(Part I) There are many events that enter our lives unexpectedly—things that we couldn’t have perfectly prepared for. The whole world experiences this on a global scale sometimes, and while we can try to do a good job of working together and putting safeguards in place, our control is unbelievably limited. The best minds can put forth their best efforts, but God can and does introduce circumstances that catch us off guard. Jesus continued speaking about the challenges to come upon the people of Israel and also about what would happen to the entire world in the last days. Though we don’t get all the details, what is clear from Him is that the end will come and we need to be prepared in a way that assures our steadfast focus on Him through it all. Pastor Daniel helps us think through some of the realities of coming events by putting before us three facts about the future we observe in this text. 1) The times of the Gentiles will not last forever. 2) The return of Christ will be marked by distress and fear. 3) God’s Word will be fulfilled as His kingdom is established.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

Jesus had taken His final trip to Jerusalem and the Passover was near. What He had come to earth to accomplish was soon to be revealed at a whole new level. But how would this come about? Clearly, Jesus had plenty of enemies, but time and again those religious authorities that sought Him were “outsiders” to His ministry and hit roadblock after roadblock. But what if there was a turncoat within His circle? But then what would cause such a person to even do such an unthinkable thing as betray Jesus? Pastor Daniel takes us through this pivotal time in the ministry of Jesus as presents the truth that, “The pull to evil is great and only the one who is sovereign over even great sins can rescue us from evil.” Through a look at the characters of the world, the devil, the self, and the Lord, Daniel challenges us to recognize our own capability to walk in evil ways and that God is sovereign over sin and can deliver us from it.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

(Part II) In part 2 of this message, Pastor Daniel continues to discuss the Lord’s Supper and why it is important for Christians today. He continues to work from the central point of, “As the community of faith participates in the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate God’s redemptive work in the past and yearn for its fulfillment in the future.” Examining misconceptions such as, “The atmosphere of the Lord’s Supper must be like a contemplative funeral service,” he takes us to the text to help aright our thinking about this very important activity that is for every member of the body of Christ. In wrapping up this 2-part message, we are asked to consider a number of suggestions detailing how we can strive to grow in our practice of this participation in the body and blood of the Lord Jesus.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff

(Part II) Jesus’ life had led up to a single dark moment, a time when He seemed to feel most keenly the pain of His humanity as he anticipated the cross and the accompanying separation from the Father—this had never happened in all history or even before there was a history. Certainly, if there ever was a moment of ultimate chaos and uncertainty, this was the time. But as a matter of fact, God’s power and purpose shines through this account with intensity. In this three-part message over the text at hand, Pastor Daniel points to this dichotomy by stating, “In the hour of darkness, you are powerless, but the God who loves you is not.” He encourages us to 1) Understand that the trials in your life are spiritual in nature and you are inadequate to overcome them, 2) Rely on the grace of the God who works all things for your good, and 3) Accept that evil will triumph temporarily.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff