All Things New
THE SATURDAY NIGHT CHALLENGE:
Guess the sermon content – fill in the blanks of the outline and email it to Pastor Jeff (jeff@gbchope.com) by Sunday morning at 8:00 AM.
Two (2) categories: (1) actual, and (2) creative. A prize will be rewarded for each category. And yes, you can win both categories.
* This page will be updated Sunday afternoon with the answers.
I. __________ of what __________ and what __________ be.
A. __________ of a __________ world. (21:5)
B. What we __________ is __________ us. (21:2)
C. A __________ that is a __________. (21:9-10)
When you consider all that we’ve seen over the past 12 weeks, this vision of the New Jerusalem is a fitting ending to what has been an incredible journey. The beauty of it is in that it comes full circle. We see a return to what the Bible started with…God walking in the cool of the day in the Garden, enjoying relationship with His creation. Revelation 21-22 is a vision of what will be, but also a vision of what once was.
1. What parts of this series on Revelation have been the most challenging for you? Why do you think that is?
2. In what ways does seeing this text as a return to an Eden like state help you to see the plan of God for His creation?
3. The city is a people. What exactly does that mean? And what does that do to our ideas of heaven?
II. What we __________ … and what we __________. (21:1-22:6)
A. No __________ of __________ – Light of __________. (21:1; Rev. 13:1)
B. No more __________ – Real __________. (Gen. 3:14-24; Rev. 22:3; 21:4,6; 22:1-2)
C. No __________ – Lives of creative __________. (21:8,27; 22:3,5)
D. No closed __________ – __________ of __________. (21:12,25)
E. No __________ – The __________ and __________ of God. (21:3,22; I Cor. 13:12)
Darrell Johnson, in his book Discipleship on the Edge, makes a very helpful addition to our thoughts by comparing and contrasting what we do and don’t see in the New Jerusalem. Although I have some different points of emphasis than he does, it helps us to see the bigger picture when we look at the “city” in this way. And it goes without saying that what we don’t see we will not miss!
4. Of all the things mentioned in this section, what will you miss the least…and what will you enjoy the most? Why is that?
5. Glory (”doxa” in Greek) literally means the “heaviness of the presence of God”. In what ways have you experienced that glory in your life?
III. The __________ for __________. (Col .3:1-3)
A. “I am making…” – Live __________ the __________. (21:5)
B. “Trustworthy and true…” – __________ the __________. (22:6; I Thes. 4:18)
C. “Prepared as a bride…” – __________ to the __________… (21:2)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-3) We need to live today by focusing on tomorrow.
6. If God “is making” all things new, in what practical ways can you work with Him this week?
7. Do we find ourselves longing for the New Jerusalem? Why or why not? If not, how can we cultivate that longing in our lives?
8. How has this text shaped your view of communion? How has it shaped your life for the coming week?