John testifies of Jesus’ resurrection with three evidences of the empty tomb, His graveclothes, and His post-resurrection appearances. Jesus rose from the dead. The witnesses sealed their testimony with their own lives. What did Jesus convey to His people upon His resurrection? Not disappointment, displeasure, or condemnation for those who failed Him, but grace, pure, undeserved grace. He did this because He paid for their sins and He earned their peace with God through the cross. What’s more? He shares life with those who are one with Him. He invites them into a vital connection with their heavenly Father that they, too, might taste of the kindness of the Lord and their souls be satisfied with God.
Revelation 19:6-21, The Two Suppers
Jesus’ return is marked by two suppers, one a celebration of the marriage of the Lamb and the other the aftermath of the Armageddon. The bride of Christ prepares herself for her groom while the rest of the world prepares to war with Him. May the Lord grant us to grace to be at peace with God, not at war with Him. In the end, there are only two ends, the wedding feast or the judgment feast. May the grace of God lead us all to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
Philippians 1:12-18a, Christ Proclaimed
The driving theme of the passage is the progress of the Gospel through the proclamation of Christ. Many terms are used in the text to describe proclaiming Christ and none of them requires an official position of leadership. Instead, a trust in the Lord will lead us to be courageous and to speak the word of God without fear.
Revelation 17:1-19:5, Come out of Babylon
The call to depart from Babylon is the culmination of the multitudinous and resounding call of Scripture that God’s people be separate, be set apart from this world, and in some cases, actually leave the place of contaminants. In this study, we examine what Babylon is and what it represents and why our need for separation is reflected in the final call of God for the tribulation saints to leave Babylon. The implications of this call for us are these: 1) See the world for what it is, a harlot; 2) See the Devil’s ploy behind the harlot; 3) Delight yourself in the Lord; 4) Run from Babylon and run toward Jerusalem.
Revelation 16:1-21, Stay Awake
The bowl judgments reveal the last of the judgments of God that bring utter devastation on the earth: sores, bloody waters, fire, darkness, preparation for the Armageddon, and the fall of Babylon. Amid all these supernatural and extraordinary plagues, men refuse to repent but blaspheme the name of the God of heaven. The Lord’s message to the churches in the present age is found in verse 15, “Stay awake.” The final battle of this age is coming and He wants all who call upon His name to be on His side of the battle-line when that day comes.
Revelation 15:1-8, Are you an overcomer ? (Part 3)
The third sign in heaven introduces the bowl judgments in which the wrath of God is finished. The judgment of God is His first order of business as He establishes His kingdom on earth. When He comes who is the almighty, the all-powerful, the omnipotent, He roots out all wickedness and corruption from His world. But there is mercy to those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb who follow Him wherever He goes. All who are overcomers in Christ find their strength and steadfastness in the Savior. Depend on Him, follow Him, obey Him, and love Him supremely.
Philippians 1:6-11, Become what you are
All Christians are partakers of grace and so they live out of God’s grace. Living out of God’s grace is marked by one’s participation in the Gospel and biblical love. The result is that Christians become greater partakers of God’s grace.
Sermon Notes:
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Revelation 14:1-20, Are You an Overcomer? (Part 2)
After the sign of the dragon and his two minions, John saw a visions in heaven, midheaven, and on earth. With these, we are assured that those who underwent the pressures of the tribulation make it safely to heaven, the reprobate on the earth stubbornly proceed to their demise, and the wrath of God assuredly comes upon the world as a result. All of this challenges us to be sure that we are overcomers, those who live the converted life, who fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him who made heaven and earth.