A Certain Future in an Uncertain World

THEME: Write one sentence about the topic. A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!

EQUIP THE SAINTS!!!

Overview: WHAT IS THE SINGULAR THEME OF THE MESSAGE? WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL TEACHING THAT IS CENTRAL TO THIS MESSAGE?

Theme: The theme of the message.

Objective: What does the message hope to accomplish? How will it change the lives of the listeners?    

✔️TRANSFORMATION!!!

✔️AMBASSADORSHIP!!!

✔️DISCIPLESHIP!!!

How does this message change lives?

How does it CHANGE LIVES?

How is it tied to our testimony?

How do we apply it in our lives?

How does it make us better AMBASSADORS?

How does it make us better DISCIPLES (Discipleship)?

What is the one thing hearers should walk away with, if they do not hear anything else?

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✔️CHECKLIST

REDUCE NOTES!!! 📋

INCREASE SLIDES!!! 🎞️

CREATE NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPH AS AN INSERT IN THE BULLETIN.

Select Background

Create an Introductory Slide (with name).

Create a Promotional Slide (with name) for Social Media / Website.

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I. THE CHURCH GATHERS

Welcome and Announcements

(Lay Leader) WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Include invitation to fellowship

Pastor Announcements (with slides below)

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Slide Announcements:

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WE NEED YOU.

Volunteers needed.

Lay Leaders

Greeters

Ushers

Hospitality (provide Food for after service Fellowship)

Nursery and Sunday School Teachers.

Food Bank workers (meet the community).

Worship Leaders (see Pastor Dave).

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NIGHT OF PRAISE

Starts Sunday evening.

7:00 PM

2nd and 4th Sunday of each month

Starts on September 13.

Praise and Worship leaders (musicians) needed. (see Pastor Dave)

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THE FORGE MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Men’s Study and Fellowship Team

Every 4th Monday Evening

7:00pm

Starts on Monday, September 28

If you wish to know more about the group, watch the movie called “The Forge” (it’s a Christian movie).

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INTRODUCTION TO WORSHIP

Call to Worship

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Psalm 146:5–10

(Lay Leader):  Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

(People):         He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.

(Lay Leader):  He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free,

(People):         the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

(Lay Leader):  The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

(People):         The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.

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II. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS

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🎶CHOIR ANTHEM

Built on a Rock

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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG

(Book/Screen) 🎵#47

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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Today’s Bible Reading

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(LAY LEADER) BIBLE (Reading): Revelation 21:1–7 NIV (PAGE #1937)

Revelation 21:1–7 NIV

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

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(LAY LEADER) This is the Word of the Lord.

(PEOPLE) Thanks be to God!

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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG

(Book/Screen) 🎵#27

How Great Thou Art

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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG

(Book/Screen) 🎵#67

Majesty, Worship His Majesty

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III. THE CHURCH PRAYS

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (Monthly Prayer)

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Congregational Prayer (Ephesians 3:16-19) (Page 1820)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Sharing Our Joys and Spiritual Needs

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(LAY LEADER) PRAYER NEEDS AND REQUESTS

[Go to front after Sharing of Prayer Requests.]

PASTOR: SILENT PRAYER

PASTOR: PASTORAL PRAYER for NEEDS (Below):

1. Personal Prayer

Unspoken requests

Thanksgiving

Repentance and spiritual growth

2. Our Church Family

Warden Community Church

Spiritual health

Those who serve on the Boards and Committees

Teachers

Volunteers

Worship team

Ministries we currently have, and those ministries in development

Givers and stewards of this church

Unity and revival

3. Christ's Church Around the World

Missionaries and mission organizations

The persecuted church

Believers serving in difficult places

4. Those Who Suffer

Those battling illness

Those grieving

Those struggling with mental illness

Those battling addiction

The homeless

The hungry

The poor

Those in prison

Victims of abuse or violence

"We pray for all who are suffering physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually."

5. Our Community

First responders

Military

Teachers and schools

Local businesses and farmers

Local government

Neighboring churches

6. Evangelism

We pray for those who are seeking You,

those who have wandered from the faith,

and those who have never known Christ,

that Your Holy Spirit would draw them to repentance and faith."

7. Family and Friends

And we lift up our families, friends, and

and those close to our hearts,

that they may seek and find You, Lord.

8. Closing

Lord, we know there are countless needs known only to You.

Hear the cries that remain unspoken, and

accomplish Your perfect will for Your glory."

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And we pray as You, Lord, taught us to pray . . .

PASTOR: LORDS PRAYER (Bulletin)

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

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(Lay Leader) 🎵GLORIA PATRI

🎵Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen, Amen.

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V. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

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OFFERINGS

🎶Music during offering.

(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) BRIEF WORD on GIVING/TESTIMONY

Invite the Ushers to come forward.

I want to invite each of us into something sacred.

We’re about to participate in an act of worship—our offering.

This is where we give up something we value—our treasure—

as a sacrifice to God, from us to Him,

It’s expressing our love and devotion for Him

in a way that is simple and sincere.

This isn’t primarily about paying bills or funding programs,

though those things matter.

This is one of the purest opportunities for worship we have in our service together.

Think about what your giving communicates.

When we bring our offerings,

we’re acknowledging that everything we possess comes from God and

expressing our gratitude and devotion.

Our gift—whether large or small—

declares something profound about where our hearts are

and what we truly value.

What matters most is not the size of our gift but

our motivation as the giver.

God sees the heart behind every dollar.

He sees whether we’re giving from abundance

or our sacrifice,

from joy or obligation,

from trust or fear.

So as we move into this time,

I invite all of us to worship.

We don’t think about the church’s budget.

We consider our relationship with God.

about His goodness towards us.

about what it means to return to Him

a symbolic portion

of what already belongs to Him.

When we give from a heart of gratitude,

we are declaring our allegiance to God’s eternal plan and

to our willingness to be part of it.

LET’S WORSHIP AND GIVE THANKS.

(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) PRAYS FOR OFFERING

Ushers collect offering (pass the plates)

(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) DOXOLOGY

🎶DOXOLOGY:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

(PASTOR or LAY LEADER) PRAYER OF DEDICATION (for Offering)

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🎶CONGRGATIONAL SONG OF THANKSGIVING

(Book/Screen) 🎵#334

Amazing Grace

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VI. THE CHURCH HEARS THE WORD

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PRAYER OF PREPARATION (for the message)

PASTOR: May the words of my mouth . . .

PEOPLE: And the meditation of our hearts,

be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, Our Strength and Our Redeemer.

Amen. (Psalm 19:14)

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PASTOR’S PRAYER (for the message)

Prayer 1 – "Speak, Lord"

Based on: 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalm 119:18; Hebrews 4:12

Heavenly Father,

As we open Your Word, we ask that You would speak, for Your servants are listening. Open our eyes that we may behold wonderful things from Your Word. Let these not be merely the words of a man, but may Your Holy Spirit take Your eternal truth and write it upon our hearts. Search us, convict us where we need conviction, encourage us where we need hope, and strengthen us where we need faith. May Your Word accomplish the purpose for which You have sent it, and may we leave this place changed because we have encountered You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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😁ANIMATED, EXPRESSIVE, PASSIONATE, POSITIVE. 😊❤️

Welcome Church 😊❤️

7. GATHERED IN HOPE — Looking Beyond Our Circumstances

Good morning, church family! Whatever kind of week you have had, I'm glad you're here. Some of us may come this morning rejoicing; others may come tired, discouraged, or carrying burdens that no one else knows about. But all of us come to the same Savior and stand on the same promises. Our hope is not determined by our circumstances—our hope is in Jesus Christ. So let's lift our eyes above the circumstances of the week and fix them again on the One who never changes.

Welcome Guests and Visitors

7. GATHERED IN HOPE — Welcoming Guests to the Hope We Share

And if you're joining us for the first time, we want to warmly welcome you. We're truly glad you're here. Whatever circumstances you may be facing, we pray that today you will be reminded of the hope we have in Jesus Christ—a hope that is greater than anything we face.

Who We Are (WCC) ⛪♥️

7. GATHERED IN HOPE — A People Who Carry the Hope of Christ

We are a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church seeking God together through His Word, through prayer, and through lives of worship. Our hope is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, and our desire is to grow in Him, love one another deeply, and carry the hope and truth of the gospel beyond these walls into our community and throughout the world.

Special Invitation (after the service)

We invite you to join us in the Fellowship Hall following the service for some food and fellowship. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend some time together, and if you’re visiting with us today, we’d especially love the opportunity to meet you and get to know you better.

Special Recognition and Thanks

LAY LEADER:

HOSPITALITY:

GREETERS:

SOUND/MEDIA:

Series (we are in . . . (series)

Anchored: Holding Fast to the Truth in a Shifting World

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A Certain Future in an Uncertain World

Introduction to Message

A MESSAGE THAT CHANGES LIVES!!!❤️😁

God’s Eternal Plan (Dave/Mili)

What brought us together . . . and why?

NOT JUST A SINGLE MOMENT IN TIME.

NOT RANDOM, NOT UNINTENTIONAL.

WAS PURPOSEFUL, INTENTIONAL, PLANNED, ORCHASTRATED.

This is TRUE for all of us.

God’s plan and purpose for us.

What brought us to Warden Community Church?

At WCC

History of the church plays a part.

Changing demographics of area (Warden)

Loss of a pastor.

Changing needs of the church.

Changing composition of WCC.

Loss of some attendees.

Return of some members.

Core of church remaining.

Dave and Mili

Different pasts (Perú and Alaska)

Cultures

Languages

Beliefs

How’d we meet?

Ad on desk brought me to Washington

Rerouted trip to Florida brought Mili to WA.

Chance meeting on (now defunct) Equally Yoke dating site.

Qualifications meet WCC needs.

Dave’s desire to know more about Scripture (study, masters, doctoral program, book).

Mili’s ministry to Spanish church (Perú and USA).

Mili’s evangelistic gifts.

Mili’s gift of outreach and compassion.

The people at WCC intersecting with Mili and I

Partnership

Desire to serve God.

Compassionate personalities (working together)

Similar mission and vision.

THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.

GOD’S PLAN (regardless of what happens, this is NOT an accident)

Does that mean everything happened was for this specific moment?

Not necessarily.

We are part of God’s much LARGER plan.

GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN

God’s Eternal Plan (Joseph’s part)

When the harvest is plentiful, it can be difficult to imagine that anything will ever change.

The fields are producing.

The storehouses are filling.

There is food on every table.

That sounds like a good time to relax.

But in ancient Egypt, one man was preparing for a disaster that no one could yet see.

His name was Joseph.

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God had revealed through Pharaoh’s dreams that Egypt would experience seven years of extraordinary abundance,

followed by seven years of devastating famine.

Joseph explained to Pharaoh that these dreams revealed what God was about to do.

Then he recommended a plan:

appoint someone to oversee the collection and storage of food during the good years so the country could survive the years of famine.

Pharaoh put Joseph in charge.

Joseph understood something that the harvest alone could never tell him.

What he could see in the present was not the whole truth about the future.

The abundance was real.

But so was God’s warning.

So Joseph used the years of plenty to prepare for the years of hunger.

And the famine came, just as God had revealed.

But because food had been stored,

there was bread in Egypt.

BUT GOD HAD A LARGER PLAN, AN ETERNAL PLAN,

AND THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PLAN.

Eventually, hungry men arrived from Canaan to buy grain.

They were Joseph’s brothers—

the very brothers who had sold him into slavery years before.

They came looking for food.

What they discovered, though they did not recognize it at first,

was that God had already placed their deliverer ahead of them.

Joseph later told them that God had sent him ahead to preserve their lives.

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Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

God’s purpose reached beyond Egypt’s storehouses.

He was preserving the family through whom His covenant promises would continue—

the family from whom, generations later,

Jesus Christ would come.

[Pause.]

Joseph did not know every detail of his own story.

When he was betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned,

he could not see how all those experiences would fit together.

But when God revealed what was coming,

Joseph trusted His word and acted on it.

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What God revealed about tomorrow changed how Joseph lived today.

That is what God’s promises are meant to do for us.

God has not given us Pharaoh’s forecast.

He has not told us how the next seven years will unfold.

But He has revealed the destination of His great plan:

Jesus Christ victorious,

evil judged,

death abolished, and

we, His people will be dwelling with Him forever.

BACK IN THE 1970’s

It was the day of the Jesus Movement

We believers were called ‘Jesus Freaks’

Our mantra was

“Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.”

That was our witnessing slogan to people on the street.

HOWEVER,

If some one were to ask me what that meant.

What was the plan?

How did I know that was true?

Where was that in the Bible?

I’M NOT CERTAIN I KNEW HOW TO ANSWER ANY OF THAT.

I’m not certain many people today can answer those questions.

This morning, we will connect the opening pages of Genesis with the closing pages of Revelation and

see the faithfulness of the God who accomplishes His purposes.

And we’ll see how His plan unfolds.

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God told Isaiah . . .

Isaiah 55:11 ESV

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

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Job proclaimed . . .

Job 42:2 ESV

2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

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Jeremiah prophesied . . .

Jeremiah 23:20 ESV

20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.

We will ask a simple question:

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If we truly know and believe what is the future God has promised us in Christ, how should we then live today?

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THIS SHOULD BE A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR US . . .

God’s promised future should give us confidence and purpose for today.

If it doesn’t, what are we missing?

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What is God’s plan?

Connection of Genesis with Revelation reveals the Plan that God has for his people (us).

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Connecting Genesis with Revelation also connects every part of Scripture with the Plan of God.

Genesis to Revelation

Biblical themes

Various covenants.

Structural reversals

Genesis: Creation (heaven and earth) to Garden marriage with Adam and Eve to Satan’s destruction promised.

Revelation: Satan destroyed, marriage of the Lamb with His bride (us), creation of a NEW heaven and earth.

thematic parallels

Bible opens and closes with God in the garden

Opens with a river watering the garden with the tree of life bearing fruit;

Revelation shows a river flowing from God’s throne with the tree of life on either side bearing twelve kinds of fruit.

The curse pronounced in Genesis—toil and death—

finds its reversal in Revelation’s declaration of no curse, with the serpent who deceived humanity finally bound and destroyed.

Scarlet Thread of Redemption (Jesus from Genesis to Revelation)

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Typology functions by having what was done in the past provide indication of God’s acts in the future.

Adam as a type of Christ — Paul explicitly states that Adam “was a pattern of the one to come” in Romans 5:12–212

Boaz’s redemption of Ruth mirrors Christ’s redemption of the Gentile church.

Noah’s salvation through water — Peter identifies the waters from which Noah was saved as a “type” of baptism that saves Christians “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

Abraham and Isaac - Enacting the Resurrection and demonstrating a faith in God and His promise of Eternal Life.

Melchizedek — A priest-king figure who prefigures Christ’s dual role

Joseph demonstrates typological parallels through his suffering, exaltation, and role as savior.

Moses functions as a type through his role as mediator and deliverer. Moses is identified as a type in Deuteronomy 18:15–182, where God promises a prophet like Moses would arise—a promise Christians understand as fulfilled in Christ.

Joshua prefigures Christ as the one who leads God’s people into their inheritance. Joshua is cited as a type in Hebrews 4:1–92, where his leadership into the promised land anticipates Christ leading believers into eternal rest.

AND SOME TYPOGRAPHIES IN THINGS . . .

The tabernacle and temple — Structures pointing to Christ as the ultimate dwelling place of God’s presence

The bronze serpent — Jesus referenced this as a type of his crucifixion (John 3:14)

The Passover lamb — The Passover blood on doorposts parallels Rahab’s scarlet cord as a sign of protection, foreshadowing Christ’s sacrificial blood (The Scarlett Thread of Redemption)

The ASSURANCE of the resurrection transforms hope from wishful thinking into unshakeable conviction.

(We study the evidence for the Resurrection in the series leading up the Resurrection Sunday).

God’s power over death (hope in eternity)

Changed the disciples . . .

Gave them hope (eyewitnesses)

endured through persecution

overcame fear (because THEY BELIEVED)

Courage to proclaim the Gospel.

They know Jesus and His promises.

God’s identity as Creator—His sovereign authority to judge and deliver—

established in Genesis continues throughout Scripture into the New Testament.

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God’s Plan is demonstrated in these connections

God’s plan begins with human purpose and

culminates in human restoration.

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We have received Redemption (the promise of eternity).

Jesus said...

John 6:37 ESV

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

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We have been called.

People do not draw us to Jesus.

John 6:44 ESV

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Key Scripture (if applicable)

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

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πάντα (panta): all (everything, entirety)

Body of Message (Main Point)

God did not begin making a plan when humanity fell into sin.

His purpose is eternal,

its center is Jesus Christ, and

its fulfillment is certain.

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CONNECTING GENESIS TO REVELATION

Genesis 1–2 and Revelation 21–22

stand uniquely as the only biblical chapters untouched by sin—

(First two chapters vs. Last two chapters)

the first depicting creation before humanity’s fall,

the latter showing reality after sin’s eradication.

This structural bookending reveals

God’s eternal design for humanity with remarkable clarity.

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THE CONNECTION (Genesis 1–2 and Revelation 21–22):

God plants the Garden in Genesis and

brings down the New Jerusalem with a garden at its center in Revelation;

Eden contains no sin, death, or curse, and

neither does the New Earth.

The Redeemer is promised in Genesis but

returns in Revelation,

transforming Paradise lost into

Paradise regained.

Humanity’s squandered stewardship in Genesis

becomes triumphant stewardship in Revelation, empowered by Jesus as both human and divine King.

GOD’S PLAN FOR ETERNITY

God’s eternal plan originates with God saying —“Let us make man.”

In that statement He is giving birth

to His eternal purpose.

This purpose is intensely corporate:

God’s purpose throughout history is for

His reign to come to earth as it is in heaven (The Lord’s Prayer)

Resurrection means God’s act

to raise His people from the dead

to a bodily and glorified eternal life

in the new creation.

This demonstrates that God has never abandoned His eternal purpose;

even amid humanity’s fall,

He continues working it out.

GOD’S PLAN FOR US (NOW!)

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Our life holds profound significance within God’s eternal design.

Our days ARE NOT disconnected moments,

We need to understand ourselves as part of an eternal plan

We have a unique role in it.

Everything we do is intentional.

This reorientation transforms how we approach

every decision,

every responsibility,

every relationship,

including (especially) our relationship with God

God has invited each of us to be an integral part of his eternal plan,

No matter what specific role we play,

his call on our lives is part of redemptive history

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Part of a plan that is larger than any one individual or group of people.

Acts 17:26 ESV

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place...

This means our existence isn’t accidental

We were strategically positioned for this time, this place, and these circumstances.

And we were created for this this time, this place, and for this purpose.

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Ephesians 2:10 NASB95

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

FOR THIS REASON

We are called to do all things

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as unto the Lord and for His glory

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

All that we do, we do as to God, because we are an integral part of His plan. (Not incidental, nor accidental)

We do all things . . .

in the “allotted periods” and

the “boundaries” of our “dwelling place”—

that is, the particular cultural moment in which we live and reside by God’s sovereign design and providence.

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Psalm 139:16 ESV

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

When Esther was conflicted over what she should do,

(remember, she was a Jew in a high position,

with influence

enough to possibly save her people from annihilation

but at risk to her own life.

Mordecai said this to her . . . (EXPLAIN BELOW)

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Esther 4:14 ESV

14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther fulfilled a specific role,

for a specific purpose,

at a specific time,

in a specific location . . .

Just like Joseph (and)

Just like you.

The specificity of God’s incorporation of each of us into His plan becomes clear through our unique design.

Each one of us is the only person who can

fulfill our particular role in this plan,

Each of us is uniquely designed to fit in God’s eternal plan.

Our gifts, passions, experiences, and circumstances

are not random

they position us to accomplish what only we can accomplish.

HOWEVER, God calls each to do something for Him. . . .

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COMPLETE SURRENDER TO HIM

Complete means . . .

Our personal ambitions to Him.

This calling may not always require us to abandon everything,

HOWEVER, its authority means that we must be willing to do so.

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Matthew 16:24–25 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

TRUST THAT GOD WILL ENABLE US TO DO HIS CALLING.

Paul reminds us . . .

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Philippians 2:13 NASB95

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

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God told Paul (the thorn)

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Inspirational Conclusion

Before we leave today, let’s bring this home to the here and now.

I began by talking about what brought Mili and me together—and eventually brought us here, to you.

We did not see all of this when those journeys began.

And we still do not know God’s entire plan.

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But WE TRUST HIM . . .

AND WE KNOW WE ARE PART OF IT.

CHOSEN BY HIM . . . FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

IN THE SAME WAY

Joseph could not see from THE BEGINNING

How God would use him to preserve his family.

in doing what God called to do . . . HE WAS

Preserving and Establishing A NATION . . . ISRAEL.

Esther could not know beforehand

What her obedience could cost or accomplish.

Yet both had to decide whether or not they would act faithfully where God had placed them.

And now that question comes to us.

We live here.

We are here in this generation,

among these neighbors,

with these opportunities

to love and serve.

We do not have to understand every detail of God’s providence

to obey what He has made clear.

We MUST have a hope

that which reaches far beyond

what we accomplish in our lifetime.

The story that began in Genesis will reach its fulfillment.

The Savior who died and rose again will return.

God will dwell with His people.

The curse will be gone.

Death will be no more.

THAT’S GOD’S PROMISE TO US.

We can spend our lives faithfully

knowing that our labor in the Lord is NOT wasted.

The prayer no one hears,

the kindness no one notices,

the conversation in which we share Christ,

the difficult act of obedience—

all of these matter to the Lord.

You may feel weak.

You may wonder what you have left to offer.

But remember the promise we just heard:

His grace is sufficient, and

His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Our future is secure in Christ. So we can surrender our lives to Him today.

Message to Non-believers

Perhaps you are thinking,

“I would like that confidence.

But I don’t know whether I belong to Christ.”

Then hear His invitation.

Earlier, we read Jesus’ promise:

“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

That promise is for you to act upon.

Our deepest need is forgiveness for the sin that separates us from God.

We cannot earn that forgiveness

through good intentions,

religious activity, or

or working harder at it than someone else.

Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again.

Our hope rests in what He has done.

Today, turn from your sin and place your trust in Him.

You do not have to repair your whole life before coming to the Savior.

Come to Him for mercy, and

entrust your life to His care and authority.

You can speak to Him wherever you are:

(“Lord Jesus, I need Your forgiveness. I cannot save myself. I am trusting in You. Help me follow You.”)

It is Jesus who saves us, not a particular set of words.

If you are ready to trust Him, or if you still have questions, please speak with me after the service.

I would be glad to pray with you and help you understand what it means to follow Christ.

Pray (Pastor) -> (Related to Message)

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VII. THE CHURCH IS SENT

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CALL TO ACTION

PASTOR: 🎉😁❤️

For those of us who belong to Jesus, I want to leave us with one question to ask yourself:

What am I holding back from the God I say I trust?

Perhaps it is a plan you insist must happen your way.

Perhaps it is your time,

a relationship, or

a step of obedience you keep postponing because you feel inadequate.

Bring that one thing before Him.

We do not need to promise God that we will accomplish something impressive.

We just need to make ourselves available

for what He has already called us to do.

This week, take one concrete step of obedience.

Speak to the person you have been avoiding.

Offer to help where there is a need.

Come, serve with fellow believers here, in this place.

Make time to pray with your family or a friend.

Tell someone why you have hope in Christ.

Share the hope that is in you.

Choose a step that responds to what God has made clear to you through His Word.

Let’s take a quiet moment now.

Name before the Lord what you have been holding back, and ask Him for the strength to surrender it.

[Allow a brief silence.]

Lord, our lives belong to You. Forgive us for holding back. Give us willing hearts to obey You and faith to rely on Your strength. Use us here, among the people You have placed in our lives, for Your glory. Amen.

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PASTOR: INVITATION TO PRAY

Option 1

As we close our service today, if you'd like someone to pray with you about anything, I'll be available in the lobby or fellowship hall after the service. It would be my privilege to pray with you.

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BENEDICTION

PASTOR: 🎉😁❤️

May the God of peace, who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead, equip you with everything good to do His will.

May He strengthen you to trust His promises,

surrender to His purpose, and

serve faithfully where He has placed you.

Surrendered COMPLETELY

to Jesus Christ,

to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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PASTOR: FINAL PRAYER (WALK with LAY LEADER) ->

As we bow our heads .

Please pray with me . . . (While walking)

(WALK WITH THE LAY LEADER TO THE LOBBY)

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