Benjamin Murphy
Small Group Questions
Benjamin Murphy
Sermon Series Highlights
Sermon Series Highlights

Rapture

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Labor in Victory.

Introduction:

  1. He won the greatest Prize . (1 Cor 15:50-53)

    1 Thessalonians 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:

  1. It's the most Straightforward understanding of the biblical language.
  2. We never see the church in the Tribulation in Revelation.
  3. God has a track record of Removing His people before He judges the wicked.
  1. He defeated the greatest Enemy . (1 Cor 15:54-57)
  2. He gives us the greatest Purpose . (1 Cor 15:58)

    Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:50-58

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Do you believe in the rapture? If yes, when do you believe it will happen? If not, why not?

  3. What, specifically, is “the work of the Lord” (1 Cor:58)? How is this carried out in our pandemic age?

  4. What can we be doing NOW to be “steadfast and immovable” when persecution comes (1 Cor:58)? How can the church help prepare people for this?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Because Jesus Was Raised...We Will Be Raised in a New Body.

Introduction:

What happens to me when I die?

Philippians 1:23 - ...my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

2 Corinthians 5:8 - ...we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

John 5:28-29 - Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

When do these resurrections take place?

Daniel 12:2 - And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Acts 24:15 - ...there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

What is the resurrection body like? (1 Cor 15:35-49)

  1. Your body now is like a " Seed" , your resurrected body is like a "plant". (1 Cor 15:36-38)
  2. Your resurrected body will be Similar but Different but Better . (1 Cor 15:39-42a)
  3. Your resurrected body will never have earthly Weaknesses . (1 Cor 15:42b-44)
    1. Perishable vs. Imperishable : Decay
    2. Dishonor vs. Glory : Sin
    3. Weakness vs. Power : Strength
    4. Natural vs. Spiritual : Environmental Suitability
  4. Your resurrected body is just like Jesus' glorified body. (1 Cor 15:45-49)

    Philippians 3:21 - who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body...

In Light of Your Future Makeover: What Do We Do With This Now?

Information

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Consolation

1 Thessalonians 4:18 - Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Purification

1 John 3:2-3 - Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Cor 15:35-49

  1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?

  2. Describe the 4 contrasts between your earthly body and your glorified body from 1 Cor 15:42-44.

  3. What was Jesus’ glorified body able to do that you are excited to think about your glorified body being able to do?

  4. Read 1 John 3:2-3. How does the knowledge of our future glorified bodies motivate us to purify ourselves today?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

To the Faithful Church: Keep Holding On!

Intro / Review:

Progress Report: Philadelphia. (Rev 3:7-13):

  1. The COMMENDATION: Your Faithfulness brings security. (Rev 3:8-10)

    2. RAPTURE 101

    What is the Rapture? - The rapture is the future event when Jesus Christ descends from heaven to gather his people, those who died and those living, to be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, to receive their glorified bodies and be kept from the 7 year Tribulation on the earth.

3 New Testament passages teach the Rapture:

John 14:1-4, 1 Cor 15:51-54, 1 Thes 4:13-5:11

  • The Rapture is NOT the "Second Coming".
  • When is the Rapture?
  • Why I Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:
  1. It's the most Straightfoward understanding of the biblical language.

    1 Thes 5:9 - For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ...

  2. We never see the Church in the tribulation in Revelation!
  3. Many of the common arguments against pre-trib rapture don't have Substance.
  1. The COMMAND. Hold on Securely. (Rev 3:11)
  2. The CALL. Security is for Eternity ! (Rev 3:12-13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read Revelation 3:7-13

GROUP

  1. What is the Rapture? What reasons were given in the message for a “Pre-Tribulation” Rapture?

  2. How is the Rapture different from the Second Coming? Compare 1 Thes 4:16-17 and Rev 19:14.

  3. How are trials and hardships good for your faith? Be specific!?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another!

2nd Advent

The King is Coming!

Review
  1. What's Next on God's calendar?

    1. Revelation 2-3

    2. Revelation 3:10

      • The Return of Jesus Christ is Promised (Acts 1:11)

      • The Return of Jesus Christ is Imminent (Luke 12:40 | 1 Thessalonians 5:2 | Revelation 16:15)

  2. What happens when Jesus Returns? (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)

    1. Jesus will come with the saints in heaven. (1 Thes 4:14-15)

    2. Jesus will gather His church. (1 Thes 4:16-17)

      3. John 14:2-3 | Philippians 3:20-21

    3. Jesus will judge the world. (Revelation 6-20)
  1. What do we Do with the truth that Christ is returning? (Matthew 24:36-49)

    1. Word to the Wise: Work and Watch! (Matt 24:46-47)

    2. Word to the Wicked: Be Warned! (Matt 24:48-50)

      3. Matthew 26:29 - I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 and Matthew 24:36-49

  1.  From this message, what new information did you learn about the return of Christ?

  2. How often do you think about the return of Jesus Christ? How does knowing Christ will return affect you?

  3. What aspects of Christ's return do you believe every Christian should agree upon? Why? What aspects do you think we don’t need to agree on? Why?

  4. What Biblical evidence is there for the rapture to take place before the Tribulation? 

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

Spoiler Alert! This is How It Ends! - Part 3

Review


SPOILER ALERT! How to Apply End Times Teaching...

  1. Pay ATTENTION . (Mk 13:28-32)



  2. Stay AWAKE . (Mk 13:33-37)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 13:28-37

  1. What is the lesson of the fig tree (Mk 13:28-29)? What are the signs to be looking for?
     
  2. Do you expect the Rapture / Second Coming Events to happen in your lifetime? Why or why not? 

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to live in the expectation of the certain and imminent return of Jesus.