August 24, 2025

Luke 21:5-38

Lift Up Your Heads, Your Redemption Is Near

Sunday Sermons

The Olivet Discourse in Luke’s gospel (and its synoptic counterparts) is one of the most debated texts in the history of biblical scholarship. We cannot know with certainty what Jesus Himself did not choose to fully reveal — the timing of His return. But Jesus gave His disciples reasons to be encouraged amidst warnings of earthly catastrophe, divine wrath, and the persecution that would come with following Him. This encouragement is worth applying to our own discipleship as we await our Lord’s promised return.

Speaker

Tom Yarbrough

Series

The Gospel According to Luke

Go to Series

Scripture

Luke 21:5-38

Topics
Community Life Growth & Discipleship

Sermon Notes

Luke 21:5-38

Lift Up Your Heads, Your Redemption Is Near

Pastor Tom Yarbrough

Overview of the Olivet Discourse:

  • The destruction of the temple (v. 5-6)
  • Warning to the disciples of coming events (v. 8-11)
  • Preparing the disciples for coming persecution (v. 12-19)
  • The destruction of Jerusalem (v. 20-24)
  • The coming of the Son of Man (v. 25-28)
  • The parable of the fig tree (v. 29-33)
  • The call to watchfulness (v. 34-36)

Jesus Warns His Disciples of Coming Events:

  • Deception by false teachers (v. 8)
  • Wars between nations (v. 9-10)
  • Catastrophic events (v. 11a)
  • Cosmic signs (v. 11b)

Jesus Prepares His Disciple for Life

  • Persecution by Jews and Gentiles (v. 12)
  • Betrayal by friends and family (v. 16a)
  • Death (v. 16b)
  • Hatred from the world (v. 17)

How does Luke 21 encourage us today?

1. The promise of His presence encourages us to be faithful

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14

2. The promise of our redemption encourages us to be hopeful

“Not many things are more comforting than a promise made and kept. And not many things are more
hurtful than a promise broken. Knowing we worship a God who keeps His promises is a source of deep joy.”
Jen Wilken

3. The promise of His return encourages us to be watchful

“To watch is not only to be careful but also to be persistently careful. Diligence is persistence. If you only examine yourself the way you do laundry (on say, Wednesdays and Fridays), then you’re not watchful. Watchfulness is not haphazard. The watchful believer never takes a day off.”
Brian Hedges, Watchfulness

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Romans 13:11-12

“One of the marks of a living evangelical faith is that we reckon seriously, earnestly, and joyfully with the personal, visible return of the God-man Jesus Christ. The second coming is at the heart of our faith, and our confidence in it should be the faith of our heart. We should long for it.”
John Piper

Discussion Questions

  • In contrast to the frightful descriptions in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, what hopeful elements are present?
  • Considering this passage was written “for” us but not “to” us, what parts of this passage do you think were meant for the original audience (Jesus’ disciples at that specific time), and what are we able to apply to our own time?
  • How does this passage explain the Holy Spirit’s role in aiding the persecuted?
  • How can we rejoice and be hopeful amidst persecution?
  • What is the significance of the fact that the second temple was never filled with the glory of God like David’s original temple or the tabernacle before that? What did God’s people of Jerusalem fail to recognize that led to God’s Judgment on them?
  • Why is it crucially important that Jesus return as He foretold? When you read Daniel 7:13-14, how does it make you feel hopeful or afraid? How will you stand before Jesus?
  • Do you consider yourself a “watchful believer,” or have you “fallen asleep at the post of your own heart”?
  • How can we encourage each other to stay awake and watchful? What does putting on Paul’s “armor of light” look like? (Romans 13:11-12)

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“All Creatures Of Our God And King“ by St. Francis of Assisi
“Lift High The Name“ by Ed Cash, Fionan DeBarra, Keith Getty, and Kristyn Getty
“Ancient Of Days“ by Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson
“The Lord Is My Salvation“ by Jonas Myrin, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Nathan Nockels
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690

Call To Worship: Now and Forevermore

Men: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Women: We dwell in Him and He in us.

Men: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His name! Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Women: We will sing to Him, sing praises to Him, and speak of all His marvelous works.

All: All praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; to whom all honor and glory be now and forevermore.
Amen!

Classic Prayer: Gregory of Nazianzus 329-390 AD

May the Word in us never be smothered with the cares of this life, so that we would become unfruitful. But help us to walk on the King’s Highway, never turning aside to the right hand or the left, and led by the Spirit through the Straight Gate. Then all that we do will prosper, both now and at the time of judgment, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory now and forever, amen.

Confession of Faith: I Believe in the Holy Spirit, part 3

Leader: What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
People: Among the many gifts of the Holy Spirit named in the New Testament are faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, other languages (“tongues”), the interpretation of other languages, and words of wisdom and knowledge. The Spirit distributes gifts to individuals as he wills for the sake of the Body of Christ. Other gifts in the New Testament include administration, service, encouragement, evangelism, teaching, giving, leadership, and mercy. Jesus promises that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

Leader: Why does the Holy Spirit give such gifts?
People: The Holy Spirit equips and empowers believers with gifts for service in the worship of Jesus Christ, for the building up of His Church, and for witness and mission to the world.

Source: ACNA, Q. 90, 91: The Apostles’ Creed – I Believe in the Holy Spirit, part 3; Article III.

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