May 22, 2022

Matthew 24:36-51

Pastor Matt Cobb

"We are navigating this passage with care and purpose.  Faithful men and women have not seen eye to eye on this passage.  May our love for one another increase as we read Matthew 24 faithfully and prayerfully."

1. Verse 36:  Jesus states very plainly what no one knows:  the day or the hour. We see the tension here between Jesus' Divinity and His humanity. How do these characteristics that Pastor Matt mentioned, Christ's divine knowledge and Christ's self-restraint, help you understand verse 36? (Some helpful Scripture is below.)

2.  Why did Jesus restrain His own divine knowledge?  "It is good and right that we don't know (the day or the hour).  It must be for His glory and our good."  What attribute of God does this statement and passage point to?  How does knowing God's attributes help us resolve some of the tension in this passage?

3.  Verses 37-44:  Considering the illustration that Pastor Matt provided (the husband waiting for the birth of his baby), what is to come and how do you align your life to that reality?

4.  The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us of this:  "What is our only hope in life and death?  That I am not my own, but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ."  From what do you need rescuing?  Is Jesus Christ your Great Rescuer?  Have you ever read the Heidelberg Catechism?  How can it help point to Biblical truth?

5.  Verses 45-51:  What are the mindsets of the two servants and what is their outcome? How can you grow in faithfulness and wisdom to stay awake and be ready?  For what area do you need to grow in Gospel hope and Gospel grit to serve the LORD?

6.  Could you say that your life this week reflected the truth of this passage: That because of Christ's faithfulness to you, you were faithful and wise for your good and generated the greatest good and glory for Him?

Song Mentioned:

Andrew Peterson: "Dancing in the Minefields"

Helpful Scripture:

• About Jesus' Divinity and Humanity: John 2:24-25; Col. 2:9; Hebrew 1:8; Hebrew 4:15; Phil. 2:6-8.
• About the "rapture": 1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. 4, 5; Rev. 3
• About hope in Christ: Romans 3; Ephesians 2