Good Morning!
Today, our study of The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler comes to an end. I have one more short video segment of Matt Chandler coming Wednesday but today is the close of this study session. Over the last 6 weeks, I’ve had my understanding about the gospel expanded. How about you? Thank you to each of you that have participated and shown up day after day to grow, learn, and walk with God. I believe He has delighted in our efforts. Let’s be counted among those who sow the seeds of what we’ve learned with others. Pass it on!
“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Week 6 focused on the connection between the gospel and the end times. On Day 1, we explored the ideas of how creation is groaning for redemption and the effect that Jesus’s crucifixion had on creation. The central theme of this lesson focused on how the cross serves as “the linchpin in God’s plan to restore all creation.”
Our lesson on Day 2 prompted us to envision the day when God will create a new heaven and a new earth. We learned that the use of the word, “new“, in this instance, does not mean a brand new world but a world that has been renewed. 2 Peter 3:13 describes this new earth as a home of righteousness.
The lesson on Day 3 focused on our bodies being resurrected and made new.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22,23
As Christians, we look forward to a time when pain, death, illness, wrinkles, and bodies worn out from age will be a thing of the past. Our bodies will exchange the clothing of mortality to immortality. We will exchange our earthly body with its earthly issues for a body that is heaven bound. The older I become, the more I look forward to putting on the imperishable.
On Day 4, we read and studied passages of scripture that pertained to God dwelling with us, our Immanuel.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
At the beginning of this week’s work, this question was posed; “Do the Bible’s teachings on the end of time have anything to do with the way we live?” The lesson on Day 5 pointed us toward the understanding that end time teachings do impact the way we live. Since we will be with Jesus in eternity, our lives on earth should be marked by a boldness to serve Him.
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:35-37
Our hope and trust lies in the belief that a time is coming when all things will be made new and set right. A time when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will reign on His throne forever and righteousness will be the scepter of His kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8) The gospel consummated.
Questions to Ponder
- Do I feel that I have a better understanding about the gospel than I did when I began the study?
- What points in this study impacted me the most?
- How will my walk with God change as a result of what I’ve learned?
- Will I make a plan to be bolder for Jesus and in what ways?
Thank you for your participation! You are a blessing!
Blessings,
Mimi
