Someone Cares

Pete Scazzero

Uses the model written by Janet Hagberg and Robert Guelich in their book The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith

Describes the life journey as a follower of Jesus Christ in six different seasons

1—A life-changing awareness of God—His love, His holiness, His grace

2—The Learning Process of this new relationship—aka Discipleship

3—The Active Life of Serving

We will at some point hit a “wall”

A crisis that turns our world upside down

Divorce

Job loss

Death of close friend or family member

Cancer diagnosis

Disillusioning church experience

A betrayal

Shattered dream

Wayward child

Car accident

Inability to start a family

Dryness or loss of joy in our relationship with the Lord

We don’t know what God is doing

We don’t know where God is going

We don’t know when this will be all over

God seems to be silent

God seems to be distant

God might even seem to be absent

Truth:

God’s perceived absence is actually another view of His presence

Even when He is apparently silent or absent, He still cares

Today, we are going to see how this passage conveys the deep level of care that the God of creation has for humanity

Revelation 11:1-6

Revelation 11:1–6 NKJV

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

Difficult chapter in Revelation

We see that God is concerned and involved in what is transpiring

We can conclude that pertaining to us:

1. God Cares about Our Worship

Shown in the measurements

Vv.1-2

Measure

The temple

Holy Place

Most Holy Place

The altar

Brazen altar

Re 8

Incense offered up there

Prayers of saints offered up there

The worshipers

With the reed

Likely a ten-foot lightweight reed used as a measuring rod

Point

Measurement of the worship of those who are coming into the temple to worship

Measurements are a two-edged sword

If you have been exercising and dieting properly

When you go for a

Physical

New clothes

You are eager for the measurements

But if you haven’t been exercising

You have been overeating over Christmas

You don’t really look forward to having your weight and your measurements revealed

Every time God works

Purpose

Is to draw us into a greater understanding of who He is

When He does that

Worship is Our response

To praise Him for who He has revealed Himself to be

To thank Him for the work that only He can do

To submit to Him as the Sovereign Lord

To obey Him as He instructs

To bend the knee and worship Him

Acknowledging who He has revealed Himself to be

What do you think God would reveal if He showed you His measurements of your worship

2. God Cares about Our Witness

Sends two witnesses

Vv.3-4

Purpose

To proclaim God’s message to the world

Identity

likely appear at first half of tribulation are killed @ start of Great Tribulation

Moses and Elijah? (transfiguration)

Enoch and Elijah? (violated He 9:27)

but church violated that as well when they were raptured

God obscured their identities

best left obscure

You and I are not any different in two ways

We have been commissioned by the Lord

Make disciples

Mt 28:19-20

Be His witnesses

Ac 1:8

We are not promised any kind of

Results

Praise

Acknowledgment of our efforts while we live here on planet earth

We need to ask ourselves today

How does my witness measure up?

How many more people know more about Jesus Christ this month as a result of my witness?

Am I willing to be obedient here even if it means no one will notice me and commend me?

Regardless of what it might cost me?

3.God Cares about Our Welfare

Provides protection for the two witnesses

Vv.5-6

Anyone tries to harm them

Fire comes out of their mouths and devours them

This power is granted to them by the God they serve

Why does God grant them this power?

He is concerned for their safety and welfare

Thus they are able to accomplish what God desires

What guarantees do you and I have that God is concerned about our welfare?

We have His presence

We have His provision

We have His love

We have His Spirit

We have His call

Involves joining Him in His work

Enables us to know Him in a deeper way than we did previously

Now What?

Raises another question

If God cares about our welfare

And you have been hesitant about obeying God’s call because of the cost to you that’s involved

Do you really believe God cares about your welfare?

Do you really believe that God would call you to a task and then suddenly abandon you?

We need to remember that sometimes God allows us to experience “hot water” situations

Egg, Carrot, Coffee Bean

Is God allowing you to be in some “hot water” right now?

Does it mean He no longer cares about your welfare?

Or is it an opportunity for Him to show you where you really are in your own journey with Him?

What will you do?

Do you need to experience God’s care for you for the first time?

Need the gift He offers to you today

Text LIFE to 858.210.0291

Do you need to remember how much God cares for you?

Let us walk you through the truth that has convinced us of this

Text CARES to 858.210.0291

Do you need to be God’s instrument of care to someone in need this week?

We would like to pray for you as you look to serve that person(s)

Text SERVE to 858.210.0291

Do you need a church family?

We would love to tell you about following Jesus with us

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