Revelation (Page 5)
“Dear Lukewarm Church” (Revelation 3:14-22)
Dear Lukewarm Church (Rev. 3:14-22) Introduction We have arrived at the final letter to the seven first-century churches located in Asia Minor. Although the situations in each of these churches was in many ways unique to their time and location, the contents of each letter have proved to be relevant to every church in every age. Last week we considered a church that received no condemnation from Christ. This week we consider a church that received no commendation from him.…
“Dear Faithful Church” (Revelation 3:7-13)
Dear Faithful Church (Rev. 3:7-13) Introduction In his novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck provides a harrowing illustration of the pressure families faced during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Due to poor farming techniques and severe drought, tens of thousands of families were forced to migrate to California. But the recession had such a widespread impact that few people were better off. In their weakness, families had to rely upon the kindness of strangers, which oftentimes resulted in…
“Dear Dead Church” (Revelation 3:1-6)
Dear Dead Church (Rev. 3:1-6) In his book, Drunk Tank Pink, Adam Altar points out the curious phenomenon known as “nominative determinism”. It’s the idea that our names can often have a profound effect upon how we live. Our name predetermines the outcome. He shows how people are often preoccupied by ideas related to their name. The Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2008-2013 was Justice Igor Judge. His colleague, Justice John Laws, was on the court of appeals…
“Dear Compromised Church” (Revelation 2:18-29)
Dear Compromised Church (Rev. 2:18-29) We now come to the fourth in this series of seven letters written to churches in Asia Minor. It is a mixed community that represents the makeup of the broader visible church in all times. It’s the longest letter, positioned right at the center of the bunch, so we would do well to pay attention to its message. Expository preaching forces me to address all kinds of sin. If I always focused on pet sins,…
“Dear Worldly Church” (Revelation 2:12-17)
Dear Worldly Church (Rev. 2:12-17) Chapter one concludes with the vision of the son of man as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Chapter two transitions to letters written to seven church. There is an interesting relationship between the letters that follows a familiar pattern. A. Ephesus – Loveless B. Smyrna – Only Commendation C. Pergamum – Worldly D. Thyatira – Immorality E. Sardis – Dead ‘B. Philadelphia – Only Commendation ‘A. Laodicea – Lukewarm We will cover the escalation in…
“Dear Suffering Church” (Revelation 2:8-11)
Dear Suffering Church (Rev 2:8-11) John has been commissioned by Christ to write these letters to the seven church in Asia Minor at the end of the first century AD. What he writes addresses the specific needs of these particular churches, but Jesus also has in mind the broader, universal Church which spans time and place. The Lord is informing the churches of persecution that they will face. Some of that tribulation has already begun, but a more intense form…
“Dear Loveless Church” (Revelation 2:1-7)
Dear Loveless Church (Rev. 2:1-7) This may be one of the most important sermons I ever preach regarding the longterm viability of Grace Clovis. I’m convinced there is something very important for all of us to hear in this letter to Ephesus. At some point in the next thirty minutes all of us should feel targeted by this passage. These are not words the Lord has for a handful of individuals. This is a message for us all. I am…
“The Announcement of Glory” (Revelation 1:17-20)
The Announcement of Glory The Announcement of Glory Brad Mills / General Jesus has commissioned John to write his vision down into a book and send it to seven churches located in Asia Minor. He is writing from the island of Patmos, where he was likely banished for disrupting emperor worship. On the Lord’s Day, probably reflecting upon the saints he pastored some fifty miles away in Ephesus, he was “in the Spirit”. John received this vision of the…
“Our Glorious Judge” (Revelation 1:12-20)
Our Glorious Judge Our Glorious Judge Brad Mills / General Son Of Man / Revelation 1:12–20 In the prologue (1-3) John informed us about how the revelation came to him by an angel sent by Jesus. The Triune God has greeted his redeemed Church with grace and peace reminding us that we are a kingdom of priests (4-8). Then Christ commissioned John to write a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor (9-11). John addressed…
“He Is Coming!” (Revelation 1:7-11)
He Is Coming! Brad Mills / General Revelation / %SecondComing / Revelation 1:7–11 John’s reliance upon Daniel is consistent in this opening section and throughout Revelation. He seems to have seen a similar situation between Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon during Daniel’s time, and first century believers living in Asia Minor and experiencing an escalating Roman persecution. In both ages, believers needed to be encouraged to persevere. They would’ve been feeling anxious about what the future held.…