Everything Begins and Ends with Jesus

The Director's Cut

2 Peter 1:16,19-21 

“16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes…19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”

INTRO

Have you ever heard of a “Director’s Cut” of a movie? Most modern films often have the version of the film that is shown to the general audience for the sake of simplicity and length, while cutting out certain scenes and sequences. Then there’s a version that the director of the film puts together that may have up to 1 hour of extra footage that helps to dive deeper or add more context and understanding to the movie.

Transition Statement: Sometimes we attempt to live out our Christian lives having only a shortened general view of Scripture. Maybe because the only Bible we know is from Sunday school or stories told to us by others, but we haven’t really seen the Bible as a whole. Today we’re going to dive into what the Bible is really about, and hopefully you get to see that God has a whole “Director’s Cut” of the Scriptures for you to dive into in your daily life.

Watch this video: 

Post Video Question: What is your first thought after watching this video? What did you learn that you didn’t know before?

Transition Statements: If you don’t know what story you’re in, you won’t know what story to live out. Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:16-21 a reminder that he was an eyewitness to the prophecies of the Old Testament being fulfilled while he lived in the New Testament. The beauty of this testimony is that we’re in the story too, and Peter gives us some insight on how we can live out the Story in our own lives.

Experience with God’s presence should drive us to God’s Word 

2 Peter 1:16-18 

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Peter is talking about his experience on the mountain with Jesus found in Matt 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35. The truth is even being here at Church we can have a moment like Peter had on the mountain, and if we allow ourselves to EXPERIENCE God it will drive us to know Him more through His Word just as Peter was driven back to the Old Testament Scriptures.

Expect the Holy Spirit to Speak through God’s Word 

 2 Peter 1:20-21

20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.” 

Many people believe that the Bible can’t be the Word of God if it was written by men, but the Christian belief is that though the words were penned by men they were inspired and dictated by the Holy Spirit Himself. Meaning whenever you open up your Bible EXPECT to hear from God Himself through the pages of His Word.

Express God’s Word BOLDLY with others 

2 Peter 1:19     

19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

Peter then reminds the people that the obedience of the prophets to express God’s Word gave confidence to himself and the believers of the day, and here we are reading Peter’s expression of faith and gaining confidence for ourselves. Now being challenged to EXPRESS God’s Word as a light to others who may find themselves in a dark place.

CONCLUSION

God’s Word is not something to be skimmed or even read once. If you’re on this journey called Christianity then your desire is to know the fullness of God’s Word. You should never settle for the parts of the Bible that are taught to you. You should investigate the Bible yourself, because from there you’ll gain faith. For the Bible says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Learn the whole story, and then tell the world the whole truth about a whole love that is greater than any they’ve ever experienced before!

Bgroup Questions

1. How many Bible stories can you name off of the top of your head? When and where did you hear them? Why do you remember them?
2. The video we watched showed how the Bible is one cohesive story from beginning to end. Did this surprise you? Did it make you curious about finding how the Old Testament connects with the New Testament?
3. How was your reading last week? If it didn’t go as planned what can we do this week that may help all of us succeed in reading the Bible together?

TAKE ACTION: Continue to share with each other and your leader how you plan to read the Bible daily this year. Write these things down.