Hope and Community: Strength in Christ Amid Trials
Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and praise God, acknowledging His goodness and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We are reminded that our lives are built on the foundation of Jesus, and our hope is not centered on worldly events but on the person and work of Christ. In the midst of tragedy, such as the recent loss of a young member of our church family, we find comfort in the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus. We prayed for the Burns family, asking God to provide them with peace and strength during this difficult time.
We also discussed the importance of community, particularly for the men in our church, through our Brotherhood ministry. This initiative aims to foster deep connections among men, encouraging them to walk through life together and grow into the roles God has called them to fulfill. We invite all men to join us for an interest meeting to learn more about this opportunity.
Our focus today was on Mark 13, where Jesus warns His disciples about future tribulations and the coming of false prophets. We explored the concept of the "abomination of desolation" and its historical and future implications. Jesus' teachings remind us to be on guard and to remember His words, so we are not caught off guard by the trials we face. He assures us that despite the tribulations, He has overcome the world, and our hope is secure in Him.
We are encouraged to hold onto the promises of God, even when we don't fully understand the reasons behind our suffering. Our faith is strengthened by remembering that Jesus has already won the victory over sin and death. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are called to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting in His ultimate plan and purpose for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Foundation in Christ: Our lives are built on the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ. This foundation provides us with hope and stability, even when the world around us is in turmoil. Our faith is not dependent on circumstances but on the eternal work of Christ. [16:40]
2. Community and Brotherhood: God designed us to live in community, not isolation. The Brotherhood ministry encourages men to form deep, supportive relationships, helping each other grow into the roles God has called them to fulfill. This community is vital for spiritual growth and accountability. [33:45]
3. Preparedness for Tribulation: Jesus warns us of future tribulations and false prophets, urging us to be on guard and remember His words. By doing so, we are not caught off guard by trials, but instead, we find strength and hope in His promises. [37:30]
4. Hope in Jesus' Victory: Despite the challenges and suffering we face, we hold onto the hope that Jesus has overcome the world. His victory over sin and death assures us of our eternal future with Him, providing peace and confidence in the face of adversity. [47:19]
5. Understanding Through Time: When we experience pain and tragedy, our immediate understanding is often limited. Over time, God reveals His purposes and brings healing, helping us see our experiences through the lens of His eternal plan. [52:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Worship and Praise
- [05:30] - Prayer for the Burns Family
- [10:00] - Introduction to Brotherhood Ministry
- [16:40] - Foundation in Christ
- [20:00] - Mark 13: Tribulations and Warnings
- [25:00] - Abomination of Desolation Explained
- [33:45] - Community and Brotherhood
- [37:30] - Preparedness for Tribulation
- [42:44] - Don't Forget to Remember
- [47:19] - Hope in Jesus' Victory
- [52:51] - Understanding Through Time
- [59:51] - Historical and Future Fulfillments
- [01:03:08] - Tribulations and False Prophets
- [01:07:11] - Prayer and Invitation to Faith
- [01:14:39] - Offering and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 13:9-23
- John 16:33
- Daniel 11:31
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 13, what specific warnings does Jesus give to His disciples about future tribulations and false prophets? How does He instruct them to respond? [33:45]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "abomination of desolation" mentioned in Mark 13, and how does it relate to historical and future events? [59:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of community, particularly the Brotherhood ministry, in supporting spiritual growth and accountability among men? [33:45]
4. What comfort does Jesus offer in John 16:33 regarding the tribulations believers will face in the world?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of having a foundation in Christ provide stability and hope during times of turmoil, as discussed in the sermon? [16:40]
2. What might be the implications of Jesus' warning about false prophets and tribulations for believers today? How can this awareness impact our daily lives? [37:30]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding God's ultimate plan can help believers navigate personal tragedies and suffering? [52:51]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of remembering Jesus' words and promises during difficult times? What role does this play in strengthening faith? [42:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge or tragedy in your life. How can the promise of Jesus' victory over the world provide you with hope and peace in that situation? [47:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community and brotherhood. How can you actively participate in or support a community that fosters spiritual growth and accountability? [33:45]
3. Jesus warns about false prophets and tribulations. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are spiritually prepared and discerning in the face of such challenges? [37:30]
4. Consider a time when you struggled to understand God's purpose in a difficult situation. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing and plan? [52:51]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Him. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction? [47:19]
6. How can you apply the lessons from the sermon to support someone in your life who is currently experiencing a difficult time? What specific actions can you take to offer them comfort and hope? [01:07:11]
7. Reflect on the role of prayer in your life. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for others, such as the Burns family mentioned in the sermon, into your daily routine? [16:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ as Our Foundation
Our lives are anchored in the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ. This foundation provides us with hope and stability, even when the world around us is in turmoil. Our faith is not dependent on circumstances but on the eternal work of Christ. In times of uncertainty and chaos, we are reminded that our hope is not centered on worldly events but on the person and work of Jesus. This assurance allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our foundation is secure in Him. [16:40]
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the foundation of Christ rather than your own understanding or the world's solutions?
Day 2: Brotherhood and Community
God designed us to live in community, not isolation. The Brotherhood ministry encourages men to form deep, supportive relationships, helping each other grow into the roles God has called them to fulfill. This community is vital for spiritual growth and accountability. By fostering connections, we are able to support one another through life's challenges and celebrate each other's victories. The strength of our community lies in our shared faith and commitment to walking through life together. [33:45]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement, and how can you be intentional about building deeper relationships?
Day 3: Preparedness for Tribulation
Jesus warns us of future tribulations and false prophets, urging us to be on guard and remember His words. By doing so, we are not caught off guard by trials, but instead, we find strength and hope in His promises. The teachings of Jesus in Mark 13 remind us to be vigilant and discerning, understanding that challenges will come, but we are not alone. Our preparedness is rooted in our faith and the assurance that Jesus has already overcome the world. [37:30]
"Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come." (Mark 13:33, ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to prepare spiritually for future challenges, ensuring that your faith remains strong and unwavering?
Day 4: Hope in Jesus' Victory
Despite the challenges and suffering we face, we hold onto the hope that Jesus has overcome the world. His victory over sin and death assures us of our eternal future with Him, providing peace and confidence in the face of adversity. This hope is not just for the future but impacts our present, giving us the courage to face each day with the knowledge that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. [47:19]
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively remind yourself of Jesus' victory in your daily life, especially when faced with personal struggles or doubts?
Day 5: Understanding Through Time
When we experience pain and tragedy, our immediate understanding is often limited. Over time, God reveals His purposes and brings healing, helping us see our experiences through the lens of His eternal plan. This process requires patience and trust, as we learn to see beyond our current circumstances and recognize God's hand at work. Our faith is strengthened as we witness His faithfulness and the unfolding of His perfect plan in our lives. [52:51]
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a past experience where you initially struggled to understand God's purpose. How has time and reflection changed your perspective, and what have you learned about God's faithfulness through it?
Quotes
And in that disobedience, and that dissonance to the harmony that you had written throughout all of creation, sin brought death, and hurt, and pain, and destruction. And so, Lord, I pray that as we're experiencing that with the Burns family this week, that you would remind us today that you are the resurrection and the life. That if we're in Christ, no matter what happens in this world, death does not have the final word. And we have hope that only comes from you, Lord Jesus. And so I pray for Sivan and for Brett's dad, Tim, and Brett's mom, Deanna, that you would help them to hold on to that promise. [00:15:35] (53 seconds)
Lord, we commit all this to you in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Hey, if you want to receive prayer today, I want to encourage you to come down. For whatever reason, we'd love to pray with you. But from our hearts today, let's determine to worship God for how good He is. In the midst of tragedy, He gets our highest praise. You know why? Because no matter what happens in the world, He comes first. Jesus gets our best. He's our highest priority. Because we know that if we keep our eyes fixed on Him, that no matter what happens in the world around us, that we're going to fulfill His purpose. [00:18:15] (36 seconds)
I think one of the things that we miss sometimes is that God didn't mean for us to walk this life alone. And a lot of times the response that men have is, I'll just pull myself up by my bootstraps and I'll worry about me and not bother anybody else with what's going on with me. And I think that we're going to speak to that saying no more, that you need men that you can walk through life with that understand what the struggle looks like, and that we can see God refining us and making us what he has created us to be. [00:32:21] (29 seconds)
But be on your guard, for they will deliver you over to councils, and you'll be beaten in synagogues, and you'll stand before governors and kings for my sake, this is Jesus telling us this, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand with what you're to say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. [00:32:47] (35 seconds)
I have told you all things beforehand. In other words, I am telling you this now so when it happens, you're not going to be surprised by this. You're going to remember my words in the future. And because I told you this, when it happens, you're going to be trusting me rather than judging me. And you might say, well, Nate, why would you ever say somebody would judge God? It's because people do it all the time. [00:41:35] (30 seconds)
We don't look at him in anger, but we look at him in hope, saying, Lord, you said these things would happen, and they have, but you also said that you have overcome the world. You have overcome death itself, and you have told us that we have a hope that lives because of you. And so, because of what you said, I'm holding on to hope, and I'm holding on to truth. And I'm not going to be turning away in anger because of what happened to me, because you didn't do it. The brokenness of sin in the world did it. [00:42:41] (34 seconds)
And it doesn't always happen right away. It doesn't happen right in the midst of the pain. Now look, back to our text, Jesus is telling his disciples these things beforehand. He's warning them. He's saying, look, I've given you plenty of advice on this. I'm telling you what's coming. I'm telling you so that you will believe. I'm telling you this so that you're going to have peace, so that you will have security in this insecure world. This world that looks like it's falling apart. Well, guess what? You won't be because your life is not built in this physical world around you. It's built on the rock of Christ Jesus. [00:51:35] (35 seconds)
And none of that, none of that, none of that took God by surprise. So take heart. No matter how awful or evil or heartbreaking this world can be, Jesus overcame all of it by Calvary. Now, as we're looking at this text today, it's got a lot of things coming at us, a lot of definitions and some stuff that can get confusing. I want to bring us back here. The big picture is that Jesus is talking about two main themes here. I'll put them in the notes for you. If you've got the Peak City app, they're there. [00:52:34] (31 seconds)
And then all of a sudden in AD 70, the destruction of the temple happened. So the capture of Jesus' words that happened around AD 30 were written down before the historical event ever happened. It's a miracle. And God prophesied the truth through Jesus that the temple would be destroyed. So he's talking about that and talking about his second coming. So now there's historical events, destruction of the temple. And then there's the end time events. Here's a $5 word for you. That's called eschatology, when we study the end, the study of the end times. [00:54:59] (38 seconds)
And remember, remember this behind all the wars and hatred and broken up marriages and every single rebellious child and all the hurt and the pain and the death and the sorrow and the things that we experience that we don't expect to experience is this promise that we hold on to from Jesus. He says, I told you these things not so that you would have fear, but you'd be full of faith. Don't even forget. He said this back in Genesis 3. He said that Satan would strike his heel, but the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. [01:06:00] (32 seconds)
Lord, I pray for healing so that we'll hold on not to the frustration of not understanding but on to the truth and the promise that you've already told us that we will not forget to remember you told us difficulty would happen, tribulations would happen, heartbreak would happen in this world not because of you but because of sin and that's exactly why you came and you took lashes upon your back and a crown of thorns upon your head and you were beaten with rods had your beard ripped from your face you were spit upon you were mocked you were scorned you were stripped naked and you were nailed to a Roman cross left there to die [01:08:42] (54 seconds)
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