Living in Anticipation: Embracing God's Purpose and Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Life as Purposeful Creation

The Bible provides a clear and comprehensive view of the world, asserting that life is not a cosmic accident but a purposeful creation by God. This understanding gives us a framework to address life's essential questions: who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. In a world filled with diverse worldviews, ranging from optimistic ignorance to despairing nihilism, the Bible offers a cohesive explanation. It asserts that humanity, made in God's image, inherently senses eternity, which explains our fascination with life beyond death. This perspective not only grounds us in our identity but also provides hope and direction for our lives. [04:24]

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how your understanding of being purposefully created by God influences your daily decisions. What is one specific way you can live today that reflects this belief?

Day 2: History's Climactic Conclusion

History is moving towards a climactic conclusion, not an endless cycle or a meaningless drift. The Bible assures us that history will culminate when God's purposes are fulfilled, bringing hope and a solemn warning to be prepared for the day of the Son of Man. This understanding challenges the notion of history as a series of random events or an endless cycle. Instead, it presents a narrative where every moment is significant and purposeful, leading to a divine conclusion. This perspective invites us to live with intentionality and readiness, knowing that our actions contribute to a larger divine story. [10:18]

"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." (Acts 17:26, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you view the events of your life. How can you align your daily actions with the belief that history is moving towards God's ultimate purpose?

Day 3: The Present Reality of the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God is a present reality, and Jesus invites us to enter it through repentance and faith. The day of the Son of Man will be unmistakable, sudden, and inescapable, bringing a definitive separation between those who are prepared and those who are not. This call to readiness is not about predicting dates or deciphering signs but about living in a way that reflects our hope in Christ. Jesus warns against being preoccupied with earthly things, as exemplified by Lot's wife, and instead encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God. [11:57]

"Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'" (Luke 17:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: What earthly concerns are distracting you from seeking the Kingdom of God? How can you refocus your priorities today to align with the reality of God's Kingdom?

Day 4: Faithful Readiness for Christ's Return

Faithful readiness is about living in anticipation of Christ's return, not predicting dates or deciphering signs. Jesus warns against being preoccupied with earthly things and encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God, as exemplified by Lot's wife. This readiness involves a heart posture that prioritizes eternal values over temporary concerns. It calls for a life that reflects our hope in Christ, characterized by repentance, faith, and a focus on God's Kingdom. By living in this way, we prepare ourselves for the sudden and unmistakable return of Christ. [30:16]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are not living in readiness for Christ's return. What practical steps can you take today to align this area with your hope in Christ?

Day 5: The Exclusivity of Christ

The exclusivity of Christ is paramount, and we must remain devoted to Him even in a world that often promotes a false sense of tolerance. Our hope and assurance lie in the promise that all will be righted when the King comes, and we will behold Him in His glory. This devotion requires unwavering commitment to Christ, recognizing that He is the only way to salvation and the fulfillment of God's purposes. In a world that often values inclusivity and tolerance, this call to exclusivity challenges us to stand firm in our faith and prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. [41:04]

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to compromise your devotion to Christ in the name of tolerance? How can you reaffirm your commitment to His exclusive lordship today?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Luke 17, we delve into the profound questions of life, death, and the ultimate destiny of humanity. The passage challenges us to consider the nature of the world and our place within it, especially in light of the confusion that often surrounds these topics. Many people today live without a clear understanding of life's origins or its ultimate end, leading to a variety of worldviews ranging from optimistic ignorance to despairing nihilism. However, the Bible offers a cohesive and comprehensive explanation, asserting that the world is not a cosmic accident but a purposeful creation by God. Humanity, made in God's image, inherently senses eternity, which explains our fascination with life beyond death.

Jesus, in addressing the Pharisees and His disciples, emphasizes that history is not an endless cycle or a meaningless drift but is moving towards a climactic conclusion. The Bible assures us that history will culminate when God's purposes are fulfilled, and this brings both hope and a solemn warning. The Kingdom of God is a present reality, and Jesus invites us to enter it through repentance and faith. The day of the Son of Man will be unmistakable, sudden, and inescapable, and it will bring a definitive separation between those who are prepared and those who are not.

The call is for faithful readiness, urging us to live in anticipation of Christ's return. This readiness is not about predicting dates or deciphering signs but about living in a way that reflects our hope in Christ. Jesus warns against being preoccupied with earthly things, as exemplified by Lot's wife, and instead encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God. The passage concludes with a reminder of the exclusivity of Christ and the need for unwavering devotion to Him, even in a world that often promotes a false sense of tolerance.

Key Takeaways

1. The Bible provides a clear and comprehensive view of the world, asserting that life is not a cosmic accident but a purposeful creation by God. This understanding gives us a framework to address life's essential questions: who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. [04:24]
2. History is moving towards a climactic conclusion, not an endless cycle or a meaningless drift. The Bible assures us that history will culminate when God's purposes are fulfilled, bringing hope and a solemn warning to be prepared for the day of the Son of Man. [10:18]
3. The Kingdom of God is a present reality, and Jesus invites us to enter it through repentance and faith. The day of the Son of Man will be unmistakable, sudden, and inescapable, bringing a definitive separation between those who are prepared and those who are not. [11:57]
4. Faithful readiness is about living in anticipation of Christ's return, not predicting dates or deciphering signs. Jesus warns against being preoccupied with earthly things and encourages us to seek first the Kingdom of God, as exemplified by Lot's wife. [30:16]
5. The exclusivity of Christ is paramount, and we must remain devoted to Him even in a world that often promotes a false sense of tolerance. Our hope and assurance lie in the promise that all will be righted when the King comes, and we will behold Him in His glory. [41:04]
** [41:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Opening Prayer
[01:10] - The Confusion of Life and Death
[02:10] - The Search for Meaning
[04:24] - The Bible's Answers to Life's Questions
[07:10] - The Climax of History
[10:18] - The Kingdom of God and Its Reality
[11:57] - The Day of the Son of Man
[13:08] - The Unmistakable Return of Christ
[17:01] - The Centrality of Christ's Return
[22:02] - Jesus' Words to His Disciples
[27:38] - Illustrations from Noah and Lot
[30:16] - The Call to Readiness
[32:34] - The Inevitability of Separation
[36:04] - The Exclusivity of Christ
[41:04] - The Hope of Christ's Return

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Luke 17:20-37
Genesis 1:26
Matthew 6:33

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Observation Questions:

What does Jesus say about the nature of the Kingdom of God in Luke 17:20-21? How does this challenge the Pharisees' expectations? [17:51]
In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the world's view of history compared to the biblical view? [09:51]
What examples from the Old Testament does Jesus use to illustrate the suddenness of His return? [12:18]
How does the pastor explain the significance of Lot's wife in the context of being ready for Christ's return? [30:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the understanding that history is moving towards a climactic conclusion affect a believer's perspective on current world events? [10:18]
What does it mean to live in anticipation of Christ's return without being preoccupied with earthly things, as exemplified by Lot's wife? [30:16]
How does the sermon describe the exclusivity of Christ, and why is this significant in a world that often promotes a false sense of tolerance? [41:04]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Kingdom of God is a present reality, and how should this influence a believer's daily life? [11:16]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current worldview. Does it align more with the biblical perspective of history moving towards a purpose, or with a more secular view? How does this affect your daily decisions? [09:51]
Are there areas in your life where you find yourself preoccupied with earthly things? What steps can you take to seek first the Kingdom of God this week? [30:16]
The sermon emphasizes the need for faithful readiness. What practical changes can you make in your life to live in anticipation of Christ's return? [15:53]
How do you respond to the exclusivity of Christ in conversations with friends or family who may hold different beliefs? What approach can you take to share your faith respectfully and effectively? [41:04]
Consider the example of Lot's wife. Is there something in your past or present that you are holding onto that might hinder your readiness for Christ's return? How can you address this? [30:16]
The pastor mentioned the importance of not being swayed by false teachings about Christ's return. How can you ensure that your understanding of biblical prophecy is grounded in Scripture? [23:29]
Identify one specific way you can demonstrate your hope in Christ to those around you this week. How can this act as a testimony to the reality of the Kingdom of God? [11:16]

Sermon Clips

"The Bible provides us with a clear cohesive comprehensive view of the world. Indeed, as I've said in the last couple of Sundays, one of the exciting things about this point in history is that of all people, the Christian, the follower of Christ, has an opportunity to say to a confused world, here is our explanation for the who, the what, and the why." [00:04:34]

"The Bible says that the world is not a mere accident, not some kind of cosmic spill, but rather the Bible says that God created the world, and He created it purposefully. At the same time, the Bible declares that man is not merely the chance product of evolution, if you like, another cosmic accident, but rather he is created by God." [00:04:54]

"History is moving towards a climax, that the world isn't simply going to run down through lack of energy, nor is the world about to explode in some massive catastrophic nuclear holocaust, but rather what the Bible says is this: that history, as we know it, will end when the purpose for which God made the world has been accomplished." [00:10:00]

"The Kingdom of God, Jesus is teaching, is a reality. He is inviting, as the King, men and women to enter His Kingdom, to repent of their sins and to acknowledge that He is the person He claimed to be. If they will come in childlike trust, then He will welcome them into the Kingdom." [00:11:04]

"The day of Jesus Christ will be unmistakable, worldwide, sudden, inescapable, and for those who are not prepared, calamitous. The day of Jesus Christ will be unmistakable. Nobody will be saying, 'Do you think this is it?' There won't be any question. It will be worldwide." [00:13:04]

"Are you prepared? Are you ready? See, what this passage in its essence is all about is a call to faithful readiness and a reminder of how urgent the call is in light of the unmistakable suddenness of the day of the Son of Man." [00:15:44]

"Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. In other words, to live my life seeking everything now and apart from Christ, to focus only on stuff and on material things, to live only in the now and the benefits that I presently accrue, is to actually deny myself the possibility of real life and true happiness." [00:32:00]

"Family attachments and friendly relationships won't prevent a separation which is inevitable, final, and unrevocable. The fact that your wife attends Bible study and is a good upright Christian, and she drags you here on a Sunday, you think that if you're in the same bed as her on the day when Christ returns that somehow or another as long as you hang on to her, you go with her. Not a chance." [00:32:54]

"Let the pessimist look down, let the fearful look around, let the Christian lift his eyes and look up, for all will be righted when the King comes, and we will behold Him face to face in all of His glory." [00:41:01]

"This morning is a moment of opportunity. Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you watching? Are you waiting? Are you hoping? Are you praying? Are you comforting one another with these words in the dark days of your life, as you go through difficulties and as you see the challenges of family life and the reading of your children and bereavement and loss?" [00:41:38]

"Father, I pray that you write this truth on our hearts because some of us are growing real soft on the exclusivity of Jesus. We've been buying the contemporary mythology and it has deadened our zeal for Jesus. This helps us understand that the devout Muslim is not about to give up anything, and I admire him for his devotion." [00:41:58]

"We want to be socially tolerant, we know we have to be legally tolerant, but we say we pray you'd save us from the kind of intellectual tolerance which thinks that two and two equals whatever you wanted to eat. Get us ready, we pray, for Jesus' sake." [00:42:50]

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Living in Anticipation: Embracing God's Purpose and Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Life as Purposeful Creation

Day 2: History's Climactic Conclusion

Day 3: The Present Reality of the Kingdom

Day 4: Faithful Readiness for Christ's Return

Day 5: The Exclusivity of Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living in Anticipation: Embracing God's Purpose and Kingdom

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