THE UNVEILING OF JESUS CHRIST
#239 THE UNVEILING OF JESUS CHRIST
Scripture Revelation 1:1-8, NIV Orig. 2/5/1989
`` Rev. 10/17/1999
Attached: 10/17/1999 for Alabama Baptist Church
Passage: Prologue 1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology 4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[b]
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c]
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Purpose: Continuing a Revelation study for adults in Church Training, here unveiling the Christ whom John has known.
Keywords: Bible Study Parable Christ the Lord Revelation
Timeline/Series: Revelation
Introduction
We talked last week about our own comprehension of the importance of this book. The little test was designed to fix a value quotient in your minds. It was interesting that you assigned a much higher value than many believers would have done, and it was established that most of us have read through The Revelation on our own recently.
You may not be aware, however, that the book itself encourages us. Though many of its symbols seem strange to us, most are explained in the book or in some part of the Bible.
Daniel, you recall, was told to “seal up” the words of his prophecy until the “time of the end” (Daniel 12:4). This was not the end of time, but the “time” of the end of the gentiles. John, however, reverses that predilection. He says that the words of this “prophecy” are not to be “sealed” for “the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10).
Herbert Lockyer1 (A36p359) makes an interesting point about the symbolism of this book. He says that this symbolism in the early chapters is related to Christ and his church; in the middle chapters, to Israel; and in the concluding chapters, to the nations.
The material is apocalyptic, meaning that veiled messages are being revealed. It is prophetic, meaning that it deals with both the declaration of the unknown, and boldly proclaiming what is known. And its symbolism suggests the parabolic. And a parable, you remember, is a story with a hidden meaning.
I. The Outline of Chapter One May be Perceived as Follows:
· Seeing what John saw, a risen, glorious Lord.
o Introduction vv1-3
o The Christ John knew vv4-8 lo
o The Christ John heard vv9-11
o The Christ John saw vv12-18
o Conclusion vv19-20
· It is interesting that the chapter begins with a constitution and ends with a commission.
o Constitution v1—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show to his servants.”
o Commission v19—“Write.”
· We have reason to look at a brief overview of the book.
o The things which thou hast seen 1:9-20
o The things which are [ch] 2,3
o The things which shall come to pass [ch] 4-22
II. A Brief Look at Symbols Unveiled
First, our Lord’s nature. Alpha and Omega, Lord, Word, Jesus, Christ, King, Master, Lamb, Lion, Bridegroom, Morning Star.
Secondly, Jesus’ activities. (1)He chastens the church. (2)Restores the Jews. (3)Judges the world. (4)Judges Satan and his host. (5)Judges the wicked. (6)As King He reigns.
Finally, His relations. (1)To the Father. (2)To the Holy Spirit. (3)With angels, saints, sinners, heaven, earth, and hell.
III. A Further Look at the Constitution. “The Revelation . . . blessing the one reading, hearing, . . . and keeping these words for the time is at hand.”
They are things shortly coming to pass. Does John mean soon, quickly, in the near future, with speed? He “must” John 4:4. With “speed,” “suddenness” may be best. The idea is “with little warning.” Keep Peter’s scale (II Peter 3:8) in mind.
The Revelation Beatitude of which there are 7. “Blessed is he”—1:3, 16:15, 20:6, 22:7. “Blessed are they”—19:9, 22:14. “Blessed are the dead”—14:13. We would do well to remember here that the blessing is for those who “read” and “hear,” that “keep these words.”
Remember that the “time is at hand.” Again, from 22:10. Remember, this was first of all a message of hope for believers then. Written during 90-95 in time of persecution. Domitian died in 96 A.D., and persecutions would never be so bad again.
III. The Christ John Knew, Vv 4-8
V4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: grace and peace unto you from the One who is, and was, and will be, and from the seven spirits before His throne; and from Jesus.”
While John doesn’t talk about a “trinity,” he shows his perception of the godhead—the eternal One; the mediating One “seven spirits”; Jesus.
His message to the seven churches is of grace and peace. “Grace”—chári---unmerited favor. “Peace”—eiríni—to rest in God. The seven spirits. Remember that the number seven represents completeness. Isaiah (11:2) describes such spirit: spirit of the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of Lord. He thus describes his Christ. Faithful witness—martus. First begotten of the dead. Ruler of kings (archó̱n). John’s doxology: unto him that loved/washed/loosed, whether washed or loosed through the blood. We are kings, priests in him before God, to Jesus be glory/dominion forever. Back to the kingship of Jesus, recall that the reason for persecution was the obligation to call Caesar “Lord.” Only One, Jesus, could hold that title. Now a word of Jesus’ return. Declared by Jesus” Matthew 10:23, 16:28, 24:27, 42. Acts (1:11) so opens “This same Jesus.” Paul (I Corinthians 3:4), I Peter 5:4, Jude 14, James 5:8, Hebrews 10:37. John’s description of his coming. Precision—“with clouds.” Preparation—“every eye”: “joy”—they “pierced,” “judgment.” Proclamation—“all will wail”: unbeliever—judgment; believer—reminded of cost, of things undone, of loved ones lost, of joy in fulfillment. As a reminder of whose revelation this is, then Christ speaks. “I am alpha and omega, the beginning and ending.” First and last letters in Greek alphabet; a commonly used phrase for completeness; an acknowledgment of His eternality; a secondary reference to His coming; a reminder again of His place in the godhead.
Refer to seven truths—Robinson (R30p152). (1)Sovereignty of God. (2)Lordship of Jesus. (3)Centrality of a community of saints in mankind. (4)Divine meaning of history, his-story. (5) Crises: struggle between good and evil. (6)Perennial: final judgment. (7)Sure goal of history.
Conclusion
We spoke briefly about the number seven as a reference to completeness. Let’s look a little further. Pythagoras (R30p150) the mathematician started a system of religion in which religious values were equated with numbers. One (1) was for unity, wholeness, aloneness. Two (2) meant companionship, courage, increased strength. Three (3) was divine number (Judaism, eastern). Four (4) cosmic number (N.E.W.S.) universe/world. Seven (7) the number of completeness. Add four/three. Found 54 times in Revelation. What would six be? (less than perfection)=666. Ten (10) human completeness (fingers/toes). Twelve (12) organized religion (three times four) tribes, apostles.
For Alabama Baptist Church on 10/17/1999: Revelation Letters
Superscription to the church—“To the angel of the church in Smyrna.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Description of the divine author—“These are the words of Him who is the first and the last.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Account of their spiritual conditions—“I know your afflictions and your poverty.”
2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15
Message of praise or censure—“Do not be afraid.”
2:2-4, 9-10, 13-14, 19-20; 3:1-2, 8, 15-16
Exhortation of some special need—“Do not be afraid.”
2:4, 10, 16, 20-22; 3:3, 9, 16
Promise to the one overcoming—“Be faithful . . . and I will give you the crown of life.”
2:7, 10, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 20
Attention commanded to the Spirit—“He who has an ear let him hear.”
2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
1Lockyer, H. (1980). Revelation: Drama of the Ages. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
SMYRNA, SAVED TO SUFFER
#219 SMYRNA, SAVED TO SUFFER
Scripture Revelation 2:8-11 NIV Orig. Date 1/23/1966
Rewr. Dates 9/12/1986
Attached: 10/17/1999 for Alabama Baptist Church
Passage: 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Purpose: Continuing a series from the Revelation letters, showing how a church under severe persecution was secure in the care of God.
Keywords: Church Faithfulness Suffering
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters
Introduction
Smyrna is the only one of the cities listed among these seven that still survives. It is the modern Turkish city of Izmir. It was near to Ephesus, about 35 miles north on the Aegean coast. Documents survive that tell of Polycarp, an early pastor, and his martyrdom.
The following account of Polycarp’s death is recorded in Bettenson’s Documents of the Christian Church1:
Polycarp was brought before the proconsul in the stadium at Smyrna. At the time it was filled with a mob, itching for a blood-letting.
Proconsul: “Curse the Christ.”
Polycarp: “Eighty-six years have I served Him and He hath done me no wrong; how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?”
Proconsul: “Swear by the genius of Caesar.”
Polycarp: “I am a Christian.”
Proconsul: “I have wild beasts, repent or I will throw you to them.”
Polycarp: “Send for them, for repentance from better to worse is not a change permitted us.”
Proconsul: “I will make thee to be consumed by fire if thou repentest not.”
Polycarp: “Thou threatenest the fire that burns for an hour and in a little while is quenched; for thou knowest not the fire of judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment reserved for the ungodly.”1
I. The Text First Tells of Smyrna’s Saviour.
The church needed to know that this message was from the Lord. V8 “These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.” To Ephesus—It had been the One walking “amidst . . . seven golden candlesticks.” Ephesus needed to remember sovereignty. Smyrna needed the message of hope in face of tribulation.
The message was with great clarity The One dead for their sin. The One alive to make intercession.
We need to be reminded about this church. The name Smyrna means myrrh. Myrrh had to be crushed to emit its fragrance. Not a church [in a] magnificent building but one gathering in caves and catacombs; hated, outlawed, persecuted.
The Lord reminds them of His positional sovereignty. He knows their works; tribulation, poverty, blasphemy of enemies. He knows how to counsel their struggles.
II. The Text Next Teaches of Smyrna’s Spirituality.
The spirituality of work: actually, the word “works” does not appear. The rendering is “I know you.” In the Christian faith, there is no difference between us and our works.
The spirituality of tribulation: literally, the pressure of crushing weight, used of woman in childbirth, city under siege. 2 Corinthians 1:6: “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” See 2 Corinthians 11;24-30.
The spirituality of poverty: it is the term for one destitute of wealth. 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” Luke 6:20 “Blessed are ye poor.” They live in an antagonistic environment. Think of the Jews during World War II. Blacks in South Africa today. Believers in Russia.
Penia—one who has nothing extra. Ptocheia—one who has nothing. Christians were from lower classes, often were slaves.
III. The Text Goes on to Describe Smyrna’s Satanic Surroundings. V9 “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan.”
There were ex-church members who became Jews to prevent losing their few possessions. Their problems were brought on by Jews. Antioch—Acts 13:50; Iconium—Acts 14:2,5; Lystra—Acts 14:19; Thessalonica—Acts 17:5. The Christian does not have the option of anti-semitism: Christ was a Jew.
These were, in reality, Jews who had sold out their religious heritage by worshiping the emperor. Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly. . . . But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter. . . .”
IV. The Teaching Goes on to Include Smyrna’s Suffering. V10 “The devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days.”
Tribulation—same word as before.
The significance of “Ten.” Literal ten days; ten imperial persecutions—from Nero (64 AD to 312 AD) there were ten imperial persecutions; a brief period; extreme, complete persecution.
Remember significance of name—myrrh. They would be cast into prison. Prisons were to await execution. Matthew 10:28 “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.”
The futurists believe that Smyrna represented the church age between AD 170-312.
V. Finally, the Text Declares Smyrna’s Salvation. V10 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Not the diadema (royal crown) but the stephanos (victor wreath).
Smyrna was famous for its games (Olympic). Location of Mt. Pagos—crown of Smyrna.
The promise to the overcomer. V11 “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” Shall not, never. “Second death”—Rabbinic term for death of wicked in next world. Death in the sense of physical demise. Romans 6:23 “Wages of sin is death.” Death in the sense of final punishment. Death in the sense of unpardonable sin.
Conclusion
Here having our first encounter with numbers we are required to deal with what we may expect. Later we will encounter 666, the number of the beast, the facilitation of evil. It is so because it comes short of the perfect number 777. When Nero Caesar was transposed into Hebrew from Greek, the number assignments totaled 666. The name Jesus, totaled 888. By contrast, we see the personification of evil in Nero; and the personification of good in Christ (888). We will have much to learn from these number evaluations as they appear in Revelation.
For Alabama Baptist Church on 10/17/1999: Revelation Letters
Superscription to the church—“To the angel of the church in Smyrna.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Description of the divine author—“These are the words of Him who is the first and the last.”
2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14
Account of their spiritual conditions—“I know your afflictions and your poverty.”
2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15
Message of praise or censure—“Do not be afraid.”
2:2-4, 9-10, 13-14, 19-20; 3:1-2, 8, 15-16
Exhortation of some special need—“Do not be afraid.”
2:4, 10, 16, 20-22; 3:3, 9, 16
Promise to the one overcoming—“Be faithful . . . and I will give you the crown of life.”
2:7, 10, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 20
Attention commanded to the Spirit—“He who has an ear let him hear.”
2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22
1 Bettenson, H. (Ed.), (1967) Documents of the Christian Church (1st edition). Oxford: Oxford University.
EPHESUS: EAGER BUT INDIGENT
#215 EPHESUS: EAGER BUT INDIGENT
Scripture Revelation 2:1-7, NIV Orig. 1/16/1966
Rewr. 8/30/1986
Passage: 1 “To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Purpose: Using a Sunday evening series on the seven letters, sharing with my people the need for the church to be faithful to God and His commands.
Keywords: Faithfulness Obedience
Timeline/Series: Revelation letters
Introduction
The first concept of this book is declared by the name which the book bears, Apocalypsis Ioannis, the Revelation of John. The text clarifies this for us. It is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ . . . Unto His Servant John,” The word “Revelation,” better defined means to “uncover,” “to lay bare,” “to expose what has been kept in secret.” It is, then, a disclosure of truth. Paul uses this very word in I Corinthians 2:9-10a, Phillips:
“9-10a But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has, through the Spirit, let us share his secret.”
Here are main approaches to The Book of Revelation by those who seek to understand its message. They are as follows:
· (1) Historist. The historical perspective—The entire book was written to all then-existent churches through these seven churches named in chapters 2 and 3. Some go so far as to suggest that Revelation is without significance to us outside of affording us a possible history lesson.
· (2) Futurist. The prophetic perspective—The churches listed represent various epochs through all history. Ephesus represented the apostolic times. One of these latter ones represents the church today.
· (3) Idealist. The transcending perspective—Through these seven churches, God speaks to all churches through-out all time.
A brief background of the city is that this was one of the chief cities of the day. It was wealthy, cultured, and corrupt. It stood nearest to Patmos, from which place John received his vision. Paul seems to have been the one who organized the church. On his second journey, he spent two years there. John, before his present exile to an Aegean isle spent years in and around Ephesus as pastor and itinerant evangelist.
I. First, it contains an introduction to the people.
It is from the Lord. Precedent is Revelation 1:17-20. “I am the first and last: I am he that liveth . . . The seven stars are the angels . . . and the seven candlesticks . . . are the seven churches.” He is the One who holds these “messengers” in His hand. It is His message, He is the guarantor of its delivery. His presence among His people is assured. Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: For the time is at hand.”
John 10:28. 28 ”I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Kratein---holding, rather to “hold fast.” He “walks” (in the sense of thoroughly). This letter is to the church in Ephesus. As already mentioned, John had been its pastor. Because of its location, and link with both Paul and John. It was an important link. However, the church is loosening this hold on “first love.”
II. Secondly, it is a message of instruction. V4 “. . . I have somewhat against thee . . . . Remember therefore.”
A look at what has been. Diligence to duty: work—service rendered; labor—toil at the cost of pain; patience—unwavering endurance. Chris Evert—16 years in the Open. More important, people who have come back again and again to serve. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well-doing.” They had been zealous against evil. V2 “cannot bear (evil) ones.”
The Lord knows as well what they have left undone. There are sins of commission. We do what ought to remain undone. There are also sins of omission. We leave undone what we clearly ought to do. Jesus spoke of it thusly—“They have left their first love.” It is not in the sense of deserting the cause, as in the case of Demas “hath forsaken us.” But in the sense of neglect—the verb, by the way, is singular. Here’s the rub—they were working their heads off, but not for Christ’s sake, but rather their own. Remember the parable of seeds/soil. Some sprang up quickly, but without roots going deep to nourishment they perished.
III. In Addition to Words of Introduction and Instruction, there is an Injunction. V5, “Remember . . . or else.”
“Remember” the prodigal son—refer again to those glorious years you served out of love for Christ. When you were repulsed. When you were maligned and jeered. When the idea of the church was scorned. When believers joined slowly, but they came in with redeemed hearts. Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you scribes, Pharisees. You do what appeals to the flesh. You leave undone judgment, mercy, faith.” Which you should have done with leaving others undone.
“Repent”—Not mere intellectual enlightenment. 2 Corinthians 7:9f “I rejoiced, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed unto repentance: . . . godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of.” Abhorrence over our sins. Heartbreak over our inability to change. It is interesting to consider the idea of the church symbolized by the candlestick where the light has gone out, a candlestick is just one more thing to stumble over in the dark.
“Return”—to this prior love for Christ, to work done for His glory. Hebrews 3:3 “For this man was counted worthy of more honor than Moses, inasmuch as he who has builded the house hath more honor than the house.” Jeremiah 2:2 “Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.”
Or, “Retribution”—2:5 “I will remove the candlestick.” Ephesus is no more. The ruins are there, and they are impressive. Temple of Diana (7 wonders), stadium, market. It was here, you remember, that Paul opposed the silversmiths. Here was a Roman bath containing over 100,000 square feet. A harbor city, called “the market of Asia.” But a place of pagan superstitions, and immorality was rampant.
IV. We Must Be Especially Sure that We Grasp the Message to Churches for Our Day.
Christ is Lord of every church. His voice must be heard on determination of leadership. Episkopos—overseer (to watch over); presbuteros—elder, level of spiritual expertise; poimen—pastor/shepherd. He gives leadership to each church. “Walketh in the midst.” “I know your works.”
He is the One qualified to dispense rewards and punishments. He judges all activities. He judges on the basis of heart response and not lip service. Ephesians 6:8 “Whatsoever good any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free.” I Corinthians 5:10 “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, whether it be good or bad.”
Love for Christ must be primary in the church. II Timothy 1:12, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.”
The church’s charter is temporary—valid only so long as we are faithful to our Lord. Ephesus today is an archaeologist’s dream, nothing more. A city passed by. The Cayster silted in. She is miles from the Aegean.
Conclusion
Dr. F.D. Coggan, Archbishop of York, has a pertinent word for us in conclusion. He says that fulfilling the command of the Lord is the prerequisite to church renewal: “Obey, and you will be renewed. It is as simple as that.” He goes on to add, “I had rather, 10,000 times rather, incur the divine rebuke for error in method, or even in doctrine, in a task done in obedience to his command, than I would to hear Him say, ‘I told you to go and you never went.’”
THE TWO CHOICES OF THE CHURCH
#222 THE TWO CHOICES OF THE CHURCH
Scripture Revelation 2:12-17, NIV Orig. Date 1/30/1966
Rewr. Dates 1/1982; 9/15/1986
Passage: 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Purpose: Continuing the series on the Revelation letters, sharing with my people the two choices (faithfulness/forfeiture) confronting the church at Pergamos, and, in reality, our own church.
Keywords: Disobedience Faithfulness Revelation
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters
Introduction
This is the third of the letters forwarded by John of Patmos to the Asian churches. They were from the Lord. The churches would receive them, and then they would be circulated to other churches. The first letter named John’s beloved church at Ephesus. They were reminded that being a body of Christ was more than just starting well. The Ephesian church was organized by Paul, pastored by the “beloved” apostle. But she must also remain true to her Lord. It was the Lord’s intent to “hold” them in His hand. Only by His holding could they remain permanently fixed. And, as a lampstand, they were to continue to shed light in the darkness around them. Ceasing to do so, the lampstand was just something else to stumble over in the darkness.
Then came the letter to Smyrna, another city of great importance in the Roman world. The city fathers were interested in becoming the “Rome” of Asia. Persecution was the offing for anyone who did not understand that tenet, and work with it in their lives. But the believers already had One who was Lord. They could not, must not worship Caesar. What was not said to the church at Smyrna is indicative of a people who have made their choice to be faithful. We are told of the kind of poverty found there. We are told that these people had nothing, but they committed it faithfully to their Lord. Now, the church at Pergamos.
I. A Reminder of the Spirit’s Passion to Protect. V12 “These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know.”
The Christ has perfect knowledge of them. He knows the condition of their lives. He knows their faithfulness. He knows their sacrifices. He knows when they fail.
It is His purpose to protect them in their faith and in their failure. He is put forth as One having “the sharp, two-edged sword”—a weapon with which to defend those or whom He is responsible; a like weapon of discipline; and edge for war and one for witnessing. The sword is for our care, but it may sometimes be used to chasten.
The same blade may be used in the garden to remove the churlish weed, or to prune the over-anxious seedling.
So, the Spirit knows the circumstance of these struggling believers in Pergamos. Theirs was a famous city, called by Pliny “By far the most famous city in Asia.” A provincial capital for 400 years, formed on authority from Rome in 133 BC. Not great commercially, but culturally: Library with 200,000 parchment rolls; vellum invented here; Aristophanes, librarian of Alexandria [was] enticed [here]—Ptolemy locked him up, placed embargo on papyrus. Great religious center—site of Satan’s seat: altar to Zeus—high on hill [(at Acropolis)]; Asclepius—god of healing; administrative center of efforts to Romanize (emperor worship). Word for “live” carries the idea of permanent residents (believers often considered “sojourners”).
A final thought on “sword.” The proconsul had “right of the sword”—a life or death power over others; believers were comforted by the knowledge of sword-bearing protector. Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God which is sharper than any two-edged sword.”
II. A Record of the Believer’s Faithfulness to Obey. V13 “I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith.”
Works are seen in commitment under fire. Again, “works” does not appear. Remember Smyrna, “I know you.” Pergamos, “I know where you are.”
What is the essential lesson for the Christian in regard to giving? Many of us know how to give %. Some even go so far as to give of time and talent. But the first offering of faith has to be that of obedience. Too many give to cloak godlessness. Some Christians give to mask their continued disobedience.
Some at Pergamos were giving of themselves. Luke 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God. These ought ye to have done and not left the other undone.” II Corinthians 8:5 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord.” With this intense and remarkable faith, they elected to remain here in this difficult city, perhaps the most difficult in the empire for Christians. Here, where “Satan’s seat” is. Not Zeus, not Asclepius, but Satan tempting to Romanize. One of the great principles of the faith is of conquest, demeaning escape.
III. A Remonstrance Against Satanic Influence. V14 “. . . Thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, . . . so . . . also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.”
The Old Testament reference to “Balaam.” “Doctrine”—didache/formal teaching (both). Not Balaam’s doctrine, but teaching about Balaam. Balak of Moab tried to use Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 23). It was Balaam’s desire to do so. He prepared bullocks on seven altars to entice God. When he went anyway, an angel with a sword stopped his donkey. Numbers 31:15 speaks of trespass, unfaithful act, treachery. Balaam’s advice was to tempt Israel/idol-worship.
Additionally there is reference to Nicolaitans. They were seen at Ephesus (2:6). “Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans.” Perhaps Ephesus 4:14-5:12 “Every wind of doctrine” [and] 5:11 “have no fellowship [with] the unfruitful works of darkness.”
Kiddo, one of the great Greek scholars, is quoted by Robert Mounce (New International Committee [panel that published the NIV translation]) “. . . the church’s (Pergamos) path lay between 2 deadly giants: legalism [with] its exaltation of trivialities and [Pharisees’] insistence on codes of rules, and antinomianism which in its reliance upon a devoted spirit insisted upon freedom from the tyranny of legal precepts and prohibitions.” The church was being tempted to be like the world. Don’t expect them to change, we must.
IV. Finally, a Reminder of Individual Christian Duty. V16 “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
As at Ephesus, they were to repent. The problem at Ephesus was a correct but unloving spirit. Here, the error pervading the church went unchallenged. Will the real church please stand up? (Stand out?)
The weapon that is threatened against them is the same by which they were to be defended. The “sword of my mouth” cannot be other than the word of God through Jesus. 1:15 “Out of his mouth came a double-edged sword.” 19:15 “Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword; that with it he should smite the nations. The sword of Rome has been put to use. The text tells of Antipas. History tells us of Polycarp (1) at Smyrna, others. With the sword of His mouth, the Gospel, Christ won the battle for Antipas, all the others.
Finally, to the one overcoming, there are two great hidden promises. The hidden manna—a Jewish tradition held that when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed, the manna secreted there (Exodus 16:32f, Hebrews 9:4) [was] taken by Jeremiah and hidden (II Maccabees) which was to be revealed/Messiah. The white stone—a small stone mined near Pergamos and used throughout the Empire: Tried and acquitted of crime; freed from slavery; victor in the games; warrior home from the wars.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
1 Bettenson, H. (Ed.), (1967) Documents of the Christian Church (1st edition). Oxford: Oxford University.
343 THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Scripture Revelation 1:1-20 Orig. 6/14/1964
Rewr. 1/24/1989
Passage:
Prologue
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Greetings and Doxology
4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[b]
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c]
So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
John’s Vision of Christ
9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[d] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels[e] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
Purpose: Beginning a text book study of Revelation for an adult Church Training class, here describing introductory materials
Keywords: Bible Study Lordship of Christ Revelation
Letters to the Seven Churches
Timeline/Series: Revelation Letters to the Seven Churches
Introduction
Our purpose is two-fold. One, we want to study the Book of Revelation. We want to look at this material from the perspective with which it touches our lives, the lives of believers in the very late 20th century. Two, we want to be aware of the variances that exist in study materials relating to this book.
Is it important? The answer to that is easy. Yes!! And it doubtless will become more important, if not to us, to our children and grandchildren As in all apocalyptic material, the end-result is hope. It has been our very good fortune to live during a very stable time. Though there have been wars, and these shall continue, they have touched our lives only indirectly. Except by the intervention of God, they likely will affect our children’s lives in disturbing ways.
Someone defines this book in a very unique way. I am paraphrasing what I remember from years ago. The Bible is a sentence of God’s revelation of Himself to people. The promise of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament is the subject of the sentence. The predicate is found in God’s activity at the cross as revealed in the gospels. The object of the sentence is seen in the lives of the disciples. Revelation is the period at the end of the sentence. With the closing of the Book of Revelation is the closing of God’s message of self-revelation, and man’s final inducement to hope.
I. The Place to Begin is to Find Out What We Can about the Book. V1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant.”
Point number one has to do with authorship. John is mentioned as the one who receives the revelation. He is not the author. He is the agent. There are various ascriptions to agency: KJV—Revelation of St. John the Divine; ASV—Revelation of John; RSV/TEV—Revelation to John; NIV—Revelation.
John was therefore the scribe, clerk. Does this self-identification hold true? Typically, famous heroes’ names are given with apocalyptic literature. Is it the John we know or some other? John writes in his own name; similarities with gospel, epistemology. John had seen the humiliation, he would be the likely one to behold the glory. (A36p360) He heard parables with his heart; he viewed coming glory same. He listened, and wrote, as the message was revealed. The problem relative to style is resolved at Patmos. Similarities (theology, Christology). No amanuensis to smooth writing.
V9, “I, John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” He was there because of his faithfulness to the word, and to Jesus. Exile is the word that comes to mind.
II. A Writer Precludes a Precedent. V3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear.” And v4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia.” The seven churches were departure points. They were the churches on the great Roman road in Asia Minor. Not the only churches, they were key. They are represented in order from Ephesus. The “all” however, clearly shows that this message will transcend these localized congregations. Immediately: to outlying churches; Directly: through missionary travels; Consequently: through placement in canon.
III. Neither is there Reason to Spend Much Time Deliberating Date.
There is no supporting scripture. That it was John gives approximation; that it was apocalyptic suggests that it was during time of turmoil.
There is external evidence. Irenaeus, a second century bishop, advised A.D. 90-95, which history records as a time of persecution. Contemporary evangelical scholarship agrees with this time of [Emperor] Domitian.
Some, however, hold to an earlier date such as the time of Nero (late 60s). This was also a time of persecution.
IV. We are Brought Next to Consideration of the Message Itself. V1 “Things which must shortly come to pass.” V1 “The revelation . . . signified.” V19-20 “Write what you have seen, what is, what will be: the mystery.”
Look for a moment at a two-part outline.
· Part 1—(a) Christ and his churches, Chapters 1-3; (b) A vision of heaven, Chapters 4-5; (c) The seven seals, Chapters 6-7; (d) Complete overthrow and destructions of world ideals and institutions, and the dominion of Christ, Chapters 8-11
· Part II—(a) The Messianic period, Chapters 12-14; (b) The seven bowls, Chapters 15-16; (c) The fall of Babylon (or Rome), or final destruction of evil, Chapters 17-18; (d) The coming of the Lord, Chapter 19; (e) Millenium/end of world, Chapter 20; (f) The consummation, Chapters 21-22.
A quick look at word meanings. (a) Revelation (apokálupsis): an uncovering, an unveiling of what has been hidden. Luke 2:32 “a light to (lighten) the gentiles.” Romans 16:25 “. . . the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the (revelation) of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” (b) Signify (sēmaino): make known by signs. Used three times in John’s gospel—12:33, 18:32, 21:19.
An interesting sidelight [Genesis v Revelation]:
Genesis—Creation of Heaven and Earth
Revelation (21:1)—Creation of new Heaven and Earth
Genesis---Earthly paradise lost
Revelation—God’s paradise revealed, tree and river of life
Genesis—First man, Adam and Eve
Revelation (21-22; I Corinthians 15:47)—Second man, Christ/bride
Genesis (22:7)—Beginning of sin
Revelation (20:14)—Satan cast into lake of fire; death and hades
Genesis—First acts of sin
Revelation (11:15, 19:11f)—Final punishment
Genesis—Rise of Babel
Revelation (18:21)—Destruction of Babylon
Genesis (4:17)—City of Man
Revelation—City of God; great city (21:10), holy city (21/22)
Genesis—Sorrow, pain, death
Revelation (7:17, 21:4)--Opposite
The establishment of Revelation as prophecy. 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy.” 22:7 “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
Prophecy—propheteia: to speak forth.
By definition—(a) not primarily “foretelling”; (b) declaration of what cannot be known through natural means; (c) forth-telling of the will of God. (d) Contemporarily, prophecy relates to what is known, I Corinthians 13:8,9.
Conclusion
There is a shift in Revelation relative to Rome. Where before she is seen as benefactor (Corinth, Acts 18:1f, and Ephesus, Acts 19:13f), now she is enemy. Caesar worship is the reason. Obligatory to pronounce “Caesar is Lord.”
IN THE DINING ROOM
Evening Worship
COMMUNION
April 2, 1978 Seven-thirty p.m.
PRELUDE OF SILENCE
Organ Prelude
“Bring Back the Springtime” Kurt Kaiser
Call to Praise
Hymn 166
“At Calvary” CALVARY
Prayer Pastor
Greeting our Guests/Opportunities for Service Pastor
Hymn 252
“Let Us Break Bread Together” BREAK BREAD
Offertory Hymn
“Jesus Paid It All” ALL TO CHRIST
Offertory Prayer
The Presentation of our Offerings
Offertory
“Unworthy” STANPHILL
Scripture LUKE 22:7-13
7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed. 8. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10. And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entering into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? 12. And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.
Journey to Dining Room for Observance of Lord’s Supper
#704 IN THE DINING ROOM
Communion
Orig. Date 4/2/1978
Series: Communion Lord’s Supper
Let Us Break Bread Together 252
Solo and Congregation: “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know”
There have been names that I have loved to hear.
But never has there been a name so dear
To this heart of mine, as the name divine.
The precious, precious name of Jesus.
Chorus:
Jesus is the sweetest name I know,
And He’s just the same as His lovely name.
And that’s the reason why I love Him so;
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
And some day I shall see Him face to face
To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace,
Which He gave to me, when He made me free,
The blessed Son of God called Jesus.
Hymn: “Amazing Grace” 165
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Scripture: I John 4:7-11
7. Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Sharing of Testimonies
Chorus: “God is So Good.”
God is so good, God is so good,
God is so good, He’s so good to me.
Scripture: I Corinthians 10:16-17, 21; 11:27-29
10:16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17. For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 21. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 11:27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” 111
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Scripture I Corinthians 11:23-24
23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: This do in remembrance of me.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of Bread
Hymn: “Break Thou the Bread of Life” 178
Break thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me,
As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth That saveth me;
Give me to eat and live With Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy Truth, For thou art love.
Scripture: Mark 14:22
And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body,
Eating of the Bread
Scripture: I Corinthians 11:25-26
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
Prayer of Blessing
Sharing of the Cup
Hymn: “At the Cross” 157
Alas, and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I?
At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.
Scripture: Matthew 26:27-28
27. And he took the up, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Drinking of the Cup
Scripture: John 13:34-35
34. A new commandment I give unto ye, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Hymn: “I Love Thee” 75
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee my Lord:
I love Thee, my Saviour, I love Thee my God:
I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;
But how much I love Thee my actions will show.
Our Master hath told us to follow His steps
To love one another, forgive and forget,
To reach out, to follow, are His chief commands,
If we’ll only let Him, He’ll touch through our hands.
Now let us as Christians show others our love
And follow the sample of our Lord above.
As His Holy Spirit works through us each day
We’ll praise Him, We’ll praise Him both now and for aye.
Scripture: Matthew 26:30
30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie” 256
Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
. . . Amen
HOLY SPIRIT TRUTHS
#694 HOLY SPIRIT TRUTHS
Scripture John 20:21-22; Luke 3:16 NIV Orig. Date 2/2/1978
Passage:
Luke 3:16 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.”
John 20:21-22 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Purpose: To direct attention to the various aspects of consideration relative to the Holy Spirit, and the specific truths needed to be understood in the life of the Christian.
Keywords: Holy Spirit Gift of Gifts Fruit Filling
Introduction
Charles Swindoll: “I heard some time ago about a couple of nuns who worked as nurses in a hospital. They ran out of gas while driving to work one morning. A service station was nearby but had no container in which to put the needed gasoline. One of the women remembered she had a bedpan in the trunk of the car. The gas was put into the pan and they carried it very carefully back to the car.
“As the nuns were pouring the gasoline from the bedpan into the gas tank, two men were driving by. They stared in disbelief. Finally, one said to the other, ‘Now Fred, that's what I call faith!’
“It appeared to be foolish. Trouble was, those doubters just didn't have the facts. And were they ever surprised when those nuns went ripping by them on the freeway!”
Every person who has ever labored as an achiever has faced a time and circumstance when he realized that he needed additional resources if he were to succeed. Every profession has only a limited number of super-stars. Others succeed because they find a source of strength which simply enables them to achieve, sometimes far beyond their capability. Our proper identification of and with Holy Spirit truth is the means whereby Christians (at least some) are able to serve God and man beyond the enablement of their own resource.
My wife and daughters have become interested of late in the writings of Elisabeth Elliot(1). You may recall the name Jim Elliot, her late husband, as the name of one of several missionaries who were killed by the Auca Indians in Brazil. Through the writings of Mrs. Elliot, the full story of her husband’s life, and death have been shared with the Christian community.
Had Jim Elliot left a will to be probated and divided among his heirs, not many people would have been impressed. He had little of this world’s goods. He had so much of God’s power, however, that the very Indians who felled him were themselves later converted to tell the whole story. His was a dream energized by the Holy Spirit, to love the very people who were waiting to ambush and kill him and the others.
The same Holy Spirit who energized her husband, enabled Elisabeth Elliot to continue his work, and then write about what he had been under the intriguing title, Through Gates of Splendor. Perhaps one brief line from Elliot’s diary depicts the Holy Spirit’s control in his life. He wrote, “He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
The Bible teaches us Holy Spirit truths. If we would gain the richest resource for the Christian life, it must be by appropriating these truths to our lives.
I. The Gift of the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit Himself. Acts 2:38 KJV Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You may look all you please at the newer versions for variances on this text, and all that you will find different, is that the Holy Ghost is called Holy Spirit.
There must first be genuine repentance. Then, a covenant of trust that eventuates in baptism. In this inter-woven act of faith that is repentance, baptism, remission of sin, there is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Please do not make the mistake of presuming that the Holy Spirit is a non-entity in unbelievers. John 1:12-13, . . . he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Let me, on the subject of this Holy Spirit truth, share two all-encompassing guidelines. (1)Don’t let the experience of other people interpret the Bible for you. Let the Bible speak to you of the kind of experience God wants for you. (2)Remember, it is never a question of how much of the Holy Spirit you have. It is how much of you He has.
II. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are Gifts of Divine Initiative. Hebrews 2:3-4 . . . deliverance was first announced through the lips of the Lord himself; . . . and God added His testimony by signs, by miracles, by manifold works of power, and by distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit at (according to) His own will. NEB
The summum bonum of these gifts is, of course, salvation. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 6:23, The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Of exceeding importance however, is our comprehension of individual spiritual gifts given at the discretion of God to the believer at the outset of faith.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
(1)Elliot, E. (2010). Through Gates of Splendor: The Event That Shocked the World, Changed a People, and Inspired a Nation. Hendrickson Publishers.
PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
#865 (w 781d) PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
Scripture I John 5:15, NIV Orig. Date 5-21-1980
Rewr. Dates 1-6-1991
Passage: 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Purpose: Share a Sunday night with my people to encourage them in understanding some of the ways by which God leads His children.
Keywords: Will of God Guidance Series: Prayer
Cross reference: #781d
Introduction
Charles Hadden Spurgeon was a man of rare gift in relation to following the guidance of God in his life. Not only was he the outstanding evangelist preacher of his day, several other notable ministries were performed through the church he served.
After touring a series of Baptist churches, preaching in most of them, he collected funds from many of these churches to use in an orphanage run by his own church. On the way back to London, he perceived the Lord had spoken to him about these very funds. Instead of using them in London, he was to give them to his friend, George Muller who ran an orphanage in Bristol. He said that he resisted these instructions, but finally, relented and did what he thought he was to do.
When he delivered the funds to Muller, his friend explained to him a pressing need of the very amount now in his possession. Even though he was surrendering needed capital, Spurgeon1 rejoiced with his friend over this met need. Arrived back in London, he found an envelope on his desk containing a sum greater than he had given away that was to be used in his own work. Spurgeon felt that God had honored his obedience. Had he not been faithful in what he had been called upon to do, these larger funds would not have come to him at all.
How do we develop the attributes in our own lives that enable us to know what God expects of us?
I. First, a Word about Seeking Guidance. I John 5:15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”
The appropriate beginning place is prayer, E.W. Kenyon: “Prayer is simply talking it over with Him, getting His views, His will, His plan, and our carrying out these plans, with His grace, ability, and wisdom.”
Prayer is not intended to be a one-sided conversation. Call someone on the telephone, the receiver is lifted, yet no one talks. Attempt to talk with someone who has lost their voice box. Dad struggled with that time when the doctor wanted to remove voice box.
God is not interested in being a voiceless co-respondent. He intends to hear us. It is His will for us to hear Him.
We are to pursue the will of God through the following means. The will of God is made known in the Word of God. Deuteronomy 7:11, “Thou shalt keep the commandments which I command thee this day.” They were given
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
1Spurgeon, C.H. (1889) The Lamb in Glory, from Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Volume 35.
KNOWING GOD’S WILL
#781d (w 865) KNOWING GOD’S WILL
Scripture I John 5:14, KJV Orig. Date 5-21-1980
Passage: 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.
Prayer—E.W. Kenyon—“Prayer is simply talking it over with Him, getting His views, His will, His plan, and our carrying out these plans, with His grace, ability, and wisdom.” In His Presence.
Cross reference #865
I. Seeking Guidance.
1-The will of God is made known in God’s Word. Deuteronomy 7:11 Thou shalt keep the commandments, which I command thee this day. The Ten Commandments—Exodus 20. 2 Peter 1:21 “. . . Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
2-The will of God is made known by circumstance—An open door, or a closed one; confirmation by another person; fleece—Judges 6.
3-The will of God is made known by the Holy Spirit. John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with.”
II. Principles of Divine Guidance.
1-It is possible to hear God’s voice. (It is basic to any understanding of guidance that we can know God’s will.) Colossians 1:9,”. . . that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will.” They are to live differently. Ephesians 4:20, “Ye have not so learned Christ.” Ephesians 5:9, 10, 9 “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” I Peter 2:15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Illustration of the blind woman from LaMancha in Madrid, looking for evangelical church. In prayer she is directed to a bus. A woman sits beside her who is going to that church. Gutenberg illustration: “To work then! God has revealed to me the secret that I demanded of Him.”
2-The purpose of all guidance is to become more intimate with Christ as Lord. Rosalind Rinker—We need to learn to pray in His presence and let Him speak with us, to be in tune with Him until we are willing to hear what He has to say to us. So close to Jesus when He calls my name. Every day with Him in heaven will be the ___. Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” No further in Christian life, and in relationship to God, than we go in prayer.”
3-The place from which God speaks is the place where He dwells. He speaks from dark curtain of anonymity, He speaks in judgment from lofty throne. He speaks in companionship from within. Luke 17:21, “The kingdom of God is within.” I Corinthians 6:19, “Ye are the temple of God.”
4-The Holy Spirit is the voice of all true guidance, John 16:13, “When he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you to all truth.”
5-God’s Word is the final judge in all guidance. Satan does not want you to do God’s will. 2 Peter 1:17, “there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory.” V 19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” 2 Peter 1:17 and Matthew 17:5, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Spurgeon’s2 illustration of the angel’s announcement that his name is in the Lamb’s book of life.
In the instance before us, the strong angel had proclaimed with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” And there was no response from heaven, or earth, or hell. No man was able to open the book, neither to look therein. The divine decrees must remain for ever sealed in mystery unless the once slain Mediator shall take them from the hand of God, and open them to the sons of men. When no one could do this, John wept much. At that grave moment the Lamb appeared. Old Master Trapp says, “Christ is good at a dead lift”; and it is so. When there is utter failure everywhere else, then in him is our help found. If there could have been found another bearer of sin, would the Father have given his Only-Begotten to die? Had any other been able to unfold the secret designs of God, would he not have appeared at the angel’s challenge? But he that [he who] came to take away the sin of the world now appears to take away the seals which bind up the eternal purposes. O Lamb of God, thou art able to do what none beside may venture to attempt! Thou comest forth when no one else is to be found. Remember, next time you are in trouble, that when no man can comfort and no man can save, you may expect the Lord, the ever-sympathetic Lamb of God, to appear on your behalf. –Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Lamb in Glory”, July 14, 1889, Revelation 5:6-7
6-Guidance, from God, is always accompanied by God’s peace. James 3:17 LB, “But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness.” Matthew 18:19, “If two of you on earth agree (symphōneo) about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
7-God speaks through various means. Cloud. Still, small voice. “Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
8-Most guidance from God comes unawares but not unsought. Psalm 25:9 KJV “The meek will He guide in judgment.” Isaiah 45:2-5, 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me…
9-There are various sources for guidance, but only one is dependable. God/flesh/Satan. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
10-Hearing God speak must prompt to action. Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I: Send me.”
11-Divine Guidance Comes from Meeting God’s Conditions. George Muller (“How George Muller Started His Day”): i-Begin by getting heart [to a] state where I have no will. ii-Refuse to leave the result to feeling. iii-Seek the will of the Spirit through the Word of God. iv-Consider providential circumstances. v-Ask God in prayer to reveal His will alright. vi-Through prayer, the study of the word, and reflection, judge accordingly.
12-Divine guidance does not mean that we will know the future. Mumford, “Take another look at guidance.” Little boy watching parade of circus through a knothole in the fence. Clown happiness/lion fear—friend calls to him from a rooftop. But we are not spectators in life, we are participants. God has willed that we will know His will as seeing it in brief.
13-Guidance is not always pleasant. Isaiah 55:8,9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.
14-Guidance is a skill to be learned.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON IS PERSONAL COMMENTS
FILED AT “RANDOM FINDINGS”***
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1-Kenyon, E.W. (1969) In His Presence. Lynnwood, WA: Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society.
2-Spurgeon, C.H. (1889) The Lamb in Glory, from Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Volume 35.
THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF EASTER
#372 THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF EASTER
Scripture John 20:11-18, NIV Orig. Date 3-26-1967
Rewr. Dates 3-1978, 3-19-1989
Passage: 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Purpose: To share an Easter message exemplifying the hope that is in our Christ.
Keywords: Christ, Saviour Easter Hope Resurrection Special Day, Easter
Introduction
There have been times over the years when I was the first to leave the scene of someone’s darkest hour. Other times I have lingered at the grave-site following a committal service. Occasionally, I have even returned with the family to the family home.
I have watched bereaved and broken-hearted people shuffling away from some flower-bedecked grave. The flowers, for all their beauty, did not change in one iota, all that that grave represented. I have seen men and women leaning heavily on the stronger arms of some other loved one because the grief had sapped all strength.
“Oh, ‘tis the pang severest
That human hearts can know,
To lay what we hold dearest
Thus, in the dust below.”--unknown
A painting pictures Mary Magdalene in such an hour as this. It is called The Return from Calvary. Mary Magdalene and another woman, Mary (Zebedee’s wife), Salome, Joanna, we are not told which. Grief is etched on Mary Magdalene’s face. Despondency is her destination.. Against the horizon, in the background of the picture can be seen the three crosses of Calvary. When first mentioned (Luke 8:2f) she is identified as one “out of whom went seven devils.” Jesus had occupied such a special place in her life. Now what?
As another has written that it was she:
“Who while apostles shrank, could dangers brave
Last at His cross, and earliest at His grave.”—Eaton Standard Barrett, 1786-1820
Those who went out on that first Easter morning did not know what Easter was. Too many still are not so certain of the meaning, of the “dawning of the age of Easter.”
I. The Dawning of Easter Confirms the Lordship of Christ. V16 “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Mary.’ She turned herself and saith unto him, ‘Rabboni.’” Other passages confuse us in the failure of disciples to recognize Jesus. Was it the semi-darkness of first light? Did tears distort her first look? Were their recollections altered by what they had seen of Him on the cross?
Make no mistake, this is the One who had lived among them as the Son of God. V17 “I ascend to my Father, . . . and to my God.” What Mary doesn’t need, and Jesus doesn’t impart is some well-intentioned philosophy. We have mentioned her “seven devils.” They could be medically derived. She could have been a social outcast. Likely, the problem was sin. I heard Dennie Duron tell about the conversion of a former team-mate during surgery for a self-inflicted gun-shot wound.
Whatever else it means, here is a woman of checkered past into whose life Jesus came.
Now Jesus is dead. What is left? No words will still the torrent in her breast. Times Picayune (3-23-1978): Killed cancer-stricken wife, then himself. Note: “I had rather spend eternity in hell, than see her spend another day in her hell.”
She waits for some hope that is equal to her grief. Uncle Tom had been sold and was on his way to Simon Lagree’s death farm. Reading scripture to a slave who could not read. Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all.” Slave: “Them’s good words, but who sez ‘em?”
Only God’s Son and Consort would dare to brig such outcasts into the Father’s presence. V17 (again) “I ascend unto . . . your Father, . . . and your God.” The One He called Father, He identified as her Father, also. Thus is the ascension of Christ surety for the believer.
II. The Dawning of Easter Declares Jesus Alive. V12 “Two angels in white sitting . . . where the body of Jesus had lain.” You see, we are not merely left an empty tomb. As important as burial places are. The tomb of Abraham has been a revered place among Hebrews for 4,000 years. Mohammed’s shrine has been marked in Medina since June 8, 632 A.D. Lenin’s tomb bears the inscription “He was the saviour.” But the empty tomb of Jesus brought no comfort to Mary Magdalene.
By His appearance to the disciples, Jesus showed Himself alive. What an impact those appearances had on the disciples. Cleopas: “Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake?” (Luke 24;32). “The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord” John 20:20. “Peter cast himself into the sea” John 21:7.
John 21:24 “This is the disciple which beareth witness of these things: and we know that his witness is true.”
Picture, then, what his sudden appearance would mean to Mary Magdalene. V15 “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” Tears of sincere remorse and conviction do not go unnoticed. Revival for most churches, believers, awaits such contrition. Every pastor’s burden is, “Is it something I lack?” It was to comfort such grief that Christ came. V15 “Tell me where thou has laid him and I will take him away.” The empty tomb has not assuaged. An unknown Jesus has not comforted.
In speaking her name, she at once sees. V16 “Mary!” “Rabboni! which is to say ‘Master.’” The flush of recognition pierces her broken spirit. So poignant the sound of her own name that the cobwebs are driven from her brain.
It is the intent of Christ, through his Holy Spirit to verify Lordship, Life today. V17 “Go to the brethren. Tell them I ascend to my Father, and your Father.” See v23.
III. The Dawning of Easter Evokes His Purpose—Provides the Resurrection. V17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father.” Up to now, they had been able to love Him as one whose physical presence was known. Mary reaches out to touch Him as she has done before. In the dark defile the shepherd does not lead, but accompanies the sheep. The staff is the extension of his hand.
It is for reason other than rebuke that Jesus denies her touch. Remember, the first Easter service was not to Peter and John. They had been there but are now returned to their homes (v10). It is to Mary Magdalene that He has made His presence known. Mark 16:9 “He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.” Faith in one’s living Lord must be paramount. Touch is not necessary.
The Holy Spirit’s ministry throughout the ages has been to manifest a living Lord. To this end, Jesus lived His life with the cross ever before Him. His ministry was among the people with whom He lived. The Holy Spirit would broaden that outreach to touch all ages. John 16:7 “. . . it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Conclusion
A story is told of a wealthy merchant whose friend and acquaintance of many years had come to a destitute condition. The merchant was moved with pity at the plight of his friend and determined to do what he could to help. He chose a trusted servant and sent him to the man’s home with gifts, and with a sealed envelope.
The man was out, himself seeking some relief from his dire circumstance. His wife received the offerings of friendship. The gifts were applied to household needs of which there were many. The envelope she placed among her husband’s private papers. At the merchant’s death she inquired. Found: a blank check, the account now closed. Have we acted on God’s benevolence?