Roy Brewer - Feb 21st-24th

February 21st-24th Spiritual Emphasis Week
Schedule:
Sun 9:30 & 11
Mon 6:30-8:00 PM
Tues 6:30-8:00 PM
​Wed 6:30-8:00 PM

---

Note from RJ: As you can see, Roy Brewer is going to be with us in a Spiritual Emphasis Week, starting Sunday, February 21st.  That means that the Gospel of Mark Project will be on pause for the week leading up to our time with Roy.  However, I will be writing on the Discipleship Blog with subject matter that is somewhat related to the subject matter that Roy will be teaching. 

---

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 13-17 (NASB)
1  But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3  unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4  treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5  holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6  For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7  always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 13  But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14  You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  

• Is it possible that we are living in the last days before the return of Christ?
• Do you see any of the signs that the Apostle Paul attached to the "last days" happening in our time?
• Would you make any lifestyle changes if you knew that the return of Christ was eminent?

The Big Idea: At some point in the timeline of history, people will be living in the last days.  Just like it was in the days of Noah, most people will live their lives totally oblivious of the dangers associated with the time in which they live.  While we are not like the numerologists trying to nail down the date for Christ's return, we should have some awareness of the times in which we live.  The challenge is this: We want to be like the people who were on Noah's Ark.  We want to be people who are prepared and ready for the return of the Bridegroom.  

• What are some of the obvious parallels between our time and the time of Noah?
• As you consider the popular culture of America, and the trending behavioral patterns, do you feel more or less safe than you did a few years ago?  (Why?)
• What specific actions can you take to prepare yourself for the 2nd Advent of Christ?  

Cross References: 2 Peter 3:3-14 (NASB) 3  Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4  and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6  through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.

• ​Check out Matthew 24.  (This is Jesus speaking about future events)
• Also check out Luke 21:20-36.  (Jesus talks about the destruction of Jerusalem and of His second coming)

Theology/Apologetics: One of the largest cult groups (in the world) started on the basis of trying to predict when the 2nd Advent of Christ would take place.  When the numerous dates they set as the day when Christ would return came and went without His return, they came up with a new doctrine called the "Invisible Return of Christ."  According to this cult group's teaching, "we" are now living in the Millennial Reign of Christ.  (Where is the lion laying down in peace with the lamb?)   The study of the "End Times" is called Eschatology.  The danger of studying eschatology is that people often get caught up in trying figure out and solve questions that cannot be figured out or solved.  (The different theories and opinions of how to interpret prophecies as they pertain to the End Times are all over the place)  Rather than trying to build our theology on what is unknowable, we would be better served by building our lives on the sure foundation of what we do know.  How do we prepare for the 2nd Advent of Christ?  We live and serve the purposes of Jesus 24/7.  

• Why do people (in the church) listen to predictions concerning the date when Christ will return when Jesus stated that it was unknowable?
• If the principle of sowing and reaping is true (Gal 6:7), then living in the moment is of great significance.  How is your future being shaped by your actions today?
• In light of the turmoil happening in our world, ​how can we avoid living in fear?