Events Before the End, Part 2

Sermon 89 in Series

Luke 21:12-19

[12] But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. [13] This will be your opportunity to bear witness. [14] Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, [15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. [16] You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. [17] You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. [18] But not a hair of your head will perish. [19] By your endurance you will gain your lives.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Where does Luke chronologically situate the persecution that Jesus describes? How do we reconcile this with the parallel material in Matthew 24?
2.  What does Jesus say will happen to his followers? In what ways do we see this play out in Acts?
3.  Why should we not be surprised when we face persecution/opposition? How do we sometimes lose sight of this reality?
4.  What does Jesus promise to provide in the hour of persecution? In what particular ways does this encourage you as you relate to the unbelievers in your life?
5.  What is the purpose of persecution? How does it serve to show the preciousness of Christ?
6.  How does this passage emphasize that Christ must be our all? How does it remind us that we will never be “cool” to the world?
7.  What comfort does Jesus give at the end of this section? What does it mean to say that God preserves us through our perseverance?

References: John 15:18 – 16:4a (corporate reading); Matthew 24:3, 9-14, 21, 29; Mark 13:9; John 3:20; Acts 4:3; 28:17; 26:10-11; 7:59; 12:2; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Luke 12:11-12; Exodus 4:12; Acts 4:13; 6:10; Luke 14:26-27; 12:52-53; Matthew 13:20-21; Luke 12:6-7; 8:15; John 10:28; Romans 8:18.