Sermon - March 22, 2015 - The Story Week 31 - The End of Time

Does anyone remember the TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Addition?

It was a great show that aired for 9 years. Alexis used to watch it all the time and I would get sucked in. Whenever I watched it, I would be struck by the human element. I mean the house was neat but I watched to hear about the people who were getting a new home. The family being helped undoubtedly went through some tragedy, sickness, natural disaster, or a major loss. This same family also tended to be doing something to give back to the community, to make the world a better place.

One episode that I still remember to this day is a family whose house was destroyed by a tornado or hurricane whose son was now terrified of the wind. They built them a house that was round so that the wind would blow around it. You know what the dad and his brother did on the side, they were volunteer firefighters. A family who lived through a disaster and who gave back to the community.

In the show the community would pull together to tear down the old house and build a new one. There would be volunteers, local contractors, furniture stores, you name it. People came to help a family in need.

They would show bits and pieces of the home, the furnishings, and let us get to know the family. Then at the end of the show the family would show up and between them and their new home would be the big Extreme Home Makeover bus. The crowd and home owners would yell out ‘Move That Bus’ and they would get the first glimpse of their new home. That is when we see the overwhelming joy of the family as they see and enter into a new home that was tailor made just for them.

That is exactly what happens in the Book of Revelation. When your Heavenly Father unveils for you for the very first time, the place that He is creating for you. The sheer joy in that moment when every hassle, headache, heartache, you have every experienced will be gone. All that you lost for choosing to follow Jesus, would not even compare to what you have gained.

This morning we are going to look at the three things the Book of Revelation reveals to us.

The Apostle John’s original audience was to the churches that were being persecuted by the Roman Empire. It seemed like Rome was winning and it would only be a matter of time before the Christians of that day would be hunted down and imprisoned, beheaded, or crucified. Defeat and devastation felt imminent.

It appears that Rome rules the world with John in exile and all the Christians being persecuted, but that is not the case. Things are not what they seem.

The Book of Revelation presents to us the Triumphant Christ.

Revelation 1:8

“⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.”

We are assured that in the end God WINS!

The Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and the End, Jesus Christ is greater than the ‘great’ kingdom of Rome. He existed before the Roman Empire, He existed during the Roman Empire, and He still exists today centuries after the Roman Empire fell. The Almighty Jesus still exists today.

The triumphant Christ stays with His church.

Revelation 1:12-16

“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.”

The Book of Revelation is not as clear as most of us would like. I would be willing to bet everyone here has read a portion of the Book of Revelation and was left scratching their head trying to understand what it meant. The struggle is the Book of Revelation is more of a symphony than a sermon, or more like a movie than a classroom lecture. In other words it is not always clear, it is a book of sounds, images, and numbers.

For example in the verses we just read we saw ‘seven gold lampstands’ and standing among them was ‘One like the Son of Man’. What is that trying to tell us? That Jesus Christ is standing with His church.

I know, it would have been much simpler if John had written that Jesus was standing with His church, but the Book of Revelation was written as a book of pictures or images. It is not meant to be a list of what needs to be done and it does not give us a detailed description of what everything is. Instead it a book of metaphors that does require some level of imagination to understand.

One commentary I read this week said ‘we spend too much time trying to count the raindrops instead of admiring the rainbow.’ In other words we spend too much time trying to analyze every word, picture, etc... In the Book of Revelation instead of taking it for what it is. 

The scripture we just read said that Jesus was standing with 7 lampstands or churches. The number 7 is used 54 times in Revelation, why? 7 is the number of completion. In regards to the lampstands or churches, the Book of Revelation is not telling us that Jesus is only standing with 7 churches or 7 groups of churches.

In chapters 2 and 3 we see letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Are they the only churches that matter?

No, Jesus standing among His 7 churches means that He is standing with complete Church. He is standing with ALL of His churches.

The Book of Revelation presents to us the Triumphant Christ. It may not always be clear to our analytical minds, but it is in there.

The Book of Revelation presents to us the center of the universe. As much as some of the ‘famous’ people may like to think it is them. It is not people like Lindsay Lohan.

Revelation 4:1-3

“4 After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was set there in heaven. One was seated on the throne, ³ and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.”

The center of the universe is not in Hollywood, it is in heaven, and the center of heaven is a throne, and there is someone, our triumphant God, sitting on the throne.

Rome was not in control of the world, God was.

Washington, D.C.; does not run our world, God does.

God is up to something, and that something is the revelation of His glory.

Revelation 4:6-11

“⁶ Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle and around the throne. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying:

Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God, the Almighty,
who was, who is, and who is coming.

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say:

¹¹ Our Lord and God,
You are worthy to receive
glory and honor and power,
because You have created all things,
and because of Your will
they exist and were created.”

Since heaven is the center of the universe and our triumphant God is sitting on the throne at the center of heaven, the center of the universe is full of worship. Those in the presence of God are praising Him, always.

God is on the Throne! But things are going to get messy. If you keep reading in the Book of Revelation you read about problem after problem, suffering after suffering. 7 scrolls which are sealed that only Jesus can open. When Jesus opens the scroll all around will worship Him, but the plagues, problems, and struggles, will hit as the battle between God and satan plays out.

In the end we are left with the Triumphant Christ, always victorious! Think of the Lower Story plagues, disease, and death. But in the Upper Story we have God on His throne! Does not get sweeter than that. No matter what is going on, God is on His throne. There are challenges, but God always wins.

Revelation 21:1-6

“21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. ² I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

³ Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:

Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity,
and He will live with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself will be with them
and be their God.
⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist;
grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,
because the previous things have passed away.

⁵ Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” ⁶ And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. ⁷ The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.”

No matter who you are, no matter where you are from, no matter what you have done, as a child of God, a redeemed member of His family, the new heaven and new earth are for you.

The Book of Revelation and the whole Bible present the truth that God will make all things right.

In Genesis we started with creation of the heavens and earth, Revelation presents the New heavens and earth.

Genesis tells of the creation of the sun, moon, and stars, Revelation tells that there is no need of the sun because God will be the light.

Genesis tells of paradise lost, Revelation presents paradise regained.

Genesis tells us that satan was in the first garden, Revelation tells us satan is banished forever from the new garden.

Revelation promises a new heavens and earth and a new Jerusalem. The question that remains is: will you be there? Imagine an angel shouting, ‘Move that bus’. Will you enter the home prepared for you; will everything you experienced be worth it? How about your neighbor, brother, or sister? Are you confident you will see them there?

God is on the throne, He is in control, we need to do what He created us to do. We need to share His love and spread His message.

Thanks for Reading and God Bless,

Robert

Sermon - March 8, 2015 - The Story Week 30 - Paul's Final Days

Did you know that the lives of the Apostle Paul and Emperor Nero overlapped for a short period of time? In the seventh decade these two famous men both lived in the city of Rome. Nero would have been making headlines, but Paul was not. Oprah would have wanted to interview Nero. Larry King, yes he is still doing talk shows, would want Nero on his show. Nero would have dined at the white house. Simply put Nero was seen as a hero, while Paul was seen as a zero.

Paul was a stoop-shouldered, balding, crooked nose, cloudy-eyed old man. He kept talking about Jesus as if He were God or something. So, Paul was locked up in a prison in the city of Rome. If you asked anyone in Rome in the seventh decade, “Who will make the greatest impact on the world, Nero or Paul?” They would obviously pick Nero.

Nero was married to a beautiful blond knock out who bathed in donkey milk. It is said they kept four hundred donkeys on hand just so she would have plenty of milk to bathe in. She would be dried by swan feathers and massaged with crocodile mucous. Personally lost me at that one, but Nero liked soft skin and what Nero wanted, Nero got.

At the age of 25 Nero erected a 120 foot tall statue of himself. People looked up to Nero, but they looked down on Paul. Paul was a commoner in a prison and society paid him no heed.

The readings for the last two weeks have shown a lot about Paul’s life. The ups and downs, the joys and struggles. Here are Paul’s words telling of his life.

2 Corinthians 11:23-29

“²³Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. ²⁴ Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. ²⁶ On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; ²⁷ labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. ²⁸ Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?”

Sounds like a recruitment ad, NOT! When I was young in the faith I would be both amazed when reading Paul’s writing and downright scared. Throughout the New Testament we see Paul performing miracles but we also see his life on the line more than a few times. Paul’s life was blessed and challenged.

He walked in the major cities within the Roman Empire. There were times he worked in the morning as a tent maker and spoke about Jesus Christ from 11 am to 4 pm each day. He supported himself when necessary but shared the Gospel any chance he could.

As mentioned last week, Paul wrote 13 of our 27 New Testament books. Some of these were written in comfort as he stayed with friends, some were written as he traveled around the Roman country side, and some were written while he sat in prison. Regardless of when or where they were written, the words he wrote are something we treasure today.

Reading through Paul’s writings you might notice that it seems like his favorite word is Grace. He was a messenger of grace; he was God’s spokesman on grace. He used the word Grace over 100 times in his writings. Paul wanted to make sure that everyone understood the wonderful gift we have been given.   

 Romans 5:2

“² We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Paul understood grace. Even though he was a prophet and a pastor, he never forgot that the living Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He never forgot that Jesus changed him. He never forgot that even though he did not deserve it, Jesus made him an apostle and commissioned him to spread the message of Christ to the gentiles, kings, and the Israelites.

Paul understood that it was God’s grace that allowed him to live the life he was living, not that most of us would willingly sign up for it knowing what he went through.

It can also be said that Paul had an impact everywhere he went.

Acts 21-30-31

“³⁰ The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple complex, and at once the gates were shut. ³¹ As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos.”

Yes, he had an impact. Sometimes it was good and others not so much. He either inspired people to come to Christ or caused an uproar. He was beaten, thrown in prison, left for dead on more than one occasion.

Paul had this ability to face opposition, deal with rejection, and face the severe challenges in his life. How did he do it?

Paul had an ability that all of us could use. Some people are rejected by their families for following Jesus. I remember this summer hearing about a young girl who accepted Jesus and her family did not want her to go to church any more. Some of us having followed Jesus for some time, feel the isolation or rejection from friends or co workers for it. Some of us may be dealing with some relationship hardships. It could be a financial struggle, medical nightmares, or something we are dealing with that is very personal.

Knowing how Paul dealt with the struggles he faced and how he endured through them would be helpful.

2 Timothy 1:8-12

“⁸ So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. ¹⁰ This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, ¹² and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.”

What did Paul look to?

It was not a what, but a who. Paul anchored his life to a hope out of this world. He entrusted his life into the hands of God. He did not tell Timothy that things were going to be perfect, instead he told him that suffering is going to be part of the job. Accept that things will be difficult, but learn to rely on God.

Sounds like a lesson that all of could learn. We tend to get bogged down in the struggles we are facing. Several of us have had medical issues over the last year that could pull us down. Financial issues, we have all had them. Family feuds are something we all have dealt with. The loss of friends or opportunities due to the importance we place on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

How about the florist grandma in the news recently? She is a Christian who would not provide flowers to a gay wedding. She is at risk of losing her business, her savings, and her home. The courts are fining her and she is at risk of losing everything.

How do you think Paul would respond to her and to each of us? Rely on the power of God! Stand strong in your Faith!

The God that you are honoring, the God that you are being persecuted for, the God that you love is with you. He saved us with His power according to His grace. If God has the power to save us from our abundance of sin, He can see us through our challenges. The God that abolished death and gave us life will be there for us.

There are many days that life does not seem like it is going right. Maybe not as severe as some of the challenges faced by Paul, but challenges none the less. We can relate with him as having to suffer, but can you relate to his faith in God?

 2 Timothy 1:11-12

¹¹ For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, ¹² and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.”

Paul had faith in God. He knew what a faithful, promise keeping God He is. Paul also understood that the amount of faith that he had was not the key, it was WHO that faith was in. Paul’s faith was in the ‘One’ or God.

Who or what is your faith in? Is it in your check book, your doctors, your family and friends, or is it in God?

Paul gave us a wonderful example by having his faith in God no matter what the day may bring. That is exactly what we need to do.

We started out reflecting on how Nero and Paul both were inhabitants of Rome at the same time. Nero was a hero and Paul was a zero. They say hindsight is 20/20. Now that their lives are over and we can see exactly how they played out and the impact they left on the world. Things did not turn out the way the world would have guessed.

Paul’s life started out good and he had access to a lot of things before the Damascus road incident, but his new life truly began that day and things changed. Instead of being privileged he was challenged. Instead of being a leader in the synagogues he was hunted. His life was filled with hardship and ended on a chopping block in a prison cell in Rome.

Nero was on top of the world, with a lovely wife. Things changed for him also and not for the good. His second wife killed his first wife. Then Nero in a fit of rage kicked and killed his second wife. Four years after Paul’s death, Nero committed suicide.

Nero was no hero and we now know that Paul was no zero. While people may know Nero’s name, it is Paul who has had a lasting impact on the world. His words have been used to teach so many about Jesus. The Roman Road, words written by Paul has been a great tool to lead people to Christ.

Nero has had zero impact on life today; Paul on the other hand still influences us.

Who are the real difference makers in the world? Not the spot light seeking, attention craving celebrities. It is the other people, The Church, who are a making a difference for the Kingdom of God and for all eternity.

Only the church has been given the story of grace. 

Remember we are still in the era of the Church and what started in the Book of Acts is continuing today.

You have been given the gift of grace, but are you carrying to others?

 

 

Follow Paul's example and accept Jesus and Serve Others!

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Robert