How Will It All End?

We looked at several different Scripture readings in this morning's message. If you did not get the insert - you can find the passages linked below:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Romans 14:10

Romans 14:12

2 Peter 3:8-10

Matthew 24:36

Matthew 24:42

Matthew 24:44

From these verses, we gain several insights about where everything is heading...about how it is all going to end...about the return of Christ:

• Everyone will face a day of accountability.

• Christ’s return will happen unexpectedly.

• We will be reunited with believers who have gone on before.

• Our task is to be prepared (not to try to figure out the Lord's timing).

• These teachings from the Bible are intended to be a source of comfort.


Our concluding verses came from 2 Peter 3:11-12, 14 (The Message):

Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival…Since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace.

John Wesley's sermon The Great Assize summarizes his teaching on judgment day. (By the way, the word "assize" - rarely used these days - customarily refers to a judgment or a formal judicial action.)

What Does the Bible Say About the Rapture? is an article by Cliff Leitch. You may also want to look at his article What Does the Bible Say About the Second Coming of Jesus?

This statement by the Lutheran Church is a helpful explanation of the real message of Revelation, and how it contrasts with the message of the Left Behind books.

If you really want to dig deeper, there is a very lengthy paper prepared by the Lutheran Church - called Project Wittenberg - The "End Times" - A Study on Eschatology and Millennialism. Notice that the entirety of this document is divided into four sections, so be sure and click "next page" when you reach the bottom, if you want to make it to the end!

This article on dispensationalism may help you to better understand the fundamental theological differences that lie behind the concepts of Left Behind.

How Does God Really Work?

When a "seeming coincidence" happens - we can call it chance - or we can look for the hand of God. Author SQuire Rushnell calls these events "God winks!"

Listen to these stories of "God Winks" -

the story of Stasia Kelly

the story of Diane Lane

Read this excerpt from the book "When God Winks"


You can find more stories of God at work in amazing ways at this website - god-incidence.com.


Why are prayers sometimes not answered to our satisfaction. Scripture records a number of possible reasons for what appears to be unanswered prayer:

1 - Issues of timing. Read Luke 1:5-17 - Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed many years for a son, but with no apparent answer. But it was simply an issue of timing!

2 - Holding on to sin or unforgiveness within.

If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)

When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. (Mark 11:25)

3 - Failing to be persistent in prayer. In Luke 11:5-10, Jesus teaches about the importance of persistence.

4 - Disordered relationship in our marriages. At least for men, the way we treat our wives may be connected to the power of answered prayer (see 1 Peter 3:7).

5 - Doubt. James 1:6-8 reminds us that doubt can be a hindrance to seeing the power of answered prayer.

6 - Wrong motives.

Even when you do ask, you don't get it because your whole motive is wrong--you want only what will give you pleasure. (James 4:3)

7 - How we treat the poor.

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. (Proverbs 21:13)

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty. (Proverbs 28:27)

How Did It All Start?

Read the Bible story of the seven days of creation. What do the seven days mean to you?

Now read the Bible story of the creation of the first man and the first woman. What do you learn about God, and what do you learn about yourself?


Some other Bible verses referenced in today's message:

PSALM 8:3-4a (KJV) - When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

PSALM 90:2 (RSV) - Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

ECCLESIASTES 3:11b (NLT) - He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 (RSV) - For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

As you read and re-read these verses, what touches your heart and mind?


Watch this fascinating video - "By Design" - a look at the complexity of the human body and the world around us - could it have happened by chance?


There are at least four distinct ways of viewing the issues related to creation from a faith and scientific viewpoint. One analysis describes those four streams of thought as follows. (In each case there is a brief description, followed by a link for an article that discusses the point of view in further detail.)

1 - BIBLICAL CREATIONISTS
+ The Bible is the inerrant Word of God.
+ God is the author and creator of all that exists.
+ The earth and life on earth are less than 10,000 years old.
+ Human beings are created in God's image and are not the result of evolutionary process.
More information on the Biblical Creationist view

2 - EVOLUTION SCIENTISTS
+ Science explains everything (or has the potential to explain everything).
+ There is no need for God in the discussion of creation.
+ There is no evidence for God.
+ Natural laws and processes account fully for our world.
More information on the Evolution Scientist view

3 - SCIENTIFIC THEISTS
+ Science and religious faith are compatible.
+ God is the creative energy behind all that exists.
+ God is the ultimate origin behind all other origins.
+ All natural laws are governed by the creative energy of God's Spirit.
More information on the Scientific Theist view

4 - RELIGIOUS RATIONALISTS
+ Science and religion are separate but equal inquiries into life.
+ Science seeks facts, while religion seeks meaning.
+ God cannot be proved or disproved.
+ Science and religion both provide value in our lives.
More information on the Religious Rationalist view


Here are some resources that help make sense of the apparent tensions between faith and science:

++ The United Methodist Task Force on Science and Theology presents its 2004 report to General Conference

++ "The Rational Rationale" - by Dan R. Dick - the author objects to the tendency of some scientific folks to dismiss believers as simply "irrational"

++ "Circling the Logic" - this is a conversation that Dan R. Dick had with a retired professor of astronomy

++ "Facing the Wrong Way" - this is a paper by Dan R. Dick suggested that many of the arguments in the creation-evolution debate miss the point. Here is a short quote from his article:

"The majority of scientists I read and speak to admit that they wrestle constantly with issues of faith. I have corresponded with hundreds of scientists who are Christian and I am amazed at the number of religious leaders who are well versed and well read in various disciplines of science. This is not now, and never has been, an "either/or" debate, though the most vocal proponents on both sides attempt to make it so."

++ "Who Created God? - an article by John Claypool

++ Science & Spirit - a magazine that explores the relationship between science and religion in the context of our everyday lives


AND FINALLY...

a humorous video - "Evolution"

It's Never Too Early

Re-read the story of Jeremiah's call - Jeremiah 1:4-10

Lots of links this week to find more information:

Information about ordained ministry opportunities in The United Methodist Church

An interactive site - "Is God Calling You?"

There is a brand new form of ministry in the UMC - a new role called the "Certified Lay Minister." This is a role that is just now developing, and training opportunities will be available soon for this new area of service - read this page to learn more about this position.

Exploration 2006 - a gathering for young people (high school seniors through age 24) considering ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church - Nov. 17-19 in Jacksonville, Fla. Check it out now!

PLSE - Pastoral Leadership Search Effort - an interdenominational effort working to identify and cultivate gifted young people interested in exploring the ministry as a possible vocation. Lots of resources on this site.

There are many steps in the process of entering ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. This booklet outlines the process. See also this Power Point presentation on the candidacy process. Don't be overwhelmed!

To begin your exploration of the process, a key resource is the book "Ministry Inquiry Process." You can order it from Cokesbury. The resource # for the book is X522359.

A second helpful book is called "The Christian As Minister." It is also available from Cokesbury. The resource # for this book is 0938162985.

Women have participated fully as clergy in The United Methodist Church for 50 years, but women's leadership in various preaching roles actually dates back to 1761! This site gives helpful resources regarding women in ministry, and a complete history of women in ministry in our United Methodist tradition.

You can participate in a survey on ministry being conducted by a special study group. Go to this site, and click at the bottom of the page - where it says "Study of Ministry Survey." (This link may appear for a limited period of time.)

This is the bulletin board for ministry and higher education concerns in The United Methodist Church. Feel free to browse and/or participate.

The United Methodist Student Movement - seeks to connect university and college students through the unifying love of Jesus Christ.

ORIENTATION is an online magazine for graduating high school seniors and first-year college students.

Young Adult Seminarians Network helps connect United Methodist theological students age 35 and under.

Related news articles:

"Is United Methodist Church facing clergy shortage?"

United Methodist elders under the age of 35 declining

Report on Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church

Major efforts get under way to recruit young clergy

Project gauges "pulse" of young adults interested in ministry