Come Out, My People!

July 28, 2024

Revelation 18:1-8 — Money, wealth, power, sexual pleasure, and self-glorification are extremely seductive and present us with overwhelming temptations to compromise our faith and loyalty to God. The fall of Babylon warns us that the godless and unbelieving world will be judged by the mighty Lord our God. God calls us to come out of Babylon, to separate ourselves from the world’s idolatries. We should not live like the world but follow the way of the Lamb. We are in the world, but we are not citizens of this world. We are sojourners traveling through this world on our way to God’s promised new creation.

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
Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and the King of kings (2)

July 21, 2024

Revelation 17:9-18 — We continue to look at Babylon, the great prostitute and the great city. It stands in contrast to the persecuted women of chapter 12 and the bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem (chapters 19 & 21), both representing God’s redeemed and faithful people. The bride endures forever while the glory of Babylon disappears quickly. With this contrast, John encourages the believers’ allegiance and faithfulness to the Lamb as his Bride. He challenges us to alienate ourselves from Babylon, the prostitute, who represents the adversaries of God. She deceives the world and the unbelievers with her promises of wealth and prosperity, but in the end, evil implodes on itself, and the fate of Babylon, the beast, their kings, and followers are sealed according to God’s purposes. Their end is destruction because the Lamb triumphs. He conquers because He is the Lord of lord and the King of kings.

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
Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords and the King of kings (1)

July 14, 2024

Revelation 17:1-8 — Babylon, the great prostitute and the great city, stands in contrast to the persecuted women of chapter 12 and the bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem (chapters 19 & 21), both representing God’s redeemed and faithful people. The bride endures forever while the glory of Babylon disappears quickly. With this contrast, John encourages the believers’ allegiance and faithfulness to the Lamb as his Bride. He challenges us to alienate ourselves from Babylon, the prostitute, who represents the adversaries of God. She deceives the world and the unbelievers with her promises of wealth and prosperity, but in the end, evil implodes on itself, and the fate of Babylon, the beast, their kings, and followers are sealed according to God’s purposes. Their end is destruction because the Lamb triumphs. He conquers because He is the Lord of lord and the King of kings.

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
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