Matthew 24:36
Jesus teaches His disciples about the signs of His coming, the importance of being ready, and the lessons we can learn from the days of Noah.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the parallels between the days of Noah and the current state of the world, highlighting the signs of Jesus' return, including wars, famines, and moral decay. He warns that just as the people in Noah's time were caught off guard by the flood, many will be unprepared for Christ's second coming. Smith encourages believers to remain vigilant and ready, as the exact timing of His return is unknown. He draws attention to the importance of recognizing the signs of the times and living righteously amidst a corrupt generation. Ultimately, he calls for a proactive faith, urging disciples to watch and be prepared.
Text
"THE DAYS OF NOAH"
Intro: Jesus has just pronounced His woes on the Scribes and the Pharisees
while in the Temple. He concludes with a lament against Jerusalem. As they
are leaving the Temple, the disciples remark on huge stones. "When shall
these things be..?"
I. THE QUESTION IS TWO FOLD, DESTRUCTION OF TEMPLE AND HIS COMING AT THE
END OF THE WORLD."
A. Signs of His coming.
1. Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom..."
2. Famines.
3. Pestilences, viruses.
4. Earthquakes in diverse places.
5. Many false prophets . 5, 11, 24.
6. Gospel preached to all nations.
7. Abomination of desolation.
8. Great tribulation.
a. Ending with powers of heaven shaken, sun
darkened.
B. At His coming He will gather His elect from four winds with
great sound of trumpet.
1. Deut. 30:3,4.
2. Isaiah 27:12, 13.
II. OF THE DAY OR HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN.
A. You will know when it is near.
1. Parable of fig tree.
2. When the leaves come out you know summer is coming
soon.
B. Foolish to speculate on days or hours.
III. THE DAYS OF NOAH.
A. Population explosion.
1. Somewhere around 1857 earth's population 1 billion.
2. 1935 - 2 billion.
3. 1965 - 3 billion.
4. 1980 - 4 billion.
B. Intense occultic activity.
C. The wickedness of man was great.
1. Fathers sexually abusing their children.
2. The great extant of drug abuse.
D. The imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually.
1. Popular music.
2. Popular magazines.
3. Movies.
4. Popular novels.
E. The people were taken by total surprise by the judgment.
1. They were going on with business as usual right until
the judgment fell.
2. His coming will take many by surprise.
a. "But you are not the children of darkness that
day should."
III. HIS WORDS TO HIS DISCIPLES.
A. "Be ye ready."
B. Watch.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Question of Destruction and the End of the World
- A. Signs of His Coming
- 1. Nation against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes
- 2. Many false prophets and the gospel preached to all nations
- 3. The abomination of desolation and great tribulation
- B. Gathering the Elect at His Coming
- II. No Man Knows the Day or Hour
- A. Knowing When It Is Near
- 1. The parable of the fig tree and the coming of summer
- B. Foolish to Speculate on Days or Hours
- III. The Days of Noah
- A. Population Explosion and Occultic Activity
- B. Wickedness of Man and Evil Imagination
- C. The People Taken by Surprise by Judgment
Key Quotes
“When the leaves come out you know summer is coming soon.” — Chuck Smith
“But you are not the children of darkness that day should.” — Chuck Smith
“Be ye ready.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should focus on being ready for Jesus' coming rather than trying to predict the exact date.
- We should be aware of the signs of Jesus' coming and be prepared to respond to them.
- We should learn from the days of Noah and be aware of the wickedness of man and the importance of being ready for judgment.