Main Text: Matthew 24:45–51 (ESV) 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Preaching Point: Knowing our Master will return should motivate us to faithfully steward what he has entrusted to us while he is away.

Teaching Points:

1. Know God Requires Your Faithful Stewardship (v. 45)
2. Expect God to Reward Faithful Stewards (vv. 46-47)
3. Expect God to Judge Bad Stewards (vv. 48-51)

Title: The End Times According to Jesus: Who Knows? Be Ready! Part One

Main Text: Matthew 24:36–44 (ESV) 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Preaching Point: Since we don’t know the day or hour of the end, we must remain vigilant and ready at all times for Christ's return.

Teaching Points:

1. Don’t Try to Guess the Date (v. 36)
2. Stay Vigilant (vv. 37–42)
3. Stay Ready (vv. 43–44)

Main Text: Matthew 24:32–35 (ESV) 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Preaching Point: Knowing Christ’s words will outlast the world should cause you to trust his promises and live for what will last.

Teaching Points:

1. Trust the Certainty of Christ’s Words (vv. 32–34)
2. Invest in What Lasts (v. 35)