On to the last chapters of the reading. We begin with chapter 18 of Revelation speaking of times to come. From the onset you sense God’s disdain with the sins of the world and His anger towards the deceiver. An angel pronounces punishment with authority and vigor. Judgment is exacted because the world has willingly practiced evil and fallen to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Babylon will fall and heaven will rejoices, Hallelujah! God will be worshiped and exalted. Christ will descend from heaven on a white horse followed by the armies of heaven dressed in white linen, what a sight this will be to behold. The enemy is defeated. Depending upon your eschatological viewpoint, opinions of the 1,000 years may vary. There will be a new heaven and new earth. The book of life will be opened and the children of God will reign with Christ for eternity. Victory is ours and the cool thing is, we cannot do anything to earn it or loose it. Christ testifies of His promised return for the church. We are the church and we have a Savior that cannot be turned back or defeated!

On behalf of all the Pastors at Manna Church, it has been our pleasure to go on this journey through God’s word with you. Our prayer is that you have been encouraged and blessed.

As we near the last book of the Bible our attention is drawn again back to the Apostle John, the Apostle of Love, who is accredited for writing 1st, 2nd and 3rd John.

There are many verses in the Bible that are often confusing and seem contradictory if not understood in the light of the entire teaching of God’s Word. One such passage is found in 1 John 2:15, where John tells us “Do not love the world…” . He then writes in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world…”. So should we love the world like God does or not love it like John told us to? The answer is both.

Jesus told us that the two greatest commandments are to “Love God and Love People. So loving others is in keeping with God’s will for our lives. John later tells us in 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers”. This kind of sacrificial love is not just reserved for those who look and talk like us but is for all of those that are placed in our spheres of influence and beyond.

Yet in loving people and loving life we need to continually guard our hearts from loving those things that create a barrier in our relationship with God. That is what John was talking about in 1 John 2:15. That includes not just the bad things but the good. Recently at the Advance 09 conference in Durham Mark Driscoll spoke on idolatry and said, “That when a good thing becomes a god thing then it is a bad thing”. So true, we often think of “the world” in terms of, you know ‘the bad things’. But the truth is when ‘the good things’ (hobbies, family, ministry etc.) take the place of God in our lives then it does become a bad thing. God is dethroned and we, or our ‘good things’, are enthroned.

Let’s guards our hearts, love people and enjoy life to the fullest. Life begins when God is #1.

Our reading this morning centers around visions and symbols of Christ, who is the authority by which the earth will be judged.  The title is a Greek word which is translated to mean” the Revelation Of John”. Revelation is an “unveiling” or “disclosure”.  Interesting enough, I am taking part in a conference next week in Dallas called the ” Unveiled Worship Institute”.  This word unveiled, also reminds me of a bride on her wedding day.  In our customs, the bride walks down the isle with her face covered.  Then at the end of the wedding ceremony the preacher says, ” You may Kiss your Bride”, and the veil is removed.   Such intimacy, no more covering.  In this text, the truth of the Gospel is being revealed.  Truth is unveiled.  Our worship is intimate and there is no covering keeping us from intimacy with our beloved.

In Chapter 1:19 it says,” Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are,and the things which will take place after this.”

1. The things which you have seen( Chap 1 )

2. The things which are ( Chap 2 – 3 )

3. The things that will take place after this ( Chap 4 – 22 )

This is the outline of the book of Revelation.

In our reading today, we see the Revelation of Christ, and the Message tot he 7 churches.  This is a powerful message, one that I can remember hearing about as a child as my dad would preach/teach on the book of Revelation.  In Chapter 3, I especially remember praying and asking God not to ever let me become like the church of Laodicea.  Vs. 15, ” I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot.   wish that you were either cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. “

My prayer for us today is that we will be burning hot and that we can never be accused of being lukewarm.  There is no place for passivity.  We must be burning hot for his glory.  God help us, our families and our church to burn for Jesus!

Today’s reading (James 4 to II Peter 2) is taken from the heart of the writings of these two contemporaries of Jesus himself. The book of James and those of I and II Peter speak to some of the most practical aspects of living the Christian life.

It’s notable to me that the term “lust” is used 9 times in James and I/II Peter. Lust as a concept shares something with the great Cal Ripken. Like Cal, lust I fear will always be known as a “one trick pony”, a one dimensional concept. The effects and scope of lust, however, reach farther than most of us are willing to consider.

Any good dictionary will note a definition of the word “lust” to include uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite. Few of us, however, read on to see the more far reaching definitions that focus upon “excessive cravings” and may or may not be linked to the sexual aspect.

I believe that the true sense of lust is an excessive desire for what I crave now regardless of the effects on me or others. It is at the core of what is iniquity. Anyone who is a parent has seen it in their children or the children of others at one time or another, “I want it NOW”!

Note how James related the term “lust” to a very common experience of the time (and perhaps of today), “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. (James 4:1-2; NAS)

Sexual lusts, more often than not, engross the flesh of two or more people all of whom have the same cravings, therefore little or no conflict arises. Later on, however, perhaps after marriage, the lustful desires or cravings for “what I want NOW” may not be in unison with the lusts of our spouse and so conflict and quarrels abound. Each “flesh” part wants its own without delay.

This pattern and war, to die to the flesh with its lusts is a component of the practical Christian life. 1 Peter 2:11 warns us to, “…abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.” Peter also says in 1 Peter 1:14-16, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Children want what they want right then because of the sin nature that they have inherited from their parents. Now that we are children of God, it is time for us to inherit our Father’s nature from Him!

“Father, my desire is to become like You and I know that You will complete the process that you have begun in me. I CHOOSE to cooperate with that process regardless of my personal desires at a given time. Make me sensitive to see the places where I lust for my own way. Give me the courage to consider myself dead to that desire. I ask You, Father, to do the work of destroying my flesh and setting me free from it. In Jesus Christ’s name I ask You for these good gifts, Amen.”

-Ron Butler

One key theme in these letters is to teach true doctrine as opposed to the false teachings even some believers had fallen into.  The ”circumcised”, or Judaizers in other places, began to shift believers’ attention to the law and many arguments and quarrels had broken out over these small issues.

In contrast, Paul strongly reminds us that “…when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, ⁵He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7).

This concept of God’s grace so impacted the Apostle Paul that he virtually opens and closes every letter in the New Testament with it!  Our deeds can never make us right with God, let alone enable a relationship with Him.  It is only, and completely, on the basis of His goodness that we have been forgiven and restored into Father’s family.  How quickly we forget, and how deeply are our hearts filled with gratitude and love for His kindness!

And how amazingly true is the fact that all believers must be reminded to rehearse and live in God’s goodness!  If the early followers needed these letters, how much more do we need help to be consciously aware of the dangers of self-effort that cloud and distort the pure goodness and power of God’s grace for daily life!  And Jesus sent us that Helper in the person of the Holy Spirit.

May we be continuously filled with daily awareness of His goodness and grace!

Paul planted this church.  We find that the word came to them ”in power and in the Holy Spirit”. One recurring theme in both letters is sanctification, which brings a turn from idleness and sexual lust. He also clears up confusion about the 2nd coming by exhorting them to live lives that display their convictions.  Their ”walk” should be matching their talk.

They are full of love for one another and even for the churches in the Macedonia area.  It’s refreshing to see such believers who turned radically from their way of life to receive this new exciting message of life in Jesus, even though they had no real grasp of the law or Jewish tradition.  Theirs is a heartfelt response to the power of God revealed in the gospel.

In the first 4 chapters of 1 Timothy we find many of the same topics he touches on with other churches: standards for overseers (or elders), conduct for women and men, and a strong exhortation to not be swayed by the false teachers but to stay true to what the Spirit revealed through Paul.  Paul planted this church as well, and after raising up Timothy he sets him is as the leader of one of the most powerful and dynamic local churches in the New Testament times.   A recurring phrase for Timothy is to “fight the good fight” (3 times in 1 & 2 Timothy), especially by keeping a clear conscience.  What a timely word for us today, especially as leaders!

Overall, these letters strike me as a proud father who’s joy is his children’s growth and love for one another.  Being that the Spirit of God used Paul to start these churches where there was no viable message of the gospel, he knows the people and the unique struggles of each locale very well.  He isn’t speaking as some ivory tower leader issuing edicts that vast and varying groups must come into compliance with.  Paul is dealing directly with people he knows and loves, and in terms specific to the struggles and triumphs of each.

It demonstrates a relational connection. It’s so blessedly simple!  Yet we interject our 21st Century American ideals into the concept of “church” and diligently accomplish to bring confusion into the dialogue.  May our hearts be quickened by the simple dynamics of relationship with God and with others in such a way that it erupts into our daily experiences with fresh life and joy!

The overarching theme for the book of Philippians is joy. Paul uses forms of the word 16 times throughout the letter. The irony of the letter is that Paul writes from prison and under circumstances of severe suffering. Of note, Paul encouraged the saints at Philippi to have joy in prayer (1:4); joy in faith (1:25) despite suffering hardship in advancing the gospel; Paul spoke of anticipating the joy in his disciples at Philippi as they followed his (Christ’s) example – that being love and affection for one another (2:2); he encouraged them to acknowledge the work of the elders over them (Timothy and Epaphroditus) with joy as they labored amongst them and risked their lives (2:29). Paul also exhorted the Philippians to rejoice at the fact that Christ is proclaimed…through hardship (1:18); rejoice with him that his life could be used as an offering for their faith (2:17,18); and that they should rejoice in the Lord always and under all circumstances (3:1; 4:4).

In the book of Colossians Paul continues the theme of practical Christianity, and of suffering (his own), and writes specifically to encourage the church of Colossae to dismiss philosophies, human traditions and any other teachings that differed from when they first received Christ. Noted passages in Colossians are Paul’s prayer for the church (1:9-14) that they would have a wisdom and understanding of God’s will that would cause them to walk worthy of the Lord. Paul explains to the Colossians the supremacy of Christ in both creation and in redemption, by His death, which reconciles to God all those who grasp and adhere to the gospel (1:15-20). Paul reminds the church of the Covenant of Grace that continues from the old covenant tradition of circumcision to the new covenant significance of baptism: washing away of sin; personal renewal by God the Holy Spirit; and membership in the body of Christ (2:11-15). Lastly, Paul exhorts the Colossian church that the path to maturity is not by following these philosophies, human traditions or other spiritual rituals, but in seeking a relationship with Christ and seeking things that are “above”: believers in Christ have died with Him and therefore will be raised with Him upon His return (3:2-4).

In Gal 5:1 we read, ”It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  So what is this freedom Paul is talking about?  The Galatians weren’t slaves, so why would he talk to them as if they’d just been granted freedom from their masters?  Verse 13 gives us a good idea of what this “freedom” thing is all about; “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

This freedom Paul is referring to is a freedom from sin, which is available only because of Christ’s overwhelming victory at the cross.  Not only have we been set free from the eternal punishment that comes with sin, but in this life we no longer have to obey every sinful desire of our flesh.  Through Christ we are no longer slaves of sin but now rather slaves of righteousness.  It’s important for us to realize that our freedom as Christians is not given to us for us to serve ourselves, cast off all authorities and do whatever we want.  That will only lead right back to the bondage of slavery to sin.  Rather, what Jesus did for us allows us the freedom to choose Him regardless of circumstance; to do what we OUGHT to do, not what we want to do.  And it just so happens that what we OUGHT to do more often than not is to serve those around us in love.

So as we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as a nation this coming Fourth of July, don’t forget to celebrate our Christ-given freedom as well by looking for opportunities to “love our neighbors.”  Maybe that means inviting some folks to your BBQ you aren’t too fond of or passing out cold drinks at the Hope Mills outreach.  Whatever it is God wants you to do, I trust He’ll lay it on your heart. 

Have a great day and God bless!

Shawn

     “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will o f God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5

     Let’ daily be overwhelmed with the fact that Jesus, fully God and fully man, chose to die on the cross, not for His benefit, but for ours. He rescued us. He saved us. He has called us to be separate from the kingdom of darkness. While we live in the “present evil age” we live with the understanding that one day we will be caught up with Him and forever live in the new heaven and the new earth. With this knowledge and assurance, let’s be kingdom people today.

     “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

     God calls us to follow Him. As kingdom people, set apart for His purposes and for His glory,  let’s be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when we get in situations where He wants us to speak up, not go with the crowd, and stand alone for Him despite the rejection and ridicule of man. God promises us a crown of glory for the times we do this.

     “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from andy man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1″11,12

     This gospel, of which we are not ashamed, is “the power of God to everyone who believes”. This kingdom gospel came from the heart of God and from His heart He has extended to us the power and privilege to speak on His behalf, act on His behalf, heal on His behalf and be proclaimers of His goodness and mercy to all.

1. II Cor 4:16-18 (NLT) “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed everyday.  For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.  For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joy to come will last forever.”
2. II Cor 1:3-4 (NLT) “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort others.  When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
3. I Cor 16:13 (NIV) “Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”
4. II Cor 5:17-18 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old  has gone, the new has come; all this is from God who reconciled us to Himself thru Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

If we learn these three things (1) Afflictions work for our good, (2) God is always available to comfort us, (3) He is willing to enable us to stand firm in our faith ………… then we are equipped for our high calling to be messengers of reconciliation to a dark and desperate world.  Blessings, Pastor Joe