Series: Thy Kingdom Come
Sermon Title: Trusting God When the World Falls Apart
Passage: Luke 21:5-24 (NIV)
Reno Campus
Pastor Dave Pretlove
Carson Campus
Pastor Dusty Braun
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Carson Campus
Rooted Night of Worship – March 30
Great Egg Race Volunteer
Carson Worship & Prayer Night
Series: Thy Kingdom Come
Sermon Title: Trusting God When the World Falls Apart
Passage: Luke 21:5-24 (NIV)
SERMON POINTS:
Why is Jesus Predicting Destruction of the Temple?
Because He Made it Unnecessary.
Luke 21:5-6,
Hebrews 10:10-14,
Matthew 27:51,
Hebrews 9:11-12,
John 2:19,
John 4:21-24
To Prepare His Followers.
Luke 21:7-20
- To Not Fall for deception.
Luke 21:8-9 - To Suffer Well.
Luke 21:10-20
Acts 5:40-42
2 Corinthians 11:24-27
As An Act of Judgment.
Luke 21:20-24
As An Act of Prophetic Foreshadowing
Matthew 24:1-3
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Because He Made It Unnecessary – Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the purpose of the temple, making the physical structure obsolete.
- How does Jesus’ sacrifice change the way we think about worship today?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 21:5-6
Supportive Scripture: Hebrews 10:10-14
- What does it mean for us personally that the temple is no longer necessary?
Supportive Scripture: Matthew 27:51
Supportive Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-12
- How do we sometimes still cling to “temples” in our lives instead of fully embracing Jesus?
Supportive Scripture: John 2:19
Supportive Scripture: John 4:21-24
2. To Prepare His Followers – Jesus wasn’t just predicting destruction; He was preparing His disciples for how to live in a world that was about to get chaotic.
a. To Not Fall for Deception
- What are some modern-day deceptions that pull people away from Christ?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 21:7-9 - How do we remain discerning in a culture of misinformation?
Supportive Scriture: Luke 21:10-11
b. To Suffer Well
- How does suffering refine our faith?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 21:12-19
- What does it look like to suffer in a way that points others to Jesus?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 21:13
3. As An Act of Judgment – The destruction of the temple was not only about change but also about judgment.
- How does God’s judgment reveal His justice and mercy at the same time?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 21:20-24
- How can we respond to Jesus’ sorrow over those who reject Him?
Supportive Scripture: Luke 19:41-46
4. As An Act of Prophetic Foreshadowing – The fall of Jerusalem points ahead to an even greater fulfillment of prophecy.
- How does this event foreshadow Christ’s return?
- In what ways are we called to live in light of these prophecies today?
PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
1. Recognizing the Shift from Self-Management to Spirit-Led Life
- When I think about my faith, do I view it more as something to manage (rules, discipline, appearances) or as a living relationship with God?
- How do I try to “keep up” my spiritual life through my own effort rather than resting in Christ’s finished work? (Hebrews 10:10-14)
- Where do I feel pressure to perform spiritually, and how might God be inviting me to surrender instead?
2. Understanding Jesus as the True Temple
- If Jesus replaced the temple, what does that mean for how I approach God today? (John 2:19, John 4:21-24)
- Do I still see certain places, habits, or actions as “holier” than others? How does Jesus challenge that mindset?
- How would my faith look different if I truly believed that I have full access to God at all times? (Matthew 27:51)
3. Moving from Transactional Faith to Transformational Presence
- When I pray, do I see it as a transaction (asking for things, proving my devotion) or as an invitation to be with God?
- In what areas of my life do I invite the Holy Spirit’s presence, and where do I resist Him?
- If my faith has been about behavior management, what might it look like to trust the Spirit for true transformation instead? (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
4. Living as a Dwelling Place for God’s Presence
- If my life is a temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), what does that actually mean in my daily routines and decisions?
- Where do I compartmentalize my life—seeing some areas as “sacred” and others as “secular”? How would my life change if I embraced God’s presence in every moment?
- How does embracing Jesus as my ongoing temple change the way I interact with others?
5. Embracing the Practice of God’s Presence
- What distractions keep me from being aware of God’s presence throughout the day?
- What simple ways can I begin practicing His presence—moment by moment, in ordinary tasks, in conversations, in challenges?
- How can I shift my mindset from “doing things for God” to “doing things with God”?
6. Releasing Control and Trusting God’s Presence
- In what ways do I try to control my spiritual growth instead of trusting God’s work in me? (Philippians 1:6)
- What would it look like for me to stop striving and start abiding in Jesus, allowing Him to shape me instead of trying to shape myself? (John 15:4-5)
7. Becoming a Living Expression of God’s Presence
- If I truly believed that I am a carrier of God’s presence, how would it change the way I love, serve, and interact with the people around me? (2 Corinthians 6:16)
- Where is God inviting me to stop just maintaining my own spiritual “temple” and start becoming a place where others encounter His presence?
SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:
Hebrews 10:10-14
John 15:4-5
John 4:23-24
2 Corinthians 6:16
Colossians 3:3-4
RESOURCES:
MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE:
The Prayer of Examen: A Practice in Self-Awareness
As we have journeyed through the discipline of Examen over the last few weeks, my prayer for you is that you have realized the ongoing need for self-awareness in your walk with Christ. The practice of Examen is designed to cultivate a conscious awareness of the Holy Spirit’s activity moment by moment in our lives. Aligning our self-awareness with our awareness of God’s presence is a simple yet profound way to understand this discipline.
Richard Foster describes Examen as taking intentional time to recognize our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and inviting God to shine a light on the areas that need healing and transformation. (Adapted from Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, p. 114). It is a practice of presence—recognizing that the Spirit is already at work, inviting us to deeper reflection and surrender.
This is not an exercise in guilt, but in grace. Our desire is to create space for God to reveal to us the moments when our lives became barriers instead of bridges to Jesus. We acknowledge the times when we reflected our own sinful nature instead of God’s renewed and forgiving nature. The good news is this: God loves us, fully aware of our shortcomings. And in His mercy, He does not turn away—He leans in, drawing us closer, desiring to restore and shape us for His purposes.
The Prayer of Examen is not about perfection—it is about presence. It is a rhythm of recognizing, repenting, and realigning. As we continue this journey, my prayer is that we will become a people who, through self-awareness and Spirit-awareness, reflect the heart of Christ in all we do.
Let’s walk in His grace together.
An Exercise in Self-Awareness: A Guided Examen
Set aside 10–15 minutes in a quiet space. Take a few deep breaths, centering yourself in God’s presence. As you enter into this time of reflection, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Step 1: Become Aware of God’s Presence
Begin by acknowledging that God is near. Whisper a simple prayer:
“Father, you are with me. Help me see my life through your eyes.”
Sit in stillness for a moment. Let your mind slow down, recognizing that you are fully seen and loved by God.
Step 2: Review Your Day with Gratitude
Think back on your day. Where did you experience God’s goodness? What moments brought joy or peace? Give thanks for them.
Ask yourself:
- How did I see God’s hand at work today?
- Who or what brought me a sense of His presence?
Step 3: Notice Where You Fell Short
With a heart of honesty (not condemnation), reflect on the moments when your attitudes, words, or actions did not reflect Christ.
Ask yourself:
- Where did I respond in frustration instead of love?
- Was there a moment I ignored the Spirit’s prompting?
- Did I misrepresent the grace of Jesus today?
Confess these moments to God, knowing that His love is not withheld from you.
Step 4: Invite God’s Healing and Strength
Ask God to meet you in your weaknesses and form you into His likeness.
Pray:
“Father, transform my heart. Fill the places of my failure with your grace. Strengthen me to walk in step with your Spirit tomorrow.”
Step 5: Look Forward in Hope
Consider tomorrow. What would it look like to be more aware of God’s presence? What is one way you can be more intentional in reflecting Jesus to those nearby?
End with this prayer:
“Jesus, lead me. Let your love shape my heart, my words, and my actions. Help me to walk in the awareness of your presence.”
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Trading the Artificial for the Eternal
Scripture: Luke 21:5-24, Hebrews 10:10-14, John 4:21-24
Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through your phone, searching for that next thing to lift your mood—a new gadget, a vacation, a life upgrade? It’s subtle, but if we’re honest, we often look to things that fade to give us what only the Kingdom of God can provide.
Jesus’ words in Luke 21 shake us awake from this artificial comfort. He speaks of the temple’s destruction, not just as a historical event but as a spiritual reality—reminding us that what we build for ourselves here, no matter how grand, will not last. The temple was once the center of worship, yet Jesus made it unnecessary. Why? Because He replaced the temporary with the eternal. He made way for direct access to the Father, for true worship that isn’t tied to a building, a ritual, or a fading reality (Hebrews 9:11-12, Matthew 27:51).
And yet, how often do we still try to build our own temples? Maybe not with bricks and mortar, but with distractions—possessions, achievements, the approval of others. We substitute the reality of the Kingdom with the artificial comforts of this world. But the problem with the artificial is that it doesn’t last. That new car? It eventually needs maintenance. The perfect vacation? It ends, and we return to reality. The approval we chase? It shifts with the wind.
Jesus didn’t just warn about the destruction of the temple; He prepared His followers for what was coming (Luke 21:7-20). He told them to guard against deception and to suffer well. That message isn’t just for them—it’s for us. Our world is filled with distractions that promise peace but deliver anxiety. Our culture tells us to chase fulfillment in what fades instead of anchoring ourselves in what remains.
The question is—will we build our hope on the artificial, or will we root ourselves in the eternal? The Kingdom of God isn’t something we have to wait for; it’s here. Now. In the middle of the stress, in the midst of the noise, in the ordinary moments of today. The peace of the Kingdom is not an escape; it’s a reality that transforms how we live every day.