Some of us are easily impressed by the massiveness of architectural structures by mankind. Some of us are impressed with the great natural wonders of the world and try to imagine and explain how they formed. Some of us are impressed with incredible medical advances that now save lives not possible a few decades ago for our parents and grandparents. 

We are impressed with new inventions of technology that make our lives easier in the kitchen, in our workplaces and even in our vehicles.  (However, this new tech needs a pro tech to repair it!) We are impressed with all the knowledge now poured into our children and grandchildren in the same amount of time that we had in school.  Mm, how does that work? Yes, we humans are easily impressed with what we have not seen before but see and experience right now.  We seem to be impressed only by what we see.

The real question of importance, the difference between life or death, is this: 

Are we merely impressed with Jesus as a great prophet and teacher or is He truly our Savior and Lord of all we think, say, or do?  It depends on what we believe.  What we believe in our hearts is acted upon in our daily lives, without thinking about it, when pushed into a corner of the challenging complications of life. 

So, do we really believe what God says to be really real?

Read how Jesus will draw his disciples closer still to explain the difference between merely being impressed with what they can see, to being sure of what is to come with only the eyes of faith, trust, and hope in Him.  We will take this in two parts.  This is part one.  Truth speaks.

Matthew 24, The Message

Routine History

^1-2 Jesus then left the Temple. As he walked away, his disciples pointed out how very impressive the Temple architecture was. Jesus said, “You’re not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there’s not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble.”

³ Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, “Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time’s up?”

^4-8 Jesus said, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.

^9-10 “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other.

^11-12 “In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.

^13-14 “Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.

The Monster of Desecration

^15-20 “But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up in the Temple sanctuary. The prophet Daniel described this. If you’ve read Daniel, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you’re living in Judea at the time, run for the hills; if you’re working in the yard, don’t return to the house to get anything; if you’re out in the field, don’t go back and get your coat. Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard. Hope and pray this won’t happen during the winter or on a Sabbath.

^21-22 “This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God’s chosen people, the trouble will be cut short.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus teaches us:

• There will be no sign of His coming with the end of all we know now.
• Be watching. Be alert. Be ready.  Expect trouble.
• Avoid lying preachers who tell you only what you want to hear.
• Avoid doomsday predicters—no one knows, not even Jesus!  Only God knows.
• Expect people to hate Jesus-in-you because they do not know Jesus themselves.  Love them anyway.  Pray for them to be saved.

Jesus tells us how to respond:

• Run from evil.  Seek the Light of God’s Presence.
• Stick with Jesus as Savior and Lord. “Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.”
• God is merciful to His people who are not merely impressed with Jesus and what He can do, but truly believe in Jesus, as Savior AND Lord in every aspect of their lives. 

Lord,

I love you Lord with all that is in me.  I worship you alone for you have shown me who is real and what is real.  I have lived long enough to know you are with us always.  You are Savior and Lord who guides us to what is right and always good. 

Your Holy Spirit who lives in us comforts, warns, guides, encourages, teaches as we seek you with humbled believing hearts.  Thank you for leaving an impression on me that grew in to a devoted awe of you.  All I am and hope to be I give to you.

Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work in me.  I’m yours.  Keep me alert, ready to do your will.   

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

For real…Sing with me—”The Goodness of God”

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God (yeah)

‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me (oh-oh)

‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
(I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing)

‘Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

(Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Brian Johnson / Ed Cash / Ben Fielding / Jenn Johnson)