Wesley Word – Now and Later

Carolyn Lemaster   -   November 9, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, November 13, 2022

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth

Isaiah 65:17-25 & Luke 21:5-19

Now and Later

In the month of November, beginning with All Saints’ Day and running through the First Sunday of Advent, the church calendar and the lectionary take up the topic of eschatology or last things. At this point, many of you are saying, “Can we go back to talking about money again?”

The doctrine of last things makes many of us nervous. After all, we are, actually, talking about the end of the world. Add to that the fact that there are so many possible interpretations of some very difficult prophetic passages that many of us are left afraid and confused.

I would encourage those of you who want to, to wade deep into the prophetic passages of the Bible. Get a study Bible. Do some research into the various views of end-time events.

However, wading safely in deep water sometimes requires us to tie ourselves on to something solid on shore. I would like to offer you two controlling truths that will help you understand all of these prophecies and their various and diverse interpretations. These are things you can come back to when you feel lost. First, Jesus is coming back to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, a new heaven, and a new earth, one that is so different than the one we now know, that in it, “The wolf and the lamb will feed together.” That is good news. Second, according to Jesus, things are going to get worse before they get better, so we need to be ready.

When will this happen? We do not know. We do know that we are closer now than we have ever been.

We know that the Kingdom is coming and we see glimpses of it around us even now. We live in the already and not yet. Also, we need to remember that we are not just waiting for God’s Kingdom, we are to be working for it wherever we can.

 

Question for Reflection/Discussion:

  1. Where do you see brokenness in our world? How is God calling you to not just wait for it to be fixed, but also work to fix it?
  2. Where do you see glimpses of the Kingdom of God shining through?

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • November 9        Hebrews 9:11-28
  • November 10    Hebrews 10:1-17
  • November 11        Hebrews 10:18-39
  • November 12    Hebrews 11:1-16
  • November 13    Hebrews 11:17-31
  • November 14    Hebrews 11:32-12:13
  • November 15    Hebrews 12:14-29
  • November 16    Hebrews 13:1-25

 

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

“Just stop your crying
It’s a sign of the times
Welcome to the final show
Hope you’re wearing your best clothes
You can’t bribe the door on your way to the sky
You look pretty good down here
But you ain’t really good”

At first glance of the message above I was immediately reminded of the opening lyrics to a pop song (yes, he was once in a boy band so bonus points if you know who the singer is. lol).

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst…..That was then, this is now……I could go on and on with these references, from pop culture and old wives sayings. The honest truth is the majority of people are scared of something. Whether it is spiders, snakes, our food touching, feet, clowns, bats, heights, flying, etc. Being scared is a normal human reaction, which is fine! Sometimes being scared is a healthy thing, like when your child goes off on their own for the first time. Jesus wasn’t just a normal human, we have put our trust, nay our faith in a divine human. Half human and the other half is one third of the trinity. When some of us come up against our fears, we know in our hearts that our faith in Jesus will protect us. He promised that even though things will get worse and we are scared that He will protect us. The signs might in the end be very obvious or not, until Jesus comes back and makes earth His kingdom we might miss every sign. He will come though, I know this in my heart and I know deep down you know this as well. So…….Let the bygone eras be bygone eras and live your life in the present for Jesus!

What is one fear you have that when you look around your house (if it is at your house) you can see easily? Otherwise close your eyes and picture your fear. Carry your Bible close to your chest and walk to confront your fear, or picture yourself carrying a Bible to confront your fear, was it easier this time? Did holding God’s word make you less afraid?

Announcements

  • WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm. Refreshments, devotions, adult classes, and programming for youth and children.
  • Pledge Cards – If you have a pledge card to turn in, it is not too late. You can bring it any Sunday and drop it in the offering plate or bring/mail it to the church office. If you need a pledge card, contact the office.
  • Youth and Children’s Choir Concert – Sunday, November 13, 4:00 pm.
  • Thanksgiving Service and Meal – November 20, combined service at 10:00 am. Meal will follow at the Wesley Family Life Center. Wesley members, please bring table service and a dessert or salad to feed at least 8.
  • Community Thanksgiving Service at Wesley – Wednesday, November 23, 6:00 pm.
  • Kids Christmas Shoppe – December 10, 9:00 am-noon at the Wesley Family Life Center. Contact Mary Anne Alberhasky, 319-461-6609.
  • Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center is accepting donations for take home bags for children served at the center. For more information, contact Jessica Holt, 563-263-1596.