What ARE We Waiting For? You Don’t Know

Introduction:

Since I Don’t Know the Exact Timing of the Second Coming... (Matt 24:36-51)

1. I must stop trying to figure out What Only God Knows . (Matthew 24:36)

   Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

2. I must stay awake and Be Ready . (Matthew 24:37-44)

   Ephesians 5:14 - for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

3. I must be faithful in carrying out My Assigned Tasks . (Matthew 24:45-51)

   John 14:15 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

   John 15:10 - "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love."

   John 15:14 - "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

   Luke 6:46 - "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

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Intentional Hope: What ARE We Waiting For? You Don’t Know

Taylor Brown

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 24:36-51

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do so many people try to guess/figure out the exact date/time of the rapture? Why is this unwise and unhelpful?
   

3. What does it look like to “stay awake” and “be ready” in light of the second coming of Christ? How do you see yourself falling asleep spiritually right now?
   

4. What tasks has the Lord assigned to us that we must be diligent in carrying out before He returns?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

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Want more eschatology teaching?

Catch up on the previous verse by verse teaching through Revelation

Catch up on the previous verse by verse teaching through 2 Thessalonians

What ARE We Waiting For? The Return of the King

Introduction:

The Return of the King:

1. Will be Obviously Announced . (Matthew 24:29)

   Luke 21:25-26 - And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

2. Will be Impossible to Ignore or Deny . (Matthew 24:30)

   Daniel 7:13-14 - I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

   Revelation 19:11-16 - Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and whe will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

   Philippians 2:10-11 - ...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3. Will be a Glorious Celebration if You Love Him . (Matthew 24:31)

   Col 3:4 - When Christ who is your life happears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

   2 Tim 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

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Intentional Hope: What ARE We Waiting For? The Return of the King

Taylor Brown

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Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 24:29-31

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What do the signs announcing Jesus’ return teach us about God?
   

3. Why do most people miss and dismiss Jesus in this life?
   

4. Can you honestly say that you long for and eagerly anticipate the return of our Lord? How can we increase our expectation of His second coming?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

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Want more eschatology teaching?

Catch up on the previous verse by verse teaching through Revelation

Catch up on the previous verse by verse teaching through 2 Thessalonians

The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will be Mocked and Tortured

Introduction:

The Cross in Psalm (Psalm 22):

1. What is the prophecy of the messiah's suffering?
   • The messiah will be...
     1. Mocked and Humiliated
     2. Pierced
     3. Forsaken
2. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy on the cross?
   • On the cross, Jesus was...
     1. Mocked and Humiliated

        Matthew 27:35 - And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

        Psalm 22:7-8 - All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let him jdeliver him; let him rescue him, for he kdelights in him!"

        Matthew 27:39-44 - And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

     2. Pierced
     3. Forsaken
3. What does this prophecy mean for us?
   1. We no longer need to Feel Hopeless

      Psalm 22:14-15 - I am spoured out like water, and all my bones are tout of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

      Psalm 22:3-4 - Yet you are holy, enthroned on athe praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

      Psalm 22:21 - Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

   2. We no longer need to Fear Rejection

      John 6:37 - All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

      Ephesians 3:18-20 - ...may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us...

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The Cross in the Old Testament - He Will be Mocked and Tortured

Taylor Brown

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 22

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What causes you to feel hopeless at times? How can you fight against this feeling with the Word of God?
   

3. Do you ever wrestle with truly believing that God loves you? Why or why not?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Redeeming Ruth - The Fulfilled Promises of God

Introduction:

The Fulfilled Promises of God... (Ruth 4):

1. Come at a Cost . (Ruth 4:1-12)

   Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

   Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.

2. Exceed my Own Expectations . (Ruth 4:13-17b)

   Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

3. Are bigger than Me . (Ruth 4:17c-22)

   Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

   2 Samuel 7:16 - "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."

   Luke 1:32-33 - "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will no end."

   2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.

   Number 23:19 - "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?""

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Redeeming Ruth - The Fulfilled Promises of God

Taylor Brown

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 4:1-22

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Talk through all that Jesus had to sacrifice to fulfill His Father’s promises. How would your life be different if you meditated upon these truths multiple times a day?
   

3. What does the average American expect from life? What should the Christian expect from life?
   

4. How do you see yourself holding God to promises that He never made in His Word?
   

5. Why is it freeing to know that life isn’t about you and that you’re important but not THAT important?

Breakout
Share any frustrations or disappointments that you are experiencing in this current season of life.

Read Romans 8:28 and pray for each other in light of the truths found in this verse.

Redeeming Ruth - The Redemption of God

Introduction:

The Redemption of God... (Ruth 3):

1. Cannot be earned by my efforts but Only Received by Faith . (Ruth 3:1-5)

   Isaiah 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

2. Brings me guaranteed Rest and Protection . (Ruth 3:6-14)

   Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

   Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.

3. Reveals itself in my life in Tangible Ways . (Ruth 3:15-18)

   2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, to see if you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Redeeming Ruth - The Redemption of God

Taylor Brown

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 3:1-18

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it mean to be redeemed? How can we stay passionate about our redemption and not lose sight of how awesome it truly is?
   

3. How do you see the sin of pride showing up in your life right now? Why should we never view ourselves as better than unbelievers in our lives and in our culture?
   

4. Do you ever struggle with an assurance of your salvation? How can true believers fight against their doubts and lack of assurance?
   

5. If the Holy Spirit lives within you, what evidence will show up in your life? In other words, what are the marks of a changed life?

Breakout
Pray for one another.