Walnut Grove

Sermon: Where Will I Go?

Sermon Date: 05/03/2026
Bible Verses:
John 6:41-69
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
There are moments in life when everything comes down to one question.
Not ten questions.Not a list of options.Just one.
Where will I go?
In John 6, Jesus says some things that are hard.
Not confusing—hard.
Not unclear—uncomfortable.
So hard that people begin to leave.
Crowds that once followed Him… walk away.
And then Jesus turns to the twelve and asks:
“Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67)
That question still echoes today.
And in response, Peter gives one of the most honest and powerful statements in all of Scripture:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
That’s the heart of this message.
Because when everything shakes…
when faith feels costly…
when the words of Jesus stretch us…
we are left with the same question:
Where will I go?
When Jesus Says Hard Things
Earlier in John 6, Jesus tells the crowd:
“I am the bread of life.”
And then He goes further.
He speaks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
To them, this sounded offensive.
Strange.
Even disturbing.
John 6:60 says:
“This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”
Let’s be honest.
We like the parts of Jesus that comfort us.
We like grace.We like forgiveness.We like blessing.
But when Jesus confronts us…
calls us to surrender…
challenges our desires…
suddenly following Him feels harder.
And the truth is:
Jesus will say things that stretch you.
He will challenge your priorities.He will confront your sin.He will call you to surrender control.
Because Jesus is not trying to make you comfortable.
He is trying to save you.
When Following Gets Costly
John 6:66 says something sobering:
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”
Let that sink in.
Not the crowd.
Not casual listeners.
Disciples.
People who had followed Him…
now walked away.
Why?
Because the cost became real.
And here’s the hard truth:
Some people follow Jesus…
until it costs them something.
Until obedience becomes inconvenient.
Until truth conflicts with their desires.
Until surrender becomes personal.
Then they leave.
Following Jesus is easy when it fits your life.
It’s harder when it redefines your life.
The Question That Exposes the Heart
Then Jesus turns to the twelve.
And He doesn’t chase the crowd.
He doesn’t soften the message.
He asks:
“Do you want to go away as well?”
That question cuts deep.
Because Jesus doesn’t force anyone to stay.
He invites.
He calls.
But He allows people to walk away.
And in that moment, the disciples have to decide.
Stay… or leave.
Follow… or walk away.
And that same question is asked of us.
Not just once.
But again and again throughout our lives.
When things don’t make sense…
When obedience is difficult…
When faith feels costly…
Jesus looks at us and asks:
“Will you go too?”
Peter’s Answer: We Have Nothing Else
Peter responds:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Notice what Peter does not say.
He doesn’t say:
“We understand everything.”“We agree with everything.”“This is easy.”
No.
His answer is deeper than that.
He’s saying:
“Even when it’s hard… You’re still the only one.”
There is nowhere else to go.
No one else has what Jesus has.
No one else gives eternal life.
No one else saves.
No one else redeems.
Peter realizes something powerful:
We don’t follow Jesus because it’s easy.We follow Him because He is everything.
A Heart That Knows the Worth of Christ
I once heard an interview where Shia LaBeouf was asked what he would say if he stood before Jesus.
He said:
"Nothing."
Then he said:
"I would kiss Him. I would kiss His feet."
That’s not theology.
That’s recognition.
That’s the realization of who Jesus is.
And that’s the heart Peter is expressing.
Not perfect understanding.
Not flawless faith.
But a deep, unshakable truth:
Jesus is worth everything.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when it costs.
Even when you don’t fully understand.
Application
Let’s make this personal.
At some point, every believer faces this moment.
When following Jesus becomes difficult.
When obedience costs something.
When faith stretches you.
And the question comes:
Where will I go?
Back to the world?
Back to sin?
Back to control?
Back to self?
But the truth is…
there is nothing back there for you.
No life.
No peace.
No eternity.
Only Jesus has the words of eternal life.
So the call today is simple:
Stay.
Trust Him.
Follow Him.
Even when it’s hard.
Because there is nowhere better to go.
Conclusion
The crowd walked away.
The message was too hard.
The cost was too great.
But Peter stayed.
Not because it was easy.
But because he knew the truth:
There is no one else like Jesus.
And that’s where faith matures.
Not when everything makes sense…
but when your heart says:
“Even if I don’t understand… I’m not leaving.”
Because at the end of the day…
when everything else falls away…
we are left with one reality:
We have nothing but Christ.
And that is more than enough.

The Weekly Show - Episode 95: Study Seventeen: The Olivet Discourse (Part 2)

Join Tim and John as they study how another message of Jesus from Matthew 24-25.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
In Part 1 of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned His disciples about deception, conflict, suffering, and His unmistakable return.
He showed them what the world would be like between His ascension and His coming again:
truth would be challenged
the world would be unstable
and following Him would require endurance
Now in Part 2, Jesus shifts His focus.
He moves from describing events to explaining how His followers should live in light of those events.
Because knowing what will happen is not enough— His disciples must know how to live while they wait.
And this leads to one of the most important truths in this entire passage:
There is a gap of time between His first coming and His second.
The disciples expected everything to unfold quickly. They likely imagined that the destruction of the temple, the coming of the kingdom, and the end of the age would all happen close together.
But Jesus prepares them—and us—for something different.
Not immediate fulfillment… but extended waiting.
A period of waiting
A period of testing
A period of faithfulness
A time where it may feel like nothing is happening— no dramatic signs, no visible return, no final resolution—
and yet, behind the scenes:
everything is moving forward exactly according to God’s plan.
This section is not about predicting dates. It is about cultivating a life that is ready—no matter how long the wait may be.
1. When the Time Is Ripe
(Matthew 24:32–35)
To help His disciples understand this, Jesus gives a simple, everyday illustration:
The fig tree.
When its branches become tender and leaves begin to grow, you don’t need a calendar to tell you what season is coming.
You know.
Summer is near.
In the same way, Jesus says:
When the signs begin to unfold— when the patterns He described start to intensify—
you can recognize that His return is near.
“Even at the doors.”
That phrase carries urgency.
Not immediate in a clock sense— but imminent in certainty.
A Living Expectation
Jesus indicates that even in the time of the apostles, the signs had already begun.
That means something important:
From the very beginning of the church, believers have had a reason to live with expectation.
The early Christians did not live as if Christ’s return was distant. They lived as if it could happen in their lifetime.
And that expectation shaped everything:
how they endured suffering
how they resisted sin
how they shared the gospel
how they ordered their lives
They lived with urgency—not panic, but purpose.
And What About Us?
If they had reason to expect His return…
how much more do we?
We stand further along in the story. We have seen more of history unfold. We have witnessed the continued patterns Jesus described.
Which means this truth presses even more strongly on us:
We are not just waiting. We are waiting closer than they were.
The Point
Jesus is not giving His followers a date. He is giving them a mindset.
A life that says:
Christ could return at any time
I want to be ready when He does
I will not live distracted or careless
I will live with purpose, faithfulness, and expectation
Because when the time is ripe— when the moment comes—
it will not be a surprise to those who are watching.
2. The Enigma of the Precise Timing
(Matthew 24:36–41)
After telling His disciples that His return is near—“even at the doors”— Jesus immediately gives an important clarification:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows…”
This creates a tension we must learn to live with:
We can recognize the season
But we cannot know the exact moment
God has revealed enough to keep us alert— but not enough to make us complacent or overconfident.
The Surprise Factor
To explain this, Jesus points back to the days of Noah.
People were:
eating
drinking
marrying
going about ordinary life
There was nothing unusual on the surface.
Life looked normal. Routine. Predictable.
Until suddenly—the flood came.
The problem was not that they were living everyday life. The problem was that they were unprepared for what was coming.
They ignored the warning. They dismissed the signs. They lived as if nothing would ever change.
And then it did.
Jesus says His return will be like that:
sudden
unexpected
interrupting normal life
Not announced in advance. Not scheduled on a calendar. Not fitting neatly into human expectations.
A Moment of Separation
Jesus adds another important detail:
His return will not affect everyone the same way.
Two people will be in the field—one taken, one left
Two will be grinding at the mill—one taken, one left
The point is not confusion—it is separation.
The same moment will bring:
rescue for some
judgment for others
Which means readiness is not optional. It is essential.
The Day of the Lord
Jesus’ return is part of something bigger the Bible calls:
The Day of the Lord
This is not just a single 24-hour period. It is a series of events marking God’s final intervention in history:
judgment on sin
the defeat of evil
the vindication of God’s people
and the establishment of Christ’s reign
It is both a day of justice and a day of restoration.
And it will come suddenly.
3. Watch, Be Ready, and Work Hard
(Matthew 24:42–51)
Since we do not know the exact timing, Jesus gives us the only appropriate response:
Watch. Be ready. Be faithful.
These are not suggestions. They are commands for every disciple.
Watchfulness
To “watch” means more than just looking.
It means:
staying spiritually alert
being aware of what truly matters
refusing to drift into carelessness
not becoming numb to truth
not getting lost in distractions
It means living with the awareness that:
Christ could return at any time.
The opposite of watchfulness is not ignorance— it is complacency.
Readiness
Readiness is not panic. It is not fear-driven anxiety.
It is preparedness.
It means living every day in such a way that you could honestly say:
“If Jesus returned today, I would not be ashamed.”
It is a life that is:
aligned with His will
responsive to His Word
and surrendered to His authority
Not perfect—but faithful.
Faithful Work
Jesus then gives a picture of two servants.
One servant remains faithful while the master is away
The other assumes the master is delayed—and becomes careless
The careless servant begins to:
neglect responsibility
mistreat others
live as if accountability will never come
What’s the difference between them?
Not knowledge. Not information. Not awareness of prophecy.
Faithfulness.
Those who are truly ready are not sitting still. They are not waiting passively.
They are:
serving
obeying
stewarding what God has given them
and living with purpose
Because real expectation produces real action.
The Warning
Jesus makes it clear:
A life that assumes, “He’s not coming anytime soon,” will slowly drift into spiritual carelessness.
But a life that believes, “He could come at any time,” will grow in faithfulness.
The Point
You don’t know when He will return— but you are responsible for how you live until He does.
So:
stay awake
stay ready
stay faithful
Because when He comes, it will not be your intentions that matter—
it will be your life.
4. A Parable About Watching
(Matthew 25:1–13 – The Ten Virgins)
To reinforce the call to watchfulness, Jesus tells a parable about ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom.
In a Jewish wedding, the bridegroom would arrive—often at night—to bring the wedding party to the celebration. The timing was not always exact, so those waiting had to be ready.
In the story:
Five are wise
Five are foolish
At first, they all look the same.
All ten are waiting
All ten have lamps
All ten expect the bridegroom to come
The difference is not visible at the beginning.
The Key Difference: Preparation for the Delay
The wise virgins bring extra oil. The foolish virgins do not.
When the bridegroom is delayed, all ten grow tired and fall asleep. But when the cry comes—“Here is the bridegroom!”—everything changes.
Suddenly, preparation matters.
The wise are ready
The foolish are not
The foolish try to fix the problem—but it’s too late.
By the time they return, the door is shut.
The Lesson
The foolish virgins were not openly rebellious. They were not hostile. They were not rejecting the bridegroom.
They were simply unprepared.
And that was enough to leave them outside.
Jesus’ warning is clear:
There is a kind of life that looks close to the kingdom— but is not truly ready for it.
Good intentions are not enough. Association is not enough. Expectation alone is not enough.
The Call to Readiness
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Watchful readiness is not optional— it is essential.
True disciples are not just people who say, “Jesus is coming.”
They are people who live in such a way that says, “I am ready when He does.”
Even if the wait feels long. Even if the delay feels confusing. Even if life seems to go on as normal.
Because when the moment comes— there will be no time to prepare.
5. A Parable About Working
(Matthew 25:14–30 – The Talents)
After emphasizing watchfulness, Jesus shifts to another essential aspect of readiness:
faithful work.
He tells a parable about a master who entrusts his servants with resources (called talents) before going on a journey.
One servant receives five
One receives two
One receives one
Each is given according to their ability.
The Key Issue: Stewardship
The first two servants go to work.
They invest what they were given. They take responsibility. They act with urgency.
When the master returns, they are commended:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Not because they produced the same result— but because they were faithful with what they had.
The master does not expect equal results. But He does expect faithful effort.
The Unprofitable Servant
The third servant does something very different.
He hides what he was given. He does nothing. He avoids responsibility.
When the master returns, he offers excuses:
fear
misunderstanding
blame
But the issue is not failure.
It is faithlessness.
He is not condemned for losing the talent— he is condemned for refusing to use it at all.
The Warning
Jesus is speaking directly to professing disciples.
It is possible to:
claim allegiance to Christ
appear connected to Him
and yet live a life that produces nothing for Him
And that kind of life reveals something serious:
A lack of true relationship.
Because those who truly belong to Christ do not sit idle with what He has entrusted to them.
The Call to Faithful Living
Faithful disciples:
use what God has given them
serve while they wait
invest their lives in what matters eternally
and live with purpose, not passivity
They understand that everything they have— time, ability, opportunity, resources—
has been entrusted to them by God.
And one day, they will give an account.
The Point
Jesus is not just asking:
“Are you watching?”
He is also asking:
“Are you working?”
Because true readiness is not passive.
It is a life that is:
prepared
engaged
and faithful
Waiting for Christ is not sitting still.
It is living fully for Him until He comes.
Conclusion to Study Seventeen
Jesus’ message in this section is clear—and impossible to ignore:
You do not know when He will return— but you are fully responsible for how you live until He does.
So the call is simple, but searching:
Don’t be careless—watch
Don’t be unprepared—be ready
Don’t be idle—work faithfully
The greatest danger is not always open rebellion. It is often quiet neglect.
It is the slow drift of a heart that says:
“There’s still plenty of time.”
“I’ll get serious later.”
“Faithfulness can wait.”
But Jesus exposes that lie.
Because readiness delayed is often readiness denied.
And faithfulness postponed is often faithfulness abandoned.
So He calls His followers to something better:
A life of expectation — knowing He is coming
A life of preparation — being ready when He does
A life of faithful service — living with purpose in the meantime
This is not a passive waiting. It is an active, intentional, daily obedience.
Because when He returns, it will not matter what we planned to do… what we meant to do… or what we said we would do someday.
It will matter what we actually did with the time, truth, and trust He gave us.
And for those who are watching, ready, and faithful— His return will not be a moment of fear,
but a moment of joy.

Sermon: The Great Commission – Part 2: Power for the Mission

Sermon Date: 04/12/2026
Bible Verses:
Acts:1:4-8
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
Last time we looked at The Great Commission in Matthew 28.
Jesus commanded His followers to go and make disciples of all nations.
But in Acts 1 we see something important.
Before the disciples could go…
they had to wait.
Jesus did not send them out immediately.
He told them to remain in Jerusalem until something happened.
Because the mission of the Church cannot be accomplished with human strength alone.
Programs cannot do it.Talent cannot do it.Strategy cannot do it.
The mission of God requires the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 is one of the most important verses in the book of Acts:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This verse outlines the entire mission of the Church.
And it still guides us today.
Point One: The Setting
Acts 1:4 says:
“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father.”
This moment happens after the resurrection.
Jesus has appeared to His disciples many times.
He has taught them.
He has proven that He is alive.
But before He ascends to heaven, He gives them final instructions.
The disciples are eager.
They ask in verse 6:
“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They are still thinking politically.
They are still expecting a national kingdom.
But Jesus redirects their focus.
The kingdom will grow…
but not through politics.
Not through military power.
It will spread through witness.
The gospel will move outward like ripples in water.
From one place…
to the next…
until the whole world hears.
But first, they must wait for the power that will make this possible.
Point Two: When the Holy Spirit Comes
Acts 1:8 begins:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
The disciples were not ready to change the world yet.
But they would be.
The Holy Spirit would come at Pentecost in Acts 2.
And everything would change.
Before the Spirit came, the disciples were:
FearfulConfusedHiding
But after the Spirit came, they became:
BoldCourageousUnstoppable
Peter, who once denied Jesus three times, would stand up and preach to thousands.
The early church would spread rapidly across the Roman world.
Not because the disciples were extraordinary.
But because the Holy Spirit empowered them.
And the same Spirit still empowers the Church today.
The mission of God is not fueled by human strength.
It is fueled by the Spirit of God.
Point Three: First in Jerusalem
Jesus continues:
“You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…”
The mission begins right where they are.
Jerusalem was the city where they lived.
It was their home.
It was the place where Jesus had been crucified.
Historically, Jerusalem in Jesus’ day was not enormous.
Scholars estimate the city covered roughly one square mile inside the walls.
Even during festivals when the population grew dramatically, it was still a relatively compact city.
Jesus was essentially saying:
Start right here.
Start in the place you already live.
Start with the people you already know.
The gospel does not begin somewhere far away.
It begins at home.
For us, that means starting right where we are.
Right here.
In this place.
In our homes.
In our neighborhoods.
In our workplaces.
This is our Jerusalem.
Point Four: All of Judea
Then Jesus says:
“…and in all Judea…”
Judea was the region surrounding Jerusalem.
This meant the gospel would expand beyond the city.
It would move into towns and villages throughout the region.
For us, this might look like expanding beyond our immediate location.
Not just our neighborhood…
but our broader community.
West Monroe.
Monroe.
Ouachita Parish.
The gospel should not stay contained in one building.
It should spread throughout the region.
Churches planting churches.
Believers sharing their faith.
Communities transformed by the message of Jesus.
The mission moves outward.
Point Five: Samaria
Then Jesus says something shocking.
“…and Samaria…”
To understand this moment, we must understand history.
Jews and Samaritans had deep hostility toward each other.
There were centuries of cultural, ethnic, and religious tension.
Many Jews would go out of their way to avoid Samaria completely.
But Jesus intentionally includes Samaria.
The gospel must reach even those people.
Those who are different.
Those who are disliked.
Those society pushes aside.
The kingdom of God crosses every barrier.
Racial barriers.
Cultural barriers.
Social barriers.
The gospel goes to the people others refuse to reach.
This is still true today.
The mission of the Church includes people who may feel forgotten.
Ignored.
Rejected.
Jesus sends His people to them.
Point Six: Then the World
Finally Jesus says:
“…and to the end of the earth.”
The mission does not stop locally.
It extends globally.
From Jerusalem…
to Judea…
to Samaria…
to the ends of the earth.
And this is exactly what we see happen in the book of Acts.
The gospel spreads across the Roman Empire.
Eventually it reaches every continent.
Today there are followers of Jesus in nearly every nation on earth.
But the mission is not finished.
There are still people who have never heard the name of Jesus.
The Church must continue the work.
Sending missionaries.
Supporting global ministry.
Praying for the nations.
Because the gospel is for the whole world.
Application
Acts 1:8 gives us a simple but powerful pattern.
The mission begins here.
Then moves outward.
Local.
Regional.
Cross-cultural.
Global.
And every believer has a role in this mission.
Some will go.
Some will send.
Some will support.
Some will pray.
But all of us are called to participate.
Because the Holy Spirit has empowered the Church for one purpose:
To be witnesses of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The disciples stood on that mountain wondering what would happen next.
Jesus gave them a mission.
But He also gave them a promise.
They would not do it alone.
The Holy Spirit would empower them.
And the gospel would spread from a small city…
to the entire world.
And it all began with ordinary people who said yes to God's mission.
That same mission continues today.
Right here.
In our Jerusalem.
And all the way to the ends of the earth.
 

The Weekly Show - Episode 94: Study Sixteen: The Olivet Discourse (Part 1)

Join Tim and John as they study how another message of Jesus from Matthew 24-25.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
Matthew 24:1–3
After the Sermon on the Mount and many teachings and miracles, Jesus now moves into one of the most serious—and most complex—teachings in the Gospels: what we call the Olivet Discourse.
This moment comes near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Tension is rising. Opposition is growing. And the cross is drawing near.
As Jesus leaves the temple in Jerusalem, His disciples are still amazed by what they see.
The temple was massive. Beautiful. Seemingly indestructible.
It stood as the center of Jewish life:
religiously
culturally
nationally
To the disciples, it felt permanent.
But Jesus says something that would have stopped them in their tracks:
“Not one stone here will be left on another.”
This wasn’t just a prediction. It was a declaration of coming judgment—and the end of something they thought would never fall.
You can imagine the silence that followed.
The disciples don’t respond right away. Later, when they reach the Mount of Olives—overlooking the city and the temple—they come to Jesus privately.
And now the questions come.
Not small questions. Not casual curiosity.
Big, life-shaking questions:
When will the temple be destroyed?
What will be the sign of Your coming?
What will be the sign of the end of the age? — Matthew 24:3
To them, these events likely felt connected—almost like one single moment in time.
But Jesus’ answer reveals something deeper.
He begins to unfold a teaching that stretches across:
the near future (the fall of Jerusalem)
the ongoing struggles of the world
and the final return of Christ
From their present moment… all the way to the end of history.
And that’s why this passage can be difficult.
Jesus is not giving a simple timeline. He is preparing His followers for a world marked by:
deception
conflict
suffering
and waiting
But more than anything, He is preparing them to remain faithful.
Because the goal of this teaching is not just to answer when things will happen— but to shape how His people live until they do.
Three Ways to Interpret It
Because of the complexity of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24–25, Christians throughout history have understood this passage in a few different ways.
These views are not about rejecting Scripture—they are about trying to faithfully understand how the timing and fulfillment of these events fit together.
There are three main approaches:
1. Past Fulfillment View
Some believe the Olivet Discourse is mostly—or almost entirely—about the destruction of the temple in AD 70, when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem.
In this view:
Jesus is primarily warning His disciples about events that would happen within their lifetime
The focus is on God’s judgment against Jerusalem
Many of the signs Jesus describes are seen as already fulfilled in the first century
This interpretation emphasizes that Jesus’ words were directly relevant to His original audience. He was preparing them for a coming crisis they would personally experience.
Strength of this view: It takes seriously the immediate context and Jesus’ warning to His disciples.
Challenge of this view: Some parts of the passage seem to go beyond AD 70 and point to something greater.
2. Future Fulfillment View
Others believe that Matthew 24–25 is primarily about future events that have not yet taken place.
This includes:
the Tribulation
the Second Coming of Christ
the final events leading to the end of the age
In this view:
most of the events Jesus describes are still ahead of us
the focus is on what will happen just before Jesus returns
the passage is seen as primarily prophetic rather than historical
This interpretation highlights the future hope and final victory of Christ.
Strength of this view: It takes seriously the passages that clearly point to Christ’s visible return and final judgment.
Challenge of this view: It can sometimes overlook how Jesus’ words applied to His original audience.
3. Both / Already–Not Yet View
A third view—and often the most balanced—is that Jesus is speaking about both:
the destruction of Jerusalem (a near fulfillment)
and His future return (a final fulfillment)
In this view:
the fall of the temple in AD 70 becomes a real historical event
but also a preview, a pattern, or a foreshadowing
pointing forward to the ultimate return of Christ and the end of the age
This is sometimes called the “already–not yet” perspective.
Some things Jesus describes have already happened, while others are still to come.
Think of it like looking at mountains from a distance: they may appear close together, but as you move closer, you realize they are separated by great distance.
Jesus’ teaching works in a similar way— events are connected, but not always immediate.
Strength of this view: It holds together both the historical reality and the future fulfillment of Jesus’ words.
Challenge of this view: It requires careful attention to avoid confusion between what has happened and what is still coming.
Why This Matters
Understanding these views helps us avoid two extremes:
Overconfidence (“I’ve got every detail figured out”)
Confusion (“This is too complicated to understand at all”)
The goal is not to win arguments about timelines. The goal is to understand what Jesus is teaching us about:
faithfulness
readiness
discernment
and trust
Because no matter which view you lean toward, Jesus’ main point remains the same:
Be ready. Stay faithful. Don’t be deceived.
Counsel About the Dangers
(Matthew 24:4–14)
Before Jesus answers the disciples’ questions about when, He first addresses something more important:
how His followers should live in the meantime.
And His first instruction is not about dates or timelines.
It is a warning:
“See that no one leads you astray.” — Matthew 24:4
Jesus knows that the greatest danger for His followers will not just be suffering— but deception.
1. The Danger of Deception
Jesus warns that many will come claiming to be the Messiah:
false christs
false saviors
false voices claiming authority
They will sound convincing. They will gather followers. And many will be led astray.
This is not just a first-century problem. It is an ongoing danger throughout history.
Any voice that:
replaces Jesus
redefines truth
or draws people away from obedience to Him
is part of the deception Jesus warned about.
That’s why discernment is not optional—it is essential.
2. The Reality of Conflict
Jesus continues:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” — Matthew 24:6
Conflict will be a constant feature of the world.
Nations will rise against nations. Kingdoms against kingdoms.
But Jesus gives a surprising command:
“Do not be alarmed.”
These events are real, but they are not signs that God has lost control.
They are reminders that the world is still broken.
3. The Presence of Calamity
Jesus adds three more signs:
famines (food shortages)
pestilences (diseases and epidemics)
earthquakes
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a pattern.
Creation itself is affected by the fall— and it groans under the weight of sin.
Jesus gathers all five signs together:
false christs
wars
famines
disease
earthquakes
And then He says:
“All these are but the beginning of birth pains.” — Matthew 24:8
Birth pains are:
real
painful
increasing
but leading toward something greater
Jesus is saying:
These things are not the end—they are the beginning.
They mark the entire period from His ascension to His Second Coming.
4. The Certainty of Persecution
Luke adds an important detail:
Before many of these events unfold fully, Jesus’ followers will face persecution.
They will be:
opposed
rejected
betrayed
hated by all nations
Following Christ will not always lead to comfort— it will often lead to conflict.
And because of this pressure, Jesus says:
“Many will fall away.” — Matthew 24:10
Some who once appeared to follow Christ will turn back when the cost becomes too high.
This is another warning against false assurance.
5. The Mission Will Continue
But the story is not only about danger and difficulty.
Jesus gives a promise:
“This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world… and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14
Even in the middle of:
deception
conflict
suffering
the mission of God will move forward.
The gospel will not fail. The church will not disappear. The message of Christ will reach the nations.
God’s plan is not interrupted by chaos— it moves forward through it.
6. Understanding the Pattern (Typology)
This section of Matthew 24 shows a pattern that appears throughout Scripture:
earlier events that are real and historical
pointing forward to greater events still to come
Bible scholars call this pattern typology.
The earlier events are called types. The later, greater fulfillment is called the antitype.
In this case:
the destruction of Jerusalem
and the ongoing struggles of history
serve as previews of the final events that will take place at Christ’s return.
This is why the passage can feel layered— because it is.
It speaks to:
the disciples’ immediate future
the church’s ongoing experience
and the final end of the age
Conclusion of This Section
Jesus is not giving His followers a chart. He is giving them a framework for faithfulness.
The world will be unstable. Truth will be challenged. Suffering will be real.
But none of this means God is absent.
Instead of fear, Jesus calls His followers to:
discernment in the face of deception
steadiness in the face of conflict
endurance in the face of persecution
confidence in the mission of the gospel
The real question is not:
“When will these things happen?”
The real question is:
“Will you remain faithful while they do?”
Warning to Flee the Great Distress
(Matthew 24:15–22)
As Jesus continues His teaching, the tone becomes even more urgent.
Up to this point, He has described general conditions— deception, conflict, and suffering that will mark the age.
Now He points to something more specific and far more severe:
“The abomination of desolation.” — Matthew 24:15
This phrase would have immediately caught the attention of His disciples.
1. The Abomination of Desolation
Jesus is referring back to the prophet Daniel:
Daniel 9:27
Daniel describes a shocking event:
sacrifices in the temple are stopped
something defiling and sacrilegious is set up
the temple is desecrated
This is not just destruction—it is profanation. Something holy is treated as unholy in the most extreme way.
Jesus warns that when this happens:
“Let the reader understand.”
In other words—pay close attention. This matters.
2. A Near Fulfillment: AD 70
There is a clear historical fulfillment of this warning in AD 70, when the Romans besieged Jerusalem.
During that time:
the temple was destroyed
sacrifices were ended
Jerusalem was overtaken by Gentile forces
Jesus’ warning to flee would have been taken literally by those who understood His words.
Luke describes this period as:
Jerusalem being “trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
This began with the Roman destruction and continues in a broader sense until Christ returns.
For the early disciples, this was not theoretical. It was survival.
3. A Greater Fulfillment: The Antichrist
But the pattern does not stop in AD 70.
Paul describes a future, intensified version of this same event:
2 Thessalonians 2:4
He speaks of a “man of sin” (often called the Antichrist) who will:
exalt himself above God
sit in the temple
and claim to be God
This is the ultimate expression of the same pattern— the final and most extreme abomination of desolation.
What happened in AD 70 becomes a preview of something greater still to come.
4. The Tribulation Period
Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9) describes a seven-year period in which these events unfold.
This period has come to be known as:
The Tribulation
In this time:
evil intensifies
deception increases
opposition to God becomes more open and aggressive
and the abomination of desolation marks a turning point
It is a time of great distress, unlike anything before it.
5. The Pattern of Fulfillment
When we step back, a clear pattern emerges:
A real historical fulfillment in AD 70
A future, greater fulfillment in the rise of the Antichrist
Both connected by the same theme: the defilement of what belongs to God
This is another example of typology:
the earlier event (the Roman destruction)
points forward to the greater, final event (the Antichrist and the end)
Jesus’ warning operates on both levels:
immediate (for His first hearers)
and ultimate (for future generations)
Conclusion of This Section
Jesus’ command in this passage is simple and urgent:
When you see it—flee.
This is not a time for hesitation. Not a time for debate. Not a time to gather belongings.
It is a call to recognize the seriousness of what is happening and respond immediately.
But beyond the physical warning, there is also a spiritual one.
The world will reach a point where deception, pride, and rebellion against God reach their peak. What is sacred will be mocked. What is true will be twisted. What is holy will be treated as nothing.
And in that moment, Jesus calls His followers to:
recognize the signs
refuse deception
and remain faithful
Because even in the greatest distress, God is still in control.
(John) How to Discern
(Matthew 24:23–31)
After warning about deception, Jesus now gives His followers something incredibly practical:
A way to recognize the truth.
Because the danger is real— false christs will come, false signs will appear, and people will claim,
“Here He is!” or “There He is!”
And Jesus’ response is simple:
“Do not believe it.” — Matthew 24:23
1. The Return of Christ Will Be Obvious
Jesus makes this unmistakably clear:
“For as lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” — Matthew 24:27
Lightning doesn’t need advertising.
It doesn’t need explanation. It doesn’t happen in secret.
When lightning strikes:
everyone sees it
everyone knows it
no one has to be convinced
That’s what Jesus is saying about His return.
It will not be:
hidden
private
localized
or exclusive
So if someone says:
“Jesus has returned, but only a few know”
“He’s here in this place”
“He’s appeared secretly”
Jesus says:
Don’t buy it.
Because when He comes, you won’t need someone to tell you.
2. False Claims Collapse Under the Truth
Jesus is not just warning—He’s equipping.
Every false messiah, every deceptive claim, every counterfeit movement falls apart when compared to this truth:
The real return of Christ is global, visible, and undeniable.
That means discernment is not complicated.
You don’t need:
secret knowledge
hidden codes
insider information
You just need to remember what Jesus said.
Truth exposes lies.
3. Four Aspects of Christ’s Return
Jesus then describes what His return will actually look like— and it is nothing like anything the world has ever seen.
(1) The Heavens Will Be Shaken
“The powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Creation itself will respond.
The natural order will be disrupted. What seemed stable will become unstable.
This is not just a political event. It is a cosmic event.
(2) Christ Will Appear in Glory
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” — Matthew 24:30
This is the moment history has been moving toward.
Jesus will not return:
in humility
in obscurity
or in weakness
He will return in:
power
glory
authority
And everyone will see Him.
Not just believers. Not just a select group.
All will see.
(3) The World Will Mourn
“All the tribes of the earth will mourn.” — Matthew 24:30
This is a sobering response.
Why mourning?
Because in that moment:
truth is undeniable
judgment is real
and rejection of Christ is fully exposed
For those who have rejected Him, this is not a moment of celebration—
it is a moment of realization.
(4) The Elect Will Be Gathered
“He will send out His angels… and they will gather His elect from the four winds.” — Matthew 24:31
For believers, this is not a moment of fear—
it is a moment of rescue.
From every corner of the earth, God’s people will be gathered:
not forgotten
not overlooked
not lost in the chaos
Every single one will be brought home.
Conclusion of This Section
Jesus does not want His followers living in confusion or fear.
He gives clarity:
His return will not be hidden
it will not be subtle
and it will not be missed
So don’t chase rumors. Don’t follow voices that claim secret knowledge. Don’t be drawn into sensational claims.
Instead:
Anchor yourself in what Jesus actually said.
Because when He returns, it will be unmistakable.
And on that day, the real question won’t be:
“Did I figure out the signs?”
It will be:
“Was I ready when He came?”
Conclusion – Study Sixteen: The Olivet Discourse (Part 1)
(Matthew 24:1–31)
Jesus does not give this teaching to satisfy curiosity— He gives it to produce clarity, endurance, and faithfulness.
The disciples wanted to know when. Jesus focused on how to live until then.
He makes it clear:
The world will not steadily improve—it will struggle.
Deception will increase—not decrease.
Suffering will come—but it will not have the final word.
And in the middle of it all, His followers are called to:
stay grounded in truth when deception rises
remain steady when the world feels unstable
endure faithfully when following Him becomes costly
keep proclaiming the gospel until the end
Jesus also reminds us of something we cannot afford to forget:
History is not random. It is moving somewhere.
There is a beginning. There is a middle. And there is an end.
And at the center of that end is not chaos— it is Christ returning in power and glory.
His return will not be hidden. It will not be uncertain. It will not be debated.
Every eye will see Him.
For some, that day will bring mourning. For others, it will bring rescue and joy.
So the question this passage leaves us with is not:
“Can I figure out every detail of the timeline?”
The real question is:
“Am I living ready?”
Because in the end, those who endure, those who remain faithful, those who build their lives on Christ—
they are the ones who will stand.

The Weekly Show - Episode 93: Study Fifteen: Two Ways (Part 2)

Join Tim and John as they study how to build our life on a firm foundation.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction
As Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to its conclusion, His words grow sharper—not because He is angry, but because what is at stake could not be more serious.
In Part 1, Jesus warned His listeners about:
the paths they choose
and the teachers they follow
Now, in Part 2, He turns the spotlight inward.
Here, Jesus warns about self-deception.
This is perhaps the most frightening danger of all— not being openly opposed to Jesus, but thinking you belong to Him when you do not.
False prophets do not only deceive others. They often deceive themselves.
Jesus makes it unmistakably clear that religious closeness is not the same as relational closeness.
Hearing His words is not enough.
Calling Him “Lord” is not enough.
Participating in religious activity is not enough.
Even doing impressive, supernatural-looking works is not enough.
The final question is not, “What have you done for Jesus?”
It is: “Does Jesus know you?”
And the evidence of that relationship is whether our lives are built on obedience to His words.
1. Getting Left Out
(Matthew 7:21–23)
Jesus opens this section with one of the most sobering statements He ever makes:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This sentence shatters assumptions.
Jesus is not talking about atheists. He is not talking about pagans. He is not talking about people who reject Him outright.
He is talking about religious people.
These people:
use the correct language
acknowledge Jesus’ authority
call Him “Lord”
expect to be accepted
They sound like believers.
But they are rejected.
That raises a terrifying and necessary question:
How can you make sure you are not in this group?
The Confidence That Condemns
Jesus explains that many will stand before Him on the final day confident—not fearful.
They will list their credentials:
“Did we not prophesy in Your name?”
“Did we not cast out demons?”
“Did we not do many mighty works?”
Notice what they are trusting in.
Not Jesus. Their resume.
They appeal to:
their spiritual experiences
their visible ministry
their religious success
But Jesus answers them with words more devastating than silence:
“I never knew you.”
Not “I used to know you.” Not “I knew you once but you walked away.”
“I never knew you.”
Their entire religious life existed without a real relationship with Him.
No Second Chance
Jesus makes it clear that this moment is final.
There is:
no appeal
no second chance
no bargaining
no time to fix things
That is why this warning is so urgent.
Self-deception is deadly because it feels safe— right up until the moment it is exposed.
Jesus is not trying to terrify His followers into despair. He is trying to rescue them from false assurance.
Better to be unsettled now than rejected then.
2. Doing God’s Will and Knowing Jesus
(Matthew 7:21–23)
Jesus is very careful—and very clear—about what He is saying here.
He does not teach that people earn their way into the kingdom by doing good works. Salvation is not a paycheck for good behavior. Grace cannot be earned.
But Jesus does say something crucial:
“Only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven will enter.”
That statement forces us to hold two truths together:
Doing God’s will does not cause salvation
But it always accompanies salvation
Obedience is not the root of salvation—it is the fruit of it.
In other words:
Obedience does not save you.
But saved people obey.
A life that never responds to Jesus’ commands reveals a heart that never truly trusted Him.
The Real Issue: Relationship
Jesus exposes the core problem with one sentence:
“I never knew you.”
The issue is not effort. The issue is not activity. The issue is not outward success.
The issue is relationship.
To “know” in this context means far more than recognition or awareness. It means a personal, covenant relationship— one marked by trust, submission, love, and loyalty.
Jesus is saying:
You knew about Me.
You spoke My name.
You worked in religious spaces.
But you never belonged to Me.
Only those Jesus truly knows— those who have placed their trust in Him and submitted to Him as Lord— are citizens of His kingdom.
Religious activity without relationship may look impressive, but it leads to rejection.
3. Many People’s Houses Swept Away
(Matthew 7:24–27)
Jesus ends His sermon with one final, unforgettable picture.
Two people. Two houses. Two foundations.
At first glance, the houses look the same. Both builders hear Jesus’ words. Both take the time to build. Both experience storms.
The difference is not intelligence. It is not intention. It is not exposure to truth.
The difference is obedience.
Two Responses to the Same Words
One person hears Jesus’ words and does them
The other hears Jesus’ words but does not obey
Both know what Jesus said. Only one acts on it.
The Storm Reveals the Foundation
When the storm comes—and it always does—
the house built on the rock stands
the house built on sand collapses
Jesus does not say the collapse is minor.
He says:
“And great was its fall.”
Ignoring Jesus’ words doesn’t merely weaken your life. It sets it up for eventual ruin.
Storms reveal what obedience has already decided.
The Only Safe Foundation
If you want your life to stand firm— if you want faith that survives suffering, temptation, and judgment— you must build on obedience to Christ.
Not perfection. Not flawless performance.
But a life that hears Jesus and responds.
4. The House That Stood Firm
A Christian blogger once wrote:
“I would be lying if I said my house never shook—and shook hard. But I would also be lying if I didn’t give God the credit for giving me Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. They kept my house from crashing down.”
That testimony captures exactly what Jesus is teaching.
Storms do not mean failure. Shaking does not mean defeat.
Faith is not proven by the absence of hardship, but by what remains standing when hardship comes.
Every life will face storms:
suffering
temptation
loss
disappointment
doubt
and eventually, judgment
The difference is never whether storms come. The difference is what your life is built on.
Lives built on Christ may tremble. They may bend. They may groan under the weight of suffering.
But they do not collapse.
Why?
Because obedience to Jesus anchors a life to something unmovable. Not self. Not success. Not religion. But Christ Himself.
5. The Only Rock to Build On
(Matthew 7:28–29)
Matthew ends the Sermon on the Mount with a simple but profound observation:
The crowds were astonished.
They were stunned—not just by what Jesus said, but by how He said it.
Jesus taught with authority.
He did not quote other rabbis to support His claims. He did not appeal to tradition to bolster His message. He did not borrow credibility from anyone else.
He spoke as the final authority.
His words did not need footnotes. They did not need endorsements.
What He said was enough.
Because He is enough.
The Sermon on the Mount ends with a choice, not applause. A decision, not admiration.
Jesus does not ask His listeners to be impressed. He asks them to obey.
Because the only safe foundation— the only rock that never shifts— is the life that is built on His words.
Conclusion to Study Fifteen: Two Ways (Matthew 7:13–29)
Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount the same way He lived His ministry—with a decision placed squarely before us.
There are two gates. Two roads. Two kinds of trees. Two foundations.
And there are no loopholes.
Jesus makes it unmistakably clear that hearing Him is not enough. Admiring Him is not enough. Calling Him “Lord” is not enough. Even impressive religious activity is not enough.
What matters is whether we know Him and whether we build our lives on His words.
The narrow way is costly, but it leads to life. The broad way is comfortable, but it leads to destruction. Storms will come to every life, but only one foundation stands.
Jesus is not cruel in saying these things—He is kind. He is not trying to scare people away; He is calling them home. Better to be shaken now than to collapse later.
The question Jesus leaves us with is not complicated, but it is searching:
Are you hearing His words and doing them? Is your life built on the Rock—or on sand?
Because in the end, only what is built on Christ will remain.
A Sweeping Final Conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5–7)**
The Sermon on the Mount is not a list of suggestions. It is not an idealistic vision meant to inspire but never be lived. And it is not a ladder we climb to earn God’s favor.
It is a revelation of life in the kingdom of God.
From the very beginning, Jesus has shown us what flourishing looks like under His reign:
humility instead of pride
mercy instead of vengeance
purity instead of hypocrisy
trust instead of worry
obedience instead of empty religion
Again and again, Jesus has pressed past outward behavior and gone straight to the heart. Not just what we do—but why we do it. Not just what we say—but who we trust.
The righteousness Jesus demands is deeper than the scribes and Pharisees because it is not self-made. It is the fruit of a transformed heart.
And now, at the end of the sermon, Jesus asks us to decide.
Not whether we like His teaching. Not whether we agree with parts of it. But whether we will submit to Him.
The crowds were astonished—but astonishment is not obedience. Amazement does not build a foundation. Only hearing Jesus and doing what He says leads to life.
The Sermon on the Mount leaves us with one unavoidable truth:
Jesus does not merely explain the way to life—He is the way.
To follow Him is narrow. It is demanding. It requires surrender.
But it is also the only path that leads to joy, stability, forgiveness, and eternal life.
So the final question of the Sermon on the Mount is the same question Jesus still asks today:
What will you do with His words?
Because the storms are coming. The foundation will be tested. And only a life built on Christ will stand.
And that, Jesus says, is the life you were meant to live.

Sermon: The Great Commission

Sermon Date: 04/12/2026
Bible Verses:
Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–16
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
These verses record some of the final words of Jesus before His ascension.
Whenever someone gives their last instructions, we listen carefully.
A general giving orders before battle.A father giving wisdom before leaving home.A leader preparing followers for the future.
Jesus gathers His disciples on a mountain in Galilee, and He gives them their mission.
Not just their mission.
The mission of the Church.
These verses are not simply a suggestion.
They are the marching orders of every believer.
This is what the Church exists to do.
This is what our lives as Christians are meant to be about.
We call it The Great Commission.
The Authority of Christ
Matthew 28:18 says:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Before Jesus gives a command, He reminds them who He is.
He is not simply a teacher.
He is not merely a prophet.
He is the risen King.
The resurrection has proven His authority over:
SinDeathHellAnd the entire universe.
Jesus says all authority has been given to Him.
Not some authority.
Not partial authority.
All authority.
This means when Jesus commands something, it carries the authority of the King of heaven.
The Great Commission is not based on the Church’s authority.
It is based on Christ’s authority.
We go into the world not representing ourselves.
We go representing the King.
The Mission of the Church
Matthew 28:19 says:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
The command is simple but profound.
Make disciples.
The goal is not just to create church attenders.
Not just to gain converts.
Not just to fill buildings.
The mission is to make disciples.
A disciple is someone who:
Follows JesusLearns from JesusLives like Jesus
And notice something important.
Jesus says “Go.”
The Church is not meant to sit still.
The gospel moves outward.
The early Church understood this.
From Jerusalem the gospel spread to Judea.
From Judea to Samaria.
From Samaria to the ends of the earth.
And today the mission continues.
The gospel is for all nations.
Every tribe.
Every language.
Every people group.
God’s heart has always been global.
The Church is called to take the message of Jesus everywhere.
The Message of the Gospel
Mark 16:15 records Jesus saying:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
What is the message we proclaim?
The gospel.
The word “gospel” means good news.
The good news is this:
Humanity is lost in sin.
But God sent His Son to rescue us.
Jesus lived a sinless life.
He died on the cross for our sins.
He rose from the grave.
And anyone who believes in Him can be saved.
Mark 16:16 says:
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”
Salvation is offered to anyone who believes.
The gospel is not good advice.
It is good news.
Advice tells you what to do.
News tells you what has already been done.
The cross paid the price.
The resurrection secured the victory.
And now the message must be shared.
The Promise of Christ’s Presence
Jesus ends the Great Commission with an incredible promise.
Matthew 28:20 says:
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The mission Jesus gives is enormous.
Take the gospel to the entire world.
Make disciples everywhere.
But we do not do it alone.
Jesus promises His presence.
Wherever the gospel is preached…
Christ is there.
Wherever disciples are made…
Christ is there.
Wherever believers step out in obedience…
Christ is there.
His presence empowers the mission.
His Spirit strengthens His people.
And His power sustains the Church.
The Great Commission is possible because Jesus is with us.
Application
The Great Commission raises an important question for every believer.
What role am I playing in this mission?
Some people go across the world.
Some support missionaries.
Some share the gospel with neighbors and coworkers.
Some disciple new believers.
But every Christian is called to participate.
The mission of the Church is not just the responsibility of pastors or missionaries.
It belongs to all followers of Christ.
Jesus did not say:
“Go if you feel like it.”
He said:
“Go.”
Conclusion
The Great Commission reminds us why the Church exists.
We are here to proclaim the gospel.
To make disciples.
To bring the message of Jesus to the world.
And we go with confidence because our King has all authority.
We go with courage because Christ is with us.
The mission is clear.
The command has been given.
The gospel must go to the ends of the earth.
And the Church must rise to fulfill The Great Commission.

The Weekly Show - Episode 92: Study Fourteen: Two Ways (Part 1)

Join Tim and John as they study how to enter to a relationship with God, and the fruit we produce.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning and https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/halloween-time
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction:
As Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to a close, His tone shifts. The teaching becomes more urgent. The images become sharper. The warnings become clearer.
Jesus is no longer explaining what kingdom righteousness looks like— He is pressing His listeners to choose.
In this final section, Jesus gives three warnings that function like flashing caution signs at the end of the sermon:
There is a narrow gate and a broad road.
There are true teachers and false prophets.
There are two outcomes, not many.
Neutrality is not an option. Listening without responding is not enough.
Three Warnings from Jesus
Jesus closes His sermon by warning us that:
It is the narrow gate, not the broad road, that leads to life.
False prophets are real—and they are recognized by their fruit.
Only those who listen to and obey Jesus are building on a firm foundation.
He also shows us the serious consequences of ignoring Him:
Those who take the broad road end in destruction.
Trees that bear bad fruit are cut down and burned.
Houses built on sand collapse with a great crash.
Jesus is loving—but He is also honest. He refuses to soften the truth.
1. Restricted Access to Salvation?
(The Narrow Gate and the Broad Road) Matthew 7:13–14
Jesus begins this final section of His sermon with a command, not a suggestion:
“Enter through the narrow gate.”
That word enter matters. It means a decision is required. No one drifts accidentally into the kingdom of God.
Jesus makes it unmistakably clear that there are only two paths:
One leads to life
The other leads to death
There is no third option. No middle road. No neutral lane.
The Narrow Gate
The gate that leads to life is narrow.
That doesn’t mean it is hidden or secret, but it does mean it is specific.
It is narrow because:
it requires repentance — turning away from sin
it requires humility — admitting you need grace
it requires obedience — submitting to Jesus as Lord
it requires intentionality — choosing Christ over self
The narrow gate does not allow us to bring our pride, our self-rule, or our excuses with us. It strips us down and calls us to trust Christ alone.
Jesus never says the narrow way is easy. In fact, He says it is difficult.
But difficult does not mean bad. Difficult often means true.
The Broad Road
In contrast, the road that leads to destruction is broad.
It is wide enough for everyone’s opinions. Wide enough for self-made religion. Wide enough for comfort without commitment. Wide enough for belief without obedience.
And because it is easy, it is popular. Because it is popular, it is crowded. And because it is crowded, it feels safe.
But Jesus says it is not.
The broad road asks very little:
no repentance
no submission
no self-denial
no obedience
You can stay in control. You can keep your sin. You can define truth for yourself.
But easy does not mean safe.
Jesus is blunt:
The easy way does not lead to life. It leads to destruction.
What This Does Not Mean
This does not mean God wants to keep people out. God’s invitation is wide, sincere, and real.
But there is only one way in— and that way is Jesus Himself.
Salvation is free, but it is not casual.
Grace costs us nothing, but it costs us everything— because it requires surrender.
2. Better to Not Be Bitter
(An Unpleasant Surprise) Matthew 7:15–17
After warning about the path we choose, Jesus warns about the voices we follow.
“Beware of false prophets.”
This warning matters because false teachers don’t usually announce themselves. They don’t show up wearing labels that say “Danger”.
Instead, Jesus says they come disguised as sheep.
They look safe. They sound spiritual. They seem kind. They may even quote Scripture.
That’s what makes them dangerous.
The Simple Test: Fruit
Jesus does not tell His followers to become suspicious of everyone. He gives a clear and simple test:
Look at the fruit.
If you don’t want an unpleasant surprise at harvest time, you need to pay attention while things are still growing.
Good trees produce good fruit. Bad trees produce bad fruit.
This is not complicated—but it does require patience.
What Fruit Looks Like
Fruit does not appear overnight. It shows up over time.
Jesus says we should watch for things like:
character — humility, integrity, repentance
teaching — faithfulness to God’s Word
conduct — how a person actually lives
attitude — pride or servanthood
faithfulness — consistency over time
obedience — submission to Christ
Charisma can fake spirituality for a while. Popularity can mask error. Good presentation can hide a rotten core.
But fruit never lies forever.
Root Problems Always Show Up
Jesus’ point is sharp:
If the fruit is rotten, the root is wrong.
Bad trees don’t need better marketing. They need to be replaced.
False teachers are not harmless. They lead people off the narrow path and toward destruction— sometimes slowly, sometimes subtly, but always surely.
That’s why Jesus doesn’t say, “Be nice.” He says, “Beware.”
3. From Root to Fruit
(Beware of Wolves) Matthew 7:15–20
Jesus doesn’t just warn us that false prophets exist—He tells us they can be hard to spot.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
That image is chilling on purpose.
A wolf doesn’t announce itself. It hides. It blends in. It uses the appearance of harmlessness to get close enough to do damage.
False prophets are like that.
They may look harmless. They may sound spiritual. They may quote Scripture. They may attract followers. They may even talk about Jesus.
But none of that proves they are true.
So How Do You Know Who to Trust?
Jesus gives His followers two tests—not one:
Watch their fruit
Watch their teaching
1) Watch Their Fruit
Fruit is what comes out of a person’s life and ministry over time.
Not just their stage presence. Not just their charm. Not just their gifts.
Over time, you begin to see what they consistently produce:
humility or arrogance
peace or division
repentance or excuses
holiness or hidden corruption
love for people or using people
faithfulness or manipulation
truthfulness or twisting words
You don’t judge based on one moment. You watch patterns.
A good tree doesn’t produce rotten fruit forever. And a rotten tree doesn’t produce good fruit consistently.
2) Watch Their Teaching
Fruit also includes what their message does to people.
Ask:
Does this teaching point people to obedience to Jesus—or away from it?
Does it exalt Christ—or exalt the teacher?
Does it produce humility—or pride?
Does it lead to repentance—or justification of sin?
Does it honor Scripture—or use Scripture like decoration?
False prophets often mix truth with error. That’s what makes them effective.
A little poison in a cup of water still poisons the whole cup.
Jesus Doesn’t Say “Be Paranoid”
He doesn’t want His disciples living suspicious of everyone.
But He also doesn’t want them naïve.
So He says one word:
“Beware.”
That means:
pay attention
think critically
don’t be easily impressed
measure everything by truth
don’t follow a voice just because it sounds “Christian”
Why This Warning Matters
Because the stakes are high.
Jesus says bad trees don’t become good trees by pretending. A costume doesn’t change a nature. And rotten fruit doesn’t lead anywhere good.
In fact, Jesus says bad trees are ultimately cut down and thrown into the fire—a sober reminder that false teaching and false living are not “small issues.”
They lead people away from life.
(Part 1)
Jesus closes this section of the Sermon on the Mount by making one thing unmistakably clear:
Your choices matter.
The path you choose matters.
The voices you listen to matter.
The fruit your life produces matters.
The narrow way is not popular—but it leads to life. The broad way is crowded—but it ends in destruction.
Jesus does not soften this message because eternity is at stake.
And in the next section, Jesus makes the warning even more personal: it is not enough to call Him “Lord.”
What matters is whether we actually listen to Him— and build our lives on His words.

Sermon: The Stone Was Rolled Away

Sermon Date: 04/05/2026
Bible Verses:
Luke 24
Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new
Introduction
Everything in the Christian faith rises or falls on one event.
Not the teachings of Jesus.
Not the miracles of Jesus.
Not even the cross itself.
It is the resurrection.
If Jesus stayed in the grave, Christianity collapses.
Paul said it plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.”
But on that first Easter morning, something happened that changed history forever.
Luke 24 begins with these words:
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.”
They expected to find a body.
Instead, they found an empty grave.
Because the stone had been rolled away.
And that moment changed everything.
The Impossible Problem
When Jesus was crucified, it looked like the story was over.
The disciples were devastated.
Their teacher was dead.
Their hope was gone.
Their dreams had collapsed.
To make matters worse, Jesus’ body had been placed in a tomb and sealed with a massive stone.
That stone represented finality.
Death.
Defeat.
No one expected resurrection.
The women who came to the tomb were bringing spices to prepare a body.
They were not expecting a miracle.
They were expecting a funeral.
And the stone made the situation feel impossible.
In the ancient world, tombs were sealed with enormous stones that could weigh several thousand pounds.
Once it was rolled into place, it meant one thing:
The story was finished.
The enemy had won.
But God specializes in situations that look impossible.
Because the stone that sealed the tomb…
could not stop the power of God.
The Power of God
Luke 24:2 says something incredible:
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.”
The stone was gone.
The grave was open.
And the body of Jesus was not there.
Angels appear and ask a powerful question:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!”
The stone was rolled away.
But here is something important to understand.
The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out.
Jesus did not need help leaving the tomb.
The same power that created the universe was not trapped behind a rock.
The stone was rolled away so that people could see inside.
So the women could see the empty tomb.
So the disciples could see the grave clothes.
So the world could see that death had been defeated.
God was making a declaration.
The grave is empty.
Jesus is alive.
And death no longer has the final word.
Fear Turned to Joy
When the women first saw the empty tomb, they were terrified.
Luke 24:5 says:
“They were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground.”
At first, resurrection did not feel like good news.
It felt overwhelming.
Confusing.
Impossible to process.
But soon fear turned into joy.
The women ran back to tell the disciples.
Later in Luke 24, Jesus appears to His followers.
He speaks to them.
He eats with them.
He shows them His wounds.
The despair of Friday was replaced by the hope of Sunday.
Everything changed.
The cross had looked like defeat.
But the resurrection revealed it was actually victory.
The disciples who had been hiding in fear would soon become bold witnesses.
The movement that looked finished would soon spread across the world.
Why?
Because Jesus was alive.
And when resurrection power enters the story…
despair gives way to hope.
The Mission Begins
The resurrection was not just good news to celebrate.
It was good news to share.
The angels tell the women:
“Remember how he told you…”
Later, Jesus sends His followers out with a mission.
Go and tell.
The resurrection is not meant to stay inside a church building.
It is meant to change the world.
The disciples went from frightened followers to fearless witnesses.
Peter, who once denied Jesus, would stand up and preach to thousands.
The gospel would spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
All because of one truth.
The tomb is empty.
Jesus is alive.
And the mission continues today.
Every believer is part of that mission.
We are called to go and tell the world what happened that morning.
Application
The resurrection is not just history.
It is hope.
Because Jesus lives, everything changes.
Because Jesus lives:
Sin can be forgiven.The cross paid the price for our sins.
Death is defeated.The grave no longer has the final word.
Hope is eternal.Our future is secure in Christ.
The resurrection means our story does not end in the grave.
It ends in victory.
Conclusion
That morning, the women came expecting death.
But they discovered life.
They came expecting defeat.
But they found victory.
They came expecting a sealed tomb.
But they found an empty grave.
And the stone rolled away still speaks today.
It declares that Jesus is alive.
It declares that sin has been defeated.
It declares that death has been conquered.
Because Easter proves something glorious.
The cross paid the debt.
The resurrection proves it.