The Living Christ In Our Midst
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 23 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Intro
Text -
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Title - The Living Christ in Our Midst
Background
Background
John was in the island of Patmos
John receives a series of visions concerning Jesus Christ and His endtime works
In his first vision, John sees Christ in the midst of 7 golden lampstands
he describes the glorious manifestation and falls down
Jesus begins to speak to Him concerning His message to the church
Jesus identifies Himself to John
He was alive and died
but now He lives forevermore
in His resurrection He gained the keys of Hades and Death
The Main Point
The Main Point
Jesus reveals Himself to John for the following reasons:
because He is alive and active
John already knew that Jesus lives.
He saw Jesus in the body before He ascended to heaven.
But John needed to know that Jesus is active in the midst of His church and is preparing the church for His endtime works.
Jesus is not only alive so that He can go back to God
Jesus also lives so He can finish the work that was started on earth!
His resurrection gives Him the power to finish the work!
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
What does it mean that Jesus lives after He was died on the cross?
That Jesus lives again means He has triumphed over the worst enemy of the people of God: death
That Jesus lives again means He has triumphed over the worst enemy of the people of God: death
He is alive forever - means death has no more power over Him
He has the keys of Hades and Death - means He has full control over who enters Hades and how death works
What does this mean to the believer?
it means the believer cannot be conquered by hades anymore!
it means the believer has no more reason to fear Death!
to live is Christ and to die is gain! -
nothing shall separate us from the love of God -
That Jesus lives again means He is in the midst of His people, the Church
That Jesus lives again means He is in the midst of His people, the Church
the Living Christ is in the midst of His church
the Living Christ is in the midst of His church
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
Revelation 1.12-13
the Living Christ is administering His house
the Living Christ is administering His house
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.
5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Hebrews 3.1-6
as High Priest of our confession, Christ keeps the lamps on the “lampstands” burning
Christ keeps the lamps on the “lampstands” burning
as Apostle of our confession, Christ sends His “seven angels” to rebuke, correct, and instruct the church
C, hrist sends His “seven angels” to rebuke, correct, and instruct the church
WMB - Jesus is the great Judge
the Living Christ is aware of everything that is going on in His church
the Living Christ is aware of everything that is going on in His church
the backsliding - leaving the first love
the Nicolaitan spirit - diving and conquering the church
the doctrine of Balaam - materialism, dishonest gain
the spirit of Jezebel - false teachings, immorality, politics
the dying faith - the name that hides death
the little strength of the true beleivers
the lukewarm lifestyle of the end-time church
What does this mean for us?
the Living Christ will judge the church accordingly
the Living Christ will judge the church accordingly
and He will judge His church accordingly.
John 14.
those who do not repent - will suffer the consequences
He will remove the light -
He will bring into tribulation -
He will come as a thief -
those who repent will reap the benefits
the overcomers!
Conclusion
Conclusion
How do I know I have the Living Christ in me?
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14.
The Living Christ will one day manifest Himself to You!
manifestations of the Spirit - the operation of spiritual gifts
manifestation of the Truth -
“manifestation of God” - God displaying His power by Himself
resurrection of the dead in Christ!
body change!
catching away!
How should we respond to the Living Christ in our midst?
He who has ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying!
seven times proclaimed to the church ages
the secret to the victorious Christian life is in listening to the voice of the Spirit!
when He speaks through His Word
when He speaks into our hearts