Sunday 11-30-25 with Pastor Chris

This sermon challenges the Western church's predominant "heaven up" perspective on end times theology, advocating instead for a "kingdom up/heaven down" view that emphasizes restoration, kingdom building, and active discipleship. Through an exposition of Matthew 24, the pastor explores Jesus' teachings on the end of the age, emphasizing that believers should focus less on escaping tribulation and more on fulfilling their kingdom responsibilities. The message stresses that God's ultimate plan involves restoring earth rather than simply evacuating believers to heaven, with Jesus returning to unite heaven and earth in a restored creation. The sermon calls believers to move beyond self-focused Christianity toward active participation in building God's kingdom while awaiting Christ's return.

Key Points:

There are two primary lenses for viewing end times: "heaven up" (focused on personal salvation, security, and escape) versus "kingdom up/heaven down" (focused on rebirth, restoration, and kingdom building)

The "heaven up" mindset centers on questions like "How bad will it get?", "Where am I going?", and "When is the rapture?", keeping focus on self

The "kingdom up" perspective asks "Who is coming?", "What am I belonging to?", and "What am I doing to build God's kingdom?"

Four foundational truths about the end of age: God will sort everything out, Babylon systems will fall, judgment will come on all, and Jesus is returning to be fully revealed

Matthew 24 reveals that tribulation and persecution are part of the church's journey, not something believers will necessarily escape before it happens

False prophets and messiahs will arise, making it critical for believers to know the Shepherd's voice through the Holy Spirit

The gospel must be preached throughout the whole world before the end comes—this is the church's responsibility

Jesus doesn't know the day or hour of His return; only the Father knows, so beware of those claiming to predict dates

Heaven and earth will come together in restoration, with Jesus (the divine-human) uniquely qualified to unite both realms

The early church preached repentance for the kingdom, not just salvation to escape to heaven

Believers must remain faithful servants, managing what the Master has given them until His return