ReCreate Church’s Podcast

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, July 18, 2021

Revelation and the End Times (continued)…

Today Pastor Michael is continuing the “End Times” study.  We are now in the Tribulation period and part of the story of the things we go through in life is our struggles send us seeking God’s grace, something immediately tangible during the Tribulation.  Michael covers two of the three 7’s: the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets.  The 7 bowls will be covered next week.

 It goes without saying, during the Tribulation, times are going to be rough.  There will be crazy, earth-wide events (judgments) that people will be placed under.  Conquest, war, famine and massive death.  Hail, massive fire, water pollution.

Not a neat place to be.  Yet through it all, in spite of all of the literals signs that everyone will be living, there will be those that still do not repent.  John speaks of this specifically in Revelation 9: 20-21.

But, as Christians, we know this: when everything seems out of control, God IS in control.  

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) The message of Revelation has an enduring relevance for Christians of our century as well as the first. It is a profoundly theological book that uses symbols, metaphor, and figurative language from the OT Scriptures and the cultural traditions of the Greco-Roman world to speak about God and salvation. Though much of Revelation unveils how the Roman Empire perpetuates evil through its military, its social patronage system, and the imperial cult, these very same issues of violence, economic injustice, and idolatrous religious practice are just as cogent for the modern church that engages evil today as it was for the ancient Christian movement.

Today’s bible verses are found in Revelation Chapters 6 through 12 as well as emphasis on Chapter 9: 20-21.

 

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, July 11, 2021

God turns Tribulation into Redemption.

Today Pastor Michael is back inside our church for the first time in well over a year, our last meeting was March 15, 2020!  So, we’re all pretty excited about that!  And we’re back!  Today, we’re talking tribulation; both the Great Tribulation in a continuum of our “End Times” series, plus the tribulations we live daily.  And today we’re talking about Daniel’s prayer and vision of the seventy weeks.  This prophesy is about Israel in the end times, the Tribulation.  Michael outlines the purpose of the Tribulation is six (6) examples, which are outlined below, in a section from MacArthur’s Notes.

(MacArthur Study Bible Notes (ESV)) This highly complex and startlingly accurate prophecy answers Daniel’s prayer, not with reference to near history, but by giving the future of Israel in the final end of the age. God promises two sets of three accomplishments each. First, those related to sin are: 1) finish the transgression, i.e., restrain sin and Israel’s in particular in its long trend of apostasy, as in v. 11 2) put an end to sin, i.e., to judge it with finality (cf. Heb. 9:26); and 3) atone for iniquity, signifies to furnish the actual basis of covering sin by full atonement, the blood of the crucified Messiah who is “cut off ” (Dan. 9:26), which affects the first two realities (cf. the fountain, Zech. 13:1). Second, those accomplishments related to righteousness are: 1) bring in . . . righteousness, the eternal righteousness of Daniel’s people in their great change from centuries of apostasy; 2) seal both vision, i.e., no more revelation is needed and God will bring these anticipations to completion by their fulfillment in Israel’s blessing as a nation; and 3) anoint a most holy place, consecrate the Holy Place in a temple of the future that will be the center of worship in the millennial kingdom (cf. Ezek. 40–48). Clearly this must be understood to sweep to the end of Gentile power and the time of Antichrist right before Christ’s return. Summing up, the first three are fulfilled in principle at Christ’s first coming, in full at his return. The last three complete the plan at his second advent.

So, it is a bit math centric and a bit complicated but the enduring message here is Daniel prayed in faith for the Lord to deliver Jerusalem.  And Gabriel’s message to Daniel was simple and striking. 483 years – that is, 69 units of seven years – would pass from the time of the command recorded in Nehemiah 2:1-8 until the appearance of Messiah the Prince.  

Next week, we’ll be in Revelation where Pastor Michael will continue the series on the “End Times”.

Today’s bible verses are found in Daniel 9: 24-27 and 2 Peter 3: 11.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, July 4, 2021

Independence Day Message…Happy Fourth of July!

Today Pastor Michael is continuing his study on the End Times as we get into Revelation, the Anti Christ and the Tribulation Period.  The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse starts us off with a rider on a white horse.  

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) The riders represent evil forces that God allows to have some limited influence on human history.

The first rider, on a white horse, is a symbol of empire (6:2). The color white has so far been associated with the purity and victory of God’s people (1:14; 2:17; 3:4; 4:4), but here the rider is a satanic parody of false conquest (“he went out as a conqueror in order to conquer”) and of false endurance (signified by the crown, or athlete’s wreath [Gk stephanos]).

Drilling down deeper, Michael covers a peace treaty for the seven years of the Tribulation period, seen in Daniel 9: 27.  This prophesy allows the temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt.  Today, this seems an unlikely occurrence, so somehow the Anti Christ will work out a peace agreement that will allow it to be rebuilt.  The Anti Christ will then be seen as the long awaited “Messiah”.  

A few notes about the AntiChrist:

1. The Anti Christ will not be revealed until the beginning of the Tribulation. (2 Thesselonians 2: 3)
2. The believers must be removed before the Anti Christ is revealed. (2 Thesselonians 3 and 7)
3. The Anti Christ will rise to power as the hero who makes peace in the Middle East.  (Daniel 9:27)
4. He will be empowered by Satan and will deceive those who reject the true Christ (2 Thesselonians 2:9)
5. Halfway through the seven years, the Anti Christ will break the treaty, defile the temple and declare himself to be God. (Daniel 9:27 and 2 Thesselonians 2:4)
6. He will have world domination for the last half of the Tribulation period (Revelation 13: 1-10)
7. At the end of the Tribulation, the true Christ will appear and destroy the Anti Christ, casting him into the Lake of Fire (2 Thesselonians 2:8 and Revelation 19:20)

Our takeaway today is, “Don’t make a Christ out of anything or anybody other than Jesus Christ.”

Today’s bible verses are found in Revelation 6: 2, Daniel 9:27 and 2 Thesselonians 2: 1-10.

IMPORTANT CHURCH NOTICE:  Next Sunday, July 11, 2021, we are going to start meeting inside again for the first time in a year and a half!  We will continue to have outdoor meeting in the evening for those that feel more comfortable with that.  Also, Saturday, July 10th, we will meet at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and fellowship!

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, June 27, 2021

Who Defines Your Identity?

Today Pastor Michael is having Nick Dowdy lead our study on “Identity”.  Nick is teaching about the realness of your relationship with God.  Nick asks the question, “Will you recognize the Father when you meet him, face-to-face, the first time ?"  There isn’t a ‘magic button’ that gets pushed and you know Him, immediately.  It’s about a relationship and we need to be relational with God.

Are there factors affecting your relationship with God?  Blocks can be: Shame for a past sin, shame for a continued sin, depression, addiction, being stagnant and anxiety, to name a few.  Is something causing you to put up a wall towards God?

Today’s bible verses are found in: 1 Samuel 16:7,  1 John 4: 16-19, Matthew 3: 16-17 and Romans 8: 14-17.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, June 20, 2021

Gone In A Snap!

Today Pastor Michael is continuing the theme of the “End Game” and we find Paul talking to the church in Thesselonica.  Believers there were worried that others that had died before them would not be reunited with them or Christ.  Paul counseled them that there were several truths that are undeniable.  They are:  (Bible for Hope Study Notes) Eternal life begins the moment a person accepts Christ as Savior. If the believer must experience death before Christ returns, that is merely the way to heaven. Believers who have died will experience a bodily resurrection, living believers will be changed, and all will receive new, glorified bodies that will never get sick or die. Christ will return to defeat evil and death forever. Believers will live forever in heaven with Christ.

(CSB Baker Illustrated Bible Study Notes) Paul’s comfort is firmly rooted in the resurrection of Christ (4:14). In response to the grief the Thessalonians experience in the face of death, Paul and his associates return to the creed of the church (cf. Ac 17:3). Paul presents the resurrection of Jesus as the guarantee of the resurrection of the believers, a denial of which was, in Paul’s eyes, a virtual denial of the resurrection of Christ (1 Co 15:12–28). The dead in Christ will be raised as Christ was (see 4:16).

Today’s bible verses are found in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15: 51-58.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, June 13, 2021

A Storm on the Horizon.

Today Pastor Michael is continuing his studies on the end times.  The message today is about knowing that end times (the ‘end game’ to use a term from chess) are coming and what we do to prepare for them.  Jesus and His disciples are leaving the temple and his disciples point out the magnificence of the temple.  Jesus warns his disciples not to be misled by the magnificence and that, “not one stone will be unturned”.  

Essentially Jesus is letting his followers know that folks can be misled by earthly things and there is no permanence to them, either.  Jesus is focusing on preparedness, on readiness to suffer and on trust.  

So, if we see a storm system on the horizon, why not just get out the rain?  Meaning, prepare!

Some background on the temple, to show how it so centrally figured on life in Jerusalem in those days and why it struck the disciples as such a statement from Jesus that it would not survive:

(New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) Leaving the Temple, Jesus was heading to the Mount of Olives (13:3). • look at these magnificent buildings! The sight of the Temple would have been awe-inspiring.  It was the largest temple complex in the world, with immense stones. One stone that has been uncovered in the the western wall is estimated to weigh 600 tons. With its white stones, gold trim, and the gold-covered roof, the Temple complex looked like a snow-covered mountain; in the sun it was a blinding sight (Josephus, War 5.5.6). The Talmud says that “He who has not seen the temple in its full construction has never seen a glorious building in his life” (Babylonian Sukkah 51b).

Today’s bible verses are found in Mark 13: 1-8.  Additionally, this same message is covered, from a different view, in Matthew chapters 24 and 25 as well as Luke, chapter 21.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, June 6, 2021

Living on Borrowed Time.

Today Pastor Michael is starting a new series on the end times.  Today Michael is examining how Peter, in writing a letter to believers that are suffering, asks what kind of people should we be in view of the events of the end times?  

(ESV Study Bible Notes) The people of God ought to live in holiness and godliness, to avoid the punishment coming to the ungodly and to devote themselves to things that will last beyond the judgment.

(Disciple's Study Bible Notes) Purity—What kind of persons ought people to be in view of the events of the end time? The answer is holy and godly, spotless and blameless, guarded and growing. Since God is holy, to be godly is to be holy. To be holy is to be distinct from the ordinary and worldly. Moral blamelessness must be maintained. The influence of error and evil demands persons who are on guard. The prospect of meeting the Lord encourages growth in grace and knowledge of Christ. The sincere expectation of the Lord’s coming promotes personal purity.

Today’s bible verses are found in 2 Peter 3: 9-13.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, May 30, 2021

Following Jesus.

Today Billy Huneycutt is standing in for Pastor Michael and delving into Matthew on the topic of following Jesus.  What it means to follow Jesus and how hard it can be to follow Jesus, as Peter found out.  What is the cost?  A LOT.  But there is no better life than following Jesus, wholeheartedly.  Having a personal relationship with Jesus and loving Him with all your heart, all of your soul and all of your mind.

(Disciple's Study Bible Notes) Jesus walked on water to help the disciples in distress. Instead of recognizing help coming, the disciples let the miracle terrify them. Peter tested Jesus by asking permission to walk on water, too. Jesus tested Peter’s faith by inviting him to come. Doubt made Peter fail. Jesus’s actions led the disciples to reaffirm their faith in Christ as God’s Son. God’s miracles reaffirm our faith and lead us to commit ourselves more deeply to his work.

Today’s bible verses are found in several chapters of Matthew: 14: 22-23, 16: 16 and 26: 31.  Also, Phillipians 2: 12.  

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, May 23, 2021

Don’t Trip!

Today Pastor Michael is studying Paul and the admonishment that we don’t live for ourselves; everything we do should be to please our Lord.  Also, we should not cause others to trip up in their spiritual journey.  

(New Living Translation (NLT) Study Bible Notes) As the Lord’s servants (14:4), Christians are to look to God for guidance and seek to honor him in all things (14:8). Because we are ultimately accountable to him, our desire should always be to please him, not to live for ourselves.

Don’t trip over things that don’t really matter…that are getting in the way of the things that matter most. 

(ESV Study Bible Notes) Fundamental to the whole discussion is the reality that the Christian’s life is not his own. Both in life and in death, Christians belong to the Lord, and he alone is their judge.

Today’s bible verses are found in Romans 14: 7-8.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, May 16, 2021

Plans for Building a Christian Home

Today Duncan Crooks is guest pastor and he is talking about building a Christian home.   As the foundation of a home must be solid, a foundation in Christ is our solid foundation in faith.  

(ESV Study Bible Notes) 127:1–2 All Effort Is in Vain without the Lord. A little reflection on v. 1 makes the point clear: of course those who build a house must labor on it, and certainly the watchman of a city must stay awake. At the same time they must carry out their efforts in faith, trusting God to make the work beneficial.

(Gospel Transformation Study Bible Notes) Although the people of God are commanded to “build” (v. 1a) and “watch” (v. 1b) and “toil” (v. 2) and bring forth children (vv. 3–5), they must always remember that their labors are in vain apart from the enabling and sustaining grace and power of God. As our Lord Jesus reminds us, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

We exercise our human responsibility along with complete and utter dependence on God. Neither one cancels out the other. Our labor does not preclude either the need for or the legitimacy of God’s sovereign oversight, just as the display of God’s sovereign and gracious power does not render our labor superfluous. Psalm 127 reminds us that as we labor to build, and watch to protect, and toil to eat, and bring forth children for blessing, our ultimate and perpetual dependence must be on the God who alone can make these efforts succeed and bear fruit for eternity.

Today’s bible verses are found in Psalms 127: 1-5, 1 Corinthians 3: 11, Genesis 3: 12, Zechariah 8: 5 and 8: 19 and 1 Peter 4: 8.