S8 Episode #3- Summer Soak Challenge Update with Jes
THE ONE WITH Jes + SUMMer SOAK CHALLENGE
In this “Back to School” episode of The Collected Podcast, Jes reflects on summer highlights and shares her favorite moments from the Summer Soak Challenge. As we wrap up both the challenge and the New Testament, Jes shares insights from her church’s study of Revelation, exploring themes of judgment, hope, and the unveiling of Christ as King. Through Scripture and personal reflection, we’re invited to consider what we’re spiritually clothed in today: fig leaves of shame or the robe of righteousness offered through Jesus. This episode is a call to shed false coverings and walk boldly in the freedom and healing found in Christ.
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I’m sorry, there is no video this week! Videos will resume next time! :)
SHOW NOTES
Summer Soak Challenge WRAP-UP
Share a few sweet words from The Lord:
God is with me.
God can turn cars into wave, wait until you see what He can do with your dreams.
God’s healing will take you to new places.
REVELATION
We are now in our final week of the challenge and we are now in the final book of Revelation! At my church this summer we are also in a series on the book of Revelation. Some thoughts on Revelation:
We know this book was written by John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. It contains the visions that Jesus revealed to John about what will happen at the end of time. We read about judgement that will come upon the earth, the final destruction of Satan and his forces, and the beginning of the new heaven and new earth.
It is considered “Apocalyptic Literature”-- “Apocolypses” means a “revealing” or “unveiling”, it is giving us a glimpse of Heaven’s perspective and allowing us to see things in a new way that we’ve previously taken for granted. It is not so much an unveiling of “what”, but rather of “who”. It is the unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ as He currently is and forevermore will be. He is King of Kings, Lord or Lords, the one who conquers all and He alone is worthy.
The purpose of the book is to encourage believers to remain faithful to Jesus and to remind us of the hope that we have in Him. Christ is ultimately victorious in the end.
FIG LEAVES Vs. ROBES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
At my church last Sunday, Doc Handberry taught on Revelation 15-16 (foresthill.org / Aug 3rd message). These chapters describe the final judgements before Jesus returns. They remind us of the hope that Jesus is coming back and we must be ready.
Revelation 16:15– “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
This wording as we near the end of the Bible made me think back to the very beginning of the story. In Genesis 2:25, Adam and Eve are living in a perfect creation as God intended it and they are described as being "naked but they felt no shame”.
Later in Chapter 3, when sin enters the picture, we read “At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
What sort of “fig leaves” are you trying to use to cover your shame? Maybe you think– If I just work hard, if I just do better, if I just keep it hidden… but none of this will bring the true freedom and healing that your heart craves.
When we are in Christ, we do not have to walk around clothed in our shame. Isaiah 61:10 says, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.”
So when we are in Christ, we are covered in HIS righteousness. We are no longer naked in our sin or trying to cover up our shame with fig leaves.
God gives us a beautiful foreshadowing of the work of Christ in Genesis 3:21. It’s a quick but significant verse that is easy to miss– “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”
God provided animal skin (!) to cover Adam and Eve and replace their fig leaves. This is the 1st animal sacrifice made to cover our shame. It is a foreshadowing of what Jesus will later do on the cross as our final and ultimate sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
I feel like someone out there has been wearing fig leaves of shame when the robe of righteousness is just a prayer away. Or perhaps you believe in Christ, but you are clinging to your fig leaves because something about your shame has become your identity. It’s time to let that go in the name of Jesus. Your shame is not serving you, it is destroying you– your hope, peace and joy. What Jesus did on the cross is enough. It covers everything you have ever done and could ever possibly do. My prayer for you today is that you can let go of the fig leaves of shame and walk confidently in your robe of righteousness. You are a child of the Most High God, you have a place at the table, and you will be clothed in salvation.
NEXT STEPS
Here are a few action steps to help you dip deeper this week!
Pray Isaiah 61:10 over themselves, asking God to clothe them in salvation and righteousness and to help them release any lingering shame.
Reflect on Your “Fig Leaves”: What false coverings have I been using to hide my shame? What would it look like to surrender those to Jesus?
Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:21 as a reminder of your identity in Christ.
For those heading into a new season (school, work, parenting), pray this blessing over yourself or your children: “May you walk clothed in Christ, confident in your identity, and ready for all God has prepared for you.”
Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
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The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
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The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes French and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.