Sermons
When Jesus Spoke of Disasters
•Some assume God is “punishing” others when disaster strikes…and many go as far as to try and place blame.
•Yet, in verses 2-5, Jesus denies this idea.
•Notice also John 9:1-3,
•“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
•If every negative event is a punishment for sin, explain…
•The sea storm of Matthew 14:22-33
•The crucifixion of the sinless Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-24).
•The unjust persecution of Christians (1 Peter 2-3).
•Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “Time and chance happen to them all.”
•We need to develop the ability to turn everyday conversations into seed plantings.
•Jesus used two current events to answer more important questions.
•How can you use…
•The front page news about El Paso to cause others to think of eternity (Hebrews 9:27-28)?
•The sickness and disease you hear about to talk of the incorruptible bodies we will have in heaven (Revelation 21:4)?
•The wars of the nations to consider the greater war we are constantly waging against Satan (2 Timothy 2:3-4)?
•Opportunities to illustrate and promote God’s kingdom are there daily if we will use them!
•Did you notice how Jesus makes His lesson personal by asking questions.
•“Do you suppose…” (13:2)?
•“Do you think…” (13:4)?
•Often, we talk of our faith to others.
•Eventually, though, we must put the choice of faith in their lap too!
•Jesus asked pointed questions…
•“What do you seek” (John 1:38)?
•“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?...But who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16:13,15)?
•“What do you think about the Christ” (Matthew 22:42)?
•The world needs to be asked these questions to come to faith.
•As Jesus referred to the Luke 13 disasters, He spoke of repentance.
•He does not dwell on the souls of those who had died.
•He deals, instead, with the souls of the living.
•The time to influence others is while we are alive (Luke 16:27-31).
•The Thessalonian letters mark a strong contrast in the eternity of the penitent and impenitent.
•1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:2
•2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
•Accidents and tragedies can be valuable if we learn from them!
•Whether tragedy has struck or not we “have all sinned” (Romans 3:23).
•So, Jesus says to His audience “unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3,5).
•We all stand in need of God’s forgiveness.
•It is offered through Jesus (Ephesians 1:7).
•Yet, repentance is clearly a condition of such forgiveness (Acts 2:36-38; 3:19).
•Where do you stand with reference to Jesus today?
•Jesus taught not every disaster was due to sin.
•Jesus used tragedy to open windows to the soul.
•Jesus asked questions about the disaster demanding a choice.
•Jesus showed the living they still have time to repent.
•Jesus left no doubt about the future of those who reject Him.
Downloads/Links
- 190804-A.mp3 (7.98 MB)
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