7.16.23 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- Just for fun: If you were to build a doomsday bunker, what three things would you have to have in there?
Read and Discuss
Luke 17:26-30 CSB
26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man: 27 People went on eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah boarded the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It will be the same as it was in the days of Lot: People went on eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building. 29 But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
- How will the day the Son of Man is revealed be like the days of Noah and Lot?
- Why did the people in the days of Noah and Lot miss the signs of the Lord’s judgment?
- What are some signs people might miss today that are pointing to the return of Jesus?
- How can you live each day with the end in mind?
Daniel 7:13-14
13 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.
- In Daniel’s vision, what are some characteristics of the days of the Son of Man?
- How does this vision point to Jesus being the Son of God?
- What are some ways this Kingdom is present now?
- What keeps some people from living under the rule of the Kingdom of God?
- What are some difficulties about giving our lives fully to the reign of God’s kingdom?
- What is one area that you have difficulty giving dominion to God?
Luke 17:31-37
31 On that day, a man on the housetop, whose belongings are in the house, must not come down to get them. Likewise the man who is in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
37 “Where, Lord?” they asked him.
He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”
- What is Jesus wanting His disciples to know about the end times?
- What does “Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it,” mean?
- What are some ways people try to preserve their lives and make themselves secure?
- How can those things become contrary to the Kingdom of God?
- Why do people want to serve the kingdom of self instead of the Kingdom of God?
- What does it mean to lose your life for Christ?
- Jesus presents a picture of spouses, friends, co-workers, being side by side, but yet in very different kingdoms. What are some ways you can talk to those around you about the Kingdom of God?
Apply it!
- What can you do this week to die to yourself and live for God’s kingdom?
Memorize it!
Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to make his life secure will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Prayer TACOS
Thank God for giving us access to His kingdom through Jesus.
Adoration worship the Lord for having an everlasting kingdom
Confess to those times you’ve lived for your own kingdom and not the Lord’s
Others– Pray for the people that are close to you, that God would give you boldness to talk to them about His coming Kingdom.
Self- Ask the Lord to help you die daily to yourself and live daily for His Kingdom
Closing thoughts
There are two kingdoms: God’s and ours. And if we are really honest, our kingdom is actually Satan’s kingdom. It’s separate from God and His will. It’s selfish and self-serving. We put ourselves on the throne and think that everything and everyone should bow to our will.
Now, would I speak that outloud? Would I even think such things? Probably not. But if I were to look at my life apart from Christ with a true lens of why I do what I do, it’s all about me. Even my “good deeds” are so that others will notice me and think I’m a good person.
Jesus calls us to die to ourselves every day, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This is not an easy task. It wages war against our pride, our sense of entitlement, and against our sinful nature. However, we must do it. Every day. Get up, die to myself, and then experience life to the fullest. It really is freedom to live under God’s authority, but we must submit to Him and His will. Pray every day this week that you will die to yourself and live for Him.