Living in the Overlap Selected Passages Big Idea: We live in the overlap of this age and the age to come, therefore we ought to anticipate a tension between a rejection and acceptance of God’s kingdom while on this earth. We as God’s people, should be representatives of the age to come. Matthew 12:32 (ESV) — 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Luke 18:29–30 (ESV) — 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” This Age. Eph. 2:1-3 (917) What characterizes this age? This Age is ______________________ in Trespasses and Sins… The trouble with men and women is not merely that they are out of harmony with their environment and with their fellows. They are ‘alienated from the life of God’ (4:18), that is, with respect to their true spiritual nature they are dead through … trespasses and sins… The sinful condition of humanity is lifeless and motionless as far as any Godward activity is concerned.[1] John 3:19–20 (ESV) — 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. This Age ___________________ according to the prince of power of the air… Romans 8:3-8 (888) This Age ______________________ under the wrath of God… The Age to Come. What characterizes the age to come? Rev. 21:1-8 (977) The Age to Come _______________ Newness of Life… Romans 8:23 (ESV) — 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. James 1:18 (ESV) — 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. The church displays a portion of the fullness which is to come in the New Heavens and the New Earth. The Age to Come ____________________ in the full presence of God… John 16:4-7 (848) The Age to Come is ___________________ of God’s Wrath… 2Cor. 5:17-21 (908)
Scripture for your meditation:
2 Peter 3:11–15 (ESV): Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation…
