Spiritual Authority: Restored In Christ — More Than Predicting a Date, Knowing a Man
Based on the message by Chad Everett
OVERVIEW
In this message, Chad Everett challenges believers not to get consumed with speculation, fear, politics, or distractions, but to stay focused on the true storyline of Scripture: Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned that the last days would include deception, confusion, fear, wars, and spiritual distraction. But His goal was never to create panic. His goal was preparation.
This message walks through Mark 13, the biblical feasts in Leviticus 23, and the imagery of the Bridegroom returning for His bride. Chad explains how the spring feasts point to Jesus’ first coming and how the fall feasts may point toward His return.
But this message is bigger than prophecy charts or trying to predict dates.
It’s about this question: Do you actually know Jesus?
Not just church culture. Not just information. Not just opinions. Not just religion.
Jesus didn’t call His followers to obsess over signs while ignoring intimacy with Him. He called them to stay awake spiritually, live prepared, endure faithfully, and know Him personally.
“The gospel is not about predicting a date so we can just have some knowledge, but knowing a man.”
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Read → Respond → Reflect
- Open your Bible
- Let Scripture answer the questions
- Be honest instead of giving “church answers”
- Ask God to reveal what needs to change in your life
This isn’t just about understanding the end times.
It’s about whether your life is actually centered on Jesus.
SECTION 1 — WHAT STORY IS SHAPING YOUR LIFE?
Focus
Whatever holds your attention most will eventually shape how you think and live.
READ
Mark 13:5–13, 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
RESPOND
- According to Mark 13, what did Jesus warn His followers to be careful about?
- What signs did Jesus say would happen before the end?
- According to 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, what is the core message of the gospel?
- Why is it easy to become more focused on culture, politics, fear, or entertainment than Jesus?
- What does endurance in faith actually look like in everyday life?
REFLECT
- What gets most of my attention right now?
- What voices influence me the most online, at school, or in my friendships?
- Does my life show that Jesus is truly the center of my attention and priorities?
- This week, intentionally spend more time in Scripture than on social media or entertainment and pay attention to how it affects your mindset.
SECTION 2 — STAY SPIRITUALLY AWAKE
Focus
You can’t live spiritually aware if you constantly live distracted.
READ
Mark 13:24–37
RESPOND
- What signs did Jesus say would happen before His return?
- What lesson does Jesus teach through the fig tree?
- According to Mark 13:32, what does nobody know?
- What commands does Jesus repeat throughout this passage?
- What’s the difference between being spiritually watchful and being controlled by fear?
REFLECT
- What distracts me most spiritually?
- Do I spend more time reacting to culture than listening to God?
- What habits are helping me stay spiritually awake—and what habits are numbing me spiritually?
- This week, choose one distraction to intentionally limit so you can create more space for prayer, worship, or reading Scripture.
SECTION 3 — THE FEASTS AND GOD’S BIGGER STORY
Focus
The Bible is one connected story showing God’s plan through Jesus Christ.
READ
Leviticus 23:1–44, John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Acts 2:1–4, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
RESPOND
- Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God in John 1:29?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the “firstfruits” in 1 Corinthians 15:20?
- What happened when the Holy Spirit came in Acts 2?
- According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, what happens when the trumpet sounds?
- As you compare these Scriptures with Leviticus 23, what connections do you notice between the feasts and Jesus?
- What do these passages reveal about God’s faithfulness and planning?
REFLECT
- Do I view the Bible as disconnected stories or one connected story about Jesus?
- How does seeing God’s long-term plan strengthen your trust in Him?
- Where do you struggle to trust God’s timing in your own life?
- This week, read one of the “Further Scripture Reading” passages and write down one new thing you notice about Jesus.
Further Scripture Reading
Colossians 2:16–17, Hebrews 9:11–15, Revelation 21:1–3
SECTION 4 — ARE YOU READY FOR THE BRIDEGROOM?
Focus
Jesus calls His followers to live prepared, faithful, and close to Him.
READ
John 14:1–3, Mark 13:32–37, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
RESPOND
- What promise does Jesus make in John 14:1–3?
- According to Mark 13, how should believers live while waiting for Jesus’ return?
- What events are described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17?
- What does spiritual readiness actually look like for someone your age?
- Why is preparing for Jesus about more than just knowing information?
REFLECT
- If Jesus returned today, would there be areas of my life I would want to hide from Him?
- Am I building my relationship with Jesus now or just assuming I’ll get serious later?
- How do my friendships, relationships, conversations, and online habits reflect whether I’m spiritually ready?
- This week, choose one area of your life where you know God is calling you to grow and intentionally take action in it.
Further Scripture Reading
Matthew 25:1–13, Revelation 19:6–9
SECTION 5 — KNOW JESUS, NOT JUST CHURCH CULTURE
Focus
Christianity is not about performing religion—it’s about truly knowing Jesus.
READ
Philippians 3:7–10, John 17:3, Revelation 22:12–20
RESPOND
- According to John 17:3, what is eternal life?
- What mattered most to Paul in Philippians 3?
- What invitation is repeated throughout Revelation 22?
- What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Him?
- Why is it possible to grow up around church but still not truly know Jesus personally?
REFLECT
- Is my faith personal, or am I mostly living off what other people believe?
- Do I spend intentional time with Jesus outside of church services?
- Where am I pretending spiritually instead of being honest with God?
- This week, spend time alone with God without your phone, music, or distractions and honestly talk with Him about where your faith actually is.
Further Scripture Reading
Psalm 27:4, Jeremiah 9:23–24
FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Jesus is coming again. But the point of this message is not fear, panic, or obsession with predicting dates. The point is preparation. Jesus warned His followers not to be deceived, distracted, spiritually asleep, or consumed by everything happening around them. He called them to stay awake, endure faithfully, and know Him personally. The world will constantly compete for your attention, your focus, your identity, and your worship. But only Jesus gives life, peace, truth, and eternal hope. The question is not whether you know information about Jesus. The real question is whether you actually know Him. Your faith cannot survive on church attendance, social media clips, or someone else’s relationship with God. You have to pursue Jesus personally. So stay awake spiritually, stay rooted in Scripture, stay faithful in everyday life, and live ready for the return of Christ.