How to Bear Fruit in Every Good Work | Colossians 1:9-14
How to Bear Fruit in Every Good Work | Colossians 1:9-14

Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV)

How to Bear Fruit in Every Good Work

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We

continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and

understanding that the Spirit gives, [a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please

him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being

strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great

endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you [b] to

share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from

the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we

have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Verse 9: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for

you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and

understanding that the Spirit gives,

Paul asks God to fill them with knowledge of God’s will “in all spiritual wisdom and

understanding”

It is significant that Paul is praying for knowledge for the Colossians – they were under siege by

people who were telling them that they needed a better knowledge: a gnosis. The Gnostics

were teaching that Christ was a good place to begin but there was so much more they could

know and experience if only they would incorporate the Gnostic system of passwords, rites and

initiations.

These folks were know-it-alls. They were elitists and intimidating, and some of the

Colossians were falling for it…feeling like they were lacking.

Paul’s prayer hit the problem head-on.

The Gnostics word for knowledge was “gnosis”, but Paul used the word “epignosis”

which was closer to “full knowledge”…which was significantly spiritual.

Paul knew that spiritual knowledge is foundational to a sound, fruitful Christian life.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools [a] despise wisdom and instruction.

This knowledge starts with a proper attitude towards God.

Right knowledge leads to right behavior

Romans 1:28

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God

gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

The wisdom and understanding that Paul prays for are inseparable from the knowledge

of God and His will.

When praying for knowledge of God’s will, he is not just praying for them to know what

God wants them to do…it’s bigger

+ Filled with an understanding of God’s entire plan and scope for salvation.

…an understanding for God’s full saving purpose for man

…an understanding how God views us, and His purposes for us in Christ Jesus

Do we really want to know God’s will? You know, it might conflict with ours…

Praying for business…

This knowledge of God’s will only comes by spiritual wisdom and understanding

“Spiritual understanding” references understanding through the Holy Spirit

The scriptures are the primary source of knowledge for the believer as they are studied in the

power of the Holy Spirit. This produces a person whose life, through their actions, bears fruit

and pleases God.

When we pray for others, we often pray for healing, well-being and spiritual growth. Maybe we

should be praying for people to have “knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding”

We should be praying that for each other, for our pastors, our family and new believers.

We need to be prepared to be part of the answer to our own prayers too…HOW? Read

and meditate on God’s word.

We need to be able to filter out OUR culture’s gnosis through the filter of God’s

epignosis.

Examples of cultural influence in our knowledge…

Verse 10: …so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing

fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Knowing God’s will and being obedient to it are the only way we’re going to be able to

live a life that even comes close to being worthy of Him.

“Bearing fruit” in every good work – does that describe us?

Pray that your knowledge increases so you can live and follow in the way that God

wants for our lives. When you do that, you can begin to understand God’s will and live a

life that pleases Him…live out the desires He has for us. In turn, you will see God’s will

more clearly.

Obedience to the knowledge of God which has already been received is a necessary and

certain condition for the reception of further knowledge.

In the Hebrew mind, knowledge and conduct were bound together.

From their perspective, a person did not know something unless they did it.

– true spiritual knowledge means ACTION.

- Paul prayed that they walk their talk…DO WE?

These days, people of knowledge, don’t seem to be people of action. (except Gene). And

people of action tend to neglect the pursuit of knowledge.

-an ignorant “soul-winner” who only knows a pattern of tracts through scripture may not

have a thought-through of his own. On the other hand, a Biblical scholar who has never

led a soul to Christ.

WE NEED BALANCE – a profound knowledge should profoundly affect one’s walk.

Any doctrine that isolates the believer from the needs of the world is not a spiritual

doctrine.

The result bears fruit – a constant, ongoing reality.

Why did Paul add … growing in the knowledge of God, again? He knew that once you start to

bear fruit in every good work, you naturally open yourself to “increasing in the knowledge of

God”.

It’s an upward spiral: the more one truly serves Him, the more one increases in the

knowledge of Him…and the more one knows Him, the more one wants to serve Him.

John 7:17 – Jesus made it clear that doing the Father’s will made possible the reception of the

knowledge of the Son.

17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes

from God or whether I speak on my own.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a

living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not

conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you

will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Conform to the pattern set before us…die that we might live

We are told to “die to self”, but it’s critical that as we die to self, we grow in understanding of

what it means to die to self…what it means to live in Christ.

Verse 11: being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may

have great endurance and patience

Power of His Glorious might – the power of God - the creation, parting the red sea, the

virgin birth, raising Lazarus from the dead and the resurrection of Jesus.

- with that power, Paul prays that they would have endurance and patience

Paul was praying for them to have the steadfastness that which enables one to hold

one’s position in battle. There were forces in the Lycus valley who were looking to

destroy the Colossian Church.

Paul was praying that they would stand…endure…persevere…remain steadfast…

stay at it.

As Winston Churchill told students at his former school “never give up. Never

give up. Never give up. Never. Never. Never!”

- If you’re going to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, and live a life that please

Him, you’ll need both, endurance and patience.

Endurance is a reference to adverse circumstances. Patience is a reference to difficult

people. Possessing endurance, does not mean one will succeed in patience.

Endurance and patience, when combined together, are beautiful. Of course, they exist perfectly

only in Jesus. Paul knew that, which is why they should be strengthened with all

power according to his glorious might…

The church with “endurance and patience” is a great church…a church that walks in a manner

worthy of the Lord”

Where do we stand with this? Where do you stand with this?

Verse 12: …and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you [b] to share in the

inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light

Now He is starting to talk about our inheritance

We also walk in a worthy manner by being thankful. We cannot walk worthy of God without

joyfully giving thanks to our God for our salvation. WHY? Paul gives 3 reasons:

1. He has qualified us to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of

light. Not through anything we have done. We are now in the realm of LIGHT.

2 Corinthians 4:6

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” [ a ] made his light shine in

our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the

face of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the

night or to the darkness.

2. We are rescued

Verse 13: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the

kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We have been rescued!

The 4 R’s of our testimony: Rescue – Renew - Resource – and Release

We have been rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the

kingdom of the Son He loves.

He rescued us from THIS kingdom and released us into His

Stockholm Syndrome – emotional connection with captors

3. Reason 3 comes in Verse 14: in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We have been purchased for a price…fully redeemed and fully healed in Christ. Free from sin.

Summary: Interceding for each other is remarkably valuable…

A church that is growing in the knowledge of Christ and His will, and consequently is walking

worthy of Him, will do great things for Him. Let’s commit ourselves to this…if we haven’t yet,

let’s start now.

PRAY

Scripture References (NIV)

“How to Bear Fruit in Every Good Work”

(slides)

Colossians 1:9-14

Colossians 1:9

Proverbs 1:7

Romans 1:28

Colossians 1:10

John 7:17

Romans 12:1-2

Colossians 1:11

Colossians 1:12

2 Corinthians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 5:5

Colossians 1:13

Colossians 1:14

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace, bible, bible believing, Colossians, bear fruit
What Does a Healthy Church Look Like? | Colossians 1:1-8
What Does a Healthy Church Look Like? | Colossians 1:1-8

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “What does a healthy church look like?”

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8; Col 2:6, 3:1; Gen 1:28; Mark 4:8; Acts 18:18-19:22

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Need: Grow in Christ-like character summed up as faith, hope and love.

Bottom line: We become a healthy church as each person grows in their faith in Christ, love for each other, and hope in the future.

INTRODUCTION

Opening story: Ken and I are going to play in our first Ultimate frisbee tournament next week in Sarasota, FL. I tell you this for 2 reasons:

  1. We want to represent Christ well and play well. (And not get broken in the process)

  2. It is an opportunity for me to explain to you a pivotal rule in the game. The Spirit of the Game.

    1. The SOTG rule in short is to treat other players and fans as you’d like to be treated. If that sounds familiar, that’s probably because you’re familiar with the golden rule of Jesus.

    2. The way it works in reality is that there are no referees in Ultimate. When a foul is called by a player, the opposing player either agrees and the penalty is assessed, or he disagrees. If he or she disagrees, they then take a couple of minutes to share their position. If they then agree, the penalty is assessed. If they still disagree, they part ways and the play is done over. The spirit of this rule is we’re not trying to get away with something but to honor the players by following the rules the best we can.

CONTEXT

The apostle Paul is going to hear about the Colossian church from Epaphras. He’s going to hear:

  1. About their faith, love and hope.

  2. About the false teachings that are moving in and infecting the church family.

It is in response to this second point that moves Paul to write this letter to them. He wants them to remain spiritually healthy in Christ.

The bullseye of discipleship at Grace CF is Christ-like character and competency. That’s high faith, love and hope according to Colossians 1 and Philemon 5.

Mark 4:8 and John 15:16 is all about us being fruitful by grace through faith. Are we?

THEME

Absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the head of all creation and of the church.

3:1 Overall exhortation/application: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is (for now) seated at the right hand of God.”

2:6 Says it another way: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”

Bottom line: We reverse the curse in our own lives when we believe the word of God in word and action.

OUTLINE (Willmington’s Outline Bible)

Paul and the Church at Colossae (1:1-14, 24-29)

A. The apostle’s praise of this church. (1:1-8)

    1. How they received the gospel (1-6); Paul commend them in regard to 3 things:

      1. Their faith toward the Lord. (1-4a)

      2. Their love toward one another. (4b)

      3. Their hope toward the future. (5-6); They are looking forward to the joy of heaven (the best is yet to come)

    2. From whomever they received the gospel. (7-8) Epaphras shared Christ with them and is now ministering with Paul.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: We become a healthy church as each person grows in their faith in Christ, love for each other, and hope in the future.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

OTHER NOTES:

From Warren Wiersbe’s commentary:

“Do the heavenly bodies have any influence over our lives? The millions of people who consult their horoscopes each day would say, “Yes!” In the United States, there are about 1,750 daily newspapers, and 1,220 of them carry astrological data!

Is there any relationship between diet and spiritual living?

Does God speak to us immediately, in our minds, or only through His Word, the Bible?

Do the Eastern religions have something to offer the evangelical Christian?

These questions sound very contemporary. Yet they are the very issues Paul dealt with in his magnificent Epistle to the Colossians. We need this important letter today just as they needed it back in a.d. 60 when Paul wrote it…

…All kinds of philosophies mingled in this cosmopolitan area, and religious hucksters abounded. There was a large Jewish colony in Colossae, and there was also a constant influx of new ideas and doctrines from the East. It was fertile ground for religious speculations and heresies!” - W Wiersbe

Our goal at Grace isn’t to become famous, but to be known for our love and faith…wow!

“Colossae was one of three cities located about 100 miles inland from Ephesus. The other two cities were Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13, 16). This area was a meeting point of East and West because an important trade route passed through there. At one time, all three cities were growing and prosperous, but gradually Colossae slipped into a second-rate position. It became what we would call a small town. Yet the church there was important enough to merit the attention of the Apostle Paul...

“Colossae probably would never have been mentioned in the New Testament had it not been for the church there. The city is never named in the Book of Acts because Paul did not start the Colossian church, nor did he ever visit it. Paul had heard of their faith (Col. 1:4, 9); but he had never seen these believers personally (Col. 2:1). Here was a church of unknown people, in a small town, receiving an inspired letter from the great Apostle Paul!”

During Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, at least two men from Colossae were brought to faith in Jesus Christ—Epaphras and Philemon (see Phile. 19). Epaphras apparently was one of the key founders of the church in Colossae, for he shared the Gospel with his friends there (Col. 1:7).

Philemon had a church meeting in his home (Phile. 2). It is likely that Apphia and Archippus, mentioned in this verse, were respectively the wife and son of Philemon, and that Archippus was the pastor of the church (Col. 4:17).

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

OUTLINES

Willmington’s Outline: (Bold would be this week)

I. Paul and the Church at Colossae (1:1-14, 24-29)

A. The apostle’s praise of this church. (1:1-8)

    1. How they received the gospel (1-6); Paul commend them in regard to 3 things:

      1. Their faith toward the Lord. (1-4a)

      2. Their love toward one another. (4b)

      3. Their hope toward the future. (5-6); They are looking forward to the joy of heaven (the best is yet to come)

    2. From whomever they received the gospel. (7-8) Epaphras shared Christ with them and is now ministering with Paul.

B. The apostle’s prayer for this church. (9-14)

C. The apostle’s proclamation to the church. (1:24-29)

II. Christ and the Church at Colossae (1:16-23)

A. Who Christ is. (1:15)

B. What Christ has done. (1:16-23)

C. What we “get” to do as a result of who we are in Christ. (My addition)

Kent Hughes’ outline:

Background, context

I. A Celebration of Joy (1-2)

II. A Celebration of Thanksgiving (3-5a)

III. A Celebration of the gospel (5b-8)

OTHER NOTES

NT Wright notes:

Main thing: “He (Paul) is delighted to hear that the wonderful new plant of the gospel has been planted in Colossae, and that it’s bearing fruit and growing, as indeed it’s doing in the rest of the world.” P. 142

“He’s thanking God that it’s taking root with them, and he wants to tell them how to nurture it and help it to bear more fruit.” (Cf. John 15:16)

Fruit = love (fruit of the Spirit; Gal 5:22-23); Replaces fruit of flesh

How? “The word of truth of the gospel” is powerful!

cf. Mark 4:8 Parable of the Sower

Gen 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply”

3 main features of this fruit: faith, love and hope. (Cf. 1 Cor 13:4-8)

“The faith that reaches out to grasp what God offers in King Jesus;’ the lovewhich binds the community together; the hope that looks eagerly forward to the time when God completes what he began in Jesus.” P. 144

Kent Hughes notes:

Dominant theme: Absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the head of all creation and of the church.

3:1 Overall exhortation/application: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is (for now) seated at the right hand of God.”

2:6 Says it another way: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.”

Hughes’ hope: That our view of Christ will be so expanded and permanently impressed on us that we will as a habit seek those things that are above (as we walk in him).

Background and context:

80 miles from Ephesus on the coast in western Turkey in the Lycus Valley.

A bit in the shadow of Hieropolis and Laodicea.

Probably came into being during Paul’s 2-year Ministry in Ephesus (Acts 15:10) because it says that during that time, “All the residents of Asia [which included Colossae] heard the word of the Lord.” P. 212

Epaphroditus and Philemon came to Christ during this time. Philemon later hosted a church in his home. Epaphras became a lieutenant in evangelizing the Lycus Valley.

Gnostics—those who professed superior knowledge—were a group of self-proclaimed spiritual elites who propagated a false gospel.

Base doctrine was basically dualism (Platonic) which said anything physical or created was evil and that only the spirit was good.

“To the gnostics, Christ was not Creator, the incarnation Was not real, adn Christ was not enough!”

This gnostic system was made up of ascetic disciplines (borrowed from Jewish legalism) designed to help you work your way up to God. Secret passwords, astrology and elements of Christianity all mixed up.

Very complex and proudly intellectual who looked down on the simple Colossian believers.

This is the alarming message Epaphras brought to Paul as he waited in prison.

Paul’s response presents Christ as Creator and fully sufficient Redeemer! Christ isn’t part of the answer—he’s all of the answer!

His celebration of them is ours too for we are the church.

I. Celebration of Joy (1-2)

A. Saints (holy ones)

B. Faithful brothers (family) in Christ.

C. “In Christ” i.e.

    1. We all partook of all that Christ has done,

    2. All that he was (and is)

    3. And all he’d ever be

    4. “Archeologists tell us that many of the nameless slabs in the catacombs of Rome carried the inscription “in Christo” (in Christ) and significantly also bore on the same slab its spiritual corollary “In pace” (In peace), testifying to the radical newness and joy that came in Christ.”

D. “Grace and Peace” are a Christian blend of Hebrew and Greek greetings.

    1. Customary Greek greeting was chairen, a form of grace, meaning greetings. Paul made it charis or grace celebrating the work of grace in their lives.

    2. Customary Hebrew greeting shalom or peace means more than simply the absence of trouble, but well-being that springs from a sense of the presence of God.

    3. “It is the same for all people: there must be grace before we experience the shalom of God. Grace (God’s work) comes before peace (our new relationship).

II. Celebration of thanksgiving (3-5a)

A. Faith, hope and love are mentioned throughout the NT as a sort of “apostolic shorthand” for genuine Christianity. They can’t be manufactured by people—only from God.

    1. Faith—

      1. always named first because apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there’s no Christian experience of love and hope.

      2. Jesus is the object of our faith. We either do or don’t believe that he is who he said he is and that he’ll do all that he’s promised to do.

      3. Faith = putting your full weight on or trusting (think stool or plane ticket) Illustration: When I got on the plane to go to China in 2003 without meeting any of the team.

    2. Love—

      1. Love for all the saints. I.e. Christians or the Church.

      2. Loving God is seen in how we love our neighbors. But our church family is even more important than that. (John 13:34-35) It’s not enough to be orthodox in your faith. There must be the fruit of love towards your spiritual family.

      3. In that world, they were to love barbarian, Scythian, slave and free, male and female, Jew and Greek, learned and ignorant…joining hands around the table. It doesn’t matter what they look like, sound like or even smell like. We love them up close and personal.

    3. Hope—

      1. “The hope laid up for you in heaven” is another way of saying, “The best is yet to come.” This is the point of our series through Revelation we just finished.

      2. Hope in heaven brings joy as you live in light of eternity where things will be so much better.

III. Celebration of the gospel (5b-8)

A. Paul celebrates the fruit of the gospel.

    1. It’s power transforming power)

    2. It’s reach (the whole region)

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP: (UPdate)

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians


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Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Colossians, healthy church, Ladson, SC, Grace
How Does the Bible End? With an Invitation | Revelation 22:10-21
How Does the Bible End? With an Invitation | Revelation 22:10-21

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How does the Bible end? With an invitation.”

Scripture: Revelation 22:10-21; Genesis 3:1-19; John 7:37; 20:31; Isaiah 55:1; 2 Peter 3:1-13

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Need:

Bottom line: Revelation and the Bible ends with an invitation to come to Him: To watch, wait and witness (despite the suffering) until he returns to take us home to the New heaven and earth.

INTRODUCTION

Opening story:

God is always working for his people. (Rom 8:28) He’s not waiting on us to ask. Ask, yes! But God’s working whether we ask or not. God initiates mercy and grace. See Gen 3:1-19.

Seminary student Christmas shopping spree. They gave us play money and then let us go in and “buy” gifts for our children. (Isaiah 55:1)

Read Genesis 3:1-19; Revelation 22:1-9

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)

It’s also noteworthy that these last 2 chapters of Revelation and of the Bible occur when sin has been abolished from the universe. No more sin, shame, guilt, death—it’s all history.

Bottom line: Revelation and the Bible ends with an invitation to come to Him. (Several, actually) To watch, wait and witness (despite the suffering) until he returns to take us home to the New heaven and earth.

OUTLINE

LAST WEEK invitation 1-2:

Two invitations from God to us as we anticipate the New Eden and the reverse of the curse: (6-9)

A. Obey God. (6-7)

B. Worship God! (8-9)

Five more invitations for a total of 7

  1. Obey the word. (22:6-7)

  2. Worship God! (8-9)

  3. Proclaim the truth of God. (10-11)

    1. Unlike Daniel, reveal, don’t seal his word from the world. Why?

      1. Because “the time is near”

        1. For each of us it’s only a heartbeat away.

        2. For all of us, it’s never been closer. We’re another day closer today.

      2. A day is coming when change will no longer be possible. (11) What some say…others say we can still change…

      3. “Imagine being at the Grand Canyon and having a tour guide take you to some massive precipice. You look over the edge and realize that the drop is so deep it makes you dizzy. Then the tour guide says, ‘Let the self-assertive fool who wants to destroy himself disregard caution, ignore my instructions, and go over the edge.’ Is that what the tour guide wants you to do? P. 414

      4. 3 things we know in our gut:

        1. We all know that we do what we want to do.

        2. We all know that we are responsible for what we do.

        3. We all know that God will hold us accountable for what we do.

    2. “How we respond tot he truth of God’s word in this life will confirm our character and determine our destiny forever.” -D Akin

  4. Pursue the will of God. (12-15)

    1. He’s coming soon. He will…judge or reward after he…

      1. Examines our mind

      2. Tests our heart

      3. Gives us according to our ways

    2. As judge, Jesus is fully qualified as he is the omniscient One

      1. Alpha and omega

      2. First and last

      3. Beginning and end

    3. Be washed in the blood of the lamb

      1. For justification

      2. For sanctification

      3. Washing = “persevering in faithfulness to Christ and refusing to compromise with the world” -D Akin

      4. Gives us access to

        1. Tree of life

        2. River of life

        3. City of life…forever!

      5. In contrast to those who did/do not.

        1. They are left outside the city in the lake of fire (“dogs”)

        2. Dogs in that day

          1. Stink and are dirty

          2. Roll in their own stink

          3. Cannot wash themselves

  5. Respond to the invitation of God. (16-17)

    1. Jesus authenticates the message of Revelation in v. 16.

      1. Root = source (before David, as God)

      2. Offspring = descendant (coming from David, as man)

    2. He’s the God-man who’s the bright morning star (Num 24:17)

      1. This passage is Christological.

      2. Colossians will expand on this (we’ll start that series next week)

    3. The “Great Invitation” is a 4-fold invitation (17):

      1. The Holy Spirit says come!

      2. The bride, the Church of Jesus, says come!

      3. The one who hears is invitated.

      4. The one who thirsts for abundant, eternal life is invited. (Cf. Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37)

    4. Spurgeon says with respect to content and location of these verses:

      1. It’s placed at the end of the Bible because it’s the aim of the Bible.

      2. It’s like the point of the arrow with the rest of the Bible being the shaft and the feathers.

      3. John wrote in his gospel these tings are written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that by believing you might have life in his name. (John 20:31)

      4. As far as you’re concerned, this book has missed it’s target unless you’ve accepted his invitation.

      5. All the books in the Bible cry to sinners, come to Jesus! Take the water that quenches your thirst!

  6. Heed the warning of God. (18-19)

    1. Severe warning (adding/subtracting)

    2. Everyone

    3. Comprehensive

    4. Literally Revelation (but by implication, all of scripture)

    5. Believers love, obey and receive the word.

    6. Unbelievers hate, disobey and reject the word.

  7. Pray for the coming of God (Return of the King). (20-21)

    1. “Yes” - answer the question

    2. “I am” - remember who he is

    3. “Coming” - second coming/return of the king

    4. “Soon” - one heart beat away; 1 day is like 1,000 years to the Lord (2 Peter 3)

  • There is a God.

  • You’re not him.

  • Are you ready to meet him?

In sum, Revelation ends with a 3-fold posture to assume: watch, wait, and witness.

  1. Watch - Keep your eyes on the clouds…He’s coming again! He’s coming soon! Are you ready?

  2. Wait - Persevere. No doubt, suffering will accompany us as we wait. Do not grow weary in doing good in the meantime. Lean into your witness.

  3. Witness - This is the great work he’s left us to join him in. Exalt the King. Expand the kingdom. As we keep our eyes on the clouds, we also keep our eyes on the crowds (Greg Stier). This is how we’re to continue to do good. Our witness will result in invitations being accepted. It may also result in the ultimate witness of martyrdom. If so, so be it. To live is Christ, to die is gain and more of Christ.

Ever since Genesis 3, the Garden and the Fall, God has been pursuing us with an invitation to repent and return to him. To repent and believe the truth that sets us free. So it’s entirely appropriate that God would end Revelation and the Bible with these grand invitations.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Revelation and the Bible ends with an invitation to come to Him. (Several, actually) To watch, wait and witness (despite the suffering) until he returns to take us home to the New heaven and earth.

Closing story:

Jim Hamilton’s notes

“The resurrection guarantees the return.” -JH

Mines of Moria scene in the Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf the Grey gives his life to save the Fellowship.

Gandalf the Grey is resurrected and then returns as Gandalf the White. He comes back to them to help them finish what they started—to save the world from darkness. P. 411

Jesus is coming back and he’s inviting you to join him. Of all the ways he could end the Revelation, he chooses to end the letter with an invitation to come to him now.

The question is, will you accept his invitation?

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

OTHER NOTES:

“The whole point of the book of Revelation is to engender an encounter with Him. An encourager that then empowers us to follow him and his paradoxal way.” - Darryl Johnson

Revelation = Apocalypse = unveiling = breaking through

2-fold purpose:

  1. Seeks to set the present moment (in all it’s brokenness) in light of the unseen realities of the future.

    1. Jesus is coming, and bringing with him a whole new creation!

  2. Seeks to set the present moment in light of the unseen realities of the present.

    1. A fundamental conviction of apocalyptic literature is that “things are not as they seem.”

    2. One of the unseen realities of the present is that the time is near. Nothing around us in history or nature tells us the time in near without help from scripture)

    3. The great purpose-the pastoral purpose-of Revelation is to open up that more and see Jesus in the midst of it all.

Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God has come near.” Jesus had to tell us this.

Matt 24-25: Thrust is the time is near. Believe me. “Be alert” And yet, there’s a process that takes time at hand. See kingdom parables too.

Jesus talks about the future as imminent AND lots has to happen over time. Wars, rumors of wars, famines, false messiahs, gospel to the whole world…

This tension is real.

Doesn’t every generation feel Ike they’re the last one? Makes sense in light of Matt 24-25.

Beginning = arche = source and pattern of the series; not just the beginning of the series

End = telos = destiny/purpose of the series

Ex. Acorn’s telos is an oak tree and grove

The telos of humanity is to become like Christ.

After darkness is complete…

Before the faintest sign of dawn…

Tiny star seems barely able…but is a reminder that the night will end…will be defeated.

The star pulls the morning sun behind it…

…just as Jesus pulls the kingdom behind him.

Maybe your life feels like the darkest part of the night right now. Look to the Bright morning star and remember what he is pulling behind him.

Need: To believe Jesus’ words, ways and works with respect to the time is near and his handling of our rescue and evil’s demise. (My take)

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

No, God wants you to repent. To change your course heart, mind, soul and strength and follow his ways, words and works.

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

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, SC, Ladson, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Revelation, Revelation 22, Grace Christian Fellowship, The Best Is Yet To Come
Reverse the Curse: What is the New Eden? | Revelation 22:1-9
Reverse the Curse: What is the New Eden? | Revelation 22:1-9

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “Reverse the Curse: What is the New Eden?”

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-9

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Need: Believe that God’s word is “trustworthy and true” enough to follow fully and faithfully.

Bottom line: We reverse the curse in our own lives when we believe the word of God in word and action.

INTRODUCTION

Opening story: Curse of the Bambino

The Curse of the Bambino was a superstitious sports curse in Major League Baseball(MLB) derived from the 86-year championship drought of the Boston Red Sox from 1918 to 2004. The superstition was named after Babe Ruth, colloquially known as "The Bambino", who played for the Red Sox until he was sold to the New York Yankees in 1920.[1] While some fans took the curse seriously, most used the expression in a tongue-in-cheekmanner.[2]

Babe Ruth as a member of the 1918 Boston Red Sox, the final season before the drought.

External images

Picture of the graffitied "reverse curve" road sign

Removal of the sign (then re-graffitied to read "reversed the curse") by a crew including Governor Mitt Romney, following Boston's 2004 World Series victory.

Prior to the drought, the Red Sox had been one of the most successful professional baseball franchises. They won five of the first fifteen World Series titles, including the first in 1903, more than any other MLB team at the time.[3]During this period, Ruth was a core contributor to the Red Sox's three championships in 1915, 1916, and 1918. Following the sale of Ruth, however, the once lackluster Yankees became one of the most dominant professional sports franchises in North America and set the record for World Series titles by more than twice the amount of any other MLB team.[4] The curse became a focal point of the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry over the years.

Talk of the curse as an ongoing phenomenon ended when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series.[5] The Red Sox's championship was prefaced by them overcoming a 0–3 deficit against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the first and, to date, only time an MLB team won a best-of-seven playoff series after losing the first three games.

The curse had been such a part of Boston culture that when a "reverse curve" road sign on Longfellow Bridgeover the city's busy Storrow Drive was graffitied to read "Reverse The Curse,"[6] officials left it in place until the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series. After the World Series that year, the road sign was edited to read "Reversed Curse" in celebration.[6]

Read Genesis 3:1-19; Revelation 22:1-9

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)

It’s also noteworthy that these last 2 chapters of Revelation and of the Bible occur when sin has been abolished from the universe. No more sin, shame, guilt, death—it’s all history.

Bottom line: We reverse the curse in our own lives when we believe the word of God in word and action.

OUTLINE

I. Description of the New Eden

A. We will be nourished by God. (1-2)

    1. Water of life

    2. Tree of life

    3. Leaves of healing

B. We will worship our God. (3)

    1. Curse is reversed

    2. Throne of God

    3. Appropriate response is worship/service (Latreuo) Ex. Romans 12:1

    4. Worship God as Father and Lamb

C. We will see our God. (4)

    1. We will see his face.

    2. His name will be on our forehead.

D. We will reign with our God. (5)

In the meantime, accept these invitations (2 of 7):

II. Two invitations from God to us as we anticipate the New Eden and the reverse of the curse: (6-9)

A. Obey God. (6-7)

    1. His words are trustworthy and true

    2. The Lord sent his angel to show his servants what’s coming

    3. He’s coming soon!

    4. Blessed are the obedient

B. Worship God! (8-9)

    1. John’s signature

    2. John’s overwhelmed response is and isn’t appropriate (faith vs feelings—-> discipline)

    3. We’re servants who worship and we’re worshippers who serve

    4. When we take a good thing and turn it into a god-thing, we sin and commit idolatry

III. Five more invitations (NEXT WEEK)

CONCLUSION

Poem from pg. 409-410

-Jim Hamilton

Bottom line: We reverse the curse in our own lives when we believe the word of God in word and action.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

OTHER NOTES:

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

We make Superman out to be a god.

God makes Superman out to be a cartoon.

A little girl once defined repentance as “Being sorry enough to stop doing it.”

Fort Knox holds 173 billion dollars in gold.

It has held the nation’s gold deposit since 1937.

It could create a 20x20x20 ft cube of gold.

Now imagine how much gold it would take to create a 12,000x12,000x12,000 foot cube. Now 12,000 stadia! (1,500 miles)!

What’s the real treasure in the new heaven, earth, body and city?

God himself.

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


Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Darien Gabriel, Bible-believing, Revelation 22, Ladson, SC
What's the New Jerusalem? | Revelation 21:9-27
What's the New Jerusalem? | Revelation 21:9-27

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “What’s the New Jerusalem?”

Scripture: Revelation 21:9-27

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Need: We need to see how dangerous it is to set our hearts on the treasure here on earth.

Bottom line: The real treasure of the new heaven, earth and city is God himself. We look forward to a new heaven, earth and city because there we will:

  1. Live in God’s presence

  2. experiencing his mercy

  3. Satisfied by his pleasures, and

  4. Aware of his justice forever.

God is the treasure. And God treasures us!

INTRODUCTION

Opening story:

A lot has changed in the last 500 years…

Read Rev 21:9-27

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)

It’s also noteworthy that these last 2 chapters of Revelation and of the Bible occur when sin has been abolished from the universe. No more sin, shame, guilt, death—it’s all history.

OUTLINE

The New Jerusalem will be a perfect city. (9-21)

The New Jerusalem will be a perfect temple. (22-27)

  • “I did not see the temple in the city”

  • Why? Because, “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (22)

  • John 2:17-22

  • Ephesians 2:19-22

  • “This means that whereas formerly there was a structure, a tent or a building, that was holy because God was there, now the structure is the whole of the reality. The temple is the new heaven and new earth. Just as the temple was formerly the holy place in the midst of the wider world, now God and the Lamb are what the temple was: they are the holy in the midst of the world, and there is not a particular building that is the temple because the world itself has become the temple. This is what the OT prophesied in the passages such as Zechariah 14:20, 21.” -Jim Hamilton

  • “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (23)

  • “Have you ever taken a flashlight outside on a clear, sunny day? You can barely see the light of the candle or flashlight at all.” -Jim Hamilton

  • I can remember getting a new Timex watch for Christmas and trying to see it glow during the day. You could never see it because the light in the room or outside was way to bright. You had to go into a closet and close the door to see it. The light of the sun and moon will be that dim in comparison to the light of the glory of God.

  • “but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will enter this city.

  • “God wrote these people’s names in the Lamb’s book of life before foundation of the world. It is not unfair of God to write down some names and not others. He is God. He shows mercy to whom he pleases (Exodus 33:19). He does not owe mercy to anyone. He has chosen to guarantee that some will be faithful to him, and the rest he allows to make their own choice. They choose to worship the beast and suffer the consequences. But it is not as though those who names are written in the Lamb’s book of life do not get the same choice. God so works that they are born again, and as a result they have the ability to see God’s hidden kingdom. Because of that, they choose to resist the beast. They choose, and God chose them. Humans are responsible, and God is sovereign.” -Jim Hamilton p. 399

The New Jerusalem will be a perfect garden. (22:1-5; Next week)

CONCLUSION

“Image that you were born into a miserable situation—no family, no future, no hope. A father you did not know and never would have met sets his love on you. He makes elaborate plans to redeem you for himself, make you part of his family, and give you hope and a future. The price for your redemption is shocking, but this father who has decided to adopt you doesn’t even flinch.

At a cost to himself that you cannot fathom, a price that you will not understand until your own faculties have matured, he ransoms your life. The redemption entails a journey of a distance we have no categories for comprehending, a sacrifice that risks everything , suffers, dies, and rises from the dead, and in the triumphant resurrection your life is secured. He has bought you back, and he will fetch you home.” -Jim Hamilton

Better questions:

Have you chosen him?

Bottom line: The real treasure of the new heaven, earth and city is God himself. We look forward to a new heaven, earth and city because there we will:

  1. Live in God’s presence

  2. experiencing his mercy

  3. Satisfied by his pleasures, and

  4. Aware of his justice forever.

God is the treasure. And God treasures us!

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

OTHER NOTES:

The value of a pearl can vary dramatically depending on many factors, such as its type, size, color, surface quality, and more. A wild pearl will be worth more than a cultured pearl. However, on average, a pearl's value ranges from $300 to $1,500.

https://www.thepearlsource.com› h...

How Much are Pearls Worth | The Pearl Source

A natural pearl (often called an Oriental pearl) forms when an irritant works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating is deposited on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed.

https://www.jthomasjewelers.com› ...

How Pearls Are Formed - J. Thomas Jewelers

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

We make Superman out to be a god.

God makes Superman out to be a cartoon.

A little girl once defined repentance as “Being sorry enough to stop doing it.”

Fort Knox holds 173 billion dollars in gold.

It has held the nation’s gold deposit since 1937.

It could create a 20x20x20 ft cube of gold.

Now imagine how much gold it would take to create a 12,000x12,000x12,000 foot cube. Now 12,000 stadia! (1,500 miles)!

What’s the real treasure in the new heaven, earth, body and city?

God himself.

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

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Revelation 21, Bible-believing, Ladson, SC, treasure of heaven
What's the Great White Throne of Christ? | Revelation 20:11-15
What's the Great White Throne of Christ? | Revelation 20:11-15

Bottom line: The text teaches us that one day each and every one of us will stand before God and his throne and will be asked to give an account for our lives. (It’s true it’s already written down) There’s a God, you’re not him. Are you ready to meet him?

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Ladson, SC, Bible-believing, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Revelation 20, great white throne
Reprioritize Everything (Order & Urgency) | 1 Corinthians 15:10-28
Reprioritize Everything (Order & Urgency) | 1 Corinthians 15:10-28

-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!

Read More
Sarah NetheryGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, 1 Corinthians 15
How to See the Future | Revelation 18
How to See the Future | Revelation 18

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “How to See The Future”

Scripture: Revelation 18 (Commentary helps listed at the end)

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

Read More
Sarah NetheryGrace Christian FellowshipRevelation 18, Ladson, SC, Darien Gabriel, Bible, Bible-believing, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship
What City Are You Living For? | Revelation 17 PG-13
What City Are You Living For? | Revelation 17 PG-13

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

Read More
Sarah NetheryGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Revelation 17, non-denominational church
Why Worship God for Armageddon? | Revelation 16:1-21
Why Worship God for Armageddon? | Revelation 16:1-21

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:

Brave Church by Rowland Smith


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

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R - Recognize the Greatness of God

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Verse 2 - service to the Lord = worship

this is the purpose for all people/lands

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

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Salvation = Healing = Deliverance

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