the fatal day arrives. It is not the wickedness of immorality that Jesus stresses but this ungodly, guilty, and damnable blindness” (Lenski, pg.956).
I. The date is unknown (36)
A. No human being knows when Jesus will return. But every human being should be able to see the signs!
B. No angel knows when Jesus will return!
C. Jesus didn’t know when Jesus will return!
1. During His time on earth Jesus was fully God (John 1:1, 14).
2. During His time on earth Jesus voluntarily placed certain limitations on Himself (Phil. 2:6).
3. Sometimes He demonstrated omniscience (John 2:25, 3:13).
D. Jesus now knows the time to return (Matt.28:18).
II. The days of Noah (37-41)
A. I used to think this referred to the rapture. I now believe it refers to the 2nd coming.
1. In Noah’s day the righteous were left and the unrighteous taken.
2. In the rapture the righteous are taken and the unrighteous are left.
B. During Noah’s day wickedness intensified (Gen.6:5). During the tribulation wickedness will intensify (II Tim.3:13).
1. The Holy Spirit is removed and Satan is unrestrained (II Thess.2:6-7).
2. Man will curse God instead of repenting (Rev.9:21).
C. Noah built the ark and preached for 120 years.
1. He was a preacher of righteousness (II Peter 2:5).
2. He was blameless (Gen. 6:9).
3. He was righteous (7:1).
4. He was obedient (7:5).
5. He was 600 years old when the flood came (7:6). After preaching for 120 years - He didn’t have the slightest impact upon anyone outside the 7 in his immediate family! There was total unconcern!
D. The flood came. Flood is the Greek word kataklusmos, from which we get cataclysm.
E. When Jesus returns
1. Two men will be in the field. One will be taken to judgment. One will be left to enter God’s kingdom.
2. Two women will be grinding wheat. One will be taken to judgment. One will be left to enter God’s kingdom.
3. Those left are Christ’s sheep! Those who will enter the millennium and reign with Him (25:32-46).
III. The Mindset of the wise (42-44)
A. Keep watch – be on the alert!
B. Be ready – make sure of your salvation!
C. A wise man, knowing a thief was going to break in, would keep watch. Although saints don’t know the exact time Jesus will return, they are to be wise. Being wise is to be alert and to be ready!
IV. The Faithfulness of the wise (45-51)
A. When Jesus returns “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when He returns” (46). Doing what?
1. Providing food (45)
2. Serving in their area (45)
3. Such faithful workers will be rewarded (47). “…for in the millennial age he will be made a ruler” (Phillips, 462).
B. When Jesus returns others will have the opinion that Jesus isn’t coming back. Jesus describes them as “evil or wicked”. Because of his evil nature he
1. beats fellow slaves
2. eats and drinks with drunkards
3. This one will be at the Great White Throne judgment cast into hell!
C. The point is that these will be pretenders. They will talk about Jesus “My Master”. He associates with “fellow servants”. However, his actions define who he really is. Not a child of God!
Conclusion: The world has had and always will have scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4). While we Christians will be in heaven during this time, we should ask ourselves:
1. Are we like the days of Noah where evil continues to grow?
2. Are the words of God being ignored as they were with Noah?
3. Do you have the mindset of the wise? Are you alert for the rapture? Are you ready to meet God? What about your family?
4. Do you have the mindset of the faithful? Are you doing what God has called you to do?