The Letter to the Church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

Outline: In Revelation 2:1-7

1. Jesus' Affirmation (vv.2-3, 6)
2. Jesus' Rebuke (v.4)
3. Jesus' Correction (v.5a)
4. Jesus' Warning (v.5b)
5. Jesus' Promise (v.7)

Summary: After communicating the sobering vision of who Jesus is and what the church ought to be, John now relays a personal letter from Jesus to each of the seven churches (Rev. 2-3). These letters show that the Jesus described in John's vision is the Jesus who is present with and intimately aware of each church and their circumstances. This can be either terrifying or comforting depending on the health of a given local church.  Jesus wants every local church to be a faithful, conquering church regardless of the circumstances they face; therefore, He brings clear affirmation, rebuke, correction, warnings, and promises according to what each church needs to hear and heed.  The first letter is to the church in Ephesus, a church affirmed for their steadfast commitment to the truth but firmly rebuked for their sad and serious neglect of love.  Jesus tells them in no uncertain terms what they must do in order to conquer their sin and receive the promise.      

Main Point: The church in Ephesus must remember the way they used to love one another, repent of their neglect of that love, and renew their efforts to love as they have in the past.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean that Jesus "walks among the seven golden lampstands" and what impression should this truth make on all churches, including FBC? (v.1cf. 1:13; 2:23)
• What does Jesus affirm about the church in Ephesus? (vv.2-3,6)
• What about the church in Ephesus provokes Jesus to firmly rebuke them? (v.4)
• What three steps does Jesus command Ephesus to take when He corrects them (v.5)?
• What is the meaning of the term repent?
• What warning does Jesus give them if they do not mend their ways (v.5b)?
• What promise does Jesus extend to them if they do mend their ways (v.7)?  
• Why is it so important that we have strong minds committed to truth and big hearts engaged in acts of love?

Application Questions:

• How firmly am I committed to learning and applying the truth of God's word in my life?
• How engaged am I in showing acts of kindness, compassion and self-sacrifice toward my brothers and sisters in Christ?
• Do I need to repent and mend my ways in one or both of these areas?
• What would it look like for me to be a head/heart person (one marked by truth and love)?
• Does my individual commitment to truth and love effect the brightness of our lampstand at FBC? Explain. 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our commitment to truth at FBC
• Praise God for any ways we are excelling in our love for one another at FBC
• Repent of any ways you have been personally neglecting truth and/or love
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine as a head and heart people
• Ask God to help you grow in your commitment to truth and your engagement in love so that you might do your part to help FBC shine brighter

John's Vision of the Son of Man (Rev. 1:9-20)

Outline: In Revelation 1:9-20

1. John's vision of the Son of Man & the churches (vv.12-16, 20)
2. John's response to the vision (vv.17-19)
3. How should churches respond to this vision? 

Summary: John is given a vision packed with symbols designed to tell us about who Jesus is and what the church ought to be.  This vision terrifies John nearly to death.  But Jesus tenderly comforts John with the gospel and then commissions him to write the things that he has seen (and will see) to the churches. This vision of the Son of Man is meant to shape the life and mission of every local church.

Main Point: John's vision of the Son of Man is designed to both frighten and fortify every local church into faithful living as they await the return of the Son of Man.

Discussion Questions:

• Discuss the descriptions of Jesus in vv.13-16. Taken together, what does John want the churches to know about who Jesus is?
• The churches are symbolized as "seven golden lampstands." What does this symbol say about what churches ought to be? (cf. Ex. 25:31-40, 37:17-24; Lev. 24:1-4; Matt. 5:14-16).  
• How does John respond to the vision? Why do you think he responded that way? 
• What effect do you think Jesus' words in vv.17b-18 had on John?     
• How should the churches in general and FBC in particular respond to this vision of the Son of Man and the seven golden lampstands? 
• Why might it be important to keep this vision (vv.12-16) in mind as we study the letters to the churches in chapters 2-3?  

Application Questions:

• How has this vision heightened my view of Jesus and who He is?
• How has this vision heightened my view of churches and what they are meant to be?
• In what ways is God calling me to live more faithfully in light who Jesus is and who we wants me to be as a member of my local church?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Jesus as the glorious Son of Man 
• Ask God to open your eyes to see more of the glory of Jesus
• Ask God to help you develop a higher view of the local church
• Pray that God would help FBC to shine brightly for the glory of the Son of Man and for the good of those who desperately need to see Him for who He really is
• Pray that God would awaken you to be more faithfully devoted to Him so that you might do your part to help your local church shine brighter

John's Greeting to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:4-8)

Outline: In Revelation 1:4-8

1. John's greeting to the churches
2. John's desire for the churches  

Summary: The Book of Revelation is a gift from God (v.1) addressed to the "seven churches" (v.4; cf. v.11).  Here John is using the number seven as a symbolic tool referring to the full number of churches (from all times and places), of which the "seven churches...in Asia" are representative.  In light of all that he has been shown, John uses his greeting to express his desire that the triune God (Father, Spirit, Son) would use this revelation to strengthen and reassure the churches as they eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ.

Main Point: John wants the churches to be experience much-needed grace and peace from the triune God through the message of Book of Revelation.

Discussion Questions:

• Who is the Book of Revelation written to?
• How are numbers often used in apocalyptic literature? 
• How is John using the number seven in v.4?
• What effect does John hope that the message of Revelation in general and the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in (v.4) in particular will have on the churches?
• How does the gospel both save us and send us (vv.5b-6)? 
• Why will many people wail at the sight of Jesus' coming?  What effect should this have on us in terms of witnessing to the unbelievers that God has placed in our lives?

Application Questions:

• What circumstances are troubling me at present?
• How might the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in v.4 be used to strengthen and comfort me?
• What people in my life would wail at Christ's coming? How should this influence my interactions with them?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Father, Spirit, and Son for who they are according to vv.4-8
• Ask God to strengthen and comfort you in light of who He is
• Praise Jesus for saving you and and for sending you.
• Plead with God to help you urgently share the gospel with unbelievers so that they will worship and not wail when Jesus comes back.  

Introduction to the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:1-3)

Outline: In Revelation 1:1-3

1. Introduction: the Book of Revelation as apocalyptic literature
2. The Book of Revelation is a gift
3. The Book of Revelation is a gift to the churches
4. The Book of Revelation is for our joy
5. The Book of Revelation is meant to produce urgency

Summary: This sermon serves as an introduction to the Book of Revelation in general and the first three chapters in particular.  To help us get our bearings, we began by focusing on the meaning of the term revelation and how "the things that must soon take place" come to us in the form of apocalyptic literature, that is, laden with words of prophecy, symbols, numbers, and Old Testament quotations. Revelation is a gift from God to the Church and it is designed for our joy in this life and our eternal joy in the life to come.  And Revelation is framed by one all-consuming truth--Jesus is coming soon!  Therefore, we are called to hear and heed the message of Revelation with great urgency.

Main Point: Revelation is God's gift to the Church to produce conquerors who will live with joyful urgency in light of the Jesus' return.

Discussion Questions:

• According to v.1, what is being revealed or made known in the book of revelation?
• In vv.1-2, note the sequence of how the Revelation is passed on: Revelation is a gift from God passed on to _____, _____, _____, and finally to the _____.
• "The things that must soon take place" are revealed to us in the form apocalyptic literature.  What are some of the features of apocalyptic literature?  Why might it be helpful to keep these features in mind as we study the Book of Revelation?
• How do these characteristics of apocalyptic literature serve to "turn the volume up."
• Who is the one who is truly blessed in v.3? (cf. James 1:22-24)
• Discuss this point: we can understand the message of the Book of Revelation without understanding every detail within it.
• What do you think is the basic message of the Book of Revelation?

Application Questions:

• What does God want to do in my life through the Book of Revelation?
• What is one thing that stood out in this sermon that I want to keep in mind throughout this study of the Book of Revelation?  

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for the hope of Jesus' return and the fact that the darkness is almost over
• Ask God to help you understand message of the Book of Revelation
• Ask God to help you be a doer and not just a hearer of the message of the Book of Revelation

Godly Submission to Governing Authorities (1 Pet. 2:13-17)

Outline: In 1 Peter 2:13-17

1. God ordains governing authorities
2. God commissions governing authorities
3. God commands his people to submit to governing authorities

Summary: This is the second of two sermons aimed at preparing our minds and hearts for the upcoming elections.   After telling us that we are a chosen and set apart people living as sojourners and exiles in this world (2:9-12), Peter goes on to explain how we are to conduct ourselves among unbelievers.  He begins on the societal level, calling God's people to exercise godly submission toward governing or civil authorities (2:13-17).  Christians must recognize that it is God who or ordains and commissions these authorities and therefore our submission to them is in fact another evidence of our submission to God himself.  Godly submission looks like doing so much good that the ignorance of fools is silenced and civil authorities cannot help but praise our good behavior.

Main Point: Christians are called to honor God by exercising godly submission to civil authorities.

Discussion Questions:

• How should the fact that it is God who ordains governing authorities shape the way that we think about the upcoming election? (cf. Rom. 13:1)
• What does God commission governing authorities to do? (v.14; cf. Rom. 13:3-4)
• According to 1 Pet. 2:13-17 (cf.Romans 13:1-7), what motivations should incline us to submit to governing authorities? 
• Are there biblical limits to this command to submit to governing authorities? (cf. Peter and the Apostle's example in Acts 5, esp. vv.29,40-42)
• Exercise: read 1 Pet. 2:18-3:6.  How does God expect believing wives and slaves to respond to disobedient husbands and masters? How might this help us think through how to respond when civil authorities are disobedient to God's commission?
• How might Jeremiah's exhortation to Israelite exiles in Jer. 29:4-7 be instructive to us in our cultural moment? 

Application Questions:

• Am I marked by godly submission to the authorities God has put in my life (civil authorities, employers, a husband, church leaders, etc)?
• In what ways do I honor or dishonor the civil authorities God has put in place?
• What changes need to be made in my thinking and in my heart attitude in order for me to honor God with my words, attitude, and actions this coming election season?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways you have not had a submissive heart toward authorities He has placed in your life
• Praise God for sending Jesus, the King of Kings, who who has acted and continues to act for our greatest good and who is preparing an eternal kingdom where peace and quite and comfort and lavish provision will be enjoyed by all His loyal subjects. 
• Ask God to help you grow in godly submission so that you can have a more winsome witness in your different spheres of influence. 

Grieving the Loss of the Pals Family

Dear Brothers and Sisters of FBC,

Many of you have heard the heart-wrenching news regarding the Pals family.   For those who haven’t, just a few days ago, on July 31st, the Pals were driving to Colorado for their final training before heading off to the Japan as long-term missionaries when they were rear ended by a semi while stopped at a construction site.  The semi rode over them and caused their van to burst into flames, killing the whole family--Jamison (29), Kathryne (29), Ezra (almost 4), Violet (almost 2), and baby Calvin (2 months).  

These dear friends were just at FBC in April sharing their heart to bring the gospel to the unreached people people of Japan.  This news has pierced many hearts with grief.  Karin and I counted Jamison and Kathryne to be some of our dearest friends and we cannot begin to tell you the sadness we feel.  But, as with so many others, we grieve as those who have hope.  As Christ-followers, our hope is completely bound up in Jesus Christ.  So we lift our tear-filled eyes to the One who conquered the grave, realizing that death does not have the final word for those who have found refuge in Jesus Christ.  For the the Pals, to live was Christ and to die was gain (Phil. 1:21).  For the Pals, death was not a brick wall but a portal into the presence of Jesus.  

It is right to grieve, to mourn deeply this traumatic loss of life.  But let us grieve with hope.  And let us be inspired by the way the Pals allowed their hope in Jesus to define what they lived for.  They lived for the fame of Jesus and the everlasting joy of the Japanese people.  Please join me in lifting up the follow requests to our heavenly Father: 

1) Pray for comfort for all those who are grieving, especially Jamison and Kathryne’s family members.  

2) Pray for the fame of Christ to spread as more and more people learn about the life and death of the Pals family.  Pray especially that God would be glorified through the memorial worship service that will be held this Saturday (learn more here: https://www.hopeingod.org/event/memorial-worship-service-jamison-kathryne-ezra-violet-and-calvin-pals).  

3) Pray that God would be pleased to raise up, in the Pals' stead, 100 warrior families to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Japanese people.  

Let's keep looking to the One who works out even the most heart-wrenching  for our good and His glory.

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,

Pastor Brandon

Ps. If you would like to learn more about the Pals family you can read the article posted at World Venture’s website at https://www.worldventure.com/remembering-the-pals-family/.

Also, a fund for missions has been set up to in memory of the Pals and, should God stir your heart to give to such an effort, you may click on the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/joyofjapan.

I Am a Child of God (1 John 3:1-3)

Outline: (1 John 3:1-3)

1.     A Child of God made through God’s love

2.     A Child of God is misunderstood by the world

3.     A Child of God is transformed when Jesus returns

4.     A Child of God is passionate for purity

Summary:

In the past weeks we have been meditating on our core identities, that is, what it means to be a Christian.  We are a new creature in Christ, we are Priests in a Kingdom of Priests, we are Temples of the Holy Spirit, and last Sunday we learned we are Sojourners and Exiles. This week we studied 4 characteristics of a Child of God. First, we a Child of God made through God’s love. Second, a Child of God is misunderstood by the world. The third characteristic is that the Child of God is transformed when Jesus returns. And lastly, the Child of God is passionate for purity.

Main Point: 

Elderly John wants us to know the love of the Father, the beauty of what it means to be God’s children, that we would behold the love that the Father has given us that we should be called the children of God.

Discussion Questions:

1.     How does a person become a child of God? (v. 1)

2.     Why is a child of God misunderstood? (v. 1)

3.     A child of God is transformed when Jesus returns, so what 3 things define us as we cling to these promises? (v. 2)

4.     Why should a child of God live a life that is passionate for purity? (v. 3)

Application:

1.     Praise God for making you a child of God through His love, and as you live in hope for the brighter day to come when Jesus returns when everything will be changed.

2.     Confess the ways that you forget your identity as a child of God.

3.     Ask God to help you to daily remember your identity as a child of God so that you can live a passionate, pure life. 

Written by Elder Galen Janson