Here is a portion of the pastor’s sermon from Luke 21:25-36, about false confidence vs. true confidence.

The Coming of the Son of Man
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree
Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [a]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [b]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

It may be true that you often feel unsure of yourself and lack the feeling of confidence. That doesn’t mean you necessarily lack certainty or confidence. If this feeling comes from knowing your sins and sinful weakness, if your fear comes from what your sins do and you know that you aren’t able or worthy to stand in God’s presence because of your sins, then this is a good fear.
Luther said: “Those who are fearful are nearer to their salvation than the hard-hearted and reprobate who neither fear nor find comfort in that Day. He uses fear wisely who permits such fear to urge and admonish him to pray for grace that this fear may be taken away and he be given joy and delight in that Day.”
And that’s exactly what happens. It’s fear over your sins that brings you to repent, to stand before Him bringing nothing in your hands, nothing to show but your sins. Every time you confess your sins, you say you aren’t worthy.
And what does He say? He says: “Lift up your head.” And then He shows you His cross, the cross on which He died. He says: “There are your sins. Died for. Paid for, completely.” This is what Jesus did. Even as a little Baby He was taking all your unworthiness onto Himself to pay for it, He was already on His way to the cross.
Then He shows you His empty tomb. It proves that God accepted Jesus’ death as payment for all your sins, they are all forgiven. The pastor speaking forgiveness is always God forgiving you through the words the pastor speaks, it’s always the risen Lord Jesus saying to you through his called servant, “Peace be with you. You’re at peace with God. All is forgiven.”
We learn this in the Lord’s Supper. Jesus coming to you in His body and blood, in the humble form of bread and wine – teaches us what to expect when He comes not in humble form but in glory. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus looks at you who are unworthy in your thoughts, words and deeds, yet He speaks no judging words, only loving words: “This is My body, given for you. This cup is My blood of the New Testament, shed for you, for the remission of your sins.”
He takes you whose sins make you only able to look down in shame, and says, “Lift up your heads” – for He took all the shame of your sin to be His own. He takes us who can’t stand on our own merits, and makes us able to stand based on His merits. As you receive the Lord’s Supper you learn how you’ll stand before Him when He comes in glory: not only unashamed, but more than that, it’s an incontrovertible fact that in Him you’re worthy.
This is where your confidence comes from. All confidence must start here, with a clean conscience. As for “praying that you may be counted worthy,” you know how God will answer. But hearing it again and again is good. He says for Jesus’ sake, by His death for you, by faith in Him, you *are* worthy. You’re justified – judged not guilty – both now and when He comes again.
This explains why you can “lift up your heads” when He comes. You have no fear that judgment is at hand but you know – with true confidence – that not only Jesus your Redeemer but in fact “your redemption” – all that Jesus has promised you – is drawing near. We will “lift up our heads,” and know we are “able to stand before Him” worthy in His sight. Amen!