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The Signs

Sermon Notes

THE SIGNS

Our new sermon series, The Signs, is based on a question the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24:3. “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” From that question, Jesus gave multiple signs that will precede His return – false Christ, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, betrayal, lawlessness, lovelessness and more. Those signs will increase in frequency and intensity as the return gets closer. The chaos, the change, the crisis points are not random. They are pointing to a moment when Jesus will return. Join us as we study The Signs – why they matter, what they mean, and how they specifically impact you and those you love.

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Message 01

April 27, 2025
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)

 

The Signs: Overview of the Last Days

 

Mark 13:1-5

 

As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.” – Mark 13:1-5

 

The Olivet Discourse focuses on the second coming of Jesus, the __ of the age, and the establishment of the __ kingdom on earth.

 

There is a difference between the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture of the Church.

 

  • The Rapture is when Jesus comes in the clouds __ His bride and takes her back to the __ house.

 

Commonly referenced passages: John 14:1-3; Romans 8:19; 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 15:51-53, 16:22; Philippians 3:20-21, 4:5; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2:19, 4:13-18, 5:9, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1, 4:8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:7,13, 5:4; 1 John 2:28, 3:2; Jude 21; Revelation 2:25, 3:10

 

  • The Second Coming is when Jesus comes back to earth __ His bride to defeat the __ of God.

 

Commonly referenced passages: Daniel 2:44-45, 7:9-14, 12:1-3; Zechariah 12:10, 14:1-15; Matthew 13:41, 24:15-31, 26:64; Mark 13:14-27, 14:62; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, 2:8; 1 Peter 4:12-13; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Jude 14-15; Revelation 1:7

 

Rapture/Blessed Hope

  • Jesus comes in the clouds
  • Jesus comes FOR His saints
  • Christians are taken to the Father’s house
  • Church taken to heaven at Rapture
  • Rapture is imminent
  • __
  • Time of joy for the saved
  • Precedes the Day of Wrath
  • No mention of Satan
  • Marriage of the Lamb
  • Tribulation begins

 

Second Coming/Glorious Appearing

  • Jesus comes to the earth
  • Jesus comes WITH His saints
  • Resurrected saints do not see Father’s house
  • Jesus sets up His kingdom on earth
  • Can’t occur for at least 7 years
  • __
  • Time of mourning for the lost
  • Follows the 7 years of Tribulation
  • Satan is bound for 1000 years
  • His Bride descends with Him
  • 1000-year kingdom of Christ begins

 

The 7-year tribulation is about 2 things:

  • God __ His discipline of Israel.
  • God __ His judgment of the unbelieving world.

Message 02

May 4, 2025 
Paul Gotthardt 
(#2 in series)

The Signs: Deception in the Last Days

Mark 13:5-6, 21-23

And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.”

– Mark 13:5-6

“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”

– Mark 13:21-23

Key Truth: The last days will be marked by many deceptive people __ false claims about Christ, __ the masses, __ signs and wonders, and __ the stage for antichrist. 

The last days will be marked by many deceptive people… (Mark 13:6, 22; Matthew 24:5, 11; Luke 21:8) 

…bringing false claims about Christ… (Matthew 24:5; Mark 13:6, 21; Luke 21:8) 

  • They will deceive people by claiming to be sent by Jesus, claiming to be Jesus, claiming to know the location of Jesus, and claiming to understand the timing of Jesus. 

…deceiving the masses… (Matthew 24:5, 24; Mark 13:6, 22) 
…showing signs and wonders… (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22) 

  • Historically and globally, Satan tends to use one of two strategies related to signs and wonders: __ or __.

…and setting the stage for antichrist. (Daniel 8:23; 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 11:7; 13:1–10; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; John 10:3–5)

Why will deception flourish in the last days?

  • In times of crisis and chaos, people will look for __, answers, and a sense of __ wherever they can find it.
  • __ and __ have been effective Satanic strategies since the Garden of Eden.
  • The further culture (and the church) moves from __, the easier it is to deceive people.
  • Believers will be gone at the __ .

Response and Reflection: In light of this information, what can we do today? Each of us can…

  • Make sure we’re ready to meet the Lord.
  • Make sure we’re sharing the truths of God’s Word with those around us.
  • Make sure we’re in biblical community where other believers have the ability to challenge erroneous beliefs.
  • Make sure we’re engaging God’s mission with the time, gifts, and resources He’s provided.
  • Make sure we’re gaining solid theological training while pursuing spiritual growth.

Message 03

May 18, 2025
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)

 

The Signs: Human Disasters in the Last Days

 

Mark 13:7-8a

 

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…”

– Mark 13:7-8a

 

Key Truth: As human disasters increase and intensify, we are to focus on our __ God, stay dedicated to the mission of Jesus, and refuse to live in __.

 

A biblical view of God’s sovereignty teaches that God possesses ultimate __, has all power, and is completely in __ of every aspect of creation.

  • Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.”
  • Job 42:2, “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
  • Psalm 103:19, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.”
  • Psalm 135:6, “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.”
  • 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

 

Additional passages describing God’s sovereignty: Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 46:9-10; Matthew 19:26; 1 Timothy 6:15; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 45:7; 2 Chronicles 20:6; Colossians 1:16; Jeremiah 32:27; Genesis 1:1; Matthew 10:29-30; Jeremiah 32:17; Daniel 2:21; Romans 11:36; Revelation 19:6; Revelation 20:11

 

Our __ is connected to His __.

 

Response and Reflection: As you listen to a message like this, what should you be thinking? How should you process this information?

  • Each sign underscores the reality of living in a fallen world.
  • Believers are called to watchfulness, faithfulness, and perseverance.
  • Every fulfilled promise highlights God’s sovereignty and advances God’s redemptive plan.
  • Keep the focus on preparation—not prediction.
  • There is a limited amount of time to get the gospel to those around us.
  • When Jesus says, “Do not be frightened”—trust Him and reflect upon the sovereignty of God.

Message 04

May 25, 2025
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series)

 

The Signs: Natural Disasters in the Last Days

 

Mark 13:8b, Luke 21:11

 

“…there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

– Mark 13:8b

 

“And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.”

– Luke 21:11

 

REMEMBER: God is sovereignly in __.

A biblical view of God’s sovereignty teaches that God possesses ultimate authority, has all power, and is completely in control of every aspect of creation.

 

Plagues (loimos) and famines (limos)

 

Key References: Revelation 6:12-14; Revelation 6:15-17; Revelation 16:18-20; Revelation 8:11; Revelation 6:5-6; Isaiah 24:19-20; Romans 8:20-22

 

Key Truth: Throughout Scripture, God uses natural disasters to create __, prompt repentance, and bring __.

 

Response and Reflection: How can we process this information in a redemptive sense?

  • Let the __ nature of natural disasters remind us of the personal need for a Savior.
  • Let the increase of natural disasters remind us of the __ of Christ’s return.
  • Let the __ of natural disasters remind us to engage God’s mission every day.
  • Let the visibility of natural disasters remind us to be good __ of this world and its resources (Genesis 2:15; Jeremiah 2:7).
  • Let the __ of natural disasters remind us of the future pain that awaits those without Jesus.
  • Let the fear of natural disasters remind us to reflect upon the __ of God.
  • Let the __ from natural disasters remind us of our need for constant prayer.

Message 05

June 1, 2025 
Paul Gotthardt 
(#5 in series)

 

The Signs: The Church in the Last Days

 

Various Passages

 

Key Passages: Mark 13:9-13; Matthew 24:1-8; Luke 21:12-19 

 

Key Truth: The Church should be more concerned with __ than __. Persecution has led to greater __ and expansion. Sin has led to spiritual __ and ineffectiveness.

 

What will the Church face in the last days? 

  • There will be persecution and hatred __ the Church. (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9, 12-13; Luke 21:12, 16-18) 
  • There will be sin and __ within the Church. (Matthew 24:10)
  • There will be lawlessness and __ around the Church. (Matthew 24:12) 
  • There will be evangelistic __ for the Church. (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 21:13-15) 
  • There will be ultimate __ of the Church. (Matthew 24:13; Luke 21:18-19)

Message 06

July 6, 2025
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)

 

The Signs: Antichrist, Tribulation, and Panic in the Last Days

 

Mark 13:14-23

 

But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that it may not happen in the winter. For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, “Behold, here is the Christ;” or, “Behold, He is there;” do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

– Mark 13:14-23

 

We’re going to cover this section through a series of questions.

 

• Question 1: What does the Bible mean by __, and how is it connected to this text?

 

The book of Daniel mentions the abomination of desolation three times (9:27; 11:31; 12:11).

 

• Question 2: Why is the number seven connected to verse 14?

 

The Jewish calendar is built on a “series of __.”

 

– The Jewish week consists of seven days.

– The seventh day of the week is __ (Sabbath).

– The seventh week after Passover brings Pentecost.

– The seventh month brings the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of

__, and the Feast of Booths.

– The seventh year is a Sabbatical year.

– After seven Sabbatical years comes the Year of

__.

 

In Daniel 9, the prophet outlined 70 __ of years (or a period of 490 years). The 490 years are further divided into three periods:

 

– Seven weeks (49 years) is associated with the

__ of Jerusalem and its walls.

– Sixty-two weeks (434 years) is preparation for Messiah to

come.

– One week (7 years) is divided in half (the first half sees the

confirmation of a __ and the second half

sees tribulation, the cessation of sacrifices, and the rise of the

“abomination that desolates”).

 

• Question 3: What’s the difference between tribulation and

“the __ tribulation”?

 

• Question 4: How should believers __ to these insights?

 

– Be __

– Be faithful

– Be __

– Be engaged

– Be __

 

Message 07

July 13, 2025
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)

 

The Signs: The Return of Christ in the Last Days

 

Mark 13:24-37

 

The return of Jesus is called the blessed hope (Titus 2:12–13), the sincere longing (2 Timothy 4:8), and the eager expectation of every believer (1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

 

The natural aging process helps us release our __ on this world and teaches us how to __ what matters for the next.

  • The first part of a person’s life could be defined by __ and __.
  • The middle part of a person’s life could be defined by __ and __.
  • The final part of a person’s life could be defined by __ and __.

 

Key Truth: __ to the end brings __ for the moment.

  • When Jesus __, everyone will know He’s God. (v.24-27)
  • When signs increase, people will see He’s __. (v.28-32)
  • When we obey, believers will fulfill our __. (v.33-37)