series: players in the last days

Christ's Return: What happens to the Church in the last act? When does Christ return for His bride?Hymns & Songs:`Soon and Very Soon`The Solid Rock`I'll Fly AwaySermon Notes:What happens to the church in the last act? The church goes through a time of testing and purifying through trials. (I Peter 1:6-9, Matthew 24:15-28, Revelation 13:7-10, etc.) The church is victorious in conquering through sacrificial faith. (Revelation 7:13-17) When does Christ return for His bride? Some Old Testament Imagery for the Kingdom Coming: Daniel 7 'Four Beasts (Babylonian, Medes, Greece, Rome') Daniel's 70 Weeks (9:24) Ezekiel's Gog and Magog of 38 Some New Testament Imagery for Jesus' Return: The Parousia or 'going out to meet' the coming King. (I Thessalonians 4:13) The 'thief in the night' (Matthew 24:32-44) The 'blessed hope' (Titus 2:11-14) The 'appearing' (I John 2:28) Since we cannot know the chronological time, can we know the sequential time? Is it before the millennium, or after, or is there even an actual 1,000 period? (Revelation 20) What about the 'great tribulation'? Do we get taken before it (Pretribulation), in the middle, or after' Is Revelation 3:10 'the keeping' (tereo ek) keeping 'through' or from' - John 17:15 is tereo ek and seems to mean 'through' trials What does it mean to us? Keep encouraged and confident in God's Sovereignty. God's in control! Keep pure and filled with the fruit of the Spirit as we prepare for that Day. Keep at the task at hand. Love those around and 'dance until dawn!'

Resources for a life of following Jesus, every day, everywhere, with everyone.

Christ's Return: What happens to the Church in the last act? When does Christ return for His bride?Hymns & Songs:`Soon and Very Soon`The Solid Rock`I'll Fly AwaySermon Notes:What happens to the church in the last act? The church goes through a time of testing and purifying through trials. (I Peter 1:6-9, Matthew 24:15-28, Revelation 13:7-10, etc.) The church is victorious in conquering through sacrificial faith. (Revelation 7:13-17) When does Christ return for His bride? Some Old Testament Imagery for the Kingdom Coming: Daniel 7 'Four Beasts (Babylonian, Medes, Greece, Rome') Daniel's 70 Weeks (9:24) Ezekiel's Gog and Magog of 38 Some New Testament Imagery for Jesus' Return: The Parousia or 'going out to meet' the coming King. (I Thessalonians 4:13) The 'thief in the night' (Matthew 24:32-44) The 'blessed hope' (Titus 2:11-14) The 'appearing' (I John 2:28) Since we cannot know the chronological time, can we know the sequential time? Is it before the millennium, or after, or is there even an actual 1,000 period? (Revelation 20) What about the 'great tribulation'? Do we get taken before it (Pretribulation), in the middle, or after' Is Revelation 3:10 'the keeping' (tereo ek) keeping 'through' or from' - John 17:15 is tereo ek and seems to mean 'through' trials What does it mean to us? Keep encouraged and confident in God's Sovereignty. God's in control! Keep pure and filled with the fruit of the Spirit as we prepare for that Day. Keep at the task at hand. Love those around and 'dance until dawn!'

Resources for a life of following Jesus, every day, everywhere, with everyone.

The Churches: Lessons from the Seven Churches of RevelationSermon Notes:Quick Overview:Theories:To 7 Specific Churches To 7 Ages of the ChurchTo Every ChurchLife phase of a congregationSomething for allStructure of the 7 Letters: 1. Address2. Titles of Jesus (from Ch. 1:12-20)3. Commendation4. Rebuke5. Counsel6. PromiseOverview:To 3 both commendation & rebukeTo 2 only commendationTo 2 only rebukeEphesus: (Apostolic Church)Commendation-Patient EnduranceCannot tolerate evil nor falsehoodEnduring patientlyRebuke-Abandoned first loveCounsel-RememberRepentDo the works you did at firstSmyrna: (Persecuted Church: Diocletian to Constantine)Commendation-Affliction & povertySlanderedRebuke-None!Counsel-Do not fearBeware the devilBe faithful until deathPergamum: (Church under Imperial favor: Constantine)Commendation-Holding fast to My nameDid not deny faith in MeRebuke-Some hold to false teaching:Fornication/sexual sinIdolatryCounsel-Repent!Thyatira: (Papal Church: Dark Ages)Commendation-Love, faith, service & patient enduranceLast works greater than firstRebuke-You tolerate Jezebel:FornicationIdolatrySpiritual AdulteryCounsel-RepentHold fast to what you have until I comeSardis: (Reformation Church: 16th & 17th Centuries)Commendation-None!Rebuke-A name of being aliveBut you're Dead!Counsel-Wake Up!Strengthen what remains & is about to dieRemember what you've received & heardObey it!RepentPhiladelphia: (Missionary Church: Puritan Movement)Commendation-Kept My word & not denied My namePatient enduranceRebuke-None!Counsel-Hold fast to what you haveLaodicea: (Rejected Church: The final apostasy)Commendation-None!Rebuke-Neither cold or hot Lukewarm!Spiritual ArroganceMy Own Story Counsel-Let God Prosper, clothe & heal youBe earnestRepentListen & let Christ inLessons from the Seven Churches:1. God Consistently Honors-Endurance / patience / perseveranceAffliction borne for His Names' sakeDemonstration of Love 7 ServiceGrowth2. God Consistently Rebukes-Falling BackSexual sinIdolatryLifeless faithSpiritual arrogance3. God Consistently Offers the Path Back-RepentRememberReturnObeyHold onFear not

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Christ: Understanding Jesus Christ as the central figure in the Book of Revelation.Sermon Notes:A New Perspective (v. 16) Illustration (The blind man and the elephant) Everything is spiritual-you use your vision to see others as God sees them A New Person (v. 17) A new creature- like a snake becoming an eagle In Christ- nothing remains the same A New Purpose (v. 18) All things are of God- no longer living for self A heavenly calling A New Power (v. 19) The word of reconciliation (Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12) A New Position (v. 20-21) As Christ died on the cross in our stead So we take the gospel to others in His stead An ambassador Conclusion- Are you walking in newness of life? How do you see others? Are you a new creature in Christ? Do you trust God to strengthen you? Are you walking worthy of your vocation? "Even so we should walk in newness of life."

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What are the 'Last Days' and Who are the Main Players?: What are the prevalent perspectives on how the world will end? Hymns & Songs:`Lord, Who Throughout`I Will Sing of My Redeemer`Jesus, Remember Me`Create In Me A Clean Heart`O Calvary's LambSermon Notes:The Study of Eschatology (Last Things) Every religion has eschatology - how does it all end? Eastern (Hindu and Bhuddist) Nirvana is the goal through differing worlds of destruction and recreation to get there. Judaism - Daniel's prophecies and the Coming Messiah. Zionist debate: Do we build Israel or is that Messiah's call? Islam - Allah and the great judgement (Jesus - one of the prophets returns, but as a Muslim: Jesus is revered but never worshipped) Christendom's Primary Colors of the Last Days (Think Impressionist's Painting - Broad colors and strokes) The Biblical Divisions This Age The Age to Come The Church Trying to Piece the Biblical Puzzle Together Technically, the "last days" began at Pentecost. (Acts 2) But what about the "last scene" of world history. Preterist - The teaching that all prophecy is fulfilled (i.e. previous) and that "this age" is slowly becoming "the age to come". Postmillenial - The teaching that Christ returns after the church has triumphantly ushered in the Kingdom. The "Christianizing" of the world. Premillenialism - The teaching that Christ returns to usher in a literal 1,000 year reign on earth. Before that is the intensifying of the evils of "this age." Historic Amillenialism - The teaching that there is no literal 1,000 year reign, but that Christ returns to an evil world, then Christ ushers in the Kingdom. Dispensationalism - The teaching that there are seven "dispensations" or "eras" that make up history. There was the dispensation of Israel - now we are in the "church dispensation." Christ will "rapture the church" away, Israel will be used again, and Christ will return and set up a literal 1,000-year reign before the eternal state. Matthew 24 - What were Jesus and His Disciples Talking About? The obvious question - when is the "age to come" going to kick off? (Remember that this is post Palm Sunday.) The coming destruction of the Temple. (Titus in 70 AD) It's not as simple as the disciples thought it was going to be. If the Messiah ushers in the Kingdom, where is it?! Kingdom Theology (Cullman, Ladd. etc.) - Israel was the vehicle for the kingdom of God. The church is now the vehicle. The Kingdom is present in a "mystery form" right now. Fulfillment without consummation A splinter of the future has invaded the present in the mission and Person of Jesus the Christ. Christ will return and establish God's final Rule and Reign. Jesus' admonition No fear - God is firmly in control. (It'll get rough- but its okay) No hate - Most people's love will grow cold. No despair - There is glory and joy headed your way, if....we are in Him.

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