What's the Bible All About? Part 1 | Genesis

What's the Bible All About? Part 1 | Genesis 6:9-7:24

Darien Gabriel

Series: Chaos to Covenant

Title: "What's the Bible all about?" Part 1

Scripture: Genesis 6:9-7:24

Genesis 8:1a; Matt 24:36-44; Hebrews 11:7-10

The Bible is all about God's story.

Here, Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ. We also see that God's word is trustworthy. Are you on the boat?

1. INTRODUCTION

2. CONTEXT

3. SERMON OUTLINE

4. CONCLUSION

5. NOTES

6. OUTLINES

7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

INTRODUCTION

Our church deployed a third team to FL this past week for disaster relief in New Port Richey. (Show pics and video)

As they recover from hurricane Helene, the folks in western NC probably feel like they've experienced a flood of biblical proportions. But, in fact, they only got a small fraction of what the world experienced in the Noahic flood.

How many of each animal did Moses put on the ark? The answer is none because Noah is the one that put the animals on the ark actually, God did. Kind of a silly joke, but in fact, Moses is writing Genesis telling the story of Noah in Genesis six through nine.

Let's say you're having lunch with somebody and they ask you the question what is the Bible all about your answer could be basically telling them the story of Noah and the arc because in this story, we see the character of God on display and we see the purpose for which God has Done in creation and a way that explains the macro story of God.

CONTEXT

Spiraling from the fall into more and more evil, the Way of Cain is dominating the world stage while the Way of Seth is a mere remnant of people. They don't have much of God's word to live on. They don't have the ways of God spelled out to them. They are in need of light in the darkness.

But they do have a prophecy. A word from the Lord. (Gen 3:15)

A light to hang hope on.

After seeing the Way of Cain summarized in Cain's evil genealogy, it's followed by the Way of Seth and his genealogy. Adam and Eve are still alive and watching this unfold with I can't imagine how much guilt and anguish over what they've done. The only thing keeping them alive and sane is the hope in the few words of God in Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers (Jesus); he will crush your head, and you will strike his heal (at the cross)."

At the beginning of Seth's genealogy, we see God reminding us of how he created us--in his image. We were created God-like. Nothing in all of creation is more like God than humanity.

Now we're in a state of dreadful depravity. We're born sinners who are capable of incredibly evil attitudes, words and actions. And we don't have to look far to see not only the truth of that but that we're heading downhill towards a level of evil equal to that just prior to the Flood. But this reminder--that we're created in his image--is there to give us hope. Hope that the Way of Seth--the Way of Jesus--can and will deliver many from sin and death, shame and guilt, hell itself.

The whole thing here about the sons of God, daughters of men, and the Nephilim is simply there to show us how bad things had gotten in the world. To show us that “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬) To show us that things were so bad that God grieved and regretted that he'd created humanity in the first place. As a result, God would wipe out all of creation (except for the ones following the Way of Seth) and re-create the world.

SERMON

Outline modified from Bethancourt

I. GOD IS HOLY AND JUST. HE MUST PUNISH SIN. Noah and God's judgment (6:1-22) THIS WEEK

A. The purpose of God's judgment (6:1-7)

B. The patience of God's judgment (6:8-16)

C. The promise of God's judgment (6:17-22)

II. GOD IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL. HIS LOVE MAKES A WAY BACK. Noah and God's rescue (7:1-8:19)

A. God rescues us from the penalty of his judgment (7:1-16)

B. God rescues us from the power of his judgment (7:17-24)

C. God rescues us from the presence of his judgment (8:1-19)

III. GOD IS SOVEREIGN CREATOR REDEEMING US THROUGH HIS SON'S COVENANT OF LOVE. Noah and God's covenant (8:20-9:29) NEXT WEEK

A. The Lord and the covenant with creation (8:20-22)

B. The Lord and the covenant with Noah (9:1-11)

C. The Lord and the sign of the covenant (9:12-17)

D. The Lord and the lineage of the covenant (9:18-29)

These are my main points today:

The flood story reveals four main characteristics of God. God is...

1. Holy and Just: God judges human wickedness, showing His intolerance for sin.

2. Gracious and Merciful: He offers time for repentance and preserves Noah’s family.

3. Faithful to keep his Promises: God promises to sustain creation, never to destroy it by flood again.

4. Sovereign Creator: He controls nature, demonstrating His power to both judge and restore.

These qualities reveal a God who is just, merciful, faithful, and sovereign, committed to both righteousness and renewal.

Said another way...

The story of Noah and the flood reflects the broader story of God in the Bible by capturing key themes of Creator-God, sovereignly creating a good world where humanity sins/falls and reaps judgment. Despite this, merciful God makes a way for wicked humanity to find redemption and restoration through the covenant relationship with Creator-God through Christ Jesus, our Savior.

CONCLUSION

What do I want them to know?

The story of God in macro and how our story fits in micro.

Why?

Because this is our mission: to show and tell the story of God through our story.

What do I want them to do?

Show and tell their story in the context of God's story.

Why?

Because this is why we're still here. This is how we rescue people close to us but far from God.

How?

By learning this macro story, seeing our story within that context, and then sharing that story with others where we live, work, learn and play.

Bottom line: Noah’s story is a snapshot of the Bible’s grand narrative—a holy God seeking to redeem, restore, and renew fallen creation by a merciful covenant through Jesus Christ. We also see that God's word is trustworthy. Are you on the boat?

At the end of the day, my question to you is this: "Are you in the boat?" Is your life protected from God's holy wrath? Have you entered through the only door to salvation? His name is Jesus.

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

1. What is God saying to me right now?

2. What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.

What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.

[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.

Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.

Pray

NOTES

Good summary:

"The story of the flood in Genesis (chapters 6–9) tells us much about God’s character, values, and the way He engages with humanity. Here are some of the primary ways it reveals who God is:

1. God’s Justice and Holiness

• The flood is a response to human corruption and violence. Genesis 6:5-6 says that God saw the great wickedness on earth and was “grieved” in His heart. God’s decision to judge humanity with the flood shows His intolerance of sin and injustice. His holiness requires a world that aligns with His goodness, and the flood was a response to the pervasive moral decay of Noah’s time.

2. God’s Patience and Long-Suffering

• While the decision to flood the earth is swift in the biblical account, the story implies that God waited patiently while humanity had a chance to change. Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), and his 120 years building the ark can be seen as a period when God gave people a chance to repent. This patience reveals God’s mercy, even in His judgment.

3. God’s Mercy and Covenant Faithfulness

• God’s decision to save Noah and his family highlights His mercy and commitment to His creation. Although humanity deserved judgment, God chose a path that preserved life. He instructed Noah to bring animals onto the ark, ensuring the survival of all living things. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), promising never to destroy the earth with water again. The rainbow serves as a symbol of His covenant, highlighting His faithfulness to humanity despite their shortcomings.

4. God’s Sovereignty and Power Over Creation

• The flood narrative shows God’s absolute power over creation. He commands the waters to rise and fall, demonstrating His control over the natural world. The floodwaters are a reversal of the order He established at creation, where He separated waters to form dry land. By re-establishing the earth post-flood, God reaffirms His sovereignty as Creator, showing He can both judge and restore.

5. God’s Desire for a Righteous People

• God chooses Noah, “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time” (Genesis 6:9), and establishes a covenant with him, revealing His desire for a people who walk in righteousness. God’s plan for Noah’s descendants is one of blessing, hoping they would embody a restored relationship with Him and reflect His justice and goodness on earth.

6. God’s Grace and Renewal of Creation

• After the flood, God gives Noah a mandate similar to Adam’s: to “be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). This echoes the original creation mandate, suggesting that God’s intention for humanity and creation remains one of growth, flourishing, and harmony. He desires to partner with humanity in caring for and filling the earth with goodness.

7. God as a Covenant Maker

• The covenant with Noah is foundational, setting a pattern for the covenants God will establish later with Abraham, Moses, and David, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The Noahic covenant emphasizes God’s promise to preserve creation, foreshadowing the redemptive plan that would unfold over time.

In summary, the flood story tells the story of God as a holy and just Judge, yet also as a patient, merciful, and covenant-keeping Creator. It illustrates His commitment to renewal and restoration even in the face of human failure. Through judgment and mercy, God’s desire for a faithful, righteous humanity and His love for creation shine through. This story is foundational, pointing forward to God’s ongoing work to redeem and renew the world."

-ChatGPT

The Pattern

See D. J. A. Clines, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, No. 38 (1976), pp. 487, 488. Clines explains that Gerhard Von Rad initially observed a pattern of sin, mitigation, and punishment. Then Claus Westermann discerned another element, that of divine speech. Though he did not include it in the pattern, Clines does. Thus the following chart:

I.

II.

III.

IV.

SIN

SPEECH

GRACE

PUNISHMENT

1. FALL

3:6

3:14-19

3:21

3:22-24

1. CAIN

4:8

4:10-12

4:15

4:16

1. SONS OF GOD

6:2

6:3

6:8, 18ff

7:6-24

1. FLOOD

6:5, 11f

6:7, 13-21

6:8, 18ff

11:8

1. BABEL

11:4

11:6f

10:1-32

11:8

Preach the Word, Genesis, Kent Hughes, chapter 1, note 3, p. 625

Hamilton puts it this way:

"God acts and speaks; man rebels; God punishes; God protects and reconciles." P. 201

GOD ACTS & SPEAKS    MAN REBELS    GOD PUNISHES    GOD PROTECTS & RECONCILES

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

1. Read the passage together.

2. Retell the story in your own words.

3. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really true, what should I do?

4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

6. Who am I going to tell about this?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Of Great Concern | Colossians 2:1-5

Of Great Concern | Colossians 2:1-5

Dan Samms

Of Great Concern - Colossians 2:1-5

1. The Depth of Paul's Concern 2:1

2. The Object of Paul's Concern 2:2-3

3. The Reason for Paul's Concern 2:4-5

Why You Need to Know the Gospel | Revelation 13: 11-18

Why You Need to Know the Gospel | Revelation 13: 11-18

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why You Need to Know the Gospel”

Scripture: Revelation 13:11-18; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:18-21; Rev 7:2-3

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week: “Why You Need to Know the Truth”

This week: “Why You Need to Know the Gospel”

Bottom line:

Last week’s Bottom line: Knowing the Truth—really knowing—sets us free and leads to peace in a world of uncertainty, deception and falsehood.

Opening story: (repeat of last week’s)

Scotland Yard detective, an expert on identifying counterfeit bills, was asked how he was so good. He answered that he studied the authentic bills so thoroughly that he couldn’t help but recognize the fakes.

Questions to consider:

• Do you know the gospel well enough?

• What is the gospel?

• Are you prepared to die rather than obey a gospel contrary to scripture?

Intro notes (Nicky Gumbel commentary on Revelation 13)

Revelation 13:1b–18

The first ‘beast’ (v.1b) appears to be a persecuting power. This chapter contains a description of human government at its worst – a demonic power. It needs to be read alongside Romans 13, in which human government is seen at its best – a godly authority. All human government is a mixture of Revelation 13 and Romans 13. Some governments are more like Romans 13, and some more like the description here. Do not be surprised, therefore, by governments making anti-Christian laws and even persecuting the church.

Perhaps the ‘seven heads’ (Revelation 13:1b) represent the seven hills on which Rome was built (see 17:9). The prophet Daniel saw beasts that look like the leopard, the bear and the lion, representing three successive world powers (Daniel 7:3). Here they are all rolled into one (Revelation 13:2).

‘The fatal wound’ that ‘has been healed’ (v.3) may refer to Nero (notorious for his persecution of Christians), who attempted suicide in AD 68 and was believed to have survived or come alive again (according to legend). This could be seen as a parody of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The beast attacks God’s people for forty-two months or three and a half years (this is typically the period that represents the time between the first and second coming of Jesus – that is, the age of the church). The beast persecutes the church. He makes ‘war against the saints’ (v.7). He has a large following.

The only ones who do not follow him are all those whose names are written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb, who was slain from the creation of the world (v.8b).

The second beast is a pseudo-Christ figure. He performs ‘great and miraculous signs’ (v.13). He is a deceiver. He forces everyone to have his mark on their right hands or on their foreheads (v.16). His number is 666 (v.18).

The number 666 at one level may again represent Nero, since the Hebrew letters for ‘Nero Caesar’ when converted into numbers total 666. On another level, numbers in Revelation are normally symbolic. Six is the number of imperfection (since seven is the number of perfection). 666 is therefore the number of triple imperfection, or complete sinfulness.

‘This calls for wisdom’ (v.18a). Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light and his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 11:13–14). The first beast has a ‘mouth like that of a lion’ (Revelation 13:2). The second beast has two horns ‘like a lamb’ (v.11). It is as if they are trying to appear to look like Jesus (who is the Lion and the Lamb, see Revelation 5:5–6).

Later, we will read of a third beast – Babylon (see Revelation 14:8 and chapters 17–18). The three beasts together seem to masquerade as a diabolical parody of the Trinity. They seem great and deceive many people. We need wisdom to discern the good from the evil.

Thank God that by his hand he has written your name in the Lamb’s book of life.

Outline:

I. The False Prophet and his work. (13:11-12)

A. What he’s like.

B. What he does.

1. Deceives.

2. Forces to worship first beast.

II. Signs that deceive and produce idolatry. (13:13-15)

A. The first beast is about a one-world government.

B. The second beast is about a one-world religion.

C. We must be able to see difference between the true and false gospel. 2 kinds of false:

1. Universalism

2. Inclusivism

III. The mark of the beast. (13:16-18)

A. The mark is real though we don’t know what it will actually be.

B. What did the early church think of when they heard Revelation 13?

1. Nero is the Anti-Christ.

2. Biblical interpretation requires that a passage cannot mean today what it did not mean to it’s original audience.

Conclusion:

Last story:

God’s hand writes your name in the book of life

What an amazing privilege to have God’s hand write your name in ‘the book of life’ belonging to Jesus (v.8b). In the face of persecution ‘God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground’ (v.10b, MSG). —Nicky Gumbel

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Revelation by Paige Patterson, New American Commentary series

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Book of Revelation, NICNT, Robert Mounce

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Bible in One Year reading plan, Nicky Gumbel

What to Do When You Feel Defeated | Revelation 12

What to Do When You Feel Defeated | Revelation 12

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What to do when you feel defeated”

Scripture: Revelation 12

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Two weeks ago: “Why and When Does God Protect His People?”

This week: “What to do when you feel defeated”

Opening story:

Ultimate High school tournament—we won our first game. We lost our second. And third. And fourth...

Q: What do you do when you feel defeated?

My Bottom line:

God protects his people against all satanic opposition and his people proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is near until it’s here. He does this as he keeps his salvation promises to his people.

Remember we just left Rev 11:15

This is not your parents Christmas story!

Rev 12:1-17 Outline

I. Epic enmity between the Seed and the Serpent. (1-6)

• Jesus is the “snake crusher” (Gen 3:15)

• Gen 3:15 is the proto-evangelia”

• “Can you imagine anything more vulnerable than a woman laboring to give birth? Women in labor are com[pletely occupied with giving birth. They are not thinking about defending themselves. They cannot strategize about how to escape from danger. They are focused on one thing: giving birth. The process of giving birth is a colossal struggle for life. The whole of a woman’s mental energy, emotional strength, and bodily power are focused on what seems impossible and is nothing short of miraculous. A human being is about to come into the world out of her body, and the baby seems bigger than the birth canal. It looks impossible. It is a miracle of frantic human determination and astonishing divine design.

“Can you imagine anything more frightening or threatening than a huge dragon? Let me suggest a way to make a dragon even more dreadful: give it seven heads. Now put a horn on each head, and three of the heads have two horns; so there are seven heads and ten horns.

“Put the two images together and you have a powerful drama. A pregnant woman is in the process of giving birth, and she is threatened by a massive dragon who wants to eat her baby the moment he is born. She cannot run. She cannot hide. What hope does she have?

“Do you want to heighten the desperation and urgency of the situation? The child about to be born, sure to be eaten by the dragon, is the world’s last hope. This is an epic pageant of intense, in protected goodness confronted with a shocking evil that looks powerful, inevitable, devastating.” - Jim Hamilton, p. 245

II. Cross defeats the accuser. (7-12)

• Heavenly war

• Angel names

  • Michael = Who is like God

  • Lucifer = I will be like God

III. On the wings of an eagle. (13-17)

Illustrations:

“The Seed” vs “The Serpent” (Gen 3:15)

Note rise in anti-semitism in our nation in the last week. (Cases essentially doubled)

Dragon from the Hobbit (Smaug) scenes

Delivering baby stories: Watching your wife deliver a baby (whether by C-section or more naturally) is a distressing experience of a distressing experience. Not sure there is a more vulnerable position for a woman than right before giving birth.

High school ultimate tournament stories

Why and When Does God Protect His People? | Revelation 11; Mark 1:15; Matt 5-7; Luke 4:18-19; Rom 8:28

Why and When Does God Protect His People? | Revelation 11; Mark 1:15; Matt 5-7; Luke 4:18-19; Rom 8:

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why and When Does God Protect His People?”

Scripture: Revelation 11; Mark 1:15; Matt 5-7; Luke 4:18-19; Rom 8:28

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Two weeks ago: “Around the corner and around the world”

This week: “Why and When Does God Protect His People?”

Opening story about John Paton

Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”

Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”

My Bottom line:

God will protect his people against all satanic opposition, and

They will proclaim the good news until the kingdom comes.

Outline:

I. Intro -

A. John Paton story

B. Bottom line

II. Measuring the Temple (Identity)—body of Christ —Measuring is taking stock of who your people are and where they are. (11:1-2)

III. 2 Witnesses (Power and protection to proclaim) (11:3-14)

A. Power - In the face of persecution, what empowers us to move forward?

1. Empowered by the Holy Spirit + Faith to walk in his presence and power.

2. The proclaiming of the good news

3. “Power comes through the preaching of the gospel, when the Spirit gives life to someone dead in trespasses and sins. The Church’s power is in the proclamation of the gospel.” -J Hamilton, p. 239

4. The Church then is

   1. Empowered by the Spirit,

   2. Protected by the Father, and

   3. Equipped by the Son to proclaim His good news

B. Protection - Protected from satanic opposition but not from all people. We still may die (be defeated for a short time) but we’ll only graduate when that happens. We’ll be...

1. Vindicated

2. Raised from the dead

3. Invited to join God in heaven

4. And then the kingdom will come

C. Proclaim

1. Protected to proclaim. This is why we remain behind.

2. Protected by his power for his purpose (mission).

IV. Until - Until his kingdom comes in full. (11:15-19)

A. See how heaven rejoices.

B. See how this is at the center of Revelation (11:15)

C. The question is: Do we really believe that the kingdom being near is good news? As the enemy turns the screws as we continue to share the good news, will we give up in fear?

D. What is the good news?

1. “That the kingdom of God has come near.” Mark 1:15

2. Jesus Manifesto/Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7 (sermon series from last year)

3. Luke 4:18-19

   1. Freedom—Freedom for oppressed and prisoners (addiction, unhealthy habits, sin, death, etc.)

   2. Vision—Sight for the blind (physically and spiritually)

   3. Capital—favor/blessing/provision of financial, intellectual, physical, relational, and spiritual capital.

V. Close - “If you do know Christ, this is who you are. You are measured by the Father, indwelt and empowered by the Spirit, protected to proclaim the good news so that slaves might be freed.” -J Hamilton, p. 239

A. Stories—

Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”

Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”

B. Application + Bottom line =

1. God knows his people and protects them. (Measuring)

2. God’s people are protected to proclaim the gospel by the Spirit. (Protected to proclaim in power)

C. The question is: Do we really believe that the kingdom being near is good news?

As the enemy turns the screws will we continue to share the good news?

Pray

Other notes:

10:1 - 14:20 is a huge parenthesis before the “bowls” of judgment.

Summary of lessons by Duvall:

• Although God’s people are protected spiritually, they are still vulnerable to persecution. (Physically)

• God’s people are called to speak prophetically.

• The world will often react with hostility to the church’s prophetic witness.

• God’s promises to raise his people from the dead, reversing their temporary defeat at the hands of evil powers.

• The witnessing church possesses tremendous power and authority to carry out her mission.

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Revelation by Paige Patterson, New American Commentary series

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Book of Revelation, NICNT, Robert Mounce

Other illustrations:

Lottie Moon said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.”

Jim Elliott wrote, “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still set in darkness. They simply must hear.”

Jim Elliott also said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Sodomy = ultimate moral corruption

“The fear or reverence cited here (v. 18) is the fear of a child for his father, while knowing the great love and concern of his father, yet nevertheless knowing to fear him when his father’s will has been transgressed. Fear sends the child running to the father rather than running from the father.” -Patterson, p. 255

“Now the ark of the covenant, symbolizing both the promises of God and the atonement available in his divine providences, is seen in heaven.” Patterson, p. 257

• Temple in Rev 11 is original divine plan for tabernacle/temple.

• Temple in Rev 21 is seen in heaven. Patterson, p. 258

John Patton illustration in Hamilton

How to Raise Kids Today | Deuteronomy 6:1-9

5-9-2021-How To Raise Kids Today

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to Raise Kids Today” (Mother’s Day)

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

My Bottom line:

Obedience is an expression of faithful love.

Tie in 3 applications:

• Listen - written and living word

• Love - God and people (6:5)

• Lead others - who? From inside out (6:6-9)

  • Hand impression in clay

  • Heart - compass that points to true north

Romans 5:8

Just like a thermometer shows the actual temperature of the room, our obedience to God shows our actual love for God and people.

When we were children, my sister and I went on a picnic with our parents. The two of us were playing on what we all assumed was a disused railway track. Suddenly my mother shouted, ‘Jump! Get off the track!’ She had seen an express train coming down the track. Thankfully, we didn’t shout back, ‘Don’t threaten us. You can’t scare us.’ If we had done that, I would not be in a position to write this now. We both jumped off the track.

The command arose out of a mother’s love for her children. God’s commands arise out of his goodness and his love for you. They are given so that “it may go well with you” and “you may enjoy long life”.

The warnings of Jesus about the coming judgment (Gospels, Rev) and how to be ready for it come out of his love for you. In all the passages for today we see that obedience is the way to experience his goodness and be a magnet for his blessing.

Nicky Gumbel

Outline:

Notes:

V. 1

God gives Israel (and all his people) “the way” to true life. It is obedience motivated by a grateful love for the Lord.

The Lord directed Moses to teach his people the commands, decrees and laws they were to obey because they love and trust him in the promise land.

“The emphasis in Deut 6:1-2 is on obedience.”

• 2 kinds of people: Those who love God and those who hate God. The heart attitude is seen in their obedience.

• When Jesus gave his commission to Peter, he just asked one question, “Simon, do you love me?” John 21:16

VV. 2-3

Tells them why he wants them to trust and obey.

1. So that you, your children, and you’re grand children will fear the Lord (enough) so they’ll gladly obey the Lord all their lives. (2)

2. So that they will enjoy long life (2)

3. So that it will go well with you (3)

4. So that you will increase greatly (financially, intellectually, physically, relationally, and spiritually). (3)

V. 4

1. Listen to God early and often. Know his word (written and living) so you know what and how to obey.

2. Love God with all you are and have. This occurs only through obedience to his word.

3. Lead others to love by obeying his word too.

   1. Start with yourself

   2. Family

   3. Extended family

   4. Future family

   5. Church family

   6. Community/neighbors

   7. World (include spiritual children)

When? All the time

• We don’t have time to play around

• Urgent

• Pace matters, but urgent

• Sustainable, but aware that the days are short

Where?

• Live

• Work/learn

• Play

• Locally, Globally and virtually

How?

• Listen - written and living word

• Love - God and people (6:5)

• Lead others - who? From inside out (6:6-9)

  • Hand impression in clay

  • Heart - compass that points to true north

J Vernon McGee notes

Deuteronomy emphasizes two words: Love and obedience. (Not law and obedience)

“God’s love is actually expressed in law. The great principle of law is love.” God gives us laws (boundaries) for our benefit.

When our relationship is perfect, few laws are needed. (Think Garden of Eden with just 1 law)

When our relationship is marred by poor discipline, unwise decision making, and unloving behavior, more laws are needed.

“You and I express our love for God in our obedience.”

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” -John 14:15

“Salvation is a love affair.”

“We love him because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

“The Lord Jesus cited this as the greatest commandment of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deut 6:5

“Our obedience is the manifestation of our love.”d

“But God demonstrates his love for us in this that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Here is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

Illustration

Wrong camper story

Why My Mom Won’t Drink Mountain Dew by Brad Ruggles 

12 posted on August 12, 2008

51 Comments

POSTED IN: Childhood Memories, Completely Crazy

If you’ve known me long enough or had the chance to stay up late at night swapping stories with me, you’ll eventually hear this one. It’s probably one of the most embarrassing, stupid, least-thought-out things I did as a kid.

My parents went out for dinner and left my brother and I at home. We were boys so there was all the usual wrestling and goofing around but after an hour or so we got bored.

I went to the fridge to see what was in there and saw a half-empty bottle of Mountain Dew. As only a 10-year-old whose brain hadn’t caught up to his body could think of, I had an idea for a prank. What if I emptied the bottle and filled it back up with pee! (you can see why I stay up at night worrying about what my kids are going to do when they get older)

I put the top back on the bottle and put it back in the fridge. I heard my parents come home and ran upstairs listening over the balcony and snickering to myself. I waited for a few minutes until I heard the refrigerator door open.

The next thing I heard was my mom spitting and running to the bathroom to throw up. As with many of our pranks as kids, I hadn’t completely thought this one through. To say that I was in trouble with my dad would be a bit of an understatement.

When people hear that story they always ask me, What were you thinking? The simple answer? I wasn’t.

What was the worst thing you did to your parents as a kid?

Around the Corner and Around the World | Revelation 10

Around the Corner and Around the World | Revelation 10

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Around the corner and around the world”

Scripture: Revelation 10

(Main commentary helps below at the end)

Last week: “Have you got your heart in order?”

This week: “Around the corner and around the world”

My Bottom line:

With his authority to speak,

his presence to embolden, and

his word to proclaim to the nations,

Jesus recommissions his church in the tribulation

to multiply disciple-makers (xDM)

around the corner and around the world.

Intro

Jim Hamilton tells the following story:

“My parents had come to visit my sister and me. We were working at Kanakuk, a Christian sports camp in Missouri. But that night the softball game I was playing in wasn’t over when my parents and sister were ready to go. I told them to go on, and they did.

These were the days before cell phones. I knew my parents would be staying at a resort called Holiday Island, I began to wonder how in the world I would find my family. I got to Holiday Island and pulled into what looked like an office. Thankfully, someone came to the door, but when I asked if they could help me find which time-share my parents were in, I was told there were thousands of time-shares at Holiday Island. To make matters worse, there was no central system that logged all the units. He couldn’t help me.

Suddenly I realized that I was alone in the world, with no idea where to go, no clues as to where to start, and no way to contact my family. So I despondently got in my car and started driving farther into Holiday Island. Then I saw a familiar sight: there was my sister’s car! And under the windshield wiper was a note—I have it with me to this day. It reads as follows:

Jimbo,

We are at 15 Ironwood Dr. on the Island. Go to the Island—turn right on Appaloosa Dr.—2nd street is Ironwood Dr. Go to the end of the street. 15 Ironwood Drive.

Love, Dad

PS: It is 7:20 pm—we will be back here at 8:20.

It was 8:15 when I found that note. As I began to follow the directions, I soon crossed paths with my dad coming to get me, just as he said he would.

• Jim’s father revealed to him detailed truths about the future that encouraged him not to give up in the present. Where his family was and when he was coming to get him.

• He gave him specific instructions on what to do and told him what he was going to do as well.

Jim Hamilton’s dad left him a note on his sister’s car telling him

1. Exactly where his family was and

2. Exactly when he was coming to get him.

I. 10:1-3 The Angel of Salvation through Judgment

Note the authority this angel has as he represents Christ. Later we’ll hear authority from “The voice”.

Reminds me of this funny story: https://bible.org/illustration/lighthouse

Lighthouse

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message” “Alter your course 10 degrees south.”

Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.”

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am the captain!”

Soon another message was received: Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am seaman third class Jones.”

Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: “Alter your course 10 degrees south—I am a battleship.”

Then the reply came “Alter your course 10 degrees north—I am a lighthouse.”

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives.

Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our peril. (A voice of authority in life)

Paul Aiello, Jr.

II. 10:4-7 “No more delay” at the 7th trumpet

“No more delay” - no more judgments; no more time to repent and believe; time to wrap this up!

III. 10:8-11 John Eats the Scroll

“The Voice” = The risen Lord Jesus Christ recommissioning John (and us); voice of authority (Either God the Father or God the Son)

“Go” with authority

“Take the scroll” = take my revealed words (could be the future but more likely the good news)

“Eat the scroll” = Digest it so that you process it internally and then proclaim it having processed it personally along the way.

“Prophecy again about” the nations - to the nations regardless of creed, religion, ethnicity, or anything else. All people.

Summary: (note how this mirrors the Great Commission in Matt 28:19-20)

1. GO: Go (or as you go) with authority (Holy Spirit authority)

2. TAKE: With God’s revealed words (Bible)

3. EAT: Internalize the message personally

4. PROPHESY: Proclaim it again around the corner and around the world (to the nations cf. Acts 1:8)

Compare with Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:8 and see the similarities. (See Luke 24 and Mark 16 as well)

Last week’s challenge was to share Christ with the person God brought to mind at that time. How did you do? Did you take that as if it were from God? Did you ignore it? Did you see God move? He isn’t done. And perhaps you have a second chance...but there are no guarantees as this poem suggests.

Poem: "Around the Corner" (Charles Hanson Towne)

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end,

Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,

And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friend's face,

For life is a swift and terrible race,

He knows I like him just as well,

As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,

And now we are busy, tired men.

Tired of playing a foolish game,

Tired of trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim

Just to show that I'm thinking of him",

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,

And distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner, yet miles away,

"Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."

And that's what we get and deserve in the end.

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

2 major applications on top of...

1. Be Confident. Be confident that God is Lord of all and will accomplish his purposes. Per the angel standing reminding us everything is under Jesus’ feet, no terrorist, no rogue governments, no dictators, no usurpers of democracy, no kings are going to stand in the way of God’s accomplishing his purposes.

2. God Reveals Truth. We can know truth because God has revealed himself.

   1. We’ll never have all knowledge—only God is omniscient.

   2. But we have knowledge because God gave Jesus the scroll. God—>Jesus—>Angel—>John—>us!

   3. We have it and can trust “the things that must soon take place” (1:1).

Closing

Jim Hamilton’s dad left him a note on his sister’s car telling him

1. Exactly where his family was and

2. Exactly when he was coming to get him.

Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:1-3,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Almighty God has sent his angel to his servant John “to show to his servants the things that must soon take place” (1:1).

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Book of Revelation, NICNT, Robert Mounce

Have You Got Your Heart in Order? | Revelation 9:1-21

Have You Got Your Heart in Order? | Revelation 9:1-21

Darien Gabriel

Text Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Have you got your heart in order?”

Scripture: Revelation 9:1-21

Last week: “Why We Pray”

This week: “Have you got your heart in order?”

My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Intro

Moving: Right after you move in, your house is NOT in order. House vs Spiritual house (aka heart) Seals It would be really helpful to me as a pastor to be able to see whether or not you had the seal of God on your forehead. Like Shadrach, Mishshach and Abednego, you will find yourself in the fiery furnace, but you will come out unsinged.

Evil: As we see the evil in the world around us, it’s understandable that you will want to put things in better order than they are. Some do this through politics, others through non-profits, others through writing or the arts, and even through ministry. Making a difference? If this is you, my question for you is, is your “house” in order? In other words, Are you trying to clean up the mess in the world before you’ve cleaned up your own “room”. I mean that literally—not just metaphorically. A better question than, “Is your house in order?” might be, “Is your heart in order?” (Title of today’s message)

Better questions: Before you ask yourself, is my house in order ask yourself is my heart in order? (Optional)

A picture of evil (LOTR) Read some of Lord of the Rings (LOTR) story that describes the Nazgul. “The Nazgul came again, and as their Dark Lord now grew and put forth his strength, so their voices, which uttered only his will and his malice, were filled with evil and horror. Ever they circled the City, like vultures that expect their fill of doomed men’s flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air. More unbearable they became, not less, at each new cry. At length even the stout- hearted would fling themselves to the ground as the hidden menace passed over them, or they would stand, letting their weapons fall from nerveless hands while into their minds a blackness came, and they thought no more of war, but only of hiding and of crawling, and of death.” Return of the King, p. 97

My outline:

Intro

I. 5th Trumpet: Spiritual warfare is as real as physical warfare. (9:1-12)

II. 6th Trumpet: When God removes his sovereign restraint on evil, all hell breaks lose. (9:13-19)

III. Unrepentant sinners show how depraved an unsealed heart really is. (9:20-21)

IV. Applications—God is sovereign over evil. That’s how he can use evil to judge evil. “The devil is still God’s devil.” -Martin Luther

A. See and feel the evil around us better by gazing at God

B. If sealed by God, rest in that no matter what.

C. If not sealed by God yet, repent and believe; trust and follow Jesus Christ.

1. Humble yourself before holy, almighty God

2. Repent of your sins against him and believe that he’s made a way out for you.

3. Evidence your faith by leading others to follow you as you follow Him.

Closing

My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Applications

I. God is sovereign over evil. That’s how he can use evil to judge evil. “The devil is still God’s devil.” -Martin Luther

II. See and feel the evil around us—recognize the good God graciously pours out.

III. If sealed by God, rest in that no matter what.

IV. If not sealed by God yet, repent and believe; trust and follow Jesus Christ.

A. Humble yourself before holy, almighty God

B. Repent of your sins against him and believe that he’s made a way out for you.

C. Evidence your faith by leading others to follow you as you follow Him.

Closing My Bottom line: God‘s judgment is horrific and only those who God seals (who repent and believe) will be protected from it.

Read closing story of heroism in LOTR final books Return of the King. Narrated by Jim Hamilton: “King Theoden has been crushed beneath his fallen horse, and the Nazgul descends to defile the dead. Only one warrior has remained to defend the fallen king. This warrior was named Dernhelm, but it was really the maiden Eowyn in disguise. The presence of the Nazgul startled the horse that Eowyn and the hobbit Merry rode, and they were thrown from their crazed mount. ‘Merry crawled on all fours like a dazed beast, and such a horror was on him that he was blind and sick. ‘“King’s man! King’s man” his heart cried within him, “You must stay by him...” But his will made no answer, and his body shook. He dared not open his eyes or look up.’ “Eowyn disguised as Dernhelm then commanded the Nazgul, ‘Leave the dead in peace!’ “A cold voice answered: ‘Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shriveled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.” ‘A sword rang as it was drawn. “Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.” “Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!” “Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” The black rider rises to kill Eowyn: “But suddenly he too stumbled forward with a cry of bitter pain, and his stroke went wide, driving into the ground. Merry’s sword had stabbed him from behind... “Eowyn! Eowyn!” Cried Merry. Then tottering, struggling up, with her last strength she drove her sword between the crown and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled away with a clang...and a cry went up into the shuddering air, and faded to a shrill wailing, passing with the wind, a voice bodiless and thin that died, and was swallowed up, and was never heard again in that age of this world.” Return of the King, p. 97

Stand, brothers and sisters, against the onslaught of evil. Stand and fight against temptation...stand and fight for your life.” -Hamilton

Yes, stand and fight temptation, injustice, sin and evil. But start first in your own heart. Get your heart and home in order first. Then wade into the battle for the hearts and souls of mankind. Let’s pray

Other notes: This is the story of history & lore Lucifer chose to become the one worshiped and feared over worshiping his very own creator. His hubris led him to pursue conquering others to this end. Ever since he attempted Adam and Eve to follow him in this he’s been tempting others down the same path.

- The emperor and Vader in Star Wars

- Scar in the lion king

- Sauron in lord of the rings

- Thanos in Avengers

When we reject Jesus Christ as Lord, we walk down this who, naïve and dangerous path of anti-Christ as one of his followers. This is wicked. And there will be hell to pay. Literally. This is what the Lord is judging in the future as displayed in the Revelation.

Hamilton’s need: “We have a great need to see evil for what it is.”

Hamilton’s main point: “God’s judgment is painful and terrifying, and only those who God seals will be protected from his judgment.”

Akin’s main point: “In carrying out judgment on unrepentant humanity, the sovereign Lord will use Satan and his forces, but he will always remain in control over them.”

Outlines:

Hamilton Akin

I. 5th Trump (9:1-12) I. Spiritual warfare is real and intense (9:1-12)

II. 6th Trump (9:13-19) II. When God’s restraining grace is removed, Hell comes to earth (9:13-19)

III. Unrepentant sinners (9:20-21) III. God’s judgments reveal utter depravity of human heart (9:20-21)

Main commentary help:

- Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

- Revelation by Jim Hamilton

- Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

- Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

- ESV Global Study Bible

- Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

- Bible Knowledge Commentary

How to Live In This World of Suffering | Revelation 6:1-8

How to Live In This World of Suffering | Revelation 6:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to Live in this world of suffering” (Proclaim & Embody Jesus)

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

Last week: Jesus worshipped as Redeemer

This week: Jesus worshipped as Righteous & Just Judge

Our need: Grace and truth from our creator-redeemer 

Bottom line: In light of our need for grace and truth in a world of hurt, let’s proclaim and embody Jesus where we live, work, and play.

So Hamilton focuses on the glory of God and how we take it too lightly. God’s judgment falls on those who take it too lightly. He then fleshes out how God judges humanity through humanity. God has a plan (though we have differing takes on how that will unfold) and that’s what matters. He has a plan and will sovereignly carry it out on earth and in heaven. 

Chandler focuses more on the persecution and how we should prepare and live in light of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and the natural catastrophes we’re enduring and that will accelerate and intensify like birth pangs. 

Both refer to Matthew 24 as Jesus’ commentary on this passage. 

I. Four Seals and Four Horsemen on the earth (6:1-8) - God judges humanity through humanity.

A. First Seal/horseman: White - Conqueror bent on conquest

1. False Christ—Looks like Christ but isn’t

2. False teacher

3. False hope

4. Deceiver

5. “Were given” - God is sovereign; they have nothing he hasn’t given to them

B. Second Seal/horseman: Fiery Red 

1. Takes away peace and

2. Incites mortal violence

C. Third Seal/horseman: Black

1. Severe famine (days wages for a small meal for a person or family)

2. None of what you need but all you don’t need - typical of what we tend to pursue too

D. Fourth Seal/horseman: Pale

1. Death and Hades (Hell)

2. Power to kill 25% of the world (about 2 billion or China + most of India)

II. Martyrs and Signs in the Heavens (6:9-17) - God continues judgment in the heavens

A. Fifth Seal: Martyrdom—wait a little longer

1. They were there because they proclaimed and embodied Jesus.

2. Are we willing to go there?

B. Sixth Seal: Natural disasters on increasingly frequent and more intense scale; heading towards or already in the tribulation

1. Already in in that we’re already experiencing these things; cannot mean for us what it didn’t mean for them

2. Also, as things increase in intensity and frequency, some yet unseen things will occur as a part of the tribulation (possibly)

3. Tribulation = Daniel’s 70th week; a 7-year period where global tribulation will climax with the Great Throne of Judgment

4. Great leveling of people; all our earthly hopes will crumble in this day of judgment

5. Only hope is in the one who can and did open the scroll—Jesus the Christ

C. Seventh Seal: 7 Trumpets of judgment 

III. How do we live, survive, and even thrive in light of this?

A. Proclaim Jesus Christ. 

1. They will hate us. Yes, they will. Oral Roberts U in sweet sixteen and USA Today article.

2. Ok for them to hate us for being Jesus (not for being unkind or obnoxious)

   1. When we major on doctrine, we become mean, legalistic and judgmental

   2. When we major on the Spirit but go soft on truth/doctrine, we become sentimental, inconsistent and discouraged.

   3. We must be scholarship on fire! We worship in Spirit and in truth. The Spirit of Christ and the Word made flesh. Potent combination.

3. Matthew 24:14

B. Embody Jesus Christ.

1. Not enough to talk Jesus. We must show them Jesus through our actions.

2. He is the head—we’re his body (hands and feet, etc.)

3. Luke 6:27-36

C. This is what it means to carry our cross daily and follow him.

IV. Conclusion

Therefore, let’s proclaim and embody Jesus today—every day—around the corner and around the world. Let’s “Always be ready to give to everyone who asks (us) the reason for the hope that we have (in Jesus).” And let the chips fall where they may. 

• We may see someone come to Christ.

• We may find ourselves under the altar in heaven awaiting for Jesus to avenge and vindicate our life on earth.

How to Live and Die Well | Revelation 5

How to Live and Die Well | Revelation 5

Darien Gabriel

Notes: Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title:  “How to live and die well”

Scripture: Revelation 5

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• The Seven Churches by Mike Breen

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

Last week: Jesus worshipped as Creator

This week: Jesus worshipped as Redeemer

Our need: 

We need Jesus. Why? (Personally and globally)

• He lived the life we couldn’t live (perfectly just/righteous, mercifully and humbly)

• He died the death we deserved to die (rebellious sinners from birth)

• He seized destiny

  • His

  • Ours

  • The worlds

• We need Jesus. Otherwise, there’s no hope.

Bottom line: Rev 5 teaches us that Jesus is in control of the past, present and future of world history; that Jesus has taken over.

This equips us to be able to live and die well. Knowing the future—how it all ends (we win!)—changes our whole perspective on life...if you believe it. 

Episodes:

I. Intro

• Story: “The Four Chaplains“

• How to be a living sacrifice—Romans 12:1

• LIve in a manner worthy of the gospel to which we’ve been called

  • Phil 1:27

  • Eph 4:1

  • 1 Cor 11:27 LS

  • Are you weeping?

    • If for grief, then appropriate.

    • If for circumstances, perhaps not.

    • Is it possible it’s because you do not know or believe that Jesus can open the scroll?

II. Bad news: No one can open the scroll (5:1-4) (John weeps)

• John weeps because he loses all hope. (P. 153 gives what is lost if scroll isn’t opened)

• If the promises of the Bible cannot be fulfilled, it’s like a world without Jesus

III. Good news: The Conquering Lamb can open the scroll (5:5-7)

• Jesus can and does open the scroll!

• Truth 1: He is worthy of our allegiance and worship because of the death, burial and resurrection.

  • Lion

  • Lamp

  • Like skull and crossbones are a symbol of poison, but not a picture of it, lion and lamb are symbols of Christ but not a picture of him.

• This shows a missionary God

• To all the nations

• More Truths

  • He is worthy of our total allegiance and worship because of the death, burial and resurrection

  • He won—therefore we win!

  • He has taken control of history (past, present and future)

• Therefore,

  • We can trust him with uncertain future

  • We get to worship him with lips and life

  • We can live victoriously no matter our circumstances

  • We are encouraged to encourage others to live this way

IV. The appropriate response to the conquering Lamb: True and spiritual worship (5:8-14)

• Our worship/response reveals our faith (or lack thereof) in what the Bible teaches

• Our worship is best seen in our locking arms with Jesus around the corner and around the world in mission to the least, the last and the lost of every nation and every generation. (9)

V. Conclusion

• Are you weeping?

  • If for grief, then appropriate.

  • If for circumstances, perhaps not.

  • Is it possible it’s because you do not know or believe that Jesus can open the scroll?

• LIve in a manner worthy of the gospel to which we’ve been called

  • Phil 1:27

  • Eph 4:1

  • 1 Cor 11:27 LS

• How to be a living sacrifice—Romans 12:1

• Story 2

Illustrations:

“Mary had a little Lamb, 

his soul was white as snow. 

And anywhere His Father sent, 

the Lamb was sure to go. 

He came to earth to die one day, 

the sin of man to atone.

And now He reigns in heaven alone. 

He’s the Lamb up on the throne!“

-Daniel Akin

2/3/1943 : Four Chaplain's Day; holiday; sacrifice

Why Do We Worship God? | Revelation 4:1-11

Why Do We Worship God? | Revelation 4:1-11

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title:  “Why do we worship God?”

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• The Seven Churches by Mike Breen

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

Be Confident About Your Future

What does the future hold in store for you?

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 71 • Devotional

Futurologists predict what will happen in the future. For example, it has been predicted that some babies born today will live to the age of 150. Some of their predictions may come true. Others may not.

• In 1962 Decca Recording Company rejected the Beatles. They said, ‘We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out.’

• In 1977 Ken Olson, Chairman of Digital Equipment Co., said, ‘There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.’

There are certain things about the future that we don’t know and that we are not supposed to know. However, there are other things that you can know about the future and that makes a real difference to your life now. Today we see why the echo the world needs to hear is from God through his people. That is worship.

Bottom line: Be the echo the world needs to hear from God through his people.

Illustration: This is not unlike the moon reflecting the light of the sun so that we can see the sunlight at night.

There are 2 parts to this:

1. Seeing and hearing God so that I am changed.

2. Echoing/reflecting what I see and hear into a world that needs to see/hear God and be changed as well.

Need:

We need to see God as he is so that we’ll be able to overcome (be victorious) over the challenges and temptations in life that we experience and that are described in Rev. 2-3.

“Our need for this text is much the same as the need for the seven churches to which John sent this letter. We know from what Jesus said to them in the seven letters that 

1. they had lost their first love in Ephesus;

2. they were about to be killed for the faith in Smyrna—husbands, wives, so`ns, daughters facing death;

3. they were tempted by false teaching in Pergamum;

4. they were tolerating a false prophetess in Thyatira, and she had led some into sexual and morality and idolatry;

5. the church was dead in Sardis,

6. persecuted in Philadelphia, and

7. Lukewarm in Laodicea.” -J Hamilton

“The whole point of this text is to show us that right now God is on his throne being worshiped and praised as he rightly deserves.” -JH

Context:

3 purposes:

I. To give believers a renewed vision of the risen, ascended and ruling Lord Jesus (1); 

II. To call for repentance and renewal (2-3), and 

III. To reveal God’s future plans for his church (4-22)

We are entering the third purpose and section. 

Outline:

I. The One seated on the throne. (4:1-6a)

1. Jesus invites John in through his open door (contrast with Laodicea not opening their door to Jesus) (Trinity: Son of God)

2. Description of the throne room and the one seated in it.

3. “In the Spirit” is how John describes whatever it is he experienced in receiving this revelation.

4. A throne with God sitting in it. (Trinity: God the Father)

5. He had the appearance of jasper and ruby gems. (Reddish-brown colors) These gems represent the radiance or echo of the glory of God in these places (High priests breastplate (Exod 19), Rebuilding of New Jerusalem (Isaiah 54), Description of bride of Christ as New Jerusalem (Rev 21))

6. Rainbow reminds us of the covenant that God made with Noah to never judge the earth by flood again. Adds green to the mix. This covenant of patient mercy. So when we see this bow added we see justice and mercy perfectly balance reflect God’s glory.

7. 24 elders - 12 tribes + 12 apostles; either humans or angelic beings

8. Dressed in white representing our justification, sanctification and glorification (righteousness)

9. Gold crowns—when they worship, they are giving all that they have (voices, presence, time, energy and crowns). While these are tokens of worship to God, they are valuable to us expressing our value of him.

10. Thunder and lightning remind us of God descending on Mount Sinai and giving of the law by which they’d be judged. Justice from the throne surrounded by patient mercy of a bow.

11. 7 lamps = 7 spirits of God or Holy Spirit in full. (Trinity = Holy Spirit or Spirit of God)

12. Sea of glass—clear as crystal; hard as diamonds (floor); add to this

II. The Worship of the One seated on the throne. (4:6b-11)

1. Four angelic creatures around the throne reflecting or echoing God’s glory through their attributes.

2. Their words give us reason to worship him:

   1. Holy, holy, holy (number for God)

   2. Eternal/timeless one

   3. Creator

3. Elders fall down in worship because that is the only appropriate posture of worship in front of someone as great as the Lord God Almighty.

Applications:

Echo God’s glory where we live, work, learn and play:

1. With our lips (Heb 13:15)

2. With our lives (Heb 13:16)

But notice that the emphasis here is on the former and that our tendency is to see this as non-productive, wasteful. (See John 12:-18 narrative about how Mary “wastes” her nard)

How to Fully Rely on God Instead of Yourself | Revelation 3:17-22

How to Fully Rely on God Instead of Yourself | Revelation 3:17-22

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to fully rely on God instead of yourself”

Scripture: Revelation 3:17-22

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• The Seven Churches by Mike Breen

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

Bottom line: Jesus calls us to fully rely on him instead of ourselves. Our self-reliance makes him want to puke.

Our series is “The best is yet to come” as we walk through the prophetic apocalypse that is the Revelation of the Risen Christ, a circular letter to the early church—and to us today. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened, comforted and encouraged through this word today.

Need: Due to it’s enormous affluence, the Laodicean church was vulnerable to self-reliance. We, the American church, need to hear Jesus’s words to this church and evaluate ourselves in light of them.

Last week we saw how the Laodicean church thought, “We’ve got this!”

Illustration: Pic of inflatable tanks used in WW II. They look real at a glance but they are not authentic. Many Christians look real on the outside at a glance. But they are not.

5 Steps Towards Fully Relying on Jesus Again

1. Hear the loving rebuke of the Lord. (19a)

   1. Jesus loves you.

   2. That’s why he rebukes and disciplines you.

   3. Cf. Hebrews 12:4-11

2. Earnestly repent and believe the Lord. (19b)

   1. While the “Importance of Being Earnest” is a great movie, it’s not about this.

   2. But it is important to be earnest in your repentance.

   3. Repentance is more than being sorry for your sin. It’s choosing to change your thinking from believing a lie to believing that living by the truth is better for all.

3. Invite the Lord in. (20)

   1. Jesus is outside the church knocking to get back in. They were doing church without Jesus.

   2. Contrast 2 ways the church was approached:

      1. Roman soldiers were told to go to Laodicea and that they were to provide them room and board for free.

      2. Jesus comes and asks to be let in to join them for a sweet time of fellowship and food that he provides.

4. Join the Lord on His throne. (21)

   1. We overcome (are victorious) because we trust in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, shame, guilt and hell itself.

   2. He overcame all of that and his Father gave him the right to rule. He does the same for us.

5. To Hear is to Obey (22)

   1. The Spirit of the Lord (Trinitarian throughout this passage) speaks; are we listening.

   2. To hear is to obey.

How to Fully Rely on God Instead of Yourself | Revelation 3:17-22

Darien Gabriel

The Best is Yet to Come | Revelation 1:1-8

The Best is Yet to Come | Revelation 1:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: The Best is Yet to Come

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-8 NIV

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

Last week’s title: As We Wait in Uncertain Times, Put Your Hope in Him for All Time (Psalm 146)

This week’s title: “The Best is Yet to Come”

Main idea: “Those who hear and obey God‘s word concerning who Jesus is and what he does will be blessed by the Lord.”

Bottom line: No matter how bad things get, the best is yet to come. And his name is Jesus.

Opening story/illustration

The Matrix

In the sci-fi movie The Matrix, Neo is told that the truth of their world is that they are shielded from reality by an illusion created by machines that control everything. Then Neo is given a choice. He can take the blue pill and forget what he just heard and live on in ignorance asleep to the truth. Or, he can take the red pill and become empowered to live in that true world that true reality.

We have a choice too. Revelation and God’s word tell us that we’re asleep and unable to see the reality of our spiritual condition unless someone opens our eyes with truth. God opens our eyes to see the truth through his word. But we have a choice to believe or not believe. We can remain skeptical and ignore the truth putting our heads back into the sand or we can “swallow the pill” of truth and live in reality fully aware of the dangers that surround us.

Other illustrations:

Persecuted Pastors

Dr. Danny Akin (professor at SEBTS.edu) asked a pastor in a persecuted country what his favorite books of the Bible were. He said Daniel and Revelation. (See story at bottom)

9/11 vs 9/10

What would you do if you knew with complete and total certainty what would happen on Sep. 11, 2001 on Sep. 10, 2001? What would you do? Something? Nothing? We would start telling people, of course.

There’s something coming that makes 9/11 and COVD-19 and WW II look like birthday parties. It’s described in Revelation.

And you and I know that it’s God’s word and therefore will come to pass.

It’s like 9/10/01. We know what’s coming. What will we do about it? Will we dare to share?

Prologue with doxology to introduce this circular letter to the churches.

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.1.niv

• Revelation = unveiling, revealing

• Apocalypse = unveiling how it all ends

• From God—>to Jesus—>to the angel—>to John—>to the 7 churches—>to the rest of the churches in that day—>to the universal church—>to us and our churches—>His servants = us

• “Soon take place” means this could happen at any time.

  • We’re lulled to sleep because it hasn’t come in 2,000+ years so we think what’s one more day.

  • But whenever it does happen, we’ll feel that way. Is that the mindset you want? Really?

“who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.2.niv

• Word of God= truth; do you believe?

• Testifies to what he saw (and heard) in his visions on the island of Patmos around AD 90 (60 years after the resurrection)

• It’s all about Jesus Christ

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.3.niv

To obey this because you want to. Glad obedience from the inside.

Not like when you’re asked to take out the trash. You do it, but your heart isn’t into it. That’s not what “take it to heart” means.

What will Revelation call us to do?

• Act justly

• Love mercy

• Walk humbly with our God

• Glorify and worship God for his justice and his mercy

• Walk in hope believing that the best is yet to come no matter what we’re going through now

When?

The “time is near” reminds us of the urgency and posture in which we are to live. Like in the time of the Passover, we live with our shoes on, our bags packed, ready to roll. It’s living in this world holding everything loosely except his word.

“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.4.niv

• Grace and peace - the order matters; Know Grace, know peace. No grace, no peace.

• Peace = complete wholeness and holiness

• Number 7 is used a lot by John; complete or all; comprehensive

• Describes Jesus here as timeless One and king/Lord

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.5.niv

Who is God...who is Jesus and what has he done/is he doing?

• Jesus called “the faithful witness”

• “The firstborn from the dead” - who is second, third...us!

• “Ruler of the kings of the earth” - sovereign

• Love - “loves us”

• “Freed us from our sins by his blood” - the lamb of God who was our substitutionary atonement on the cross

• Many reasons to worship/revere/fear him already

“and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.6.niv

Who are we and what do we get to do?

• He anoints us as kingdom priests. What do priests do?

  • Represent God before people

  • Represent people before God

• The makes him worthy of all praise forever!

““Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.7.niv

• Greg Stier likes to say, “Keep your eyes on the clouds ️ and on the crowds.”

  • Clouds - watching and ready for Jesus’ imminent return

  • Crowds - to be a witness in the meantime; a sacrificial lamb among wolves

• Everyone will see him - even those who know and reject

• Everyone will mourn him

  • For their sin

  • For their loss

• “So shall it be! Amen.” It is certain.

““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/111/rev.1.8.niv

• Beginning and the end (outside of time)

• Timeless One

• End of prologue

Conclusion

Think about some of our several sermon series titles from last year. And I am not this good:

• Joy No Matter (what)

• As We Wait (for his return)

• The Best is Yet to Come (His name is Jesus)

• Undeserved Grace

• Better Together

• Jesus Manifesto

As we wait for his return, we walk better together in joy and undeserved grace no matter what our circumstances because the best is yet to come and his name is Jesus.

Am I ready?

Do I believe this yet?

Am I prepared to take to heart what is written here today?

Will I worship God for his justice and mercy in our world?

Will I love God and love people by mercifully and gently giving people the reason for the hope that I have? (1 Peter 3:15)?

9/11 vs 9/10: What would you do if you knew with complete and total certainty what would happen on Sep. 11, 2001 on Sep. 10, 2001? What would you do? Something? Nothing?

There’s something coming that makes 9/11 and COVD-19 and WW II look like birthday parties. It’s described in Revelation.

And you and I know that it’s God’s word and therefore will come to pass.

It’s like 9/10/01. We know what’s coming. What will we do about it? Will we dare to share?

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

These are not rhetorical questions. Take some time to stop and pray right now.

Let’s pray. Amen.

Basic outline of the book

The Christ of...

1. Communication - he is the God who reveals his will to his people.

2. The Churches (vision)

3. The Cosmos (vision)

4. Conquest (vision)

5. Consummation (vision)

6. Challenge

Theme:

“The majesty and glory of the warrior lamb, King Jesus, who is coming again to rule and reign forever!”

Notes:

Intro/Prologue (1:1-3)

Doxology (1:4-6)

”The revelation” or unveiling of the mystery of who God is and what he’s up to. (Hint: Kingdom of God in our world)

We’re called “servants” which is someone who gladly serves his master no matter what the task or cost.

Seems like v. 1 is the purpose: (1-2)

• To reveal, unveil the word/testimony of God

• From God the Father

• To and through Jesus Christ

• Through an angel

• To John

• To the Churches in that day

• To us, the universal Church

• What must soon take place/happen in our world

• To servants of Jesus Christ i.e. the Church

v. 3 The beatitudes

• the person...

• who reads/listens to this prophecy aloud (to hear, believe and take to heart)

• w/ urgency (time is near)

”Unveiled/revealed will of God to bless

“revelation: God’s will is to bless his people”

Revelation: Encouraged by victory

“He is the God who communicates his will to his people.”

Title as truth: God reveals his will to his people.

vv. 4-6 Writing to (audience) the 7 churches (representing all the churches forever) of Asia Minor.

Grace + Peace

Who is God?

1. God, the Father, Timeless One

2. Jesus Christ, Messiah/King, Faithful son, firstborn from the dead, resurrected one

3. Holy Spirit, 7 spirits

Jesus also...

• freed us from our sins, by his blood

• loves us

• made us a kingdom of priests to serve

• worthy of all our praise

• eternal one

Who is coming again

from the heavens...in the clouds...every eye...

conviction and repentance

beginning and end

Almighty God

Who he is and what he does...who we are and what we get to do (make list)