What's Next?

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What's Next?

Andrew Stevens

June 29, 2020 • Kristi Dennis • Philippians 4:11–13

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What’s next?” The ever-present question, heard every time you change schools, pick classes, or choose what happens after high school.

When I’m asked this question, I sometimes think it means I’m not good enough: "I haven’t 'arrived' at where they think I should be. I don’t know 'what’s next'! I was enjoying high school, but now I’m fixated on what comes after this."

I find myself becoming discontent, no longer happy where I am. I start comparing myself to other people. They have so many things I don’t have. A nice car. A significant other. A cat. A dog. A plan!

As I reflect on what others are doing, I get so focused on things I might do in the future that I lose sight of what God is doing in me right now.

When the apostle Paul was in prison, I’m sure he would sometimes look around and think of all the other things he could have been doing rather than sitting in a cell. In Philippians 4, after having been in chains for quite some time, he says he has “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (verse 11).

That doesn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about what could happen if he were released from prison, but it didn’t consume him. Paul was excited about the possibilities, but he was also content where he was.

Notice Paul says he had to learn contentment (verses 11-12). It wasn’t like flipping a switch and everything was suddenly sunshine and roses. No, learning contentment was a process.

The Holy Spirit worked in Paul all along. In Christ, Paul was able to rest in peace and joy, equipped to do the work God put before him... and even to dream about where God would call Him next. • Kristi Dennis

• Have you ever been asked about what’s next in your future?

• Read Proverbs 3:5-6. How does it encourage you to know God is the One who can direct your steps?

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Everything Points to Jesus

June 30, 2020 • Christiana Cudworth • Matthew 5:17–19, John 5:39–47

Have you ever heard that “everything in the Bible points to Jesus”? That seems kind of weird, doesn’t it? How can it be all about Someone who isn’t even named until the last quarter of the book? . True, the Old Testament is sprinkled with prophecies about the Messiah: it’s easy enough to link those to Christ. But there’s still a lot that seems irrelevant. Chapters and chapters are filled with the story of the nation of Israel. What does that have to do with Jesus? . When we start into the New Testament, Matthew summarizes Jesus’ ancestry. Right off, we see several of the “big names” from the Old Testament—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ruth, Jesse, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, etc. And that’s our first link! . But then, after the Christmas story, we get into the life of Christ, with His escape to Egypt, return to Israel, baptism, and temptation in the desert. It looks like we’ve left the Old Testament far behind. . But wait! Where have we seen Egypt before? Way back in Genesis, Israel escaped to Egypt until Moses led them on the Exodus. And then what? They spent forty years in the desert as the children grew up. They gave into temptation, worshiping other gods and complaining. . And Jesus? After escaping to Egypt, He returned, grew up, and spent forty days in the desert. Coincidence? Maybe not. When the devil tempted Him, every answer Jesus gave came straight from the book of Deuteronomy. The two Egypt stories link with an Old Testament prophet’s words: “I called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1). . Israel was formed by God to be His representative on Earth, to bless all the people of the world. When they abandoned Him, God sent Jesus — a flawless representative, who succeeded where Israel had failed. It’s one story, culminating in Christ, of God revealing His love to all the world! • Christiana Cudworth . • The Bible was written by a lot of different people, in a lot of different times and places. Why do you suppose it all fits together? . • What other examples from the Old Testament can you think of that Jesus mirrored or fulfilled? (Check out Genesis 22 and Job 19:25-27, just to name a couple.) . You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me [Jesus]! John 5:39 (NLT)

The Fall of the Empire

June 28, 2020 • Kevin Zeller • Revelation 18:2–10

One Man defeated the evil empire. . The empire ruled the entire world for centuries, millennia. All humanity succumbed to it. All lands felt its iron grip. . The empire ruled with hate and vitriol. With domination and rebellion. With use and manipulation. With lies and deceit. With death, pain, and fear. . Then it fell, beaten by the love of the new King. . Oh, the empire tried to ensnare Him in its workings, but He had no interest in conquering, in dealing, in grasping wealth. It swallowed Him up in death, and He spit it out in life. In love, He broke the cycle of human violence. . The foundations of the empire were shattered when, in love, He died... but then rose again. . Oh, the empire seems to be in full operation. Tyrants and slavers still conduct their business. The hungry masses still rage and plot. The Earth is still full of the bones of the murdered. . But so many have already defected to join the King. Millions of them now. They eagerly await the day when His kingdom of love comes in fullness, destroying the last feeble remnants of the empire. . The end will come quickly. Get out of the empire while you can, because soon there will be nothing left. Join the King, and His new kingdom. It will last forever—its people loved by their King and, thus, loving Him and each other. . The old empire will be scarcely remembered. • Kevin Zeller . • Throughout the Bible, the empire of Babylon is used as a name for the sinful system of the world. What ways do you see the empire in the news every day? . • How did Jesus destroy the empire of sin and death? (To learn more, check out our "Know Jesus" page.) . • How do Christians undermine the work of the empire? . They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God’s judgment came on you.” Revelation 18:10 (NLT)

Run the Race

June 27, 2020 • Ann-Margaret Hovsepian • Hebrews 12:1–3, 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

Like it or not, regular exercise is important for your body. It keeps your heart strong, which helps to pump blood all over your body. It makes your bones and muscles strong and keeps your lungs healthy. Exercise also sends oxygen to your brain and helps you think clearly. But there’s an even more important reason to stay active and keep fit. . Your body is a gift to you from God, one He’s entrusted to your care. Your body was specially designed and created by God (Psalm 139:14). If you’re a believer in Jesus, God even promises to resurrect your body, just like when Jesus rose from the grave (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Philippians 3:20-21). The Bible also says that when you trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in you, which means your body is His temple— it belongs to Him and you are to honor Him with it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). . How do you do that? By keeping your body healthy and clean, by making good choices about exercise and nutrition, and by staying away from activities or substances that are harmful. Simply put, you can honor God through caring for the body He’s given you—which is a very good metaphor for how to honor God in all areas of your life. . For daily training, regularly spend time reading the Bible and praying—on your own and with other Christians. For nutrition, fill your heart with spiritual nourishment: truth about Jesus—found in His Word. For coaching, find mature Christians who can encourage you as you grow as a Christian. And for your team, seek good Christian friends. Get to know people of all ages at your church. . And, finally, there’s perseverance. Don’t give up! God will help you get through even the hardest days. You have His help every morning as you wake up (Lamentations 3:22-23). As a Christian, you are never alone in the race of faith. Jesus Christ is with you always (Matthew 28:20). He will complete the work He started in you (Philippians 1:6). • Ann-Margret Hovsepian . • Why are our bodies important to God? . • What would daily training, nutrition, coaching, teamwork, and perseverance look like in your own walk with Christ? . Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)