“God With Us,” Week 5 — The “Bigger Bang” Sermon Map

Sermon map? What about a sermon rewind?

Well, yesterday’s message was as departure in a few notable ways.

First, it was mapped out but never manuscripted.

Second, it drew a distinction between the view of time in Eastern religions — it is endlessly cyclical — and time in Judeo-Christian thought — it had a beginning and is headed towards a culmination.

Third, it didn’t have a bottom line. It actually had three points (though a UMC preacher friend who was in attendance told me it was really a one pointer with two supporting steps to get there!).

Fourth, it was a bit more on the teaching end than the preaching end, as I explained the connections between Jesus’ arrival and his return.

Fifth, it had Good Shepherd’s World Famous End Times Chart, courtesy of James-Michael Smith.

The three points? Check out the map below.

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ANTICIPATION VIDEO

Early Christians tied Advent’s anticipation to Second Coming anticipation
The first coming is designed to make us long for the second

TODAY TOTALLY DIFFERENT … a bit more teaching, not just ONE THING.
Total difference not only a ketchup video but philosphy
Circle
Line
Which way does time move? (Have slides side by side)
East & West; Hindu & Judeo Christian
People reincarnate and so does TIME … endless loop

Line = Big Bang …. Culminating in BIGGER BANG.

HIS ARRIVAL BRINGS ABUNDANT LIFE (John 10:10)
Pointless to purposeful

HIS REIGN BRINGS LIFE AFTER DEATH ((2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
Funerals
Never more alive
Disembodied souls …

HIS RETURN BRINGS LIFE AFTER LIFE AFTER DEATH (I Corinthians 15:50-54)
Huh?
Then / Now Eschatology
People who talk the most about it the least qualified to do so
Sudden dramatic unmistakable
Biggest Bang … Battle of Armageddon really the EXECUTION!
Why the creed says “rez of body” and not “immortality of soul”
THE hope of Xnty …. And no one knows it.
Rev 21:22-25 … NO ELECTRICITY, NO CHURCH

Armenia Earthquake