The sermon was based on Revelation 1:9-19. Click below to open the entire text.
Revelation 1:9-19
9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.
10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast.
11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands.
13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.
14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.
15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves.
16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.
18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
19 “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Live in the Resurrection Power!
Question: How many days does it take to celebrate the Resurrection?
We have reached the tipping point where more people attend church on Christmas Eve than on Easter Sunday?
But the church didn’t celebrate Christmas until the 3rd century! The early church’s focus was on the resurrection.
Why do we focus more on the baby in the manger than on the risen Christ? Why is it that we focus more on the crucifixion than on the resurrection? Jesus isn’t our Suffering Servant today; He’s the risen glorious God! Without the resurrection, Jesus is just another misguided martyr. The resurrection shows that God has power over life and death.
The early church focused on the resurrection; that’s why they met on Sunday (the first day of the week)- that’s when Jesus arose. Check out Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2. Going to “Church” on Sunday (or the “Lord’s day”) isn’t just a modern invention. We go to church because Christ arose. Because He’s there to infuse us with resurrection power and because we expect to meet Him.
Our focus should be on the Glorified Resurrected Christ. We can’t die His death. In fact, even He can’t die it again. Jesus died so that we don’t have to.
And yet, when Jesus said “It is finished” in John 19:30, He didn’t say “I am finished.” No. His work of transforming, sanctifying grace is always at work. Jesus’ death brought on the resurrection which is the beginning, not the end! True, you must go through the cross to get to the empty tomb, but the empty tomb is where our power is. With the Holy Spirit, Jesus always stands in our midst to “infuse us with the resurrection power.” He is always with us to empower us to do His will and to glorify His Father.
What would You Do if Jesus Came to Church Today?
What would you do if Jesus suddenly slipped into the back door of our sanctuary???
- Offer Him your pew??? Pray He doesn’t sit next to you???
- Secretly judge Him for wearing a robe and sandals or for having long hair???
- Be afraid???
- Bow down in reverence???
Well here’s the thing: He IS here right now! In Matthew 18:20 Jesus said that He would be there when we gather in His name. In verse 13 of today’s reading, Jesus is among the lampstands (the churches). In verse 16 He holds the seven starts (those who proclaim God’s Word). Jesus is among us to infuse us with His resurrection power.
John was in prison; in exile. But “on the Lord’s day” he was in an attitude of worship, and the Lord showed up. He was expecting God to touch him. What’s our attitude when we come to worship???
[Hmmm… maybe that’s why we list the scripture and sermon title on the home page of our website?]
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v13: and standing among them was one who looked like Jesus, who called himself the Son of Man, wearing a long robe circled with a golden band across his chest.
Jesus knows what’s happening in HIS church. He’s standing among His people (like a shepherd) guiding them and protecting them. The gates of hell will not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18). In the middle of fear, in the middle of uncertainty, Jesus shows up.
v14: His hair was white as wool or snow, and his eyes penetrated like flames of fire.
Matthew 17:2-3 describes Jesus’ appearance during the Transfiguration. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. The description there is very similar to the one we see here in Revelation.
When Moses emerged from his meeting with God, his face glowed (Exodus 34). In much the same way, people should be able to tell when we’ve been walking with God. Something within us should flow out and look different. Seeing God brings about a deep seeded joy that should shine out. When we are transformed by the renewing of our minds, we’ll recognize that He is in our midst (Romans 12:1-2).
His Eyes are “like fire.” They’re Bright! Jesus is all knowing and He sees right through us (take a look at Jesus’ conversations with Nicodemus in John 3 or with the Samaritan woman in John 4). Jesus has a way of seeing right through people’s pretenses and cutting right to the core issues.
Jesus can look right through us and know our hearts. He understands our motives. And yet He still wants our total commitment… and that’s scary!
v15: His feet gleamed like burnished bronze, and his voice thundered like the waves against the shore.
Ever been to Niagara Falls? The roar of the falling water is deafening. And, you can’t get away from it. But there’s something soothing about it. It’s not an annoying sound. It’s strong and powerful, but you want to be around it.
v16: He held seven stars in his right hand and a sharp, double-bladed sword in his mouth, and his face shone like the power of the sun in unclouded brilliance.
The term “7 Stars” is often interpreted to mean the “pastors” of the 7 churches. But in the Greek, the word really refers to anyone who is sharing the Gospel. Jesus commanded all of us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). In that passage (“the Great Commission”) Jesus also promised to be with us always. He’s here to guide us and empower us. He holds us with His authority in His Right Hand.
He’s got us in His right hand, so why are we afraid to share the Gospel? He’s go all of us who are sharing the Gospel right here… in His Right Hand.
He commanded us to make disciples of Jesus Christ; not of a church or of a religion. He has empowered us the the Holy Spirit and with His Word (the sword which is in His mouth). No one can overcome the power of His Word (see what happened in Revelation 19:21). The same metaphor is used in Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12. The Word of God (the Bible) is like a sword that can protect us and defeat evil. It is the irresistible power and authority of God.
It might be raining on the ground, but when you reach 10,000 feet and climb over the clouds, suddenly the sun is out. Everything is pristine and beautiful, and the sun is so bright that you can’t look at it. Even though it’s raining and dark below, the power of the sun is above.
v 17-18: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead; but he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! Though I am the First and Last, the Living One who died, who is now alive forevermore, who has the keys of hell and death—don’t be afraid!
When we realize God in our lives, our reaction should be to bow down in holy reverence. God is holy and power and deserves our all in all. And yet, He loves us. He protects us. Jesus tells John, “Don’t be afraid!” Don’t worry. I have your back. Look at Me; don’t look at the “waves” or get caught up in your own failures. I am holding you. I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
When we get a handle on who this Jesus is, it gives us hope every single day.
Homework!
Pastor Jim challenged us to read this passage every single day this week, and take a few moments each day and reflect on it. Allow the Holy Spirit to paint the picture for you. When you get into a situation that’s fearful, or a situation that we don’t want- ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of this Jesus. See if it doesn’t make all the difference.
On each day of this week (Monday September 22, 2014 through Saturday September 27, 2014) the “Hot News Ticker” on the home page will give a daily reminder to read the passage. When you click on the ticker, it will take you to the passage. Each day, a different Bible version will be presented.
Quiz Time!
Just for the fun of it, try out these True/False questions. Don’t Worry- there’s no gradebook!
When you’re done, click the “Review” button to see the right answers. If you missed any questions, re-read the scripture and try it again. If you’re stuck (or disagree with the answer!), feel free to post a comment.
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