R1672 Seeking Clarity

God has an encouraging word for you and me today. The Bible-based Dr. Don Wilton message goal seeking were headed about chapter 24 just a minute as Dr. Wilton takes us into this concept of gaining fresh clarity on God's word and how it applies to us in our day-to-day life. While we study the word know that were available for you. Would love to pray with you anytime at 866898668999673 or be happy to connect with you on our website as well a TW online.org that's tewonline.org G. And yes, the book Dr. Don Wilton about his time many many years.

20+ years of being the pastor Dr. Billy Graham is available still online tewonline.org.

Now today's message with Dr. Don get a copy of God's word and I have a hard copy in my hand as I always do and that you might want to go to your computer or your tablet or your iPhone and you might have the Bible app, but I want you to see this for yourself. I'm going to speak to you today on a's most important critical subject seeking clarity so I'm going to take us into a passage of Scripture that's really marvelous we going to be in Matthew chapter 24 and I'm going to read to you actually just the first full verses that I'm in a talk about a lot of other things to get ready.

Matthew chapter 24 is what the Bible saves Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple, but he also them and he said you see all these things do you not truly I say to you, they will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down as Jesus sat on the Mount of olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, tell us Jesus, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and when will be the end of the age. And Jesus also them any sense see to it that nobody deceives you and lead you astray. So Jesus is right here at a pinpoint he's got his disciples and the disciples would been following him around and they notice the crumbling of the buildings and deterioration and by all asking questions about this because Jesus spoke so much about the temple worship in the temple.

The house of God, the place where God is. This presence of God and Jesus was already teaching them about the coming of the Holy Spirit that would come into their hearts and lives by which they themselves would be the temple of the living God. So you can imagine the clarity they needed and so they leave the temple mount and I cross the Kidron Valley to the beautiful Mount of olives, the Mount of olives is much higher than the temple mount fact the point of the Mount of olives is the very point of the ascension of Jesus. That's me, Jesus took back to heaven, he went up from the Mount of Ascension, which is the highest point of the Mount of olives and it was there that these disciples Austin a very important set of questions.

In fact, what was one question about the temple now had morphed into three questions that had to do with the temple and I broke it down you and I've just read about it. He beat the Bible says in verse three. Tell us when these things will be these things what you mean Jesus, that the temple is not going to be one stone left on another second question by Austin in verse three is what will be the sign of your coming they got it. I would just like you just like me.

Jesus, when you coming.

I mean if if the temple is going to be demolished. It was going to fall apart is that connected you say that the temple is going to be totally destroyed not one stone left upon another. What will be what Jesus clarify for us.

When you coming back and then they they just put this in the because they understood it what what will be the sirens. Could you just elaborate on the streets is one of the signs of your coming, so what was the statement that Jesus made the statement that Jesus made. First of all, was pertinent to those people remember now we talking about trying to seek clarity here.

You're asking questions on when when Jesus speaks to us what he sees to us is relevant to us what Jesus response was was pertinent to those people those disciples invade Iron Age he was speaking to them in there now. God speaks to you and your now he's speaking to you now the second very important point about his statement was that this statement was referring to the future. He was speaking pertinently, relevantly, to those people in their time but get this, this statement Jesus made was referring to the future look back there. It at that verse three again when will these things be. None of us has a clue really about tomorrow. He holds tomorrow and what we gotta find out here and I just want to put the sin I know that you got a lot of things going on in your life right now you're facing an uncertain future, but he holds your future.

He was talking about the future because he owns the future and you're about to embark on something, and God knows your standing on your temple mount you, you recognize that something is going on but he was referring to the future so this statement Jesus made was pertinent to those people if it was referring to the future but get this one.

It was guaranteed by his word now. Love that friends. I love that it look at look at verse one day Jesus is. He sees this to them. He says I want you to know the truth. I truly tell you I want you to know that I am telling you that I am Jesus and I'm going to on.

See you truthfully because I am God. You and I have gone to take a hold of the absoluteness of who Jesus is. When Jesus speaks, that's it people of Satan for generations. If God says it, that settles it was it was guaranteed by him. This has the stamp of the temple. Jesus is the temple, he is our high priest.

He's the son of the living God. So here Jesus responding to this group of people who obviously had tremendous questions about their day and age.

He makes this statement to them pertinent to their time referring to the future but guaranteed by his word. So what was the clarity that they look for what what were these disciples seeking often the clarity that they looked for dippers number one took a little time to digest very important point the disciples with Jesus were on the mound on the amount they were on the, the place where the temple was now you and I today probably would not imagine that it's too far to go from the temple mount. We go down some steps and walkways. Then we turned right close to where the Eastgate is that will only be open by Jesus when he comes back again and then down through the Kidron Valley and up into what is called the garden of Gethsemane and the church of all nations in the church of the teardrop we were not quite sure exactly where they were on the Mount of olives, but you can guarantee this it it took them sometime they had time to digest this just want to say this. Sometimes you and I have a shotgun approach. That's the value Bible study. That's why invite you to be in church right now God is teaching you visibly. That's why love our Sunday school teachers and discipleship leaders. Indeed, groups of these godly people, men and women, young people that that spends so much time studying and preparing very important to get into those groups be part of that.

If it took time to digest. The second thing I want to tell you about the clarity they look for listening to formulate.

I can just imagine with these disciples. The chapter among themselves and they listen to one another, perhaps anonymous, I wouldn't have any dog out of the 12 of them.

I guarantee you every one of them had a slightly different opinion that sound like us. They will have an opinion they will love the Lord, but they had an opinion and then they can good this so you had oldies multiplicity opinions and then they converge. They listen to one another and then they listen to Jesus you know that's one of the hardest disciplines of life. Please forgive the interruption will be back with the rest of today's message on seeking clarity with Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment Dr. Don Wilton remind you we are here for you.just now during the broadcast for 24 hours a day connecting both on our website TE W online.org and our phone number is 866899 word that's 866-899-9673. Pray with you and for you. We believe that God is anxious to give us clarity or life sometimes the enemy is throwing things in our way. Noise actually that we can gain clarity and as we prayed together. There is power nine hearts and prayers. Again, were available at 866-899-9673 or email us at online@tewonline.org G. Remember, that's tewonline.org G find wonderful resources like this I can just sit spring so it set put Saturday's life's this relationship never violating any just sharing my this touched used, to reach so many people frames and Prime Minister. You don't want to miss this opportunity it is food with personal anecdotes bubble the blessings that flow from the heart of God's servant, Dr. Billy Graham. That's one of many great resources you'll find on our website TE W online.org why you're there, be sure and sign up for the daily Encouraging Word from Dr. Don. It's absolutely free. Now let's get back to today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton going to go to his word, the Bible, we can't go to anybody else. We listen to one another, but who has the final word I've said many times before and I'm so grateful that I serve the church that not only endorses this, but celebrates this and compels me to do this, that the word of God is the centerpiece on the mantelpiece of the church, God speaking through the man of God by the word of God under the unction and the inspiration of the spirit of God to the people of God, you got a beautiful picture here when it comes to seeking clarity. It took time to digest it. It took listening to one another. There is great value in that. Listen to one another… Sean people's opinions, talking, sharing, do it in love and in grace is an acid test. If you get bent out of shape over spiritual biblical things they something wrong with you will shape you get angry over biblical spiritual things done for out of fellowship with people rule different. We all try to think through these things, but it takes determination for us to go and say you know what, let's settle this thing. It's got that's what the disciples did which kind that final point of took faith to trust the clarity they sort took time to digest and took listening to formulate took determination to go to Jesus, the one true source and then it took faith to trust. So what kind of clarity that they receive. Let's try and complete the story. What clarity did they get kind of summarize the law to does the clarity. This is the clarity they receive number one Jesus said be careful look right then verse four.

He said don't be deceived just cost your eye down to verse 23 verse 23 you brought this 23 then if anyone seems to you. Look, here is the Christ, Jesus is coming very is all there is. Look at this do not believe them. Look at the next verse. For false Christ's and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead even the very best of God's people astray. What what clarity Jesus began with this. He said don't be deceived. There are many many false Christ's and they masquerading signs and magnificence and wonders and bigness and all of the other stuff that goes on that we attach a kind of an idol worship we not looking to Jesus would not looking to Jesus.

So the first point of clarity they received was to be careful. The second point of clarity they received was to be watchful to be watchful. You know I love that goal the way down to verse 36 is what Jesus said.

He said I want you to know that just as Noah obeyed me boat to boat but all the animals on and just did what I told him to do without any mind as to a Winick would begin to rain when the floods would come and get this when they were dating when the rainbow would appear.

The bottom line what Jesus said to the disciples is look you will fully understand all know the mind of God, but never stop being watchful God doesn't thought God, even for a period of time. The third point of clarity they received from Jesus was to be trusting to be trusting just what Jesus said. Jesus said concerning that day. All our know one knows anyone miss that one of my favorite tongue-in-cheek questions.

My fellow Christians any further questions. Let me read that again this is Jesus speaking this is not Don Wilton this is Jesus but concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, only God the father bow. I love that we can just rest our case in trusting God. That's what he wants you and me to do in everything ultimately he seems be careful, be watchful, be on your God, but be totally trusting. Just know God.

God's going to see you through God is going to take care of and God is going to heal you. God is going to provide for your every need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, and the final point of clarity. Be clear, be absolutely clear what clear about what I hope I'm being clear what am I being clear about. You need to know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. You need to live with him. You need to be absolutely clear about the massive numbers of deceivers and the scepters that are out in the world.

The devil is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. You need to be absolutely clear that God loves you that Jesus died for you that he's coming back again. He's coming back again. So here are some thoughts for years. We bring the soul together just a couple of thoughts you're ready you might want to write these down let's let's apply this in each one of our lives because we are seeking clarity you are seeking clarity I'm talking about biblical truth and in your life you want to know, just something someone celebrate your questions questions great things done run away from questions. I think God puts those Christians in us is nothing wrong with Christians, folks, you know parents in. We encourage our children to ask questions.

Boy, do they also request you notes in the asking of questions that we get to the truth of the matter country so celebrate your questions. Don't interpret your question is you doubting God. Don't don't really date yourself into a corner that block you being punished because you don't quite get it. How can we get it. Celebrate your questions number two.

Consider who you consult friends.

I you and on note.

Be very careful who you go to watch out for this you know Jesus. Jesus was very upfront, wasn't. I mean the very first thing on search on string they questions they three questions Jesus wants them and said see to it that nobody lead you astray me tell you folks the company you keep. You hang around in the wrong company.

It'll get you you hang around with the wrong company. That's where your counsel is going to come it will rise up in you, you become affected infected by consider who consult that little word that means not only the person you go to insight explain this to me.

It's the person you hang with.

It's the group you hang with its way you spend that evening at your gravitational pull. Be very careful what I love about the church. What I love about life groups. For the love about Sunday school but I love about discipleship because you surrounding yourself with the right people. Notice I didn't say perfect people because we are sinners saved only by the grace of God but you and I know amazing people who are the right people to consult. Number three trust in the Lord is in food for.

I'm just giving you some practical advice or celebrate your question.

Consider who you consult trusting God. You know the Bible says trusting the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all way acknowledge him and he will direct all parts even show you you because he's the God of the future owns the future trusting the Lord one more point in going as a practical engage make a determination to date you going to act on going to value his with me for just see right now God is gauge lines in the Lord is so clear you loves us so much love I want to invite you to give your heart to Jesus. He's not running the base frame you have only one that will forgive make you brain right through naming God's prayer, no prayer can save you a break and save me God, pray this prayer God chooses and I got a lot of questions.

I think Monson facemask and I believe if you've prayed that prayer you can call the number on the screen. Call us person why lots of information getting gauge speak to that person shingle decision celebrate with your family is the bottom line make a decision today that as of today you going to ask God you can trust with your heart. I'd like to pray for us today before Lord Jesus, I hold out my hands so many friends and neighbors, church people, faithful servants of the Lord fosters preachers teacher Lehman service of the Lord Jesus and so many and today we have worship may the God of grace keep us safe and warm my UPS B upon each one of us is off pray this prayer together. In Jesus name, amen as friends all across our congregation's worship. Sinners are praying, some standing, some coming to the altar. Perhaps today is the day this is the moment that you need to come to Jesus starts with a simple prayer to say yes to Jesus. I would love to lead you in this you can just repeat after me or say me to Lord God, I know that my sin separates me from but also know, and I believe that you Jesus are the son of God, and you can change my life.

Coming to my life be the Lord, the CEO of my life. I ask you to do it in Jesus name, amen.

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