July 26, 2020 Sermon Notes

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THE BOOK OF REVELATION

( Positioned to hear from God - July 26, 2020)



Series Big Idea: "God has revealed His plans for the consummation of human history"

Sermon Big Idea: "We are in the best position to hear from God when we are regularly experiencing Spirit-led worship"


Key Scripture (Revelation 1:9-20)


 Introduction

(Revelation 1:9-20)

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12 I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven gold lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe and with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool—white as snow —and His eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and His voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in His right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth, and His face was shining like the sun at midday. 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. 19 Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. 20 The secret of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven gold lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.


These verses say that the Apostle John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" when he received a vision of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. And what an awesome vision it was! We can't be absolute, but most scholars believe John was in an attitude and posture of worship possibly on the first day of the week (Lord's Day), which would be Sunday. He said he saw a vision of Christ which means Jesus could have put John in a spiritual trance, hence the word "vision."


John's instructions were to send the testimony of this vision to the seven churches that were in a place called Asia Minor, or what we call modern day Turkey. So, when these churches received this letter of Revelation, they too would be in a worship setting much like ours right now where the letter would be read aloud. The letter was possibly read as part of worship in the early Church.


Although John was imprisoned on this isle of Patmos, he was still worshiping daily. Worship would have prepared John to receive this vision of Christ. As you will see, worship plays a major role throughout this entire book.


For us today my friends, corporate worship is not optional. Why? Why can't you and I just choose when we are going to worship Him and when we are not? Because genuine discipleship flows out of hearts that are cleansed and made full in Spirit-powered worship.


"We are best able to hear from God, to receive an eternal perspective, and to experience a little taste of heaven when we make Spirit-led worship a priority in our lives."

Conclusion

I always ask you if you are right with God, but while I was preparing for this message God began to speak to me about my own level of commitment to Him. I want to be found faithful when Jesus returns don't you? I want to serve Him, love Him, and worship Him. At times I know I may even have to suffer because of Him.


Has His Word spoken to your heart about your own walk with Him today? If so why don’t you choose today to follow Him. If you are already a follower of Christ then commit your life back to Him today. 


Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:


Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible



The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck


The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith


Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 


Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.


NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.


NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson


Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.


Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2016. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Easley, Kendell. Revelation. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Keener, Craig. Revelation: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.


Patterson, Paige. Volume 39: Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 


Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.


Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.


James H. Bolick, Sermon Outlines from the Word, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), 8.


Carr, Alan. Revelation. Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 



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