THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS
MATTHEW 24:1-14
Key verse: v. 8, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Introduction:
The Lord is describing the “last days” to His disciples. He describes a time of great sorrow, not just for the world, but for the Lord’s people also.
It is a time of unbelief and of deception. Satan has attacked using every tool at his disposal. The Word of God is denied and many refuse to believe it. Ministers who appear to be God’s men, but in reality many are Satan’s men sowing discord and unbelief among professed Christians. Their words are smooth and persuasive bringing in “damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.”
I. TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU
A. Many shall come in my name, Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
1. False Christs, Acts 5:36-37, “For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.”
2. False prophets, 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
a) Many followed their ways, 2 Peter 2:2, “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
b) Ministerial charlatans full of sins, 2 Peter 2:14,“Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”
B. Many shall be deceived, Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”
1. People LISTEN to them and FOLLOW them and their shameful ways of…
a) Debauchery, 1 Peter 4:3, “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”
b) Filthiness, 2 Peter 2:7, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:”
c) Lust, 2 Peter 2:18, “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”
2. These have come in our mist PRETENDING to be men of truth, Jude 4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
a) Two characteristics identify these godless men:
1) Perverting God’s grace by claiming liberty in Christ, they interpreted His grace as license to do what their flesh desired with no inhibitions, Jude 4c, “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,”
2) Rejecting God’s Son by denying the person and authority of Jesus Christ, Jude 4d, “and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
b) God has condemned these men, Jude 4b, “who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men,”
II. THE END IS NOT YET
A. War and rumors of wars:
1. A time to be patient, Luke 21:19, “In your patience possess ye your souls.”
2. A time to wait on the Lord, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
B. Many signs shall be seen:
1. Famines:
a) A famine of bread, Psalm 105:16, “Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.”
b) A famine of the Word of God, Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:”
2. Pestilence, Amos 4:10, “I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”
3. Earthquakes, Luke 21:11, “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”
4. Signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, Luke 21:25, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;”
C. The Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the world, Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
CONCLUSION
The end is not yet. The gospel is still being preached in many parts of the world and souls are being saved yet. When the Lord is finished then He will send His Son back. I don’t believe that day is far away.