Week of 10/3/26, Thank You and Men's Breakfast

Dear Church Family,
After this Sunday's message I saw much animated and engaged conversation and that is no surprise. I do want to ask - How many of us then went and sought out someone to encourage and build up in the faith? Or answer hard questions of endurance and faithfulness? Where do our discussions lead? I pray not to dissension, but to earnest belief in Jesus' return and action. Pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib and more are legitimate biblical views that wrestle with how we make sense of the end time events and I have not found one yet that perfectly holds all the tensions and pieces of the end times together, including my own! That is why it is clearly the Lord's business and reveals the nature of prophecy in many ways! The purpose of what the Lord gave us is to know of concerns ahead of time and to be watchful and ready, for we do not know the day or the hour, only that He is faithful and will return when his purposes are complete!
For all of my pre-tribulation brothers and sisters, know that I truly appreciate what you bring to the discussion. I know that my comparison was not totally fair(coming from primarily one perspective), but I hope that you were challenged in considering another view and how we as a church can be more ready as a result!

Many thanks - The trip to South Asia is fully funded! More details this Sunday.
Men's Breakfast - this Saturday at 8am - Studying God's Word with great food and fellowship.

Berean Enjoyment
For life groups - Feel free to discuss the message for a few minutes, scriptures and perspectives, but I don't necessarily want the focus to be on which view is right as much as - how do we have biblical discussions with different views within the church? And how do discussions about the end times help us to prepare for what is coming?

When we have a discussion about matters of the Bible, what are some of the goals?
Now read Hebrews 5:12-14, Philippians 1:9-11, 1 John 4:1

What makes biblical discussion fruitful?
Now read James 1:22-25

When does discussion become unproductive?
Now read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Is there a place where division is necessary? Over what kinds of issues?
Now read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, Romans 16:17-19

The goals of our discussion around interpretation should be seeking the truth of the scriptures, the teachings of the apostles and the prophets, and spirit-filled obedience and following after Christ that come from them.

Read Matthew 24:36-51
Where do you see warnings about the immediacy of Jesus' return?
In Vs. 42 what does he give as a right response to this immediacy? What does being awake look like?
If someone were to say to you 'Jesus could return at any moment, so why should I bother with that?' what would you tell them?
What does it mean to give 'food at the proper time'?
What motivates Godly action in such difficult times?

Is Jesus aware people will be impatient with his coming?
Matthew 24:48, 25:5, 25:19
What determines a wicked or faithful response to this perceived delay?
What is God's purpose for what feels like delay to us?
Read 2 Peter 3:8-10

What do we need to be ready to endure (regardless of the timing)?
Read 1 Peter 4:12-14
Should believers and the church look like Y2K preppers or something else? How should we be thinking of meeting others' needs in difficult times?
Looking at Paul's final list of instructions(1 Thessalonians 5:12-24) after warning about the end times, which stands out to you as something the Lord might grow or challenge you in?

What is one specific area you are not ready or obeying as a 'faithful servant' right now in preparation for Jesus' return? Pray for a fresh view of Jesus and fresh conviction of the Holy Spirit to act now.


Jesus is coming soon, that is our hope. May the hope of seeing Jesus lead us to prioritize a deeper relationship with him and those around us that is focused on what he has called us to; faith-filled obedience and sacrificial love.

In Christ,
Pastor Phillip