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How to Build a Faith That Lasts

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” MATTHEW 24:1-3 NLT

TO BUILD A FAITH THAT LASTS, I MUST:

AVOID FOLLOWING ANYONE WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT

4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. MATTHEW 24:4-5 NLT

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. MATTHEW 24:36 NLT

REALIZE THAT BAD NEWS KEEPS ME FROM LIVING OUT THE GOOD NEWS

6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. MATTHEW 24:6-8 NLT

14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. MATTHEW 24:14 NLT

EMBRACE PEOPLE JUDGING ME BECAUSE OF MY FAITH IN JESUS

9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. MATTHEW 24:9-11 NLT

So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 1 JOHN 3:13 NLT

LIVE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT BECOME LIKE THE WORLD

12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. MATTHEW 24:12-13 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ROMANS 12:2 NLT

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 JOHN 4:17 NLT

TRUST JESUS WITH WHAT MATTERS MOST

29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. MATTHEW 24:29-31 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me. JOHN 10:27-28 NLT

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons… 39 indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 8:38-39 NLT

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: When you think about the future—especially uncertainty or “end times”—what feelings come up: fear, curiosity, confusion, indifference? Why is that?
  2. START HERE: What in your life feels uncertain or up in the air right now?
  3. START HERE: Who or what tends to most shape your faith right now (people, podcasts, social media, news, etc.)? How confident are you about that leading you in the right direction?
  4. KEEP GOING: Why do you think it’s so easy to focus on everything happening around us and lose sight of who Jesus is and what He promised?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 24:1-14 NLT. Jesus seems less focused on the chaos and more on how His followers respond to it. Why do you think that is?
  6. KEEP GOING: How does constant exposure to negative news affect your faith or outlook on life? What would it look like for you to stay grounded in the Good News instead?
  7. KEEP GOING: Where have you felt pressure to hide, soften, or compromise your faith to fit in? What would it look like to stand firm with humility and courage?
  8. KEEP GOING: In what ways do you notice the world subtly shaping your thinking or behavior that could lead to your love and passion for God “growing cold”?
  9. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 24:29-31 NLT. How does seeing where this is all going change the way you want to live right now?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one way you can strengthen your faith this week so it lasts, not just in good times, but in difficulty too?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: How could you join the mission to bring good news to those around you and those far away?