EPISODE · Mar 30, 2023 · 40 MIN
"Ascended, Reigning, Returning" (Psalm 96:10; Acts 1:1-11)
from RUF at UNCW · host Reformed University Fellowship at UNCW
The Apostles Creed is not in the Bible, but it summarizes the big story of the Bible--everything from Creation and Fall to Redemption and Restoration. In this week's sermon, we move from what Jesus has done (past tense) to the present and future tense— what Jesus is doing and will do in the future when he "returns to judge the living and the dead." Scripture teaches us that the present and future judgement of Jesus is good news. It is good news, because knowing the truth about his reign and his return helps us to rest in his wise and loving rule. “I’ve finally figured out why I left [Church] services feeling spiritually unsatisfied as a child. I discovered more truth. But simple truth. Our God is a loving God. Yes. He's a merciful God. Yes. But he's even more so a God of DISCIPLINE. OBEDIENCE. A JEALOUS God. . .. I feel it's my calling to share the joy of God, but with exclamation, more so, the FEAR OF GOD. The balance. Knowing the power in what he can build, and also what he can destroy.” -- Kendrick Lamar “My thesis is that the practice of non-violence requires a belief in divine vengeance…if God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end of violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship.”-- Miroslav Volf DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: “In our culture, judging evil is widely considered worse than doing evil.” Do you agree with this statement? What are the ways in which our culture has become more judgmental in the last few years? Read Acts 1:6. What did the apostles want? When did they want it to happen? Acts 1:7-8. What role did God give to them? What is hard about “not knowing?” In what way is our waiting posture in this world like Jesus' posture? (see Matthew 16:24-27) Read Psalm 96: 10-13. How does the Psalmist describe God’s judgement? Why would this be good news to a people who are suffering? Do you think the presence of evil and suffering in the world makes it harder or easier to believe in Christianity? Why? Read the quotes from Kendrick Lamar and Miroslav Volf. What rings true?
What this episode covers
The Apostles Creed is not in the Bible, but it summarizes the big story of the Bible--everything from Creation and Fall to Redemption and Restoration. In this week's sermon, we move from what Jesus has done (past tense) to the present and future tense— what Jesus is doing and will do in the future when he "returns to judge the living and the dead." Scripture teaches us that the present and future judgement of Jesus is good news. It is good news, because knowing the truth about his reign and his return helps us to rest in his wise and loving rule. “I’ve finally figured out why I left [Church] services feeling spiritually unsatisfied as a child. I discovered more truth. But simple truth. Our God is a loving God. Yes. He's a merciful God. Yes. But he's even more so a God of DISCIPLINE. OBEDIENCE. A JEALOUS God. . .. I feel it's my calling to share the joy of God, but with exclamation, more so, the FEAR OF GOD. The balance. Knowing the power in what he can build, and also what he can destroy.” -- Kendrick Lamar “My thesis is that the practice of non-violence requires a belief in divine vengeance…if God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end of violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship.”-- Miroslav Volf DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: “In our culture, judging evil is widely considered worse than doing evil.” Do you agree with this statement? What are the ways in which our culture has become more judgmental in the last few years? Read Acts 1:6. What did the apostles want? When did they want it to happen? Acts 1:7-8. What role did God give to them? What is hard about “not knowing?” In what way is our waiting posture in this world like Jesus' posture? (see Matthew 16:24-27) Read Psalm 96: 10-13. How does the Psalmist describe God’s judgement? Why would this be good news to a people who are suffering? Do you think the presence of evil and suffering in the world makes it harder or easier to believe in Christianity? Why? Read the quotes from Kendrick Lamar and Miroslav Volf. What rings true?
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"Ascended, Reigning, Returning" (Psalm 96:10; Acts 1:1-11)
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