god completes the story.08.25.13

John R. Wible, 2013 1

August 25, 2013 God Completes the Story

By John R. WiblePrime Time Sunday School Class


STEP 1 Introduction

Q: What was a time when you read a book, watched a movie, or a recorded sporting event a second time?

Q: How did it feel to know the “end of the story” before you began watching or reading?

Q: What’s the best movie ending of all time?


God’s Story – The Consummation

This 13–week study of God’s Story has been much more than just a patchwork quilt of Bible stories; it has been many stories that all fit together to tell one story of God’s redemption.

Today, Christ’s return.

Quilts from Gee’s Bend, Alabama


The Plan

Q: Imagine that you are traveling on a trip to a faraway place: When you travel, do you like to have a plan, or just figure it out as you go along?

Q: When you are traveling to a new location, how does it help to talk to someone who has already visited there or lives there?


John 14:1-3

1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.

3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.


A Troubled Heart - Handout

Q: What does it feel like when your heart is troubled?

Q: As humans, do we have the cure for troubled hearts? Explain.

Notice in the passage, the word “believe” is used twice in verse 1.


Believe in Me Also

Alternative translations:1. You believe in God (statement) and you

believe in Me (statement). 2. You believe in God (statement), believe also in

Me (command). 3. Believe in God (command); believe also in Me

(command). 4. Believe in God (command) even as you believe

in Me (statement).


“My Father’s House”• The place to come, Heaven.• The site of the statement:

the Jerusalem Temple.• Will we really have mansions?• Verse 3, “so that where I am there you may be

also.” The disciples worried about Jesus’ leaving.

• Jesus assured them of His presence with them forever.


In the end, that’s all that matters. Whatever Heaven is like, all that matters is that Jesus will be there. That is

what makes it Heaven!


How Does Jesus’ Statement Bring Comfort to Us?

Q: Suppose doctors told you that you are facing a terminal? (Hint: we are all facing a terminal illness.)

Q: Suppose your friend is facing a terminal illness?

Q: Your friend always worries about the future?Q: When friends complain to you about bad

news and uncertainty of our economy, our government, our leaders, and ETC.?


Your Favorite Vacation Place

• What’s one of your favorite vacation trips? • When have you looked forward to visiting a

special place for vacation? • Was the destination all you expected it to be?• Or have you ever traveled someplace, but

were disappointed when you?


Revelation 21:1-41 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first

heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: “Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live

with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.”


Revelation 22:1-5

1 Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

2 down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations,

3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him.

4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or

sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.


Apocalyptic Metaphors• New heaven and a new earth• City prepared like a bride • God’s dwelling is with humanity!• Wipe away every tear• River of living water• Tree of life on both sides of the river• Fruit every month• Seventh ending, the curse• Will see His face: His name … on their foreheads • Endless day forever and ever


How can we Reflect Heaven?


The Promise – I Come “Quickly”

Rev. 22:12-14 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is

with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.


“Getting’ Up a Load Now” Prepare

Q: For the trip to heaven, how do we get ready? How do we live ready day by day?

Q: What could you say to younger ones to help them believe that choices have eternal consequences?

Q: How can your words, attitudes, and actions reflect the urgency of being ready for Christ’s return?

Q: What steps can we take in the days ahead to prepare our hearts to be joyfully ready for Christ’s return?


The End of Days•We can allow the pain and

struggles of life to overwhelm us, or we can live in joyful anticipation of His coming. • You can hang your head and

sing a sad song or …..


The End?

god completes the story.08.25.13

Spiritual