THE STORY
WEEK 31 | THE END OF TIME
November 13, 2022 • Gregg Parris • 1 Corinthians 13:12, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 21:1–2, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:4
“All I could see was the fog. I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.” Florence Chadwick We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! I Corinthians 13:12 MSG Prologue The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John Revelation 1:1 “Regardless of what view you have of the end times, you want to make certain that when the apocalyptic dust settles you are standing with Jesus.” A Wise Person Revelation 1-3 The Alpha and Omega Revelation 4-5 The Lamb of God Revelation 6-18 The Righteous Judge Revelation 19-20 The King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 21-22 The Bridegroom 1. You will live in a new heaven and new earth. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Revelation 21:1-2 2. You will live with God forever. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21:3 3. You will never suffer again ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 22:3 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:4-5 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:16-17
WEEK 30 | PAUL'S FINAL DAYS
November 6, 2022 • 2 Corinthians 4:8–9, 2 Corinthians 11:24–29, 2 Corinthians 4:13–14, John 3:13, 2 Corinthians 4:15
Future expectations determine present behavior. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. II Corinthians 4:8-9 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? II Corinthians 11:24-29 What was it that kept him going? 1. A promised future with Jesus. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. II Corinthians 4:13-14 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man. John 3:13 Three Questions: What do you believe about your future?Who or what is the source of that belief?Is that source trustworthy? What was it that kept him going? (Promised future with Jesus.) 2. The promise of reaching more people for God’s glory. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. II Corinthians 4:15 Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. II Corinthians 4:16-17 Living with eternity in view: a. You are more able emotionally to deal with whatever happens to you in life. b. You maximize your moments in life. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. II Corinthians 4:17
WEEK 29 | PAUL'S MINISTRY
October 30, 2022 • Zach Coffin • Acts 9, Acts 16:16–40, 2 Corinthians 5:16–17, Galatians 5:13–25, Acts 1:8
Saul to Paul: Acts 9 What excuses do you use to disqualify yourself from being used by God? What excuses do you use to disqualify others? The enemy doesn’t need to disqualify you if you have already disqualified yourself. The enemy doesn’t need to disqualify others if we do it for him. Paul and Silas in Prison: Acts 16:16-40 Following Jesus should be disruptive to our past life. -2 Corinthians 5:16-17 -Galatians 5:13-25 Jesus, help me be easily interrupted for you. What is one area you know you need to ask God to interrupt? We are not just saved people; we are sent people. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
WEEK 28 | NEW BEGINNINGS
October 23, 2022 • Gregg Parris
I. The Church is supernatural in origin and function. The Church is a supernatural invention that runs on supernatural power. II. The Church is a community of authentic love. It is better to be loving than to be right. It is better to be merciful than to be mean-spirited and judgmental. The unresolved gap between what we say and how we live is the crevice into which people fall. You cannot make yourself loving any more than you can make yourself good. III. The Church expects the miraculous presence of Christ.
WEEK 27 | THE RESURRECTION
October 16, 2022 • Gregg Parris • Matthew 27, Psalm 22, John 19:28, Psalm 24:7–10
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22:1-2 PSALMIST: “All who see me mock me: they hurl insults, shaking their heads.” Psalm 22:7 GOSPEL: “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads.” Matthew 27:39 PSALMIST: “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him.” Psalm 22:8 GOSPEL: “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now…” Matthew 27:43 PSALMIST: “My mouth is dried up like a potsherd…” Psalm 22:15 JESUS: “I am thirsty.” John 19:28 PSALMIST: “…they pierce my hands and feet.” Psalm 22:16 GOSPEL “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25 PSALMIST: “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” Psalm 22:18 GOSPEL: “And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.” Mark 15:24 Lift up the gates, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory will come in! Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates, lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10
WEEK 26 | THE HOUR OF DARKNESS
October 9, 2022 • Gregg Parris • John 18:37, John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:23–25
1. There is truth – truth that everyone should believe. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 2. Jesus came to testify to that truth – he is the key witness. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father accept through me.” John 14:6 3. Everyone doesn’t listen to Jesus – everyone gets to choose what they believe. “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 Communicating the truth: Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. II Timothy 2:23-24 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. II Timothy 2:24-25 1. Remember, you represent Jesus. (the Lord’s servant…) 2. Show kindness to everyone even when it’s not shown to you. (be kind to everyone…) 3. Keep winsomely teaching the truth. 4. Trust God to change their hearts. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. II Timothy 2:25
WEEK 25 | JESUS, THE SON OF GOD
October 2, 2022 • Zach Coffin • Luke 10:38–42, Revelation 2:4–5, John 11:1–46
What is most important? Luke 10:38-42 If the enemy can’t destroy you, he will distract you. The American dream is about distraction, not security. You might retire from your earthly work but never retire from Kingdom work. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4-5 Jesus brings dead things back to life. John 11:1-46 Despite her grief, Mary ran to Jesus. Raising Lazarus from the dead was Jesus' last recorded miracle before his death. Lazarus outlived Jesus and was a walking testimony of the resurrection for humanity and of Jesus as King. Turn what looks like death into a prayer.
WEEK 24 | NO ORDINARY MAN
September 25, 2022 • Matthew 14:23, Mark 4:38–40, Matthew 14:27–29, Matthew 14:13
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 | THE STORY Pg. 343 If Jesus is in your boat, you don’t need to be afraid of storms. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:27-29 | THE STORY Pg. 348 If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Matthew 14:13 | THE STORY Pg. 346 Give Jesus what you have and let him multiply it. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 | THE STORY Pg. 348 If you don’t come apart, you’ll come apart.
WEEK 23 | JESUS' MINISTRY BEGINS
September 18, 2022 • Gregg Parris • Matthew 3:13–17, Matthew 4:1, Hebrews 4:15, John 3:1–3, John 3:16
4 Pictures of Jesus’ life and ministry: 1. The Baptism of Jesus Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:13-17 If you have not been baptized, then what are you waiting for? This is not something to be casual about. This is something to be intentional about. 2. The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1 Why did Jesus submit to this testing? For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 3. The Conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:1-3 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 4. The Conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan Woman Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now He had to go through Samaria. John 4:1-4 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:7-10 Prayer: Have you intentionally received Jesus Christ? Have you intentionally been baptized? Are you intentionally trying to get more of His Word into your life so you can stand firm and resist the temptations of life?
WEEK 22 | THE WORD BECAME FLESH
September 11, 2022 • Gregg Parris • John 1:14, John 14:6, John 1:15–18, Ephesians 2:4–10, John 1:1–4
5 Movements in The Story: Creation (Eden, Fall, Flood, Tower of Babel) Israel (Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Judges, Kings, Prophets) Jesus The Church Paradise/Heaven In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. John 1:1-4 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 I. Jesus came to show us truth. Listen, God is not playing any games of hide and go seek with us. He is absolutely transparent with us. We are allowed to see, full on, what God is like. He has revealed himself all along the way but now He makes a personal appearance in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. God has come in the flesh and He is on mission. He has revealed a very distinct mission. He has come to the world full of grace and truth. Truth here is more than factual reporting about a particular subject or skill. Truth here is about ultimate reality. Jesus is ultimate reality. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 II. Jesus came to show us grace. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:15-18 Grace is the very opposite of merit. Grace is not only undeserved favor but it is favor shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, unmerited, favor of God. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God John 1:12 What do we do with the Word made Flesh? What do we do with Jesus? We receive Him!
WEEK 21 | REBUILDING THE WALLS
June 26, 2022 • Zach Coffin • Ezra 1—6, Ezra 7—10, Nehemiah 1—3, Nehemiah 4—7, Ezekiel 36:24–28
Zerubbabel: Rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1-6) Ezra: Teach the Torah (Ezra 7-10) Nehemiah: Rebuild the Walls (Nehemiah 1-3) Nehemiah was more concerned with his relationship with God, than the plan for his endeavor. Nehemiah asked for favor before provision. Nehemiah: Faces Opposition (Nehemiah 4-7) I want to be right with God so I can do the right things with God. 24“ ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
WEEK 20 | THE QUEEN OF BEAUTY AND COURAGE
June 19, 2022 • Gregg Parris • Ezra 1:5, Esther 4:11–16, Psalm 82:3–4, Leviticus 19:33–34
Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. Pg. 263; Ezra 1:5 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” Pg. 281; Esther 4:11 “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Pg. 282; Esther 4:13-14 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Pg. 282; Esther 4:16 God has placed you in a position of influence. 1. You must know when to keep your mouth shut. • In matters of preference (Romans 14:1-9) • To people who won’t listen (Matthew 7:6) • When you’re angry (Proverbs 15:1; James 1:19) • Judging someone’s motive (1 Corinthians 4:1-5) • When you don’t know what you’re talking about (Philippians 2:3) 2. You must know when it is time to speak up Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4 When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Leviticus 19:33-34 “And who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
WEEK 19 | THE RETURN HOME
June 12, 2022 • Gregg Parris • Ezra 3:3, Ezra 4:3, Haggai 1:3–11, Ezra 1:1–4
1. God will make a way. Ezra 1:1-4 | The Story, Pg. 263 2. Things need to be different. Ezra 3:3 | The Story, Pg. 264 3. Stay alert to the enemy’s schemes. Ezra 4:3 | The Story, Pg. 265 “If we put first things first, we get the second things thrown in; but if we put second things first, we lose both the first and second things.” C.S. Lewis Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly. C.S. Lewis 4. Remain open to correction. Haggai 1:3-11 | The Story, Pgs. 266-267 If you want to be a winner in life, you have to find a way to humble yourself and take tough news to heart.
WEEK 18 | DANIEL IN EXILE
June 5, 2022 • Gregg Parris • Daniel 3:24–27, Daniel 6:25–28
I. Outstanding Character Dare to be Daniel / Dare to stand alone / Dare to have purpose firm / Dare to make it known. Philip Bliss II. Overcoming Courage 1. Death to Self-will. 2. Joy Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Daniel 3:24-27 III. Ongoing Commitment to be a positive influence on others. A church that is on its knees with the windows open to Jerusalem is a church that is in danger from the world but safe from the lions! Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:25-28 Many people don't know about God, but they do know about your God. They picture God through your life!
WEEK 17 | THE KINGDOMS' FALL
May 29, 2022 • Zach Coffin • 2 Kings 21:1–9, 2 Chronicles 33:10–13, Jeremiah 1:4–8, 2 Chronicles 7:13–16, 2 Chronicles 33:21–23
2 Kings 21:1-9 2 Chronicles 33:10-11 3 Phrases You Might Say if You are Choosing Your Way: 1. I don’t need to pray about this, I can do this. 2. Is this really that bad? Justification is the first step away from God. 3. I know the Bible says_______ BUT…… 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 2 Chronicles 33:21-23 Jeremiah 1:4-5 5 Scriptures to Speak and Pray Over this Generation: Provers 3:7-8, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 6:11-12, Philippians 2:3-4, Acts 1:8 Jeremiah 1:6-8 2 Chronicles 7:13-16 If we want to see healing in our county and world it must first start with brokenness and repentance within the Church.