Main Text: Matthew 24:15–28 (ESV) 15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 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. 22 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. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Preaching Point: Jesus’ warnings to those living during the Tribulation should compel us to remain watchful in our own day as we eagerly await Christ’s return to abolish evil and establish his Kingdom.

Teaching Points:

1. Scripturally Identify the Abomination of Desolation (v. 15)
2. Grasp the Severity of the Great Tribulation (vv. 16-22)
3. Keep Your Focus on Christ’s Return (vv. 23-28)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Daniel 9:24–27, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4. What do these passages teach you about the identity of the abomination of desolation? Why is understanding this future event important for Christians?
3. Read Matthew 24:16–22. What does Jesus’ description of the Great Tribulation teach you about the severity of God’s future judgment?
4. Matthew 24:22 shows that even the most severe period of human suffering will operate within limits established by God. What do these limits teach you about God’s sovereignty over evil and suffering and his mercy toward those he loves?
5. Read Matthew 24:23–27. According to this passage, why will those living during the Tribulation not need anyone to convince them that Christ has returned?
6. How does Jesus’ description of his unmistakable return help you evaluate claims that Christ has already returned or that the events described in this passage have already been completely fulfilled?
7. Read Titus 2:11–14 and 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10. What is the difference between eagerly awaiting the return of Christ versus simply agreeing that he will return someday?
8. What should eagerly waiting for Christ’s return look like in your life right now?
9. As one pastor once put it: “The plain things are the main things and the main things are the plain things.” How can this principle help you keep your eschatology in its proper perspective as you pursue greater biblical clarity while maintaining unity with other believers?

Main Text: Matthew 24:4–14 (ESV) 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 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.

Preaching Point: The worldwide birth pains that precede Christ's return and mark the beginning of God's judgment will not keep the gospel from advancing, but they should remind us to warn others to flee God's wrath by turning from sin and trusting in Christ today, so they will not undergo the Tribulation to come!

Teaching Points:

1. Envision Unimaginable Escalation of Worldwide Turmoil (vv. 4-8)
2. Grasp the Intensifying Difficulties of Tribulation Saints (vv. 9-13)
3. Expect Worldwide Gospel Proclamation (v. 14)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Revelation 6:1–8 and Matthew 24:3–14. Although many of these troubles have occurred throughout history, how do the descriptions and imagery in these passages reveal the unimaginable escalation of worldwide turmoil to come during the seven-year Tribulation?
3. Read Revelation 13:5–7, Revelation 6:9–11, and Matthew 24:9-13. What difficulties will those who turn to Christ during the Tribulation face, and what do these passages reveal about the cost of remaining faithful to him?
4. According to Matthew 24:13, what will distinguish those who genuinely belong to Christ from those who fall away in the midst of such intense persecution?
5. How should the future endurance of Tribulation Saints challenge you to remain faithful to Christ amid the comparatively lesser pressures you face today?
6. Read Revelation 7:9–14, Revelation 14:6–7, and Matthew 24:14. What do these passages reveal about the worldwide advancement of the gospel and the salvation of sinners during the Tribulation?
7. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16–5:9. In light of everything we have studied, how should knowing that believers will be caught up to be with Christ while unbelievers alive at that time will enter the Tribulation increase your urgency to warn others of God's coming wrath and call them to turn from sin and trust in Christ today?

Main Text: Matthew 24:1–3 (ESV) 1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Preaching Point: To properly grasp what Jesus says about the end times, we must understand both the disciples' historical understanding of the end times and the intentional gap God created in salvation history.

Teaching Points:

1. Understand God’s Kingdom Program (vv. 1-3)
2. Recognize the Prophetic Gap (vv. 1-3)
3. Grasp the Disciples' Questions (v. 3)

Application Questions:

1. Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?
2. Read Isaiah 9:6–7, Daniel 7:13–14, and Acts 1:6. What do these passages reveal about the kind of kingdom the disciples were expecting? Why is it important to let Scripture, rather than our own assumptions, define our expectations about the future?
3. How can you wrongly allow culture, headlines, or a theological system shape your expectations about the future instead of starting with what God actually promised?
4. Read Zechariah 9:9–10 and Luke 19:11. How does understanding the gap between Christ first coming and his second coming help you understand many Old Testament prophecies better?
5. Read Matthew 23:37–39 and Matthew 24:1–3. What events prompted the disciples’ questions, and why must we understand exactly what they were asking before interpreting Jesus’ answer in Matthew 24–25?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1–2 and Jude 1:3. How can you have charity in your eschatological views while remaining convictional about what you believe is to come?
7. How have you either dismissed eschatology as unimportant to keep the peace or caused dissension amongst brothers or sisters in Christ with how you’ve handled your eschatological views?
8. Read Revelation 1:3 and Titus 2:13. Why is disregarding eschatology because it can be divisive or confusing the wrong attitude for a Christian to have?
9. How can avoiding end times teaching, because it feels complicated or controversial, hinder your faith and your attitude about Christ's return?