Proper 28
15 November 2015
Mark 13:1-13
“It is necessary that this good message be preached to all
the nation’s first." - Mark 13:10
The daylight hours are even shorter now that daylight
savings time in Indiana has finally ended. When we fell back one hour on the
first Sunday of November. We come now to the last two Sundays of the Church
year. As we count down the days before the last Sunday of the Church year –
Christ the King Sunday, we remember that the time is short. We are living in
the latter days.
The times in which we live. Remind us of the Lord’s sure
promise – Before the Lord’s return this Gospel must be proclaimed to the
nations. As we anticipate, Christ’s sure and certain return. We must be about
the Father’s business. Living and sharing the faith.
I. First – The
Gospel message of Jesus Christ must be preached before the end of the age.
Jesus says in Matthew 24:14, “This Good News about the
Kingdom will be spread throughout the whole world, as My followers tell the
people of all the nations what they have seen and heard and know. And then the
end will come.” – Matthew 24:14 (Julian Anderson)
A. This Gospel
must first be preached to all the nations before the end of the age.
1. It will be
proclaimed as a testimony to the nations.
a. A testimony
that Jesus Christ alone is Lord. Of all the religious figures to every walk
this earth. Many claimed to have a new directive. Many claimed to have a
different insight. What makes Jesus Christ different is He alone claimed to be
God. He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.
b. A testimony
that He has won for us salvation and life.
Jesus Christ won for you salvation and life by going to the cross to
suffer and die there. Then He victoriously rose from the dead. This, again, is
what gives Jesus distinction. Even if there were one who claimed to be God.
Jesus proves to be God alone by rising from the dead. If you want to destroy
Christianity. You will have to explain away two realities. You will have to
explain away the resurrection of Jesus Christ bodily from the tomb. And also,
explain away the changed lives of those who witnessed His resurrection. The
early followers of Jesus Christ after the resurrection even simply stated, “We
are witnesses of these things.”
2. Only after this message has been proclaimed
will the end come.
a. When the
gospel message has been proclaimed in all the earth the end will come. Already
the Gospel has proclaimed on every continent. What then will be the signal that
the end will come?
b. When the last
person is converted. Then the end will come. The probability of Christ
returning in your lifetime is higher now then every before. This could very
well be the Last Generation!
c. In a strong and
significant sense, these words of Jesus have been fulfilled. The expression, which has come to define my
children's generation is the word “terrorism.” We all know where we were on
that Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001.
People still recall the weather that day. It was clear blue sky and a
beautiful day. But where were you three days later? On that day, the National
Cathedral hosted the service three days after the terrorist attacks. The Rev.
Billy Graham spoke. News outlets from virtually every corner of the world were
present. Airing the event live. And on that day, September 14, 2001 the gospel
of Jesus Christ was literally preached around the world as a testimony to the
nations. In one moment, the world heard that saving gospel of Christ.
B. If we want to
hasten the time of Christ’s return we will want to be mission minded.
1. So even more
may hear this most valued message.
2. So even more
might be converted. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, How, then,
can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in
the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
preaching to them?
II. This Gospel
will be preached – it is a specific message – it is the message of the cross –
St. Paul reminds us, “I desire to know nothing among you save Jesus and Him
crucified.”
A. The message we
proclaim is a message of the cross.
1. For it was on
the bloody cruel cross of Calvary where Jesus bore the sins of all.
2. It was at the
cross where Jesus was winning for the world salvation, life, an eternal
victory.
B. This is what
must give you a clear distinction.
1. Where Christ
and Him crucified permeates all you do.
2. Where Christ
is the center of our entire work in this parish. In our school. In our homes.
In our lives. So we live blessed and forgiven lives- in sacramental
living.
III. To all the
nations – Every tribe, clan, nation – In the book of Revelation, John gives us
a picture of what heaven will look like. “After this I looked and there before
me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They
were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And
they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the
throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and
around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces
before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen! Praise and glory and
wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and
ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:9-12)
A. America
continues to be the melting pot.
1. 177 years ago,
immigrants looked a lot like us.
2. Not so today –
consider immigration trends in America today.
ü When a White
person dies in America today only one will take his place due to birth or
immigration. 1/1 There is no growth amongst Caucasians in America today;
ü When a Black
person dies in America today three will take his place due to birth or
immigration. 3/1;
ü When a Hispanic
dies in America today eight will take his place due to birth or
immigration. 8/1 As of the 2000 census
there were more Hispanics in the US then African-Americans. And that number
continues to climb.
ü When an Asian
dies in America today 15 will take his place due to birth or immigration. 15/1
B. We no longer
have to go to foreign lands to be engaged in mission work. There are people
living within the shadows of this church who have yet to hear of the message of
Jesus Christ and Him crucified. America today is the third largest mission
field in the world. The largest Burmese
population outside the country of Myanmar happens to live in Allen County and
its environs. The state department
brought them here because of persecution. Not imagined persecution. Of the
Starbucks verity. This was severe and significant persecution. Catholic
charities took care of them for a while. Now it's the Lutherans. Specifically
your brothers and sisters at New Life Lutheran Church, which started as a
mission to Gypsies, and then refocused on African immigrants is now
concentrated on this significant people group.
And there are people living in this community “without a
prayer.” They didn’t wake up this
morning thinking of the destiny of their immortal soul. They have no concept of
God except for what is played in the imagination of their own heart. They are
living their lives “without a prayer” of “being numbered with the saints in
glory everlasting.”
1. Consider
Lutheran Hour Ministry’s theme, “Bringing Christ to the Nations and the nations
to the church.” These are our marching orders. Reaching out into the world.
With the saving message of Jesus Christ.
2. Where is your
mission field? Its where you live and flourish. This text is for each of us –
to share Christ with whomever we meet. “It is necessary that this good message
be preached to all the nation’s first."
May God use you to be His feet and hands. Gossip the gospel
where you work and live. By word and deed, become a sermon in shoes. Become a
blessing others. And in all things remember to be thankful.
_____________
Words – 1,455
Passive Sentences –8%
Readability –75%
Reading Level -5.8
