Calvary Baltimore Weekly Sermons

Pastor Joshua Plantholt
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Biweekly

Calvary Baltimore's weekly sermons, B-Sides, and home fellowship Bible studies. Featuring teaching from Pastor Josh Plantholt and the Bible teachers of Calvary Baltimore.

  1. 1d ago

    B-Side - Mark 13:14-23

    v14... "But when you see the abomination of desolation..." Matthew's account specifically links this to the prophet Daniel. Daniel connections: Dan 9:27 (covenant for one week, half the week sacrifices end, desolator comes), Dan 11:31 (profaning the temple, setting up the abomination), Dan 12:11 (sacrifices taken away, abomination set up = 1,290 days). The point: whatever this abominable thing is, it brings desolation/destruction. So when it's set up, RUN! Historical context: During the 400 years between Malachi and Matthew (intertestamental period), 1 Maccabees 1 records a "desolating sacrilege." People were put to death for circumcising babies or keeping the law; they hung infants from their mothers' necks. Many Jews chose to die rather than be defiled. This history foreshadows what Jesus is saying. There will also be a final abomination in Revelation. v15-16... Don't go down to get anything from your house or the field. Like Lot's family, go immediately. Just run. Don't look back. v17-18... Alas for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray it doesn't happen in winter. It's going to be an incredibly difficult time. Fascinating connection: What if the "abominable thing" that happens is Christ crucified? If that is the abomination that brings the desolation (the final destruction of Jerusalem)... Matthew 24:28 makes perfect sense: "Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather." The Greek word for vulture is actually Eagle. The Roman legionary standard was an Eagle! Jesus was killed (God slaughtered outside the city)—this abominable act brings God's judgment. In 70 AD, Rome (the Eagle) gathered and destroyed the temple and city. Luke 21:20-24 makes this plain: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know its desolation has come near." This is clearly connected to 70 AD. Jerusalem is trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Note: You can't fit this exclusively to the return of the Lord to a faithful Jewish people; the timeline in Luke points to the Gentile conquering). v19... "Tribulation as has not been from the beginning..." (Matthew calls it "great tribulation"). This phrase only occurs twice in the NT: here and Revelation 7:14. The emphasis isn't just on the Jewish people inside Jerusalem; it's pointing to the severe persecution of the church around 70 AD (under Nero) and ultimately pointing to the great tribulation in Revelation. The slaughter of the church will be brutal and unrivaled. v20... The Lord will cut the days short. If He didn't, no human would be saved. He shortens the days for the sake of the "elect." This word is only used here in Mark's gospel, implying God is calling a future people to Himself. v21-23... Don't believe people pointing to false christs! False christs and prophets will do signs and wonders to try and lead astray the elect (if it were possible). Jesus says: Be on guard. I've warned you beforehand!

  2. 1d ago

    The Abomination of Desolation and False Christs - Mark 13:14-23

    The first thing to happen is the fall of the temple.  v5-13... Getting a running start. "See that no one leads you astray..." Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, birth pains. Gospel proclaimed to all nations. Hated for His name's sake. v14... "Abomination of desolation". To be brutally honest: this is a theological, eschatological, and historical minefield! Must understand: multiple timelines in view here! 1) Destruction of the temple, 2) Return of Jesus, 3) End of all things. Primary context is the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jesus told the disciples they will see and hear these things. This generation will not pass away! First stop: the destruction of the temple. Where does "Abomination of desolation" come from? Three references in Daniel (9:27, 11:31, 12:11). The "abomination that causes desolation" is a scandal that will defile and profane the temple in Israel. When it happens, it's time to get out! Fast! According to 1 Maccabees (a non-canonical historical book), 167 BC, Syrian general Antiochus IV erected an altar to Zeus and offered sacrifice in the temple. Sparked Maccabean Revolt! Flee to the mountains! Reminiscent of Lot fleeing Sodom. Imminent destruction, don't look back! Greek/Aramaic meaning = something sacrilegious, an abomination to God that brings destruction. What was the 1st Century abomination the disciples would see? Pastor Josh's vote: Jesus crucified on Mt. Moriah! The very place God provided substitute for Isaac (threshing floor of 2 Chronicles). What greater sacrilege/abomination than killing the Son of God on the holy mountain?! This brought the desolation of 70 AD. Foreshadows a future abomination! 2 Thess 2:3-4 (Man of lawlessness taking his seat in the temple). Rev 13:11-15: False prophet makes the earth worship the beast, gives breath to the image of the beast. Final fulfillment! Like Nebuchadnezzar's statue in Daniel 3. If you don't bow to 666, you are slain. Run! V15-18... Whenever the abomination is standing, run far away, fast.  God's people listened! There's no historical record of any Christians in Jerusalem when the temple fell. Listen to God! It'll save your life. V19-20... He shortened this time to allow the elect to survive.  V21... False shepherds are coming! V22... Without the Holy Spirit to preserve us, even the elect would not make it. Being led astray in this verse is a shepherding term.  V23... Be on guard! Vigilant. Watch for liars seeking to be shepherds. That's today's text.  Warning: be on guard! What and who are our influences? Whom do we let influence us? Are we being subtly led astray?  Be careful and on guard regarding... - The "Prophecy Watch" mentality. It's ok to look forward to the return of the Lord! But there's a trend... Anytime anything happens in the Middle East, "Gog and Magog are on the move!" The battle of Armageddon is lining up... Be careful of this stuff. Sloppy scholarship, speculative, manipulative. Jesus said nobody knows the day or the hour!  - Faith healers... How to pray with the full power of God... Prosperity teachers... God wants to open heaven for you, but there's a blockage, give God money! Be like the Bereans! Check teachers against Scripture! Legalism: ignore. You'll never be good enough for Heaven! Jesus died and rose again, and that's the only basis on which we can enter Heaven!  Watch for the dilution of the Gospel. Watering down God's Word as not to cause offense, etc. God must have... changed over time? No. Be on guard! Don't get led astray by false shepherds. Know The Book so well we won't fall for it. And even still, be on guard!  Jesus tells us to prepare for the future by looking back at what he's told us, and done for us! Study the Word, and hold it as infallible and sacred! To spot the false shepherds... know the Good Shepherd! We read the Word to know God!  Study to know what God has prepared for us beforehand. We need to know God! And know His Word.

  3. Sep 27

    B-Side - Mark 13:11-13

    The verses of Mark 1:1-31 are not written or taught sequentially; they form a chiasm, an A-B-C-B'-A'-style structure... (though here it's an ABCDEFE'D'C'B'A'!) In the Olivet Discourse, v1-9 establish themes. v10 is the center of the chiasm (so it's the central thought), and in v11-31 Jesus works back through the themes of v1-9, and he expands upon them. v11... The government can be weaponized against the Church. This is Satan's plan. It's a good idea for the Church to work toward two ends: making our government Christian, and making our government small. Revelation shows us the evils of an overgrown Antichrist government. The bigger the government becomes, the greater persecution we can expect. The Holy Spirit can speak through you in times of trial! A special provision for those brought to trial for their faith. v12... The persecution will divide families, brother delivering his brother to death, father delivering child... but endure to the end and you will be saved! Luke 21: by your endurance, you will gain your lives. John 8:31: Abide in my Word and you're truly mine. We must endure to the end! 1 John 2:18ff: if people had truly been Christians, they wouldn't have left. We must endure to the end! The term "backslidden Christian"... sometimes the backslidden never slide back. Just because we once had an emotional experience of Jesus doesn't mean we're saved. If we "give our life to the Lord" and then live like a child of hell, we are not saved. We must endure to the end! We must walk with Jesus, abide in Him! God's mercy is deep, and Heaven will be filled with people who lived messy lives. But the simple existence of a prior experience with God is not a basis for confidence in salvation! Someone who's walked away from the Lord doesn't need to hear that they're just "backslidden"... they need to hear that they're in danger of missing Heaven! They need to come to Christ and abide in him! Live as a believer, forsaking not the assembly, getting baptized, obeying His commands and living to please Him. 2 Peter 2:20ff: it would be better to have never known Jesus, than to have turned away after knowing Him! Much is required from him to whom much has been given. We must endure to the end! And to those in our lives who have walked away, we need to come to them and warn them that Heaven is for those following Jesus, and they're not following Him! The one who endures to the end will be saved! calvarychapelbaltimore.org

  4. Sep 27

    Enduring Through Persecution - Mark 13:11-13

    The Olivet Discourse was given first to the disciples, but it's intended for us all.  V11... Jesus warns that believers being brought to trial is a "when," not an "if." Satan’s strategy for persecuting the church often involves weaponizing the state and legal systems against believers, just as was done to Jesus and to Paul. When you are on trial, it's the Holy Spirit who speaks through you, so don't worry! Don't be anxious about things. God knows we worry even when there's nothing bad happening yet. Matthew 6: don't do that! Tomorrow has enough worry of its own. When you're arrested and brought to trial, don't be anxious. Because the Holy Spirit will be with us. He will never leave us or forsake us! The Holy Spirit gives us peace and truth. He acts as a helper, seals us for our inheritance, intercedes in weakness, provides power for testimony, and produces sanctifying fruit (love, joy, peace, self-control). We come to church to stir each other up to good works! That's the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:24... If you belong to him, you crucify the flesh. You must learn to say no to yourself! "I will not let my flesh rule the day." We must live by His Spirit!  Early Christians were considered insurrectionists. Polycarp exalted Christ in his torture to death! When it's impossible to carry on, the Holy Spirit will step in; he can provide profound eloquence, peace and faithfulness, even in the face of imminent death. v12... "And brother will deliver brother over to death..." It's not just courts; family will turn against family. The darkness hates the light with an unimaginable intensity.  Jesus says we must expect trouble. Luke 14: Count the cost before you become a Christian! You must vastly prefer Jesus even to his own family, his own life!  V13... You'll be hated for his namesake. They're hating Christ in you. But endure to the end and you will be saved! Don't confuse hatred toward you because of your own failings with hatred toward you because of Jesus! Don't be a contentious person. Own up to your failures in this. Even if you're not being contentious, Satan will send contentious people to you to compromise your witness... don't take the bait!  Your job: be a faithful witness. 1 Peter 3:13. You belong to Jesus, and Satan can't have you. But he can try to make you useless! He'll send fool after fool your way. He wants to take your testimony away from you. And we are to fiercely guard it! Jesus is preparing us to be treated unfairly but not lose our testimony.  He says the one who endures to the end will be saved. Sometimes all we can do is survive! And this is all he's asking for.  To abide is to simply stay put, and hold up what's been put on you! Keep the faith to the end, and you'll be in Heaven.  We are covered in his grace, even when we act in the flesh. We're not the ones who can keep our relationship with the Lord together! God is the author and perfecter of our faith! The Spirit conforms us into the image of the Son.  Just because we have the Holy Spirit doesn't mean we'll be perfect. Even Peter sinned grossly as a Christian. He's still saved. So are you. We're not going to be perfect; we must simply remain in Him. The Spirit makes our sins odious to us. God does not require perfection from us. But we must keep the faith and endure to the end, trusting in Him as our Savior. Just make it to the end. To see if you're saved, see if you're following him. It's about where you are right now. If you're enduring to the end, you will be saved!

  5. Sep 20

    B-Side - Mark 13:7-10

    Wars and rumors of wars are according to God's plan; they signify that history is progressing, but do not mean the end is immediately at hand. Earthquakes, famines, and global conflicts are the "beginning of birth pains." This terminology implies that while trials will increase in both frequency and intensity, they'll ultimately result in a glorious outcome (like a birth): the return of Jesus Christ and the start of new life! The Olivet Discourse addresses multiple timelines simultaneously: the destruction of the physical temple in 70 AD, the second coming of the Lord, and the end of all things. The destruction of the temple in 70 AD marked the end of the old covenant order (meeting God at a physical temple) and the official transition to the new order (meeting God in the church). v9... We're warned to be on guard, as we'll face persecution from both religious and secular authorities, including being delivered to councils, beaten in synagogues, and brought before governors and kings. Historical and modern persecution against Christians is often framed by authorities as criminal behavior, subversion against the state, or hate speech. A maligning of their character, rather than a direct attack on faith (examples would be early Christians being accused of cannibalism due to the Eucharist; modern believers being arrested for silent prayer near clinics). The purpose of being brought before hostile judges and authorities is to use the trial as a platform to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ! v10... the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations before the end. This was partially fulfilled within the Roman Empire during Paul's ministry. The Bible says it will one day come to pass completely! That's the end of today's passage... now a note on some End Times stuff, specifically the Great Tribulation. The phrase applies to the specific eschatological period in Revelation (the 70th week of Daniel), but it is also used biblically to describe historical periods of intense suffering. Christians have endured extreme seasons of "great tribulation" throughout history, such as first-century Roman persecution, 1930s Soviet purges of the Orthodox clergy, and ongoing modern persecution in Nigeria. Lots of people throughout history have thought their time period was the start of the end times. The Bible itself recounts times of "great tribulation" in Acts 7:11 and Matthew 24:21. How do we know if our tribulation is the Great Tribulation? (We don't!) Because the exact timing of Christ's return is unknown (God can come back whenever He wants!), the believer's primary mandate is not to calculate end-times timelines, but to: - Remain faithful through these events! - Preach the gospel in season and out of season! ...and stay awake!

  6. Sep 20

    Preaching Through Tribulation - Mark 13:7-10

    Mark 13:7-10 Destruction of temple is similar to the second coming of Jesus, and similar to the end of days.  Olivet Discourse is used as a marker of end times eschatology. Premillenial pre-tribulation, amillennial, etc.  Around 180 AD, Victoraneus and Irenaeus were both pre-millennial. Our church tends to be premillenial and pre-tribulational. That said, Jesus can come anytime He wants (anytime the Father sends Him!) Is the Church going to be around for all the end times events in Revelation? Not necessarily. We don't know the specific time. We're just called to be ready! Jesus himself doesn't even know.  Even though Jesus loves his bride, he doesn't want us to assume life will be easy. Famine, plague, and more must happen. So our job is not to understand exactly what God is doing, but to trust Him to do it. Just be ready.  V7... Before the fall of Jerusalem, false Christs are going to come to power, but don't be alarmed. Don't be alarmists! Be strong and courageous, not anxious! Don't be ruled by fear. Consistently fearful people are easily manipulated and make foolish decisions. We know God! We should be measured, composed, and strong. Don't blow your witness. Let the world see the peace today cannot be taken from you! God is utterly sovereign and in control! V8... Bad stuff is coming, and it's only the beginning of the process. The fall of Jerusalem was this beginning.  How do we prepare?  V9... But be on guard. You'll be badly persecuted, and you are to stand and bear witness. Why would God allow this kind of mistreatment? To bear witness before our persecutors! Some in high places. It's an opportunity to share Jesus.  He calls us to be of clear mind, exhibiting self-control. God is willing and able! No need to panic and serve ourselves. Thank God he came for selfish monsters like us who are prone to hysteria! The Holy Spirit can help you to be a faithful witness to the truth of who He is! If we exhibit this fearful alarmist state, we should ask God to mature us. Live in the light! Use your words for light! Watch what you let into your mind!  Whatever is honorable, lovely, good... think on these things! Meditate on and consume the light of Christ!  V10... Proclaim the Gospel to all nations! Especially in the presence of a false gospel, during tribulation, famine, persecution, political upheaval, sickness... Proclaim the Gospel!  "Proclaim" means to herald. A herald was a messenger from the king. He only says exactly what the King tells him to say. This a picture of the believer with the Bible! We proclaim the message of the King! Whatever comes, our mission stays the same: proclaim the Word to all nations! A little clarity... What is the Gospel? Mark 1:1ff... If your faith is in Jesus, the Gospel is the good news! You are a herald!  Mark lays out that Jesus is the one the entire Old Testament was building to! He is the son of God, with the full authority of the Father. He gave us peace with the Father, though we deserve death! His death appeases the wrath of God toward us. Jesus says you belong to the King. As such, we obey and follow the King. Our Kingdom is at war with the kingdom of darkness. We can't receive the Lord apart from the Holy Spirit. He saved us from certain destruction!  We must repent and turn from false shepherds and ideologies. Smash the false idols! That usually means smash... yourself. You are a sinner in bed of a Savior!  Mark ends with the resurrection of Jesus! In that act, he defeated Satan, sin and death! So why are you terrified?! When Satan attacks you, accuses you... Jesus claims your as his own. Sin has no more power over you! Even in death, you'll live eternally! This is the Good News: if you kill me, I'll be in Heaven! Come join me!

  7. Sep 13

    B-Side - Mark 13:5-6

    The Olivet Discourse addresses multiple timelines simultaneously: the fall of Jerusalem, the coming of the Lord in power, and the end of all things. Eschatological views (the study of the end times) should not be a source of division or a rigid test of fellowship. A spirit of charity is needed when encountering different perspectives, such as Preterism or Postmillennialism. Apocalyptic literature, much like parables, is complex, and specifically designed to obscure certain things within specific narratives and language. So let's not divide over it! There are two common errors when interpreting the Olivet Discourse:  1. Forcing every event solely into the first century (Full Preterism), claiming that everything in the Book of Revelation was fulfilled by the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.  2. Completely ignoring the first-century historical context and the actual destruction of the temple. The most immediate context for the Olivet Discourse is the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple around 30 AD, roughly 40 years before it actually happened. The synoptic gospels recorded and distributed this prophecy to the early church (in places like Alexandria and Ephesus) around 60 AD. The church possessed the written warning a full decade before the temple fell! The first specific warning of the end times is the arrival of false messiahs. This warning of false messiahs saw immediate, historical fulfillment in the first century and beyond...  - Theudas and Judas the Galilean gathered followers (recorded in Acts 5).  - Manahem acted as a messianic figure in 66 AD.  - Simon Bar Giora proclaimed himself king of Jerusalem, hid on the Temple Mount during the 70 AD siege, and later emerged in a purple cloak before being captured and executed in Rome.  - Simon Bar Kokhba led a massive Jewish revolt in 132 AD under the guise of being the Messiah. There have been modern pretenders as well, and it'll continue all the way to the antichrist. Desperation creates vulnerability. Weary of Roman oppression, the Jewish people were desperate for a deliverer, making them quick to embrace ambitious false shepherds who offered hope. The prophecy of false messiahs is not limited to the fall of Jerusalem; it continues throughout history and culminates ultimately in the Antichrist and the false prophet detailed in the Book of Revelation. Jesus did not come as a political zealot or revolutionary to destroy Rome, but as the true King, offering salvation!

  8. Sep 13

    False Shepherds - Mark 13:5-6

    The first subject of the Olivet Discourse is a warning about coming liars and deceivers. Also the first sign of the end of times. There's coming a final false shepherd, an antichrist. We're sieging the kingdom of darkness. So we go to the the of the earth and make disciples of all nations! Early America built colleges, universities, orphanages, hospitals, beautiful church buildings, all for future generations! And we should do the same. We must be all in for the glory of God, and have lots of kids to fill the Kingdom! Build beyond our noses.  God has called us to be faithful, so we do it for His glory. None of this will be easy. We'll meet a lot of opposition, and a lot of liars. Many antichrists will come in his name before the final antichrist. To pick out what is false we must first have an understanding of what is true! The best preparation is clear teaching of good theology that's faithful to the word of God! This will help us withstand the coming siege of false doctrine.  The true glory of a church is not found in its physical beauty, worship teams, or programs, but in its serious, uncompromising study of God's Word. Believers must genuinely love their enemies and those of other faiths (atheists, Muslims, cult members) without validating their false, destructive ideologies. Moral neutrality does not exist; this is active spiritual warfare. False shepherds flee from danger, avoid the local church, and appeal to carnal, temporary desires without the cross... But Jesus is the Good Shepherd who enters through the gate, calls His sheep intimately by name, and lays down His life for them! His sheep recognize His voice and flee from strangers. The command to "see" or "be on guard" is in the present tense, demanding a persistent, daily commitment to watchfulness, remaining in God's Word for the sake of oneself and one's family!

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About

Calvary Baltimore's weekly sermons, B-Sides, and home fellowship Bible studies. Featuring teaching from Pastor Josh Plantholt and the Bible teachers of Calvary Baltimore.

Information

  • Creator
    Pastor Joshua Plantholt
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Calvary Chapel Baltimore
  • Show Website
    Calvary Baltimore Weekly Sermons