SUMMER 2023 - Eternity: Why Does It Matter?
June 1 – August 5, 2023
Eternity: Why Does It Matter?
Core Text: John 3:16
Daily Bible Readings
June 1: Ecclesiastes 1
June 2: Ecclesiastes 2
June 3: Ecclesiastes 3
June 4, 2023:
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
We begin the series with a message on the nature of time itself --- with an emphasis on the reality of and the Biblical teachings about eternity. We will explain terms like “transcendence”, “immanent frame”, “late-modernism”, and “the secular age”. This message will serve as the foundation for the entire series. And – we will acknowledge that last summer was given to an examination of the entire Book of Ecclesiastes!
Daily Bible Readings
June 5: Ecclesiastes 4
June 6: Ecclesiastes 5-6
June 7: Ecclesiastes 7-8
June 8: Ecclesiastes 9-10
June 9: Ecclesiastes 11
June 10: Ecclesiastes 12
June 11, 2023:
The Righteousness of Judgment
We know that Hell is a controversial topic. Is Hell a real place? Does God actually condemn people to Hell? If He does, is this not a violation of the goodness of God? Even if He does condemn people to Hell, is it eternal? How can we reconcile Hell with the love of God? In this message, I will cover these questions as we contemplate the righteous judgment of our holy and loving God.
Daily Bible Readings
June 12: Matthew 5:17-30
June 13: Matthew 7:1-14
June 14: Luke 16:19-31
June 15: Revelation 14:1-13
June 16: Revelation 20
June 17: Reflection
June 18, 2023:
A New Heaven and A New Earth
God’s glory is on display through His creation. Indeed, the earth and all that is in it belongs to Him! However, we live in a fallen world as a result of human sin. The brokenness of our sinful state has even affected creation itself. But the day is coming when God will bring forth a new heaven and a new earth! Our eternal destination as believers is to live fully in the presence of God in His New Creation. Just as we have been designed for life on this earth, we are already being prepared by God for our eternal life in His New Creation!
Daily Bible Readings
June 19: Philippians 3
June 20: Romans 8:1-30
June 21: Colossians 1:1-23
June 22: Luke 6:17-26
June 23: Revelation 21
June 24: Reflection
June 25, 2023:
For . . . So . . . Loved . . . Whoever . . . Eternal Life!
God’s love is on full display through the amazing gift of His Son! In Jesus, we find forgiveness, hope, freedom, salvation, redemption, rescue, redemption, and ultimate restoration. This is all only possible through accepting Jesus as our Savior and embracing Him as our Lord. This means we recognize the seriousness of the saving act of God that necessitated the sending of His Son, the death of His Son on the cross, the resurrection of His Son from the dead, and the ascension of His Son back to the Father. It truly is an “all-or-nothing” reality.
Daily Bible Readings
June 26: Ephesians 1:1-23
June 27: Ephesians 2:1-10
June 28: John 3:1-21
June 29: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
June 30: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
July 1: Reflection
July 2, 2023:
The Power of God and the Wisdom of God
Guest Preacher: Curt Grice
The hope of redemption is connected to and emerges from the story of the Gospel itself. Paul reminded the Corinthians that the message of the cross is both the power of God and the wisdom of God. Humanity might seek to offer a message of salvation rooted in the power of mankind and the wisdom of mankind----but, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the only answer for humanity’s dilemma, which is eternal lostness without Jesus!
Daily Bible Readings
July 3: John 18:1-27
July 4: John 18:28-40
July 5: John 19:1-27
July 6: John 19:28-42
July 7: John 20
July 8: Reflection
July 9, 2023:
Eternal Life: Discover It! Declare It!
Guest Preacher: Dr. Gary Stidham
The Gospel is good news! The beautiful story of redemption is an eternal story on display in history. God’s love is never in doubt. He has made it possible for human beings to be redeemed from their sin and live forever in His presence. God’s gift is eternal life! We must claim this gift for ourselves . . . and then share it with other sinners!
Daily Bible Readings
July 10: Acts 8:26-40
July 11: Acts 10:1-23
July 12: Acts 10:23-48
July 13: John 4:1-26
July 14: John 4:27-42
July 15: Reflection
July 16, 2023:
Living Hope!
Guest Preacher: Connor Torrealba
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is an eternal message with eternal ramifications—both for those who believe and those who do not. For those who believe, we have found life through the new birth made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This living hope is eternal! Our inheritance is an eternal one, preserved by the power of God!
Daily Bible Readings
July 17: 1 Peter 1:1-2:3
July 18: 1 Peter 2:4-25
July 19: 1 Peter 3
July 20: 1 Peter 4
July 21: 1 Peter 5
July 22: Reflection
July 23, 2023:
The Eternal Love of God
Guest Preacher: Katy Reed-Hodges
God’s love is powerfully on display through His Son. His redeeming grace is thorough and all encompassing. Once we are claimed by Christ, there is nothing in life or death that can separate us from Him. Our redemption is secure and our eternal relationship with our Lord is settled. This is truly good news!
Daily Bible Readings
July 24: Romans 1:1-17
July 25: Romans 1:18-32
July 26: Romans 2:1-16
July 27: Romans 5
July 28: Romans 8
July 29: Reflection
July 30, 2023:
Death Has Lost Its Sting!
Guest Preacher: Luke Stehr
In many ways, death is the great equalizer. We all will experience it. However, the good news of Jesus Christ has forever changed how believers view and experience death. In spite of its tragic reality, the eternal good news of the Gospel has removed the stinger from death. It no longer holds a victorious posture. Death has been dealt a deadly blow by the resurrection of Jesus----and it will be finally defeated by the glorious return of Jesus. So, Paul can confidently ask, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Daily Bible Readings
July 31: Romans 3
August 1: Romans 4
August 2: Romans 6
August 3: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34
August 4: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
August 5: Reflection