5.17.26 Sermon Study Guide

by | May 20, 2026 | Sermon Study Guide

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Spiritual Authority: Restored In Christ — More Than Predicting a Date, Knowing a Man

Based on the message by Chad Everett

OVERVIEW

In this message from the Spiritual Authority: Restored In Christ sermon series, Chad Everett walks through Mark 13, the biblical feasts, and the prophetic storyline of Scripture to reveal a powerful truth: the goal of prophecy is not merely predicting a date — it is knowing Jesus.

Jesus warned His followers about deception, distraction, wars, fear, and spiritual confusion in the last days. Yet throughout His teaching, the focus was never fear. The focus was readiness, endurance, and relationship with Him.

This sermon explores how the biblical feasts in Leviticus 23 point directly to Jesus Christ — from His crucifixion and resurrection to the possibility of His future return. Chad also explains the imagery of the Jewish bridegroom and bride, revealing how believers are called to prepare themselves for the return of Christ.

More than understanding prophecy, this message calls believers to:

  • stay focused on Jesus,
  • discern the season spiritually,
  • preach the gospel boldly,
  • and live ready for His return.

“The gospel is not about predicting a date so we can just have some knowledge, but knowing a man.”

HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE

Read → Respond → Reflect

Open your Bible. Read the Scripture. Let the Word answer the questions.

The goal is not simply to gain information, but to know Jesus more deeply and live prepared for His return.

 

SECTION 1 — KEEP THE MAIN NARRATIVE THE MAIN NARRATIVE

Focus

The central story of Scripture is Jesus Christ — His coming, His cross, His resurrection, and His return.

Read

Mark 13:5–13, 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

Respond

  1. According to Mark 13, what are some of the signs Jesus said would happen before the end?
  2. What warning does Jesus give in Mark 13:5?
  3. According to 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, what is the gospel message?
  4. Why is it important to stay focused on the gospel instead of becoming distracted by other narratives?
  5. According to these passages, what does endurance in faith look like?

Reflect

  • What distractions compete for my attention more than Jesus?
  • Am I spending more time consuming opinions than reading Scripture?
  • What would it look like for Jesus to truly remain the center of my life?

Further Scripture Reading

Luke 21:8–28, 2 Timothy 4:1–8

 

SECTION 2 — DISCERN THE SEASONS SPIRITUALLY

Focus

Jesus taught believers to recognize spiritual seasons and remain awake and prepared.

Read

Mark 13:24–37

Respond

  1. What signs did Jesus say would happen before His return?
  2. What lesson does Jesus teach through the fig tree?
  3. According to Mark 13:32, what does Jesus say nobody knows?
  4. How do these passages show the difference between watchfulness and fear?
  5. What instructions does Jesus repeatedly give His followers in this passage?

Reflect

  • Am I spiritually awake or spiritually distracted?
  • What does readiness for Jesus’ return look like in everyday life?
  • How can I stay alert spiritually without becoming fearful or obsessed?

Further Scripture Reading

Matthew 24:32–44, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

 

SECTION 3 — THE FEASTS AND GOD’S REDEMPTIVE STORY

Focus

The biblical feasts reveal God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ — from His first coming to His return.

Read

Leviticus 23:1–44, John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 15:20, Acts 2:1–4, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Respond

  1. According to John 1:29, why is Jesus called the Lamb of God?
  2. What does 1 Corinthians 15:20 reveal about Jesus being the “firstfruits”?
  3. What happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2?
  4. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, what role does the trumpet play in the return of Jesus?
  5. As you read these Scriptures alongside Leviticus 23, what connections do you see between the feasts and God’s plan through Jesus Christ?
  6. What do these passages reveal about God’s faithfulness throughout history?

Reflect

  • How does seeing Jesus throughout Scripture strengthen my faith?
  • What does it mean to you that God’s plan was established long before Jesus came to earth?
  • How can studying Scripture as one connected story deepen your trust in God?

Further Scripture Reading

Colossians 2:16–17, Hebrews 9:11–15, Revelation 21:1–3

 

SECTION 4 — PREPARING FOR THE BRIDEGROOM

Focus

Believers are called to live prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.

Read

John 14:1–3, Mark 13:32–37, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Respond

  1. What promise did Jesus give His followers in John 14:1–3?
  2. According to Mark 13:33–37, what attitude should believers live with?
  3. What events are described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17?
  4. According to these passages, what does spiritual readiness look like?
  5. How do these Scriptures encourage believers to prepare for the return of Jesus?

Reflect

  • If Jesus returned today, would my life reflect readiness for Him?
  • Am I cultivating intimacy with Jesus now or simply thinking about eternity later?
  • What spiritual habits help me remain watchful and prepared?

Further Scripture Reading

Matthew 25:1–13, Revelation 19:6–9

 

SECTION 5 — KNOWING JESUS, NOT JUST KNOWING ABOUT HIM

Focus

The purpose of prophecy is not fear or information alone — it is relationship with Jesus.

Read

Philippians 3:7–10, John 17:3, Revelation 22:12–20

Respond

  1. According to John 17:3, what is eternal life?
  2. What was Paul’s greatest desire in Philippians 3:7–10?
  3. What invitation is repeated throughout Revelation 22?
  4. According to these passages, what is the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Him?
  5. How do these Scriptures call believers to live in expectation of Jesus’return?

Reflect

  • Do I pursue information about God more than intimacy with God?
  • How is Jesus inviting me into deeper relationship with Him right now?
  • What changes when my faith becomes centered on truly knowing Him?

Further Scripture Reading

Psalm 27:4, Jeremiah 9:23–24

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

Jesus is coming again.

That truth is not meant to produce fear in the hearts of believers, but readiness, hope, holiness, and expectation. The signs of the times matter, but the greatest priority is not simply understanding prophecy — it is knowing Jesus Christ deeply and personally.

The Bridegroom is preparing a place for His bride. The invitation now is to prepare our hearts for Him.

Stay awake. Stay faithful. Stay filled with oil. Stay focused on the true narrative.

The gospel is not about merely predicting a date. It is about knowing a man — Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came, died, rose again, and will return in glory.