Christ Church
Behind Enemy Lines - Week 2
Locations & Times
Christ Church Fairgrove Campus
2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
THE PLAIN TRUTH: Life-quakes will shake and shape our lives.
1. When life-quakes happen: STAND FIRM and don’t panic.
2. When Life-quakes happen: STAND FIRM and Be Prepared.
3. When life-quakes happen: STAND FIRM and execute the plan.
Preparation replaces panic with peace!
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In 1960 the worst earthquake on record happened in Chile. Not only was this slender South American country devastated, but Islands stretching across the Pacific Ocean were affected by destructive tidal waves and tsunamis. Some 7,000 people perished. What happens when life unravels – an earthquake takes out 7,000 people, a tornado rips through your home of thirty years, you lose your business, or you find out your spouse has cancer with only six months to live? Or what about relationally—your co-worker slanders you, a parent disowns you, your friend betrays your trust, your spouse lives a secret life on the side, your ‘church family’ turns out being more like an enemy? When ground once secure begins to shift and crumble, how can we survive the dangerous fault lines that lie beneath?
Read Luke 21:5-36
No one is exempt from troubles. When life shifts and crumbles we must not lose heart. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Later, Jesus tells His disciples that there will be a time in the last days when the very earth itself and the heavens will be removed. Christ will be our only refuge on the day of His appearing, when He comes in power and glory. At that time, Jesus says His followers must: “Stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
1. Think about the quakes in your life. Are you able to ‘stand and look up’? How do you get to solid ground and stand firm in the midst of a soul-quake?
Read the following passages. How do the trials of this life remind you that this earth is not our permanent home (Hebrews 13:8)?
Romans 8:35-37 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 James 1:2-4
Job is a man spoken of in the Old Testament. In one-fell-swoop, he lost his wealth—all of his livestock and farmhands—his entire business was raided, stolen or killed. In a second fell-swoop, he lost all ten of his children as they were having dinner in the oldest son’s home. Finally, his health was taken from him (see Job 1:13 – 2:7). He was reduced to a ‘hull’ of a person to the point his friends didn’t even recognize him (Job 2:12). Though Job questioned God he never cursed God. Though he endured deep sorrow and depression, he stood firm through the soul-quakes of his life. Job never gave up on God. He said: “I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I look to the south, but He is concealed. But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold… I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food” (Job 23:8-10,12).
2. It’s important that we pay heed to the Lord’s warnings to His disciples in Luke 21:6-36. Read Hebrews 12:26-29. What does the Lord promise in this passage?
In this life we will all experience quakes that threaten to wreak havoc upon our very soul. But Christ calls us to stand firm. Since we are receiving a ‘Kingdom that is unshakable’ how are we to live each day, according to Hebrews 12:28?
“Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34b-36).
In 1960 the worst earthquake on record happened in Chile. Not only was this slender South American country devastated, but Islands stretching across the Pacific Ocean were affected by destructive tidal waves and tsunamis. Some 7,000 people perished. What happens when life unravels – an earthquake takes out 7,000 people, a tornado rips through your home of thirty years, you lose your business, or you find out your spouse has cancer with only six months to live? Or what about relationally—your co-worker slanders you, a parent disowns you, your friend betrays your trust, your spouse lives a secret life on the side, your ‘church family’ turns out being more like an enemy? When ground once secure begins to shift and crumble, how can we survive the dangerous fault lines that lie beneath?
Read Luke 21:5-36
No one is exempt from troubles. When life shifts and crumbles we must not lose heart. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Later, Jesus tells His disciples that there will be a time in the last days when the very earth itself and the heavens will be removed. Christ will be our only refuge on the day of His appearing, when He comes in power and glory. At that time, Jesus says His followers must: “Stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
1. Think about the quakes in your life. Are you able to ‘stand and look up’? How do you get to solid ground and stand firm in the midst of a soul-quake?
Read the following passages. How do the trials of this life remind you that this earth is not our permanent home (Hebrews 13:8)?
Romans 8:35-37 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 James 1:2-4
Job is a man spoken of in the Old Testament. In one-fell-swoop, he lost his wealth—all of his livestock and farmhands—his entire business was raided, stolen or killed. In a second fell-swoop, he lost all ten of his children as they were having dinner in the oldest son’s home. Finally, his health was taken from him (see Job 1:13 – 2:7). He was reduced to a ‘hull’ of a person to the point his friends didn’t even recognize him (Job 2:12). Though Job questioned God he never cursed God. Though he endured deep sorrow and depression, he stood firm through the soul-quakes of his life. Job never gave up on God. He said: “I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I look to the south, but He is concealed. But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold… I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His words more than daily food” (Job 23:8-10,12).
2. It’s important that we pay heed to the Lord’s warnings to His disciples in Luke 21:6-36. Read Hebrews 12:26-29. What does the Lord promise in this passage?
In this life we will all experience quakes that threaten to wreak havoc upon our very soul. But Christ calls us to stand firm. Since we are receiving a ‘Kingdom that is unshakable’ how are we to live each day, according to Hebrews 12:28?
“Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34b-36).