Living in the Lion's Den: Part 11 - The End Of The End
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
November 25, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Sermon Slides
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Parades are Coming!
This year, OneLife will be in the Powell and Downtown Knoxville Christmas parades December 1st & 2nd. It’s a great way to represent our church out in the community, plus, it’s a lot of fun! Here’s how to get involved: #1 - Parade float construction and decorating. Whether you’re a handyman, crafty decorator, or just want to hang out and get to know people, you’ll love helping out! #2 - Walk in the parades. Come represent our church, help pass out candy, and hand out invite cards to our Christmas services. Sign-ups are available at onelifeknox.com/parade or write “Christmas Parades” on your Connection Card.
Jingle Jam - November 26 & December 3
Jingle Jam is a Christmas Party big enough for the whole family! It’s an interactive Christmas presentation for kids and parents that’s full of exciting music, fun characters, and a unique perspective of Christmas like you’ve never experienced! Jingle Jam will be held Sunday night November 26th at our North Campus and Sunday Night December 3rd at our East campus. Save the date and we can’t wait to see you there!
Volunteer Christmas Banquet - December 10
If you serve on a OneLife volunteer team, then we can’t wait to see you Sunday night, December 10 at 6pm for our annual Volunteer Christmas Banquet. Our campuses are joining together at the Jubilee Banquet Facility on Callahan Road for one GIANT party. And this year’s theme: A OneLife Kara-ho-ho-ho-ke Christmas! It’s gonna be a blast! Visit onelifeknox.com/banquet to RSVP or talk to your team leader for more details. If you’re not a part of a volunteer team, this is a great time to get involved. Mark the volunteering box on your Connection Card!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
__________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Knowing how the story ends relieves the fear from the story.
Daniel 12:1 NIV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
The story won't be easy.
Daniel 12:1-2 NIV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
There is hope in the fear.
Daniel 12:3-4 NIV
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
The story won't always make sense.
Daniel 12:13 NIV
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
The end is already written.
START TALKING
What is a story, movie, book, or something else that when you first saw it caused you to stress or be afraid, but now when you see it or hear about it those emotions are all gone because you know how the story ends?
START THINKING
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. These verses explain more about the vision Daniel had. What seems to be the timeline of what happens when Jesus returns and the "rapture" takes place? What from these verses could point to whether or not the rapture occurs before, during, or after the time of tribulation?
What is the danger of debating the specific order of end times? What could we end up missing that really matters most? At the end of the day, what are the undebatable truths - the "big rocks" - that we know for sure?
START SHARING
Read Daniel 12:1-4.
In these verses, where do you see both the reality of life and the reality of the end times? What is our hope and what is the warning you see here?
When have you tried to "increase knowledge" when your story didn't make sense? In this context, to "increase knowledge" is an effort in futility. How can the quest for knowledge - be in about end times or the challenges of your current life - be both a good thing but also become a distraction?
Have you ever faced a time in life where the promises from these four verses served as a hope that helped you get through? If not, can you think about a time that they would have or that they will in the future help you to keep focus? How would it help you to think about God like a father who sits on the couch and holds your hand through the movie?
START DOING
Read Daniel 12:8-9.
What does Daniel ask for and what is the immediate answer? What does this tell you that we should be doing each and every day, even when life or the coming of the end doesn't make sense?
Read Daniel 12:13.
This verse wraps up the story of Daniel with an implied promise of coming rest that seems to hinge on Daniel staying on task with the mission that God has assigned to him. The same would be true of you and me! We know how the story ends, so get back to work. With that in mind, what do you sense is the perspective that God wants for you? What is your mission that he wants you to "go your way" till the end? Hint: if it is tied to an eternal inheritance, be sure that the mission you focus on is a mission that is tied to impacting eternity!
START PRAYING
Pray for each other to "go your way" and stay focused on letting the Father be the Father, knowing that the end of the story is already written. Share what you believe the Holy Spirit is showing you is the next step of your personal calling and mission, and pray for each other to stay on task for that - even when the challenges and hard times come - knowing that the end of the story is already written and knowing that rest and inheritance is coming, too!
___________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
November 25, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
Sermon Slides
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Parades are Coming!
This year, OneLife will be in the Powell and Downtown Knoxville Christmas parades December 1st & 2nd. It’s a great way to represent our church out in the community, plus, it’s a lot of fun! Here’s how to get involved: #1 - Parade float construction and decorating. Whether you’re a handyman, crafty decorator, or just want to hang out and get to know people, you’ll love helping out! #2 - Walk in the parades. Come represent our church, help pass out candy, and hand out invite cards to our Christmas services. Sign-ups are available at onelifeknox.com/parade or write “Christmas Parades” on your Connection Card.
Jingle Jam - November 26 & December 3
Jingle Jam is a Christmas Party big enough for the whole family! It’s an interactive Christmas presentation for kids and parents that’s full of exciting music, fun characters, and a unique perspective of Christmas like you’ve never experienced! Jingle Jam will be held Sunday night November 26th at our North Campus and Sunday Night December 3rd at our East campus. Save the date and we can’t wait to see you there!
Volunteer Christmas Banquet - December 10
If you serve on a OneLife volunteer team, then we can’t wait to see you Sunday night, December 10 at 6pm for our annual Volunteer Christmas Banquet. Our campuses are joining together at the Jubilee Banquet Facility on Callahan Road for one GIANT party. And this year’s theme: A OneLife Kara-ho-ho-ho-ke Christmas! It’s gonna be a blast! Visit onelifeknox.com/banquet to RSVP or talk to your team leader for more details. If you’re not a part of a volunteer team, this is a great time to get involved. Mark the volunteering box on your Connection Card!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
__________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
BOTTOM LINE: Knowing how the story ends relieves the fear from the story.
Daniel 12:1 NIV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
The story won't be easy.
Daniel 12:1-2 NIV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
There is hope in the fear.
Daniel 12:3-4 NIV
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
The story won't always make sense.
Daniel 12:13 NIV
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
The end is already written.
START TALKING
What is a story, movie, book, or something else that when you first saw it caused you to stress or be afraid, but now when you see it or hear about it those emotions are all gone because you know how the story ends?
START THINKING
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. These verses explain more about the vision Daniel had. What seems to be the timeline of what happens when Jesus returns and the "rapture" takes place? What from these verses could point to whether or not the rapture occurs before, during, or after the time of tribulation?
What is the danger of debating the specific order of end times? What could we end up missing that really matters most? At the end of the day, what are the undebatable truths - the "big rocks" - that we know for sure?
START SHARING
Read Daniel 12:1-4.
In these verses, where do you see both the reality of life and the reality of the end times? What is our hope and what is the warning you see here?
When have you tried to "increase knowledge" when your story didn't make sense? In this context, to "increase knowledge" is an effort in futility. How can the quest for knowledge - be in about end times or the challenges of your current life - be both a good thing but also become a distraction?
Have you ever faced a time in life where the promises from these four verses served as a hope that helped you get through? If not, can you think about a time that they would have or that they will in the future help you to keep focus? How would it help you to think about God like a father who sits on the couch and holds your hand through the movie?
START DOING
Read Daniel 12:8-9.
What does Daniel ask for and what is the immediate answer? What does this tell you that we should be doing each and every day, even when life or the coming of the end doesn't make sense?
Read Daniel 12:13.
This verse wraps up the story of Daniel with an implied promise of coming rest that seems to hinge on Daniel staying on task with the mission that God has assigned to him. The same would be true of you and me! We know how the story ends, so get back to work. With that in mind, what do you sense is the perspective that God wants for you? What is your mission that he wants you to "go your way" till the end? Hint: if it is tied to an eternal inheritance, be sure that the mission you focus on is a mission that is tied to impacting eternity!
START PRAYING
Pray for each other to "go your way" and stay focused on letting the Father be the Father, knowing that the end of the story is already written. Share what you believe the Holy Spirit is showing you is the next step of your personal calling and mission, and pray for each other to stay on task for that - even when the challenges and hard times come - knowing that the end of the story is already written and knowing that rest and inheritance is coming, too!
___________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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