Repent & Glorify God

July 7, 2024

Revelation 16:1-21 — God’s judgments are true and just because He is holy and righteous. His judgments serve as a warning and call people to repentance. They also encourage the believers to remain faithful. However, the unbelievers refuse to repent, and as their opposition to God intensifies, his wrath on them intensifies. The plagues of the seven bowls are comprehensive and bring history and the created world as we know it to an end. This is God’s final judgment, and with these, it is done. He accomplished his purposes. He saves and restores his people, and He destroys evil. We don’t know when this final end will come. Only God knows. We are called to repent and to remain awake and faithful so that we will be ready when our Lord returns.

This is part of our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Baptism

June 30, 2024

Matthew 28:18-20 & Romans 6:1-11 — As we will be baptizing some people today, we focus on baptism. What is baptism and why do we baptize?

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SUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Holy Is the Lord God Almighty

June 23, 2024

Revelation 15:1-8 — God alone is holy. Therefore, his deeds are great and amazing, and his ways are just and true. Because God is holy, his judgment is right and just. As the holy righteous God, he cannot stand sin, wickedness, and evil. Because God is holy, just, and true, he also saves his people who have been victorious by remaining faithful to Jesus. The final judgment of the unbelievers and the world is, at the same time, the salvation of his holy people. We have nothing to fear since the last word of history is with the Lord God and his Christ.

This is part of our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

June 16, 2024

Revelation 14:14-20 — The reaping of the earth’s harvest will happen when our Lord returns. There will be two harvests. The Son of Man, the Risen Christ, will reap the harvest of salvation and gather in all God’s holy people, the believers. The second, the harvest of judgment, will gather all the unbelievers who will experience God’s wrath. Will we be wheat that is reaped and stored in the barns of God’s kingdom? Or will we be grapes that are gathered and crushed in the winepress of God’s wrath? Until that day, Jesus sent us into his harvest field to bring people into the kingdom.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Blessed Are the Dead!?

June 9, 2024

Revelation 14:6-13 — God will judge the world systems and nations who give allegiance to the dragon and his beasts, to all who oppose God and his kingdom rule. But He will give an eternal reward to the faithful who persevere through oppression and persecution. The eternal gospel is proclaimed to all people everywhere. It calls people to fear, worship, and glorify the one true God. It warns of the coming judgment. It calls and encourages God’s holy people to endurance, faith, and obedience. Remaining faithful, they will receive their eternal reward.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Follow the Lamb to Stand with the Lamb

June 2, 2024

Revelation 14:1-5 — Is it worthwhile to follow the Lamb and endure persecution, suffering, and possible death in this world? Yes, it is. This vision shows us the end where all God’s holy people will stand with the Lamb, the risen and exalted Jesus, in the new creation. There we will worship God in awesome glory and splendor. We will experience inexpressible and incomparable joy. We will have eternal rest from our labor. Evil will not triumph, and God will not abandon or forget his people. The Lamb purchased, redeemed, and sealed us with His Name. We belong to Him. This vision encourages and motivates us to endure faithfully by following Jesus in this life and this world.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Choose the Lamb!

May 26, 2024

Revelation 13:11-18 — The monster from the earth is the false prophet that deceives the earth dwellers and induces false worship by forcing them to worship the first beast from the sea and so to worship the dragon. Every person belongs to someone. The question is whether one bears the name of the true God or the name of a counterfeit. Do we have the mark of the Lamb or the beast? There is no room for neutrality or sitting on the fence. We must decide between following Jesus or the ways of the world. We choose Christ fully aware of the consequences of this decision, but we endure patiently because we know that bearing the mark of the Lamb, we will enter His new creation.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02
Patient Endurance & Faithfulness

May 19, 2024

Revelation 12:18-13:10 — The cosmic battle continues. The dragon summons the monster from the sea and gives his power, throne, and authority to it. The beast represents all the forces, powers, empires, rulers, and antichrists throughout history that do the devil’s work until the end by misleading, oppressing, and killing people. Although Christ's death and resurrection dealt the beast a mortal wound, it deceives the world. It seems incomparable and unconquerable in the eyes of the unbelievers on earth. The monster leads them into blasphemy, false worship, and idolatry. The believers, the holy people of God, are reminded that God is in sovereign control. He is the One who gives the beast authority and allows it to do what it does only for a limited period of time. God’s plan for the Lamb’s victory and the salvation of his people has been in place before the creation of the world. We are exhorted to be discerning about falsehood, not to participate in false worship, and to get rid of our idols. We are given hope and encouraged to endure patiently and remain faithful even when we face persecution, imprisonment, or death.

We resume our series on the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! Too many resources were used in this series to list them all. However, the following source shaped this series and the content of the sermons extensively: Thomas R. Schreiner, Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023). The following key resources were also used — Craig R. Koester, Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, ed. John J. Collins, vol. 38A, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2014); Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone, For Everyone Bible Study Guides (London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox, 2011); Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018); McKnight, Scot; Matchett, Cody. Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple (Zondervan. Kindle Edition); G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 1999); Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002).

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End Times, Eschatology, RevelationSUCCTag 01, Tag 02