Millennial Madness: What is the millennial reign of Jesus Christ? | Revelation 20 : 1-10

Millennial Madness: What is the millennial reign of Jesus Christ? | Revelation 20 : 1-10

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Millennial Madness: What is the millennial reign of Jesus Christ?”

Scripture: Revelation 20 (Commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: There’s a God, you’re not him, are you ready to meet him?

INTRODUCTION

Opening story:

In March of 1997, 39 members of the cult Heaven’s Gate committed mass suicide in an attempt to enter a higher plane of evolutionary existence. Coinciding with the close proximity of Haley-bop comet, they believed that they were leaving for a better world. They were described as part new age, part Christian millennialist and part UFO religion. And yes that’s an official designation for some religion.

We look at that and rightly think that’s madness. And yet we argue and debate over Christian eschatology even in the church, even though the things we largely agree on are much more important than the things we disagree over. This madness needs to stop.

OUR NEED

We need to realize that the number 1 is much more important than the number 1,000. It’s not about the 1,000-reign of Christ. One Lord. One Savior. One way, truth and life. 1 King. It’s about the one who made our salvation possible and that we’re one day closer to his return.

Last week’s bottom line: We worship Jesus for who he is and what he’s done (and what he’s doing to do): He came and He’s coming again!

Bottom line: There’s a God, you’re not him, are you ready to meet him?

CONTEXT

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• The whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

OUTLINE

I. The great chain. (20:1-3)

A. The prisoner.

B. The prison.

II. The great reign. (20:4-6)

A. The resurrection of the just.

B. The rule of the just.

III. The great revolt. (20:7-10)

A. The adversary.

B. The apostasy.

C. The attack.

D. The annihilation that goes on forever.

IV. The great white throne. (20:11-15) NEXT WEEK

V. Discuss the 3 views: (sketch on dry-erase)

A. Pre-millennialist

B. A-millennialist

C. Post-millennialist

CONCLUSION

We need to realize that the number 1 is much more important than the number 1,000. It’s not about the 1,000-reign of Christ. One Lord. One Savior. One way, truth and life. 1 King. It’s about the one who made our salvation possible and that we’re one day closer to his return.

There’s a God, you’re not him, are you ready to meet him?

He’s coming back. You have to decide whether or not you believe that. The proof that you believe that will be seen in how you orient your life. If around him, his mission and his imminent return, then we’ll know. If not, then you’ll live like the rest of humanity and that doesn’t end well.

Next week we’ll go deeper into this great white throne of judgment and what Jesus believed about hell.

Pray

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

Why Worship Jesus? | Revelation 19:11-21

Why Worship Jesus? | Revelation 19:11-21

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why Worship Jesus?”

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-21 (Commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: We worship Jesus for who he is and what he’s done (and what he’s doing to do): He came and He’s coming again!

INTRODUCTION

Opening story:

See Tomb of Unknown Soldier description in Jim Hamilton’s Revelation commentary.

OUR NEED

“We Christians don’t realize who we are. We too often forget that this world is not our home. We are not earthlings. We see the city that is to come, which has eternal foundations, whose King is Jesus.”

I was chatting with my long-time friend who’s in the ministry about this happenings in the news this week. We talked vaccines, civil disobedience, and our identity in Christ. It was funny how we both were struggling with how to respond to the events happening in our country this week. I found that in both our cases when we focused

“Mission for God exists because worship of God doesn’t.” -John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad

So why worship Jesus Christ?

Last week’s bottom line: We worship Jesus Christ for who he is and for what he’s done. We exist to worship him and enjoy him forever.

Bottom line: We worship Jesus for who he is and what he’s done (and what he’s doing to do): He came and He’s coming again!

CONTEXT

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• The whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

  • We saw the fall of Babylon

  • Last week we saw heaven celebrate him

  • This week we see another reason why: his return! (Second coming)

OUTLINE

This passage gives us THREE huge reasons for why we worship Jesus. And they don’t even include that fact that he CREATED us or that he is the RISEN Christ defeating death and living forever (which should be reasons enough!). (We covered two last week)

So, in case we needed more reasons to worship Jesus, here they are in Revelation 19

We worship Jesus Christ because:

1. Of his just wrath and judgment over humanity. (Last week)

2. Of his joyous wedding to the Bride of Christ (the Church). (Last week)

3. Of his jubilant return ending Babylon and establishing his Kingdom forever. (This week)

In light of Jesus’ return in chapter 19, a vast crowd will praise him the Lamb of God:

I. The celebration in Heaven (19:1-10) LAST WEEK

A. Praising the Lamb for his wrath on a corrupt whore (19:1-5)

1. The reasons for his judgment (19:2): This false religious system is condemned on two counts.

   1. Corrupting the earth with immorality (19:2a)

   2. Murdering the saints of God (19:2b)

2. The rejoicing over this judgment (19:1, 3-5)

   1. The song (19:1b, 3, 4b-5): It consists of one great, grand, and glorious word: “Hallelujah!”

   2. The singers (19:1a, 4a)

      1. A vast multitude (19:1a)

      2. The 24 elders (19:4a)

B. Praising the Lamb for his wedding to a chaste wife (19:6-10)_

1. The clothing of the bride (19:6-9): She wears the cleanest, whitest, and finest of linens.

2. The chastening of the apostle (19:10): John is rebuked for attempting to worship the angel who is revealing these things to him.

II. The confrontation on Earth (19:11-12) THIS WEEK

Let’s remember we’re talking about the king of kings in Rev 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

He’s also a person in the sense that he’s the second person of the trinity. This passage opens with us looking at a person—the divine person of Jesus Christ. Fully human and fully God. I can’t explain it. And he’s beautiful to behold. Perhaps this is why Darrell Johnson wrote, “I’m sure this is why, as my grandfather died, just before he took his last breath, he said to my father and his brothers, ‘Oh, boys! He’s beautiful!” Heaven is about a person!

A. His appearance as heaven’s King (19:11): John sees Jesus, who is called Faithful (reliable) and True (authentic, genuine, real thing), seated on a white horse, coming from heaven.

1. Second coming: White horse (2nd coming)—conquering king, and a Donkey (1st coming)—king of peace.

2. Why is Jesus coming back? 3 reasons for his second coming:

   1. To judge Satan, sin, and the system of the world (Babylon) (17, 18, 19:11-21)

   2. To establish the universal, visible, manifestation of His millennial kingdom (20:1-6)

   3. To provide motivation for faithful service for the Church in each and every generation in the meantime.

3. Second coming will be globally unmistakable:

   1. Like lightning—quick and brightly visible

   2. Like vultures—come to consume corpses (see battle)

4. End of great tribulation starts with judgment and vengeance.

5. Note his character: faithful and true (just judge and just war)

B. His apparel as heaven’s King (19:12-13, 15-16): Jesus wins because of…

1. His eyes…penetrating judgment and insight; he misses nothing seeing all (and he still loves you); they don’t just look at us—they look through us

2. His many diadems (symbols of victory)

   1. all on one head represents all the kingdoms he rules (all of them); total sovereignty! It is a strange sight but not uncommon in the first century for kings to wear multiple crowns to show he was king of more than one country. A crown for every victory? you could argue a crown for every person he’s rescued and defeated death for!

   2. Vs many heads each with just one crown on the dragon

3. His name no one knows but him—two points:

   1. In ancient times it was thought if you knew someone’s name (even a god’s) then you could exercise a certain level of control over him or her. To a degree that is true. If you see your friend walking down the street ahead of you and you yell out, “Betty!” She will stop and turn around. If you want to get a child’s attention you say their full name Darien Roger Gabriel! It is a way of saying that Jesus Christ—as available as he’s made himself—is under no one’s control.

   2. In ancient times, names revealed something about the person’s nature and character. “You are Simon. You shall be called Cepheus, the Rock.”

4. His robe dipped in blood—both a priests and kings robe…

   1. His from battle—his enemies will be judged; but he arrives to the battle with blood already on his robe…

   2. His martyr’s blood—his saints will be vindicated

   3. His blood from the cross (I favor this one)—his substitutionary atoning sacrifice will save many souls from sin, death and hell

C. His authority as heaven’s King (19:15-16): unparalleled authority

1. His titles:

   1. The word of God (cf. John 1:1-14)-God’s perfect communication and revelation (word and deed)

   2. King of kings and Lord of lords—sovereignly rules over all for ever. Not Caesar is Lord—Jesus is Lord! The declaration of faith of the early church

2. His sword—his powerful words are the means from which he will conquer evil forever.

   1. He spoke to a fig tree and it withered.

   2. He spoke to howling winds and heaving waves and they calmed.

   3. He spoke to a legion of demons and they obeyed.

   4. He speaks here and the war is over and he is the victor.

   5. Jesus is “the word of God” meaning Jesus is God’s speech…his final speech.

3. His rod—more like a very strong shepherd’s staff. He shepherds by leading, feeding and protecting his flock. Rule here can also be translated “shepherd”

4. His wine press—Picture of his holy and full wrath against Babylon, Satan and his kingdom. It will also include those who follow him.

D. His armies as heaven’s King (19:14)—plural meaning probably humans AND angels

1. Dressed in linen and on white horses—white represented the redeemed and linen representing priests (vs warriors); will get to follow him into battle but really no battle at all; linen is the uniform of priests and the Bride—not of warriors.

2. No fight—Jesus shows up and it’s over; Chuck Swindoll said, “Let’s cut to the chase: before anybody on earth can utter the word ‘Armageddon,’ the battle will be over. When God determines the end has come, it’s curtains.” Insights, p. 254

E. His avenging as heaven’s King (19:17-21)

1. He defeats Satan’s armies.

2. He defeats antichrist and false prophet. The first permanent residents of hell are these two.

3. Why does Jesus Christ win? Because of who he is. He is king of kings and lord of lords. He’s our Creator! He’s our savior!

CONCLUSION

Contrasting two feasts.

Wrath vs Wedding.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

OTHER NOTES:

Contrasting first and second comings of Jesus Christ

First vs. Second

1. He rode a donkey vs a white horse

2. He came as the suffering servant vs King and Lord

3. He came in humility and meekness vs majesty and power

4. He was rejected by many as the Messiah vs recognized by all as Lord

5. He came to seek and save the lost vs to judge and rule as King

6. He came as God incognito vs in all His splendor

-Daniel Akin

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

Why Worship Jesus Christ? His Wrath and Wedding | Revelation 19:1-10

Why Worship Jesus Christ? His Wrath and Wedding | Revelation 19:1-10

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why worship Jesus Christ: His wrath and wedding?”

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10 (Commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: We worship Jesus Christ because of who he is and what he’s done. We exist to worship him and enjoy him forever.

“Mission for God exists because worship of God doesn’t.” -John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad

Introduction:

“Imagine boarding an airplane, having the doors close, and then hearing the pilot announce that as soon as he gets the plane off the ground he’s putting his nine-year-old son in the pilots chair. How relieved would you be if near the end of the flight, after many dips, dives, jerks, and polls, the pilot announced that he had taken control of the plane? When God begins to reign, the world will finally be ruled as it should be.“ -Hamilton

Afghanistan we’ve seen injustice and evil…

We will have reason to celebrate one day!

John piper wrote that the reason the mission of God exists because the worship of God does not. Let the nations be glad

What will get us through is this truth:

Last week’s Bottom line: “The future is bright even though the day is dark.”

This week’s bottom line: We worship Jesus Christ for who he is and for what he’s done. We exist to worship him and enjoy him forever.

Last week in Revelation 17-18 we saw the downfall of Babylon and how those seduced by her are drug down with her into destruction with her. Are you in that crowd? God calls you out today! (V. 4)

This week we see God praised for his character and competency. His character shines as he acts in accordance with that character in judging the whore and giving her what she deserves.

Context:

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• The whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

  • Last week we saw the fall of Babylon

  • This week we see heaven celebrate him

  • Next week we’ll see his return! (Second coming)

Outline:

This passage gives us two huge reasons for why we worship Jesus. And they don’t even include that fact that he CREATED us or that he is the RISEN Christ defeating death and living forever (which should be reasons enough!).

So, in case we needed more reasons to worship Jesus, here they are in Revelation 19:1-10

In light of Jesus’ return in chapter 19, a vast crowd will praise him the Lamb of God:

I. The celebration in Heaven (19:1-10)

A. Praising the Lamb for his wrath on a corrupt whore (19:1-5)

1. The reasons for his judgment (19:2): This false religious system is condemned on two counts.

   1. Corrupting the earth with immorality (19:2a)

   2. Murdering the saints of God (19:2b)

2. The rejoicing over this judgment (19:1, 3-5)

   1. The song (19:1b, 3, 4b-5): It consists of one great, grand, and glorious word: “Hallelujah!”

   2. The singers (19:1a, 4a)

      1. A vast multitude (19:1a)

      2. The 24 elders (19:4a)

B. Praising the Lamb for his wedding to a chaste wife (19:6-10)

1. The clothing of the bride (19:6-9): She wears the cleanest, whitest, and finest of linens.

2. The chastening of the apostle (19:10): John is rebuked for attempting to worship the angel who is revealing these things to him.

II. The confrontation on Earth (19:11-12) (NEXT WEEK)

Conclusion:

Have you been invited to the wedding feast?

Have you accepted the invitation?

How are you preparing to be part of the bride of Christ?

Pray

Notes:

Why we worship Jesus:

Hallelujah = Praise Yah or Yahweh = Praise the Lord = Praise Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.

4X - nowhere else in the NT; found heavily in the Hallel Psalms

Who God is

• Savior

• Glory, attributes of God

  • Love

  • Truth

  • Holiness

  • Power

  • Knowledge

  • Omnipresence

  • Omnigoodness

  • Immutability

• Truth & Holiness

• Avenger

• King, sovereign ruler

• Bridgegroom; Groom

• Provider of Holiness

What God’s done

• Saved us from sin and death, shame and guilt, babylon the whore, and hell itself.

• Present in His people (Holy Spirit)

• True and just in his judgments (esp. against babylon and Satan.

• Avenged all injustice

• Rules with all authority and power

• Betrothed to His people

• Clothed His people in righteousness

Who am I in light of this?

• His servant who rightly fears and reveres him

• His saved/rescued one

• Worshipper of Jesus Christ

• Bride of Christ

What do we get to do as a result?

• Please him; gladly submit to him

• Live for him with my life he saved from eternal destruction and damnation

• Rejoice and shout hallelujah because of who he is and what he’s done. Worship God!

• Enjoy him and his wedding feast forever.

Better questions:

• Are you invited to the wedding feast?

• Have you accepted your invitation?

• What’s keeping you from accepting that invitation?

• What does your life say?

• What needs to change?

Hallelujah = (You) Praise Yah(weh)

BQ: Why only used here (4X in Revelation)? Why do we worship and praise Jesus like this here?

Reason 1 - Because Jesus Christ delivers his people from the Whore (Babylon).

Psalms 113-118 are the Hallel psalms. The thread that runs through them is the Exodus. They are sung before, during and/or after the Passover Celebration. They recall God’s deliverance from and judgment of Egypt. (The Babylon of that day)

Jesus and his disciples likely sang one or more of these as part of their Passover celebration at the last supper. (Mark 14:26)

We worship Jesus because he delivers us from Babylon (the world, the flesh, the devil).

Babylon = the great city, the whore, mother of whores, the power that opposes God’s purposes and oppresses God’s people.

1500 BC Passover meal celebrates deliverance from Egypt won through the coming Passover lamb (Jesus).

AD 30 Wedding feast celebrates deliverance from Babylon won through blood of the lamb.

Reason 2 - Because of the coming marriage supper of the lamb. (Eternal feast) Because he calls us and then makes us ready by empowering us to be ready for his arrival. (Cf. Phil 2:12-13) “Therefore, the multitude cries, “Hallelujah!” The bride (the Church) is ready to enter into the feast, which lasts not 7 days, not even 14 days, but forever.” -D Johnson

Throughout the OT, the arrival of God’s kingdom—new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem, new Zion—is spoken of as entering a great feast.

See Isaiah 25:6

Rev 19:7 & 9

Parable Matthew 22:1-14

King is God the Father

Son is Jesus

All who didn’t RSVP to invite and dress appropriately are judged

“Let us rejoice and be glad” only shows up twice in NT:

1. Rev 19

2. Matt 5:11-12

“Let us rejoice and be glad” Why? Because the vindication of Jesus’ disciples is taking place.

Case: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” is a discipleship book—a document to hope make disciples. (Darrell Johnson)

Jesus’ great commission is go make disciples of all nations, all ethnic groups. This book shows us what it means to be his disciples. These images help us.

Images:

• Great city (Babylon) vs The Greater City (New Jerusalem)

• Whore vs Bride

Titles and images: Disciples are:

• Priests

• Co-regents with Jesus

• Witnesses

• Martyrs

• His Bride

1st Church (Ephesus): “Left your first love.” (2:4)

7th Church (Laodicea): “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into you, and eat with you as you with me.” (3:20) Echos love poem in Song of Solomon 5:2

“I stand and knock”

“Hear my voice”

“Opens the door”

4th Church (Thyatira): “Jezebel who seeks to seduce Jesus’ bride into bed with Babylon the whore.”

Ephesians 5:25-27

Marriage customs of 1st century Judaism:

3 steps in getting married:

1. Engagement (betrothal)

2. Prepare for wedding

3. Wedding supper itself

1. Betrothal ceremony

Prospective groom and best man leave father’s house and travel to prospective bride’s house. Finalize arrangements and settle on “purchase price”. (She is bought at a price, 1 Cor 6:20)

As soon as paid, marriage technically went into effect. Legally bound to each other but not sleeping or even living together yet. She was declared “consecrated” to the groom (set-apart) exclusively for him.

A new covenant established between the sealed by drinking wine over a benediction was pronounced: “This cup is a new covenant”

The groom leaves bride’s house and returns to father’s house for 12 months while he prepares a room there for them to live in.

During this time the bride prepares herself for the wedding (and marriage).

While not sleeping or even living together these 12 months, they were legally and spiritually bound to each other. “So binding was this betrothal agreement—this covenant—that if a man died during the betrothal period, she was considered a widow. To breach the betrothal agreement was the same as divorce.” (Think Joseph and Mary)

“At the end of the betrothal period, the bridegroom, dressed in festive attire, and accompanied by his best man and friends, would make his way back to the bride’s house. Although everyone had a rough idea of when the groom would come, they did not know the exact day or hour. Usually, to add the element of surprise, he would arrive around midnight. His arrival would be preceded by the shout, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out. Come out to meet him” (Matt 25:6). Then, wiht great joy, the bride, veiled and accompanied by her maidens, who were carrying lamps, would come out to join the groom and his attendants. Then the wedding feast itself would begin!”

“First, there was a brief ceremony involving the word, “take.” The groom would “take” the bride from her home. Thus the Hebrew expression, “Take a wife”. free the groom “took” the bride, the whole bridal party would make its way to the groom’s father’s house. There they would find the wedding guests gathered and dressed in special robes. The feast would take off! It would last 7 days, sometimes 14 days.”

“About AD 33, in Jerusalem, Jesus is havin gthe Passover meal with his disciples in an upper room. He takes a cup of wine, gives it to his disciples, and says, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.; Jesus then tells them he is leaving. Wha’ts more, he tells them that they cannot come where he is going—-yet (John 13:36).

Then John 14:1-3

“Do you hear what Jesus is claiming? He is the Bridegroom, the headband of the people of God. We are his bride. He has paid ‘the purchase price’ with his own blood. He has sealed the engagement with a cup of wine; ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood.’ He is preparing a place for us in his Father’s house. And he is coming to take us to himself to be his forever.”

“We have been betrothed! We are engaged to Jesus Christ!” -Darrell Johnson

“Hallelujah! The time has come for the marriage feast.” Send out the invitations. “Blessed!” “Blessed is everyone who is invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Look at Rev 19:7-8 “And the bride has made herself ready…was given to her to clothe herself…”

Tension here like throughout the NT. On the one hand, “The bride has made herself ready.” On the other hand, “And it was given to her to clothe herself.” Which is it?

It is the same tension found in Phil 2:12-13: “So then…work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Who’s doing the work? Us or Jesus? The answer is both.

“He calls us to himself. Then in relationship with himself, he begins to free us, especially from captivity to Babylon, and begins to empower us to live a new life. Our new life leads to new deeds, “the righteous deeds of the saints” (19:8). Yet it is because of his power at work in us—that we are able to do the new deeds.” -D Johnson

What does all of this mean for discipleship right now? At least 6 Things:

1. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then we have a powerful picture of the nature of Jesus’ love for us.

   1. He loves us as his friends

   2. As his brothers and sisters

   3. As his temple

   4. As his body

   5. …But as his BRIDE! Wow!

2. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then we are very secure.

   1. Bought at a price: his own blood.

   2. We are not our own any longer—we are his!

   3. New covenant he’ll never break

3. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then the fundamental issue of discipleship is loyalty. The issue is fidelity. We do not want ot be found in bed with another lover. Babylon, the whore, is very seductive. We cannot be engaged to 2 brides.

4. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then sin is worse than we thought. Sin is adultery.

   1. It is not only missing the mark.

   2. It is not only twistedness.

   3. It is adultery. Profoundly relational.

5. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then the call to loyalty is a call to be ready. It’s a call to intimacy.

   1. He’s gone away to prepare a room in his Father’s house. (21-22)

   2. While he’s gone, are we preparing ourselves? “The righteous acts of the saints”

6. If we are engaged to the Lamb, then the call to discipleship is a call to simplicity.

   1. We are too busy. Too encumbered.

   2. No wonder we lose intimacy.

   3. Lack of margin kills intimacy. -Andy Stanley

   4. Think back to when you were engaged…we MADE time to be together.

   5. Being in love simplifies things.

   6. The call to discipleship is the call to do whatever it takes to stay in love with Jesus.

Other Illustrations:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

Reprioritize Everything (Order & Urgency) | 1 Corinthians 15:10-28

Reprioritize Everything (Order and Urgency) | 1 Corinthians 15:10-28

Todd Luce

Reprioritize Everything (Order & Urgency)
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:10-28
Blessed to be going through Revelation. Human history (like a good book or movie) seems to be accelerating toward the end. Here is some context of the big picture that will encourage us as we move toward "the end" when God will be "all in all".

The Gospel (verses 1-11)

The Resurrection (verses 12-19)

The First Fruits (verses 20-28)

The Awakening (verses 29-34)

The Spiritual You (verses 35-49)

The Victory (verses 50-58)

M2E - micro ministry encounters (these can happen every day where you live, work and play since God is always working - John 5:17, John 6:44).

GRQ - Gospel Readiness Quotient - variables include sin, prayer, activities (how your time is consumed) and relationships.

The last enemy is death. Death will be swallowed up in victory. So, instead of focusing on death every day, let's talk about Life and Victory through the faith and hope we have in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

How to See the Future | Revelation 18

How to See the Future | Revelation 18

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to See The Future”

Scripture: Revelation 18

Introduction: Makes me think of how quickly things can change in a nation. Afghanistan fell to the Taliban this week in 1 day. We know that the foundations of the existing government were weak already so while it fell suddenly, they were vulnerable as soon as our troops left.

Our nation (America) is sliding towards destruction too. And while this slide may be gradual, the crash will also likely to be sudden. Perhaps revival will delay or prevent this. Are you praying for revival in our land?

What will get us through the great tribulation as the church? We’ll have to figure out how to work together to live for Christ with the daily threat of dying for Christ.

What will get us through is this truth:

Bottom line: “The future is bright even though the day is dark.”

Our need: Eyes to see that these dark days as a blip on the timeline of eternity and live accordingly; a drop in the ocean of time.

Quote: “Today, the greatest challenge facing (evangelical, Bible-believing) American (Christians) is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world.” —CJ Mahaney, pastor

Quote: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who goes on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are too easily pleased.” -CS Lewis, Weight of Glory, pp. 25-26

Last week in Revelation 17 we saw how evil turned on evil when the Beast destroyed the Whore.

In Revelation 18 we will see more of the downfall of Babylon and how those seduced by her are drug down with her into destruction. Are you in that crowd? God calls you out today! (V. 4)

Context:

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• The whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

Outline:

I. God judges the whore. (1-8)

II. The world laments over the whore. (9-19)

III. The angels sing of the doom of the whore. (20-24)

Conclusion:

Reminders of Afghanistan. Christians there are dying today for their unwillingness to be seduced by Babylon. They are the martyrs spoken of in Revelation.

Question: Would you be willing to die for what you believe in?

1. Where do you see yourself right now?

   1. Living in light of today?

   2. Living in light of eternity?

2. Where do you want to see yourself?

3. What’s keeping you from repenting and believing that the way of Jesus is the way to go?

Repent of your sins today. Trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ who knows the way, the truth and the life.

Pray

Notes:

Rome was considered Babylon (code to the Church in John’s day) and he was prophesying it’s destruction around AD 95. In AD 410, after a long slide into destruction, Alaric, with his northern hordes of Goths, pillaged Rome and laid it waste in one week.

John wrote Rev 17-18 to (Bruce Metzger):

• Stimulate faithfulness in first century persecuted Christians

• To remind them of their ultimate victory in Christ no matter what

• It’s a warning to believers . Babylon is allegorical of the idolatry that any nation commits when it elevates

  • Material abundance

  • Military prowess

  • Technological sophistication

  • Imperial grandeur, and

  • Racial pride over the Creator.

This seems familiar to me as an American citizen.

Revelation concerns the character and timeliness of God’s judgment not only on people but also nations…and all authorities, corporations, institutions, bureaucracies, denominations and even churches. -Bruce Metzger

Questions: Are we drawn to the spiritual “Red light districts” of our world? Or are we drawn to the kingdom of God?

Other Illustrations:

dad joke/Funny: “Everybody is talking about the apocalypse like there’s no tomorrow…”

“Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.” —Greg Stier

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character;

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

What City Are You Living For? | Revelation 17 PG-13

What City Are You Living For? | Revelation 17 PG-13

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Which city are you living for? What woman are you chasing?” Revelation 17 PG-13

Scripture: Revelation 17

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: “Live for the Lamb and his pure bride, not for the beast and his foul whore.” -Hamilton

Our need: “We need to be convinced that it’s better to live for the Lamb and his pure bride than for the beast and his foul whore.” -Hamilton

Context:

We have seen:

• Jesus and his churches (1-3)

• The throne and judgments of God (6-16)

• Now we move to this section on the whore, the King, and his bride (17-22)

Contrast:

• The world is the foul whore.

• The Church is the bride of Christ.

Who do you want to live for? Which city?

• Babylon the Great, or

  • Serves the beast

  • Sells it’s soul to the world, the beast’s foul whore

  • Lives for what will look good for a short while before being destroyed

  • Carries out his purpose

  • Leads to the Great Babylon aka Hell

• The New Jerusalem

  • Serves the Lamb

  • Fellowships with the church the Lamb’s pure bride

  • Lives for what will last forever

  • Please God through obedience

  • Leads to the New Jerusalem

Which religion: Works or grace?

Intro/Opening story:

“Tale of Two Cities” in 11th grade English class

Also consider:

Foxes Book of Martyrs

Antipas

Outline (from Willmington’s Outline Bible):

I. The information in regard to this prostitute (17:1-6)

A. Her corruption (17:1-2, 4)

1. She commits adultery with both potentates and people of this earth (17:2)

2. She says blasphemous things about God (17:4b)

3. She is utterly materialistic (17:4a)

B. Her compromise (17:3): She has aligned herself with the godless political systems of this world.

C. Her caption (17:5): On her forehead is written,

1. “Babylon the Great,

2. Mother of all prostitutes and obscenities in the world”

D. Her cruelty (17:6): She is drunk with the blood of martyrs she has murdered. (Share story of 21 Martyrs)

II. The interpretation in regard to this prostitute (17:7-18)

A. What John sees (17:7): He sees a woman riding a beast with seven heads and ten horns.

B. What John is told (17:8-18)

1. The woman represents a corrupt religious system depicted by the city of Babylon (17:8)

2. The beast represents various kings (17:9).

   1. Some have already ruled (17:10-11)

   2. One king will be the most powerful (17:13)

   3. Ten kings are yet to rule (17:12)

   4. These kings will destroy the woman but will themselves be destroyed by the Lamb (17:14-18).

Conclusion:

My sister-in-law and I were talking movies the other day and we were discussing the difference between DC comic movies and Marvel comic movies. I noted that I thought it was ironic that DC who boasts darker, more realistic stories uses fictional cities (Metropolis and Gotham) whereas Marvel, who tends to take itself less seriously uses real cities (mostly) like New York and Budapest.

How serious are you taking the city you’re living in?

John calls us to be in the world but not of the world. (1 John 2:15-17)

1. Where do you see yourself right now?

   1. Which woman are you more identified with?

   2. Which city seems more like home to you?

2. Where do you want to see yourself?

3. What’s keeping you from repenting and believing that the way of the Lamb is the way to go?

Repent of your sins today. Trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ who knows the way, the truth and the life.

Pray

Other Illustrations:

dad joke/Funny: “Everybody is talking about the apocalypse like there’s no tomorrow…”

“Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.” —Greg Stier

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character;

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• ESV Global Study Bible

• Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• The Outline Bible, Wilmington

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

Why Worship God for Armageddon? | Revelation 16:1-21

Why Worship God for Armageddon? | Revelation 16:1-21

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why worship God for Armageddon?

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-21

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: God is glorified in his just wrath as he brings is awesome wrath on his enemies—wrath that fits the crime. (Just ask the heavenly host)

Intro/Opening story:

The year was 250 CE and Rome found itself facing, invaded even, by a different kind of enemy. It was not an army it could simply defeat on the battlefield, but a plague that swept through parts of the empire.

Most historians think the invader was akin to Smallpox or Bubonic Plague, based on the early descriptions of symptoms. Whole households were disappearing to the ravages of the disease. Proximity was spreading illness at unprecedented rates, causing fear and panic as people saw their friends and family quickly falling ill, only to escape symptoms by death.

Plague and Panic

Bodies were left in the streets, being removed from houses so that remaining inhabitants could hopefully live in relative safety from whatever was attacking. The sick were driven out into the public areas to die a slow and painful death. It caused panic among the public, resulting in many fleeing to the countryside to escape the confines and tighter living of city neighborhoods. At one point, up to 5000 per day were falling in Rome alone. The empire was dying in epidemic proportions!

However, as many fled, there was one group of people that stayed. They cared for the sick, buried the dead, attempting to thwart the plague by burying bodies and covering them in lime, or burning bodies that had been piled in the streets. Who were these lunatics that stayed and cared for those who were dying? Who was this group that ran into the plague instead of fleeing in panic? They were known as Christians

Love and Loyalty

These so-called Christians that lived within the Empire were found with the sick and dying, not running from them. As people suffered in the community, they responded with love, care and concern. They put their hands on the hurting and brought comfort to their suffering.

In 260 CE Dionysius wrote a tribute to their efforts saying, “Most of our brother Christians showed unbounded love and loyalty, never sparing themselves and only thinking of one another. Heedless of danger, they took charge of the sick, attending to their every need and ministering to them in Christ…”

These anomalies of common sense stayed to care for the wholeness of the community, dealing with the ravages of death and infection rather than running to the hills in search of safety. The Christians lived in search of love and in search of a response that looked like Jesus’ life. A life where love triumphed danger and where the values of the kingdom of God overruled the safety of one’s life.

These values resulted in a bravery that was not witnessed in the rest of the community or in the civic rulers. Only the Christians were brave enough to love, in spite of the dangers.

A Growing Faith

Most historians reflect on this era of Roman history as a critical time in Christian history as well. This response of the Christian community is often cited as one reason that this faith in Jesus grew among the population. Even pagan observers noticed a constant charity and love for others. During these times of plague and great need in Roman history, Christians were observed to be standing in the gap where the empire failed to bring wholeness.

The emperor Julian complained in a letter to his pagan priest in Galatia that the virtues and responses of the Christians were out matching their own citizens. He observed that recent Christian growth was partly due to, “benevolence toward strangers and care for the graves of the dead.” He goes on to say, “The impious Galileans support not only their poor, but ours as well, everyone can see that they lack aid from us.”

Curious Values

The early church, as it lived in Rome, gained notice as a community that lived under a different set of values that were based on love and care for neighbor. They brought human care to situations in ways that other philosophies and belief systems did not, and so people were drawn to it. They were drawn to a community that cared for them in spite of their outsidedness and differences in beliefs. And so, the Romans noticed this strange band of brave people that were connected by a Galilean named Jesus. They noticed these oddities because they lived by virtue of a particular verb…love.

Teach the frame reminding us about Rev 11:15 that Jesus will be king. (Time permitting)

Read through and explain Rev 16 as the last 7 judgments of God on his enemies.

We must read Rev 16 from God’s perspective—not ours. Explain why…

Each plague:

The place

The punishment

The promise or perversion

1st 3: response of the righteous

2nd 4: response of the wicked

If time…

Final thoughts with help from Nicky Gumbel:

I. Jesus is coming back. He tells us this in his beatitude. Second coming of Christ—

are you ready? We’re one day closer to it than we were yesterday.

II. Jesus took your judgment. “It is done” reminds me of “It is finished” from Jesus on the cross where he died for my sins so that I wouldn’t have to. (John 19:30) Cf. Romans 6:23 and John 3:16

III. Judgment is delayed. (But this is his final warning) Judgment is for those who “refused to repent and glorify him.” (16:9) …but not forever. It is right and good that God would judge those who deny him giving them what their actions and attitudes deserve. Are we ready? Are we warning others?

IV. Judgment will be totally just. 16:7 (heaven praises him for this too) And we’re reminded that God’s judgments are “true” and “just”. That’s because he is truth and he is holy. This is consistent with his perfect and unchanging character.

Conclusion

As Greg Stier says, let’s keep our eyes on the clouds and on the crowds as we wait expectantly for his imminent return. Let us not walk in fear but in love rooted confidently in the faith we’ve received in Jesus Christ.

Read 10 commandments (Exodus 20); 2 Peter 3:8-9; 1 Thess 5:1-11.

Invite people to repent and believe.

Tell someone.

If you want your name written in the book of life, pray to God something like this,

Dear God, thank you for revealing your word and ways to me today. Thank you for helping me understand better who you are and what you are doing.

I believe that Jesus Christ, the son of God, died for my sins in my place so that I could receive mercy and have life in his name. Forgive me for my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit to overflowing. Help me read and obey your word daily as I learn to walk in step with you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Pray

Other Illustrations:

“Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.” —Greg Stier

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character;

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

The Framed Picture of Revelation 11-16

144,000 sealed—6 trumpet plagues (7-9)

True Prophet John (10:1-11)

Persecuted Church (11:1-14)

Christ is King (11:15-19)

Persecuted Church (12:1-13:10)

Satan’s False Prophet (13:11-18)

144,000 sealed—7 bowls of wrath (14-16)

Notice the symmetry and how it purposefully points to the most important truth in the book of Revelation. Just another way God reinforces the idea that he’s purposefully revealing himself to us for our good and his glory.

Other notes:

References:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• 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

• Exalting Jesus in 1 Kings by Tony Merida

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

How can I know God’s will for me? How do I break free from the pattern of this world? | Romans 12:1-2, 10:1-4

How can I know God’s will for me? How do I break free from the pattern of this world? | Romans 12:1-

Darien Gabriel

Series: N/A

Title: “How can I know God’s will for me?” “How do I break free from the pattern of this world?”

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 (Main); 10:1-4

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: We break free from the pattern of this world when we surrender to Jesus’ transforming words, ways and works of life.

Intro/Opening story:

Some people worship college football. They even have shrines, statues, scripture and monuments.

College football playoff and realignment changes.

We’re not going to let the things we cannot control affect the things we can control. We’re going to do what we do. -Dabo Swinney

Change is disruptive to the degree in which we find our identity in the world. But this is the way or the pattern of this world in which we live.

But we can break free from that.

Bottom line: We break free from the pattern of this world when we surrender to Jesus’ transforming words, ways and works of life.

1. What do I want you to know today?

How to know God’s will for me? Or better asked…

How to break free from the pattern of this world. We do that by surrendering to Jesus’ transforming words, ways and works of life.

Why? Because by breaking free you can live without the fears of losing control, failure, rejection, and suffering. This is because of the transforming work Jesus did for you and me on the cross. (Because of his mercy)

Indian Chief story

Jordan Peterson video clip 1: (whole clip 2 min 40 sec) Here JP reveals his genuine struggle to believe as he wrestles with what he thinks and what he’s personally experienced in life.

https://youtu.be/VbVwV8_TEkM

JP clip 2: (1: 0:00-2:04) Here we see in the same interview how damaging it can be to us and others when our professed faith doesn’t line up with our actual faith. (What I’ve referred to as “The gap” between what we say we believe (the head) and what we actually believe and is played out in our lives (heart).

https://youtu.be/Lysz7RvfTVc

Ex. I say I am not afraid to die because I know scripture teaches to live is Christ and to die is gain. But then I won’t fly in a plane because ultimately I am afraid of crashing and dying.

We say we believe that the Bible is God’s word but do we really? We don’t read it, study it, listen to it, memorize it, or meditate on it like we really believe that, do we? So do we really believe it’s the very words of God to us? Do we really believe Paul when he writes that it’s “God-breathed?”

My 9 month old grandson can’t feed himself yet, not to mention someone else. But as a Christian one day, he will learn how to feed others the word of God instead of demanding to be bottle fed the milk.

1. What do I want you to do?

To intentionally offer your life sacrificially and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

168 hrs/week - 56 hrs of sleep = 112 waking hrs

I want you to re-evaluate how you’re spending these hours.

And we need to take in not trash but truth, not garbage but goodness, not waste but word to renew our minds.

Why? Because this leads to a life where you will discern God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for your life empowering you to worship God through serving your neighbors where you live, work, learn and play.

How?

Our August Discipleship Training happens 6:30 Eastern Monday nights.

Practically, I hope this will cause you to want to start intentionally and prayerfully making disciples weekly.

Who should you share this with this week?

Pray and invite them to join you.

Samson and faith vs discipleship

Samson is an example of someone who knew a little about God’s word (it was rare in those days) and showed what you could do with a little faith. (Moves lions and Philistines, not to mention mountains)

But he also showed you how dangerous just a little faith could be. It can result in great things and it can do great harm. Great faith that is not disciplined by God’s word is inconsistent full of ups and downs like a rollercoaster. Better is the gradually consistent up and to the right growth curve that faithful discipline yields.

God’s word = knowledge

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s word. We either

• Forget it,

• Ignore it,

• Learn it but disobey it,

• Can’t understand it, or

• Don’t have access to it.

According to Paul here, we can be zealously (enthusiastic) but totally miss the mark (low character) and be lost, hopeless and ineffective for anything that pleases God.

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.10.1-4.NIV

Think about our target of what a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ looks like.

Up and to the right is fruitfulness (high character and high competency).

Low and to the right is dangerous (low character and high competency).

Samson was very competent when it came to wreaking havoc against the oppressors of God’s people (Philistines). He could kill them at a very high rate. But he was inconsistent. His character rarely reflected Christ and his calling to be a

“Nazarite of God from the womb until the day of his death” (Judges 13:7).

He had a bad temper, bad attitude, and bad ways with other women, to name a few. Was he raised in the word? Not much. He was raised a Nazarite. But he seemed to fight the few words from God he did know. As a result, he didn’t walk in it.

This made him able to do great things for the Lord (high competency) but fail miserably in the character department. (#dangerous)

As a result, he hurt many innocent people as well as himself. As a result, unlike most of the previous judges, his reign did not end in peace for Israel.

Samson

• full of faith

• Lacking in knowledge (word) and discipline (unfaithful, ignorant, or both)

• Resisting his calling until the very end

• Heb 11:6 impossible to please God without faith

• But you can have faith and fail often without consistency (God is consistent in his character: who we follow)

• “I the Lord do not change” Malachi 3:6

Why do I share this with you?

At least 2 reasons.

One, because some of you don’t think your faith can do anything. Samson grew up in a time when the word of God was rare. He was ignorant of a lot of it. He disobeyed some and was inconsistent in other. As a result, his character didn’t reflect God’s character. This hurt his witness, his family, his mission field, and his future.

Two, because some of you know you have faith but you try to ride that faith without discipline. You think I’ll just obey what I know but I don’t really want to waste time reading or listening to God and his word. I know enough. And you use that mindset to justify your sinful imperfections instead of inviting God in to evaluate and sanctify your life through his Spirit and his word.

Both of these are why the church isn’t making a greater difference in our world today.

We lack a disciplined life that bears the fruit of faithfulness.

We lack a faithful life that lacks the fruit of discipline and self-control.

Preparation

We prepare physically for hurricanes first so that we’ll be able to survive if we lose power and water for 2-3 weeks. But, hopefully, we also prepare with others in mind (extended family, church family, and neighbors). We want to be able to share practically with those who don’t prepare for whatever reason to show them the love of Christ.

We prepare for an uncertain future in our nation as well. Some of that is physical (food, water, meds, survival packs, guns, ammo, propane tanks, gummy bears, etc.). And we prepare to share some of that as well.

But even more importantly than those things, we prepare our hearts, minds, souls and strength. This starts and ends with the disciplined pursuit of God and his words of wisdom, life and truth. We pursue these things for:

• ourselves

• Our family

• Our Oikos (extended family)

• Our church family

• Our neighbors where we live, work, and play

As a church, you could make the argument we should be doing a lot of things to prepare for the cataclysmic changes coming our way. And per the “5 Capitals”, we should be preparing ourselves:

1. Financially (emergency fund, saving)

2. Intellectually (informed, educated, trained)

3. Physically (health, diet, exercise),

4. Relationally (important conversations; preparing family for your death, etc.)

But most importantly, we must prepare ourselves:

1. Spiritually, so that we can lead others to walk in gospel peace in the midst of unprecedented change and chaos. If we live in light of eternity, we will not be overwhelmed or live in despair over our circumstances. We will see our circumstances as opportunities and “Be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us the reason for the hope that we have in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Are we loving ourselves, our families, our church so we can together love our neighbors well? If you aren’t preparing now for this, you won’t ever do that well.

For 5 Mondays in August, 6-8 pm, we are going to equip you to prepare in this last category in particular. Our training will be how to make disciples who make disciples in small settings—ideally in your home, workplace, online, or favorite hangout.

The point is, you can be prepared financially, intellectually, physically, and relationally and yet still not be ready to give to others an answer for the reason for the hope that you have in Christ.

I call on every person able to sit around a table here or online to join us.

To get access to this group experience, you’ll either show up here in person or RSVP with us at info@gracetoday.net. We’ll contact you for access to the online group chats.

It’s not enough to believe without knowledge of the truth. You need to believe the truth. But further you need to discipline yourself to walk in that truth in faithful obedience rooted in that truth…the word of God.

We will begin training you with tools that will empower and equip you to more consistently believe and live in a manner worthy of the gospel to which you’ve been called…and to lead others to do the same.

Matthew and Luke 4

Jesus demonstrated this kind of living right after his baptism where his identity was solidified in his mind and heart by his father. And right before his public ministry began. He showed that knowing who you are in reference to the Father makes all the difference when you face the enemies of flesh, world, and Satan.

Jesus demonstrated in his testing in the wilderness under extremely harsh conditions

1. financially (he had nothing with him),

2. Intellectually (mentally challenging),

3. physically (he was exposed to the elements with no food or water),

4. Relationally (emotionally and without any others to support him), and

5. Spiritually.

His deliverance came from his disciplined confidence and faith in the words of his Father (“this is my son in whom I am well-pleased; listen to him”) and our Father. He quoted scripture from memory, with understanding, and with faith to respond to the attacks Satan unleashed on him. We can too if we prepare like he did.

Psalm 85:10 SOAP 7/16/21

In this Psalm, the Psalmist calls for the Lord to “restore us again” as he’s done in the past. He recalls this from the past (1-3) and prays for restoration (4-7). In 8-13, he acknowledges that the fruit of this is to trust and obey i.e. faithful and righteous living.

This is what we need to do:

1. recall,

2. pray, and

3. trust and

4. obey.

This verse stuck out because it closely connects love and faithfulness. Love is the ultimate character trait.

God is love (1 John 4). Faithfulness is the measure of that trait. It requires faith.

But, not just faith once in a while (e.g. Samson) but consistent, disciplined faith. This reveals true freedom (thx Jocko) and love because it’s a demonstration of that love through the disciplined reorientation (wagon wheel) of your whole life around what matters most: love. Love for God—love for people.

Application Could include this prayer.

Prayer: Lord, I repent of my inconsistent love nad undisciplined way of life. I repent of my unfaithfulness to you that trickles down from a lack of love for you and others. Cleanse me and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk fully and faithfully with you and your people. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Fear is the opposite of love. Fear is a powerful motivator and often leads us to prioritize self over others. (The opposite of agapé love)

People use fear to manipulate others to do what they want them to do. We see this in our government at times. We see it at work. We see it in how terrorists work. We see this in family.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

We can see this in the base idols if ambition, approval and appetites:

1. Ambition—

   1. When we worship this idol, we fear failure.

   2. Our identity is wrapped up in success, power and control.

   3. We try to take control of our lives to the extreme. God is able. God is great.

2. Approval—

   1. When we worship this idol, we fear rejection.

   2. Our identity is wrapped up in what people think about us.

   3. We end up trying to prove ourselves. God loves us just as we are. God is gracious.

3. Appetites—

   1. When we worship this idol, we fear suffering.

   2. Our identity is wrapped up in comfort and security.

   3. We end up indulging our fleshly desires to the extreme. God satisfies our deepest needs and desires. He is more than enough. God is good.

Because God is glorious, we don’t have to be afraid for he is with us. We can forsake pursuing these little gods and walk in awe and worship of the living God; the one true God!

Look at how Jesus handles the flesh, the wilderness, and the enemy who tempts him with these powerful but unsatisfying idols in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.

From The Rise & Fall of Movements pp. 183-184: Vision of faithfulness vs discipline of faithfulness

(Vision vs execution)

Discipleship bullseye

Lord does not change he is consistent in his character, immutable and perfect in all his ways.

As his followers we are called to walk in that same way of consistent character. This is the pinnacle of Christ likeness: high character and high competency equals fruitfulness.

We must pursue consistency in fruitfulness by disciplining ourselves and remembering who we are through the word, the Holy Spirit, and the mission.

Totally Trustworthy | 2 Kings 18 - 19

Totally Trustworthy | 2 Kings 18 - 19

Ken Dorrity

Totally Trustworthy

Who or what do we place our trust in?

2 Kings 18 & 19

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD.

Trust (outline from Tony Merida)

T - Take it to the Lord

R - Recognize the Greatness of God

U - Unload the Problem to God

S - Seek the Help of God

T - Treasure the Greatness of God

ACTS Prayer

A - Adoration

C - Confession

T - Thanksgiving

S - Supplication

How to Know Who You're Really Meant to Be | Psalm 100

How to Know Who You're Really Meant to Be | Psalm 100

Todd Luce

Scripture: Psalm 100

Always begin with praise. Give thanks to the One who made you!

Verse 1 - shout for joy all you lands

location, language, families united (Genesis 10:5,31)

that all may seek the Lord (Acts 17:26-27)

Verse 2 - service to the Lord = worship

this is the purpose for all people/lands

come before His presence (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Verse 3 - Jesus is Creator and Sustainer

CREATOR - He made us

not we ourselves (Genesis 11:1-9)

Human innovation always contains noble intent and the capacity to be used for evil.

Scattering can be God's good plan (Acts 8:1)

SUSTAINER - He keeps us

the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 23)

Verses 4-5

Thankful journal. 365 days x 3 entries/day = 1,000+ in a year. Helpful reminder of His blessings especially when things are gloomy.

His truth is to all generations!

How to Be Delivered from Bondage | Revelation 15:1-5

How to Be Delivered from Bondage | Revelation 15:1-5

Todd Luce

How to be Delivered from Bondage 

Scripture: Revelation 15:1-5; First Corinthians 10:1-6,11; Exodus 14:19-31, 15:1-1

Can you say that God is your strength and song?

Has Jesus Christ become your salvation?

Is the LORD your God and will you praise Him?

Salvation = Healing = Deliverance

Bondage comes in many forms: financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, addictions, traditions, societal, generational

Steps you must take include: awareness of the bondage you are under, honesty about the consequences and struggles, repent by turning to God in faith, and believe that Jesus Christ will lead you by His Word and Spirit to a better place (now and forever).

God Has Power Over Life and Death...And Be Glad He Does

God Has Power Over Life and Death...and Be Glad He Does | James 4:13-15, John 11:1-44, John 5: 1-18

Chris Karpus, Elder

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “God Has Power Over Life and Death…And Be Glad He Does”

Scripture: James 4:13-15, John 11:1-44, John 5: 1-18

One of our elders, Chris Karpus shared his testimony about his sudden cardiac arrest. The situation was so serious that his family was told he was brain dead. However, God brought Chris back to life! On Sunday he shared the story of Lazarus as well as the story of the invalid who was told to take up his mat and walk. Listen to this powerful sermon and testimony and be reminded that no matter what our plans are, God has a bigger plan. Our dependence on God is more valuable than anything else.

What to Do With God's Wrath | Revelation 15

What to Do With God's Wrath | Revelation 15

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What to Do With God’s Wrath”

Scripture: Revelation 15

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line:  The display of God’s holy justice in saving his people and winning their praise is meant to make us want to be among the redeemed, not the condemned.

Intro/Opening story: 

Our youth are back from a week of camp. Their theme was “The darkness and the light”. They broke it down over 4 days:

1. Let there be light: The God who creates (Creation)

2. The light came into the world: The God who cares (Incarnation)

3. You are the light: The God who calls (Sanctification)

4. Light the darkness: The God who commands (Mission)

In Revelation 15 we see God leveraging evil to judge evil justly. It feels very dark because the world will be covered in darkness. 

But God’s people will still be called and commanded to shine brightly in that darkness as God unleashes his holy and just wrath on all humanity that persists in rebellion to him. 

I love this quote: “Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Today, we will see the precursor to the bowls of God’s wrath coming in Rev 16.

3 “I saw” or “I looked”:

I. God’s wrath will be finished. (15:1)

• Plagues remind us of the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. Bowls will be more plagues.

• When we think of wrath, we tend to think of losing control. God doesn’t lose control or his temper.

II. Victorious worship by the nations. (15:2-4)

• Songs of deliverance

  • From slavery in Egypt

  • From slavery to sin

    • Actions of God

    • Titles of God

    • Fear God and bring glory to his name. Why?

      • He alone is holy

      • All nations will worship him

      • For his righteous acts have been revealed

III. God’s glory and power will be displayed. (15:5-8)

• We broke the covenant law.

• He is holy and must punish sin.

• He will reveal his power and glory through his holy justice on sin.

  • Not social justice.

  • Biblical justice.

Conclusion

Early church documents show that the day of a person’s martyrdom was called the day of his or her victory because they didn’t succumb to the pressure of compromise. —Darrell Johnson. P. 225

“The victory comes in facing the worst the beast can throw at us and remaining faithful.” —Darrell Johnson, p. 225

Who’s side are you on?

The question is never, “Will I be a disciple?” 

The question is always, “Who’s disciple will I be?”

Let’s pray.

Other Illustrations:

Funny: “Everybody is talking about the apocalypse like there’s no tomorrow…”

“Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.” —Greg Stier

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character; 

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

The Framed Picture of Revelation 11-16

144,000 sealed—6 trumpet plagues (7-9)

True Prophet John (10:1-11)

Persecuted Church (11:1-14)

Christ is King (11:15-19)

Persecuted Church (12:1-13:10)

Satan’s False Prophet (13:11-18)

144,000 sealed—7 bowls of wrath (14-16)

Notice the symmetry and how it purposefully points to the most important truth in the book of Revelation. Just another way God reinforces the idea that he’s purposefully revealing himself to us for our good and his glory.

Other notes:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• 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

• Exalting Jesus in 1 Kings by Tony Merida

• Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson

What is a Father to Do | Revelation 15

What is a Father to Do | Revelation 15

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What is a Father to Do”

Scripture: Revelation 15

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

Intro/Opening story:

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

Everybody is talking about the apocalypse like there’s no tomorrow…

Other thoughts wrt joy and circumstances and Jane / Nightbirdie

“Sow a thought, you reap an action;

Sow an action, you reap a habit;

Sow a habit, you reap a character;

sow a character, you reap a destiny.”

-E. Stanley Jones

Conclusion

Other Illustrations:

Keep your eyes on the clouds and the crowds.

Live in light of his imminent return.

“Jesus didn’t give the Church the book of Revelation so we’d build ourselves bigger bomb shelters, but so we’d would build longer dinner tables” - @RayOrtlund

The Framed Picture of Revelation 11-16

144,000 sealed—6 trumpet plagues (7-9)

True Prophet John (10:1-11)

Persecuted Church (11:1-14)

Christ is King (11:15-19)

Persecuted Church (12:1-13:10)

Satan’s False Prophet (13:11-18)

144,000 sealed—7 bowls of wrath (14-16)

Notice the symmetry and how it purposefully points to the most important truth in the book of Revelation. Just another way God reinforces the idea that he’s purposefully revealing himself to us for our good and his glory.

Other notes:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• 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

• Exalting Jesus in 1 Kings by Tony Merida

What Will You Do Between Now and Judgment Day? | Revelation 14:1-13

What Will You Do Between Now and Judgment Day? | Revelation 14:1-13

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What will you do between now and judgment day?”

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-13

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

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

This week: “What will you do between now and judgment day?”

Bottom line:

God will keep his word to the righteous and to the wicked.

God enables endurance to the end by

1) showing salvation to the redeemed and

2) judgment to the wicked.” -Hamilton

What will you do between now and judgment day? #BetterQuestions

Opening story:

Antonio James story

“When Antonio James was a teenager, he got mixed up with a gang in New Orleans. They would rob tourists in the French Quarter at gunpoint. ‘Most of the time, the victims did not resist. Except one. Antonio shot him, and he died.’ His gang members ran, then testified against them to save themselves. Antonio James was sentenced to death. He was on death row for fourteen years.

“Before he died, he became a Christian. He used his time on death row to teach others how to read so that they too could read the Bible. He taught Bible studies and cared about other men facing death.

“In the death chamber he asked forgiveness from the victim’s family and told them he was sorry for what he had done. The warden of Angola prison, Burl Cain, also a believer in Jesus, took the hand of Antonio James and said, ‘Antonio, the chariot is here; get ready for the ride. Here we go; you are about to see Jesus.

“When Burl Cain announced that the execution had taken place, he said, ‘we have sent Antonio James to his final judgment.’” -Hamilton

What will you do between now and judgment day? #BetterQuestions

Outline:

Bottom line:

God will keep his word to the righteous and to the wicked.

God enables endurance to the end by

1) showing salvation to the redeemed and

2) judgment to the wicked.” -Hamilton

What will you do between now and judgment day? #BetterQuestions

I. Faithful Followers of Jesus have a Glorious Future (e.g. The Best is Yet to Come) 14:1-5

A. The redeemed will stand securely with Christ. (1)

B. The redeemed will sing loudly to Christ. (2-3)

C. The redeemed will be sanctified thoroughly through Christ. (4-5)

D. Redeemed = Ransomed = Purchased to set free

II. God will be just in his treatment of all people. 14:6-13

A. All peoples are called to (#assurance)

1. Fear Creator God,

2. Glorify Creator God, and

3. Worship Creator God.

B. Unbelievers can anticipate (#judgment)

1. Defeat

2. Wrath, and

3. Eternal torment.

C. Believers will

1. endure,

2. obey,

3. find rest, and

4. be rewarded. (#encouragement)

III. Jesus will pour out his wrath on the earth in righteous judgment. 14:14-20 (next week)

A. The judgment will be: (14-16) #GrainHarvest

1. In glory and

2. On time.

B. The judgment will be universal and horrific. (17-20) #GrapeHarvest

C. Luke 22:42 brings this full circle

Bottom line:

God will keep his word to the righteous and to the wicked.

God enables endurance to the end by

1) showing salvation to the redeemed and

2) judgment to the wicked.” -Hamilton

What will you do between now and judgment day? #BetterQuestions

Conclusion:

“When Eugene Tanniehill was about twenty years old, in the early 1960’s, he and his young wife were out drinking at a local tavern. Something was said, or thought to have been said, that irritated the wife, whom Tanniehill quickly took outside. Then he killed a man. The man was a Pentecostal preacher. Serving a life sentence in Angola, Tanniehill was enslaved to the moonshine alcohol made by the prisoners, when one night he cried to God for redemption. That was 1963, and over the years he has come to be known as there Bishop of Angola. Faithfully trusting Christ through persecution from other prisoners, blessing those who persecute him, he now counsels other prisoners and preaches on Sundays and throughout the week. The consequences of this man’s actions cost him freedom, cost him his marriage, and cost him his relationship with his child. But in person he has proclaimed the gospel and has pointed countless men to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.” -J. Hamilton

Other Illustrations:

The Framed Picture of Revelation 11-16

144,000 sealed—6 trumpet plagues (7-9)

True Prophet John (10:1-11)

Persecuted Church (11:1-14)

Christ is King (11:15-19)

Persecuted Church (12:1-13:10)

Satan’s False Prophet (13:11-18)

144,000 sealed—7 bowls of wrath (14-16)

Notice the symmetry and how it purposefully points to the most important truth in the book of Revelation. Just another way God reinforces the idea that he’s purposefully revealing himself to us for our good and his glory.

Other notes:

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

• 2020 Sermons by Matt Chandler

• 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

ReplyForward

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

Why You Need to Know the Truth | Revelation 13:1-10

Why You Need to Know the Truth | Revelation 13:1-10

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Why You Need to Know the Truth”

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-10; Joh 8:31-32; Mark 13; Matt 11:28-30

(Main commentary helps listed at the end)

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

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

Two weeks ago: “What to do when you feel defeated”

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

Opening story:

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.

Q: Do you know the real Messiah/Christ well enough to recognize a fake one? Because Jesus seemed to think it would be very hard for even his followers to do this.

Eugene Peterson writes in his Message paraphrase of Matthew 11, “Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’ (Matt 11:28–30).

This is the remedy to overcoming the gaps between what we say we believe and how we behave/live (which is evidence of what we truly believe). The unforced rhythms of grace are the means of getting God’s grace to flow in and through us daily.

Do you know Jesus or a satanic imitation?

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

outline:

• Satan’s fake christ (13:1-4)

• Murderous blasphemer (13:5-8)

• The call to persevere (13:9-10)

The beast = Antichrist

Nero parallels

Outlines:

Applications:

• Key: Verify do we see Jesus as he really is enough to recognize a fake? If it were easy, Jesus wouldn’t need to warn us.

  • Knowing the word of truth is how we recognize fakes.

  • Ill. 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.

• Satan is intent on appearing as a savior to receive praise.

  • What about us? Why do we pursue praise from people?

  • Is it really any different? Are we worthy?

  • For Satan to claim to be the messiah is to say that Jesus isn’t.

• Let’s forsake any false hope in any mere human government or leader bringing in the Kingdom of God or any kind of salvation. Don’t be fooled by the fakes. Stop looking to the next shiny, new political leader to turn things around in the areas that matter most.

• Impersonating God and Christ, Satan will blaspheme God and kill Christ-followers.

• How are you preparing for this?

  • Word—saturating your mind

  • Way/Walk—by grace through faith daily

  • Works—carrying out the vision of the KOG where you live, work and play

• God is our sovereign Creator still. Walk/rest in that.

  • Rom 8:28

  • Satan can’t create anything.

• False prophets utter false teachings like

  • Universalism—everyone is ultimately saved.

  • Inclusivism—some go to hell but not anyone faithful to whatever religion they like; this all-roads-lead-to-heaven mindset is deeply embedded in our culture already.

  • Jesus said plainly, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

  • Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Note the order:

    • Hear teaching. Obey it.

    • After obeying, true knowledge (comprehension) sets in.

    • Results in freedom.

  • Do you believe Jesus’s teachings on hell?

• Confident you can’t be led astray?

  • If you’ve been chosen by God, then you cannot. You’re name is in the book of life.

  • Is that you?

  • Doctrine of election is a comfort to those who are elect.

  • I believe in the doctrine of election to the extent that the Bible teaches is. But I also see human responsibility and freedom in play. We’re not robots.

  • God chooses. He chose:

    • Adam and Eve

    • Noah and his family

    • Isaac over Ishmael

    • Jacob over Esau

    • Judah over Reuben

    • David over his older brothers

    • Israel over the other nations

    • You, if you’re in Christ Jesus

    • You, if you will trust Christ today

  • Sturgeon acknowledged the brain strain this tension between God’s sovereignty and human free will. He told people that he often prayed, “God save the elect and elect some more.”

  • How do you know if you’ve been chosen? J. Hamilton wrote:

    • IF you feel awful when you sin—not because you got caught but because you have offended God your holy and good Creator—that’s good evidence that God is at work in your soul. Repent and turn back to God today and walk in the confidence of your name being in the book.

• Call to persevere (9-10) - There’s no avoiding God’s providential will. If he’s decided something, he’s fully prepared and warranted to carry it out. If you or I was to die for him, we die. This is why he follows it with the call for believers to endure nad keep believing. Because we’re going to be tempted to give up and give in.

Do you know Jesus or a satanic imitation?

My Bottom line: Knowing Truth—really knowing—leads to peace in a world of uncertainty, deception and falsehood.

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

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?