Weekend of Worship: It's Not Over Until It's Over

KEY BIBLE VERSES

• Acts 1:1-11

KEY QUOTES

"The Spirit of God will be the engine that will move the mission of God forward."

"Jesus doesn't go on to change the world with those interested in Him, but with those who are passionate about Him!"

"Being a witness of Christ doesn't mean moving further away from the world but deeper into it." 

"To witness well, it's not about being in the church but being the church."

"The tithe funds/fuels the Lord's local vehicle, the church, to connect, cultivate, care and commission the people of God to participate in the mission of God."

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DIGGING DEEPER

Jesus Christ could come back at any time. Jesus said to the disciples in Matthew 24:44, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man (Jesus) is coming at an hour you do not expect."  

A key question is, how do we prepare for Jesus' return? Here are a few ways:

• Be witnesses on mission for God who share the Good News with family, neighbors and nations.
• Serve God with our time, talent and treasures.
• Worship God.
• Read the Bible.
• Pray.
• Serve others. 
• Trust God for all things, big and small.
• Be kind and compassionate as we demonstrate God's love for the world.
• Encourage others to grow in their faith. 

Don't put off living your life today. Squeeze every ounce of joy and goodness from what you do and who you meet. Psalm 90:12 asks God to "teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Enjoy the day! 

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WHAT NOT TO MISS

There are times and seasons in our life where we mistake mile markers or checkpoints for finish lines.  

It's not over yet! But it's not over until it is over!

Who determines when it's over?

• When God says, it's over. (Acts 1:6-7)
• The disciples knew that Jesus set the final destination, what they needed to do and when it was done. 
• Only God knows the finish line; therefore, we don't have to worry about the finish line.  
• When Jesus says what He does, everything that has happened all the way up to this point has been mile markers.

What needs to happen for it to be over? 

• God's people need to complete their work. (Acts 1:8)
• Jesus clarifies and refocuses the work the disciples have left to be done, emphasizing the totality of God's mission of restoration.
• Everything Jesus did and accomplished reflects the character, nature and attributes of the kingdom of God. 

How is God going to move this mission and bring it about?

• Through the Holy Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 14:26; John 15:26-27)
• Through Jesus' witnesses.

Who are the witnesses?

• The disciples.
• The people who have seen or experienced Jesus. 
• Those who are saved and are passionate about Jesus, willing to follow Him anywhere and do anything.
• Those who had been with Jesus and were transformed by Him. 

Where or to whom do they witness?

• Jerusalem - Any location within the daily sphere of influence of your community of faith.
• Judea - Any location outside of the daily sphere of influence of your community of faith, but that shares a common worldview.
• Samaria - Any location outside of the daily sphere of influence of your community of faith that has a slightly differing worldview, but that shares some commonalities.
• Ends of the Earth - Any location outside of the daily sphere of influence of your community of faith that has a radically differing worldview with few, if any, commonalities. 

What do they give witness to?

• We exist to glorify God as we participate in God's mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

How do they witness effectively?

• Verbal. (Commission)
• Credible. (Cultivate)
• Communal. (Connect)
• Sacrificial. (Care)

We witness to who the Lord is through the giving of the tithe and offerings.

• The tithe funds/fuels the Lord's local vehicle (church) to connect, cultivate, care and commission the people of God to participate in the mission of God.
• The budget is divided into four ministry arms: Connect, Cultivate, Care and Commission. 
• An offering is above and beyond your tithe. 

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When is it over? 

• When Jesus comes back. (Acts 1:9-11)

Second Coming and Last Things:

KEY BIBLE VERSES

Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.

We believe in the personal, imminent, second coming of our Lord; we believe this blessed hope has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer in the present. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in the New City Jerusalem with the Lord.

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Life Application

This week, take time to pray and consider the urgency of living life. We do not know how many minutes, hours, days or years God will give us to be on Earth. Think of ways to take advantage of the time God gives you to live your life to the fullest.  

Consider these questions: Who can you be kind and generous towards? Who can you bless today with a smile or a small gift? Is there someone you might need to get together with whom you love? Is there someone you need to reconcile with? How might you serve someone else, be a witness and show them God's love as you share the Gospel with them?

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Small Group Discussion Questions

• What would you eat if you knew you were about to have your last meal?
• What does the Bible teach about how we should be a witness to others about Jesus?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in moving God's mission forward in the world today?
• What did Jesus teach us about the importance of living life for today as His witnesses?
• What do you feel God is calling you to complete as we wait for Jesus' return?

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Daily Devotional Bible Passages

• Day 1- Jesus has Risen-John 11:25-26; Romans 10:9; Matthew 28:2-7
• Day 2-Jesus Prepares a Place for Us-John 14:2-3; Hebrews 11:16; Philippians 3:20
• Day 3- Jesus Calls Us to be His Witnesses-Acts 1:7-8; Romans 10:13-14; Romans 1:16
• Day 4- Jesus is Coming Again-1 Thessalonians 4:17; Colossians 3:4; Acts 1:11
• Day 5-God Loves Us and We Love God-John 3:16; Psalm 116:1; John 4:19

Prayer

Lord, I am thankful that You died for my sins and saved me. It comforts me that You have gone to heaven to prepare a place for me and for all those who believe in You. But while here on earth, I want to give You glory. I want to be Your witness, pointing people to You so that they can also have a relationship with You and live with You eternally in heaven.

I look forward to the day Jesus Christ will return, just as He went into heaven. May I passionately share the Good News with neighbors and nations being a trustworthy, faithful witness of Jesus Christ until His return through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Additional Resources

• -Join Sharing Your Hope with Others.

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• -Join a LIFE² Group

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• Fall LIFE² Groups
• All LIFE² Groups
• –Sign up for the Northland Newsletter.