Route 66: Revelation Pierce our ears.
Notes
Transcript
Jesus is talking, Are you listening?
Jesus is talking, Are you listening?
Here we are, we have made it, the final stop in our series on Route 66. I personally have thoroughly enjoyed this, My hope is that you have as well. I have been challenged and remain challenged that when we look at our Scripture we need to look at the writings in a different way as long as we are taking it in its proper context.
What I mean by that is, we often read some of these Scriptures and we gravitate towards specific characters and events, there are more than just the common knowledge Scripture and characters and events and this series has challenged me to look beyond all of that and try to listen to different parts of the themes within these individual books.
Today we’re going to get into Revelation.
Now, when we get into Revelation we have a mix-bag of feelings that tend to happen. Some get excited, “I’ve been waiting for this Let’s talk about demons and death and AntiChrist.” And others who get a little scared. “I don’t read Revelation because it terrifies me.” I have talked with people on both sides of the coin when it comes to that.
Most readers of the bible have a love-hate relationship with this last book. Full of mysteries leaving people feeling inadequate when they get done or start to study it. You may feel shocked to hear this, but I do not believe that Revelation was written to make anyone feel like inadequate, I just believe that most scholars write a lot of stuff about the mysteries and it leaves the average person confused on what to believe and or teach.
The name of the book of the Bible that we’re studying today comes from the Latin and Greek words meaning “Unveiling”. The Purpose of Revelation is to Unveil the future events, and to Unveil where we are as a people and as a church.
This morning, we are going to discuss the topic of Jesus is talking, Are you listening? There is an Unveiling that happens even before we get into the meat and potatoes of Revelation.
The Message of Revelation The Use of the Book
The conviction that Revelation really is meant to reveal truth, and not to obscure it, and that its treasures really do lie on the surface if one looks for them in the right light
In revelation, God is the agent as well as the object. It is not just that men speak about God, or for God; God speaks for Himself, and talks to us in person.
J. I. Packer
This verse is our “Golden Text” if you will you will see a form of this statement throughout each one of our mini pit stops today.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it, for the time is near.
We are told right after this that this letter is written to seven actual churches that existed in this time in Asia. The Scripture identifies a couple of things in its opening.
John writes, that he approaches these churches in the name of the one who “was and is and is to come.” In the name of Jesus Christ the faithful witness the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of kings of earth. From the One who loves us and freed us from sin by His blood.
All of this just sets up the tone of these first 3 chapters in Revelation. Everything that is about to be said, understand that it is said simply because Christ loves you.
There is a blink and you’ll miss it moment right in this Scripture.
I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, and in the midst of the seven candlesticks was one like a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and with a golden sash wrapped around the chest. The hair on His head was white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. He had in His right hand seven stars, and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword. His appearance was like the sun shining brightly.
We read that and we focus on the Awesomeness of Jesus, what He looks like and how powerful the description of Jesus is here. The thought came to me in study,
He is in the middle of the lampstands. The Lamp stands represent the churches at the time, and as we will see today, our churches today and our personal lives as well.
He is in the middle of the lampstands,
He is next to them.
He cares for them
He has set them free.
I know sometimes it may feel like Christ is far away and we’re doing this thing all on our own. If we’re honest with ourselves that can be a frustrating time, however, this Scripture reminded and encouraged me today. That all though we’re going through things and battling things, Jesus who is described here in His power and authority is still right next to you.
He has freed you,
He has saved you,
and He has something to say to you.
This is why I have titled this Sermon “Jesus is talking are you listening.” Or, pierce my ears.
Passionless Like Ephesus
I know your works, your labor and your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and have found them to be liars. You have endured, and have been patient, and for My name’s sake have labored and have not grown weary.
Jesus is amongst the churches, walking with them seeing them and what they do, and the church at Ephesus is doing some great things for the sake of Christ.
They’re Laboring in the harvest fields.
They’re presenting and preaching the Gospel.
They’re giving to those who are in need.
They’re clothing those who are in need of clothing.
They’re Giving drink to those who are in need of drink.
They’re feeding their community.
They are being patient even with those who are new to the Gospel, They are not a church that will allow evil to manifest and continue, they call it out. They are enduring and laboring for the sake and Name of Jesus.
Not much different than our church, we toil, we work, we are patient, we love, we help. I feel like christ is saying the same thing, and don’t get me wrong as we will see today He speaks to us and we can be in all of these different stages that these churches are in at different times and maybe even at the same time.
One Commentator said it like this. “There were a lot of positive things happening in this church.”
Quickly Christ moves from Commendation to Correction. Christ says to the church
“But I have something against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you repent. But this you have: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The problem with this church in this moment is they have let the busyness of work for Christ get in the way of their relationship with Christ.
Church heed this warning in the very first part of the seven churches.
Do not let the Work of the Christ take the place of the Worship of Christ.
Christ is more concerned about what we do with Him than for Him. Labor is no substitute for love. To the public, the Ephesian church was successful; to Christ, it had fallen.
Warren W. Wiersbe
The church at Ephesus had become Passionless. Let me encourage you today church, do not become Passionless when it comes to Christ.
Passionless towards Christ, and or Passionless with the things of Christ.
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tried, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
2. Persevere like Smyrna.
Let’s be honest how many of us this morning knowing we are facing certain death would stick close to Christ.
Those who understand God’s sovereignty have joy even in the midst of suffering, a joy reflected on their very faces, for they see that their suffering is not without purpose.
R. C. Sproul
I know we do not like to have to think about it, but suffering is an important concept in Scripture.
It is important for us to remain faithful to the Faithful One even when everything seems to break down.
Faithfulness when things don’t go the way we plan.
Faithfulness when the doctor tells us that the treatment isn’t working
Faithfulness even when that boy or that girl runs out on you again.
Faithfulness when your world seems to be crashing in on itself.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer.”
You will suffer, it is not going to be fun, but we are called to be faithful, because the Crown of Life is more important than momentary status.
Be Faithful in your Suffering.
3. Purity in Pergamum and Thyatira.
In these two churches, Christ tells them You deal with a lot, you “sit where Satan’s throne is, you hold fast my name. You Proclaim me...” (Paraphrased)
Yet there is a major problem that is plaguing these two churches, it is the fact that they are not sticking to purity.
Purity is defined as the state of being free from mixture, pollution, or foreign elements.
This is not just talking about chemical mixings, in most scriptural contexts it is meaning in the context of Sexual Purity.
This is the case for these two churches, both churches were letting sexually immoral things happen and go unchecked in the churches.
The Message of Revelation 4. The Third Letter: To Pergamum (2:12–17)
For some the temptation is too strong, and they give way. Compromise creeps in; the distinction between the church and the world is blurred; there is too much tolerance, too little discipline. ‘The fault of Pergamum is the opposite of the fault of Ephesus: and how narrow is the safe path between the sin of tolerance and the sin of intolerance!’
In Thyatira there was a woman that Christ calls Jezebel, purposely hearkening back to the story in the Old Testament, Jezebel would deceive many men and those in that time to commit all sorts of sexual immorality and debauchery. the purpose for this woman to be called here, is to set the gravity of the ton.
Christ gave her time to repent, but she refused, and refusal to repent is different than a struggle with sin. Jezebel was unwilling to make any effort.
She is called Jezebel after the wickedest woman in Old Testament times. For a woman to be called a Jezebel is every bit as bad as for a man to be called a Judas.
John Phillips
We are talking about the churches today, so you might ask yourself what is going on here. This Scripture is talking to a specific person, a specific woman.
The Fault of the church was that they were letting it go on and go on unchecked. They were not willing to rebuke the woman for the practices she was doing.
Here are two simple takeways from this.
If you are a Jezebel, or you are operating in the Spirit of Jezebel, you need to quit before it is too late. As of right now it is not, but do not keep going on as you have been.
Church, we need to not be tolerant of sin.
Espeically sexually immoral sin.
We need to maintain a purity, Christ is coming back and He is coming back soon, but only for a bride that is pure and spotless.
We must be willing to confront sin and deal with sin, do not let it go unchecked.
We cannot compromise when it comes to Doctrinal and moral integrity.
4. Pretense in Sardis
English Standard Version Chapter 3
“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead
This type of church here would be described as having great music and great preaching, but seeing the heart of the people there was no true Spiritual Life.
God forgive us if that is us.
Forgive me If I have made it that.
Do not let us to be just playing church.
Coming to church because I have nothing else to do.
Coming to church because it is my social club and I need to talk to my friends.
Let us turn back to you Lord to be reminded that You are coming quickly and church should be about Spiritual matters and Spiritual change.
The churches we have read through so far have all had something good to be said about them, but the church at Sardis had nothing good.
Just their Reputation.
Reputation without fact and basis is nothing but hearsay.
The world would not call it a dead church because the world doesn’t see what’s at the heart of the church.
In name she is alive, yet she is in fact dead.
But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
Are we alive on the outside, but dead on the inside?
Let that question be your wake up call today.
Let that be a time of self-examination.
Be vigilant.
Repent and hold fast to Christ’s teaching so that we do not be just a reputation, but that we are be alive on the outside and the inside.
But Jesus’ word to Sardis summons a sleeping church to wake up.1
Craig Keener
5. Persistance in Philadelphia
Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Philadelphia is only the second church in the 7 churches that does not get a rebuke from Christ. This church was simply commended, You were persistent.
Church, the world will continue to try to pull you down, try to pull us down, but we must remain consistent.
We must be persistent with our faith.
We must be peristent with our fasting.
We must be persistent with our reading.
We must be persistent with our study.
We must be persistent with our integrity.
The Message of Revelation 7. The Sixth Letter: To Philadelphia (3:7–13)
Christ keeps (or preserves) his people because they keep (or observe) his word (verse 10)
Persistent, continual prayer that comes from the innermost part of your being is what moves the heart of our compassionate, loving God.
John F. MacArthur
Church we must remain Persistent like Philadelphia.
6. Lastly we look at the Lukewarm Laodecians
“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
A simple contrasting of Philadelphia and Laodicea one would find that Philadelphia is Persistent, while Laodicea is not persistent.
Philadelphia is following Christ, while Laodicea has slipped into the mundane.
I’m going to take a minute on this one. I have heard people preach that Christ wants you hot or cold, He would rather you be for Him or against Him because if you are straddling the middle it makes Him want to vomit.
I found that as odd. Christ does not want anyone to Perish the Scripture says and to be for Him or Against Him would mean that He would rather want people to perish.
in doing study you will find that Laodicea was in a unique spot where they were only able to get their water via Aqueducts.
Aqueducts would pump water in, but by it the time it would get to the Laodiceans it would be Lukewarm and disgusting.
Christ was using imagery as He was speaking to this church that they would be familiar with. No one wants to drink that lukewarm disgusting water, it’s better Hot, or Cold. What Jesus is not saying is He would rather you serve Him or not, no what Jesus is saying you are either Soothing, or Refreshing but anything other than is disgusting.
In today’s English, he is telling the self-satisfied church in Laodicea: “I want water that will refresh me, but you remind me instead of the water you always complain about. You make me want to puke.”
Craig Keener
You see the problem was Laodicea was a self-reliant city, and that self-reliance seeped into the church, and caused them to no longer rely on the Provider.
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary G. Letter to the Church in Laodicea (3:14–22)
The church in Laodicea can be labeled the carnal church (3:14). The key sentence here is this: Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth (3:16). The Everyday English Tony Evans Translation puts it this way: “Y’all make me want to throw up!” Nobody orders a lukewarm drink. They want iced tea or hot coffee. In the spiritual realm, God finds tepidness unappealing as well.
The Laodiceans have mistakenly put their hope and reliance on their selves rather than on the one Who is our Sustainer.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
It says to seek Him First, Look For Him first. Don’t fall into that Lukewarm category. That Category that states I will worship God when I need to, or when I am in trouble only.
God expects to be worshipped everyday
God expects to be worshipped every time.
God expects to be worshipped In Spirit, and In Truth.
Not just when we need Him, and not just when things are going well.
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary G. Letter to the Church in Laodicea (3:14–22)
Jesus will not force himself into a church. But if any member of a congregation will open the door by submitting to his will, he will come in and eat (3:20)—that is, he will have intimate fellowship with believers who respond to his invitation.
This Lukewarmness is the worst condition of any of the states that we have read about today.
Claiming to have everything yet having nothing.
Conclusion of the Matter:
Here it is, even Laodicea had a chance.
The fact that They are rebuked, the fact that they were not totally rejected, but that they had time to change their ways shows that we have time to.
We have time to turn our hearts back to Jesus.
We have time to turn our minds back to Christ.
We have time to ask Christ to forgive us and invite him back into our church and lives.
The only cure for lukewarmness is re inviting Christ back in.
Here it is, to go back to the question at the top of the Sermon. Are we listening?
Pierce our ears.
Every time we read a Scripture at the end we would read this phrase.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
There is a warning that is being given, before the rest of Revelation starts there is a warning to the churches, and that same warning is for us today.
Do you fall into one of these categories individually?
Do we see our church falling into one of these categories?
If we do we need to repent and turn back to Christ! We need to Heed this warning and let our ears be pierced, our hearts be broken!
Are we listening?
