Introduction: Moses led the people to the edge of the Promised Land. He challenged them to be faithful to God in their new endeavors. They were to live their lives with purpose and meaning. How would they do this? What was their motivation? Moses and later Jesus gave us the defining purpose for living a life that is faithful to God. They were both motivated by one purpose that directed their lives. We too can live lives that are filled with meaning and purpose. Let’s look at the words of Moses and Jesus to see how this is done.
 
WE ARE TO TOTALLY COMMIT OURSELVES TO GOD.
 
*The Lord alone is the reference point for our existence. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut. 6:4).
 
*We were made to love God from our heart and to serve him with our entire being. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5).
 
*We are to share the love of God in our relationships and actions. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-9).
 
We are to live our lives in the sphere of God’s purpose and will.
 
WE ARE TO ENTIRELY DEVOTE OURSELVES TO CHRIST.
 
*Jesus affirmed the love of God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. 
 
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
(Matthew 22:36-40).
 
*Jesus said our obedience to his commandments shows our love for him. “If you love me, keep my commands” ( John 14:15).
 
*Jesus gave us a new commandment and example.
 
“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
 
 *Love for one another proves that we are Jesus’ disciples.
 
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
 
Jesus is our reference point for life, love and relationships.
 
OUR PURPOSE:
 
 LOVE GOD AND OTHERS IN JESUS’ NAME.
 
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”
(Matthew 22:40).
 

   
Introduction: God’s Word always leads to repentance and reform. Josiah’s heart and kingdom were changed by God’s Word. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy more than any other book. The words were life to him. Deuteronomy was written originally to the Hebrew people as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses reminded them of their past, renewed their covenant with God, and warned them to remain faithful to God in the future. The themes of Deuteronomy challenge us to love the Lord and serve him alone.
 
WE ARE TO LOVE AND WORSHIP THE ONE TRUE GOD.
 
*Josiah humbled himself from the heart. “When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes” (Deut. 22:11).
 
*Moses reminded the people to love God from the heart. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children” (Deut. 6:4-7).
 
Deuteronomy challenges us to love God from the heart.
 
WE ARE TO MAINTAIN A COVENANT WALK WITH GOD.
 
*Moses reviewed the Law of God with the people and renewed the covenant of Sinai with a new generation. “The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised” (Deut.26:16-18).
 
*King Josiah led the people to repent and renew the covenant with God.  “Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah...He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant” (2 Kings 23:1-3).
 
“Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
 
WE ARE ALWAYS TO BE ON MISSION WITH GOD.
 
*Moses challenged a new generation to be faithful to God. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Deut. 30:19).
 
*Josiah carried out the reforms of the Book of the Law and called the people back to a faithful walk with God. “The king gave this order to all the people: “Celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” Neither in the days of the judges who led Israel nor in the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah had any such Passover been observed.…Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did —with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses (2 Kings 23:21-25).
 
Deuteronomy gives us words to live by:
 
“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life” (Deut. 32:46).
 

   
Introduction: Effective Christians depend upon the Lord. They also should be prepared to share the good news with others. The best way to do that is to tell our story of faith.  Effective Christians share their personal testimony. The Lord uses our unique personality and shape to help us share our faith. God has placed us in circles of influence that give us opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Matthew followed Jesus and invited his friends to his home to meet Jesus. We must aim to develop relationships and invite people to follow Jesus.
 
JESUS INVITES US TO FOLLOW HIM.
 
*Jesus invited Matthew to follow him. He called him from his past and led him into a right relationship with God. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9).
 
*God designed us for relationships. The Kingdom of God is expanded through relationships. We need to be in a right relationship with God and others.  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
 
*Are you a follower of Jesus? Is your relationship with God alive and well? Do you have broken relationships with others that need mended?
 
WE ARE TO INVITE OTHERS TO FOLLOW JESUS.
 
*Matthew invited his friends to his home for a meal with Jesus. He built his witness on his personal relationships. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:10-13).
 
*You can use your circles of influence to reach others.
 

• Concentric Circles of Concern
• F. R. A. N. List
• Matthew List

 
WHO ARE YOU GOING TO INVITE TO FOLLOW JESUS?
 

 
Introduction: Effective Christians completely depend upon the Lord. The effective Christian life is lived by faith from beginning to end. Effective Christians trust Jesus as Lord, plant themselves in a local church, develop spiritual habits, discover their spiritual gifts, and serve Christ in ministry. They also tell others about Jesus. Peter wrote, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Peter says that we should be prepared to share the good news with others. The best way to do that is to tell your story of faith.  Effective Christians share their personal testimony. The Lord uses our unique personality and shape to help us share our faith. John 1:29-51 gives the examples of four unique testimonies.
 
A JOHN THE BAPTIST TESTIMONY.
 
*John the Baptist gave a testimony based on personal revelation and experience. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world…Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One’” (John 1:29-34).
 
*Your personal story of salvation will lead others to follow Jesus. “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’  When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).
 
AN ANDREW TESTIMONY.
 
*Andrew gave a family-friendly testimony. “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus” (John 1:40-42).
 
*The best place to start witnessing is with your friends and family.
 
A PHILIP TESTIMONY.
 
*Philip shared a Bible-based testimony. He used Scripture to witness.
“Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip (John 1:45-46).
 
*It is always good to quote the Bible when you witness to others.
 
A NATHANIEL TESTIMONY.
 
*Nathaniel expressed a signs and wonders testimony.
“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’
‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’
Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that’” (John 1:47-50).
 
*God does miracles in people’s lives to get them to believe and tell others about their experience.
 
What is your story?
What is your testimony about Jesus in your life?
Could you share your story in 3 minutes or less?
 
Use this outline to share your testimony:

• My life before I met Christ
• How I began my relationship with Christ
• My life after I met Christ

   
Introduction: The Apostle Paul wrote, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). The effective Christian completely depends upon the Lord. The effective Christian life is lived by faith from beginning to end. Philip the Evangelist gives us a biblical example of a common Christian who lived an effective Christian life. Acts 8:26-38 gives us a glimpse of the man in action. Let’s look at what made Philip an effective Christian.
 
THE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN IS …
 
COMMITTED TO CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.
 
*Philip accepted Christ, was baptized, and worshiped God. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe…Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (Acts 2:41-47).
 
An effective Christian commits to the magnification of God and membership in his church.
 
COMMITTED TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
 
*Philip had a good reputation and was a man of faith. “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom… This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip…” (Acts 6:1-5).
 
An effective Christian grows in maturity.
COMMITTED TO SPIRIT-FILLED SERVICE.
 
*Philip preached Christ as a lay-person using his spiritual gifts. He was sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there…Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch… The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him…
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:5-35).
 
An effective Christian obediently volunteers for ministry.
 
COMMITTED TO CHRISTIAN WITNESS.
 
*Philip’s lifestyle became his life purpose and identity. “Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:8-9).
 
An effective Christian discovers God’s mission for his or her life.
 
Questions to consider:
 
Are you an active member of a local church?
 
Are you growing in your relationship with the Lord?
 
Do you know your spiritual gifts and are you using them in ministry?
 
Have you discovered your life-mission and are you actively fulfilling God’s purpose for you in this world?
 

   
Introduction: Daniel was given a vision of the future of the Jewish people. He saw the coming of the Messiah and his death. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. Daniel also saw atime when an evil ruler would arise, betray the Jews and establish himself as a god to be worshiped. The Antichrist would rule during the Great Tribulation. Daniel wanted to know when these things would so Jesus’ resurrection they asked, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...”(Acts 1:6-8). From Jesus’ resurrection until the return of Christ, the church was to give testimony to Jesus as the Messiah. At some future unknown date, the Antichrist would reign and persecute God’s people. God never gave us a time or date for the return of Christ but he did give us some signs to look for and a hope to live by. Daniel 12 helps us answer two common questions.
 
WHEN WILL THE END COME?
 
*A time of great distress will come with the Antichrist. “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (12:1).
 
*The point in time is delayed until it is revealed by God.  “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge” (12:4).
 
*Jewish people will be broken during 3 ½ years of tribulation. “The man clothed in linen…lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed” (12:7).
*Knowledge and wickedness will increase and the righteous will be purified as the end approaches. “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge…Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand” (12:4-10).
 
*No one knows the day or hour until the end. “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance” (12:13).
 
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD?
 
*God’s people will be delivered.  At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (12:1).
 
*Resurrection of the good and the evil will take place. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (12:2).
 
*The righteous will shine and receive reward. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (12:3).
 
*God’s people will rise again and receive an inheritance. “You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance” (12:13).
 
HOW MUST WE LIVE AS WE AWAIT CHRIST’S RETURN?
 
*1 Peter 4:7-11 - “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 

   
Introduction: The dreams and visions of chapters 1-7 in the Book of Daniel graphically portray the rise and fall of future empires. God allowed Daniel a glimpse of the future. One theme that entered the visions was that of a future evil ruler who would betray the Jewish people and destroy their city and temple. He would set himself up as a god and demand total allegiance and worship. The great hope of the visions was that the Ancient of Days would send a “son of man” who would defeat the evil ruler and establish an eternal kingdom. Who is this evil ruler? What are his characteristics? How can we recognize him? Is Antichrist with us today? Let’s see what the Scripture says.
 
PICTURE THE TRAITS AND PLANS OF THE ANTICHRIST.
 
*Names of the Antichrist:

• Little horn (Daniel 7)
• Desolator (Daniel 9:27)
• Willful king (Daniel 11:36)
• Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:15)
• Man of Sin and Son of Perdition (2 Thes. 2:4-8).
• Beast (Rev. 13).

*Personality of the Antichrist:  “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place… He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price (Daniel 11:36-39).
 
*Agenda of the Antichrist:

• Daniel 7 describes the rise of a “little horn” who will take control of the fourth beast (Daniel 7:19-20).He will “boast” and wage war on the saints until the Ancient of Days defeats him (20-22).
• The “little horn” will be different from all others before him, conquer the earth, oppose God’s saints, abandon all laws and institute his own system (23-25).
• The world dictator is the Antichrist. a “man of lawlessness” and satanically powered beast (2 Thes. 2:3-10; Rev. 13, 17). The beast (Rev. 13:1-8) and a false prophet (Rev. 13:11-17) will control the earth politically, economically and religiously.
• The Antichrist will exalt himself as a god. He will be arrogant, defy God, control others through military and economic means, and will reject all previous gods (Dan. 11:36-39).
• He will make a covenant with God’s people, betray them and then have power over the saints for 3 ½ years during the Great Tribulation (Dan. 7:25; 9:27 and Rev. 11:1-3, 13:5-7). He will establish his own religion and demand the world worship him ((2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:7-8; 12).
• The rule of the Antichrist will end when Christ returns and establishes his Millennial Kingdom on earth (Dan. 7:13-14, 26-27; 9:24-27; and Rev. 19:11-20:2).

 
YOU CAN DISCERN THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTICHRIST.
 
*We are living in the last days and the spirit of Antichrist is actively at work around us. “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18).
 
*How can you recognize the spirit of Antichrist? “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also” (1 John 2:22-23).
 
* Satan has false teachers who try to mislead God’s people. We need to test the teachings of every person that claims to be of Christ. “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:1-3). See also 2 John 1:7.

   
Introduction: Everyone likes a good mystery. The mystery of the “70 sevens” in Daniel 9 has been the focus of much study and speculation. The various interpretations have led some to believe that the passage cannot be deciphered. Others are so certain of their conclusions that they have built elaborate “end time” schemes based on Daniel 9. We learned earlier that Daniel had discovered that Jeremiah the prophet had predicted that the people of God would be taken captive for 70 years (Jer. 25:1-11). Daniel was now in old age and knew it was time for God to bring his people back to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Daniel prayed a prayer of confession on behalf of the exiles and asked God for forgiveness (9:1-19). The angel Gabriel quickly brought Daniel an answer to his prayer (9:20-23). But God’s answer was more than Daniel had asked: God shared the future of the Jewish people.
 
“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
 
“Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (Daniel 9:24-27).
 
Note the outline of the prophecy:

• God will order Jerusalem rebuilt and restored.
• A messiah will come.
• Jerusalem will be rebuilt during a troubled time.
• The messiah will be killed and the city and sanctuary destroyed by the ruling people.
• War and destruction will continue to the end.
• An evil ruler will violate his covenant with the Jews but after 3 ½ years will desecrate the temple and Jerusalem.

 
How do we interpret such a passage?
 
*Scholars are agreed that the “seventy ‘sevens’” in verse 24 means 70 weeks of years. One week = seven years just like a Sabbath of years is 7 years and the Jubilee year is 49 years or 7 x 7 years. Therefore 70 weeks of years = 490 years. Scholars agree that lunar years are used. A lunar year is 360 days (see Rev. 11:2-3 where 3 ½ years =1260 days).
 
Here are the two most common interpretations of the passage:
 
*The time leading to the Maccabean Revolt.

• 7 weeks = 49 years, 587-538 B.C. (vs 25).
• 62 weeks = 432 years, 588-171 B.C.
• 1 week = 7 years, 171-168 B.C. (Antiochus Epiphanes).

½ week = 3 ½ years, 171-168 B.C.
½ week = 3 ½ years, 168-165 B.C. (sanctuary destroyed).
The only problem with this scenario is that it begins the 49 years with the captivity of Judah in 587 B.C. Verse 25 says it begins with “the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.”
 
*The time leading to the Messiah and the end of time.
 

• 7 weeks = 49 years, 445-396 B.C. (command to rebuild in Neh. 2:1-5 by Artaxerxes to completion in 396 B.C.)
• 62 weeks = 434 years + 49 years = 483 years, 445 B.C.-33 A.D. (483 years x 360 days = 173,880 days). After 483 years, Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as King (Matt. 21:1-11) and dies later in the week (Matt. 27) just like Daniel 9:26 predicts.
• The Romans destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in 70 A.D. like verse 25 predicts. War and desolation continue to this day.
• Final week – A future ruler makes a covenant with the Jews, breaks it, sets himself up as god and is defeated by Christ.