The Gospel through context of scripture
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Dismiss children
Introduce Self and LBC vision
greet guests and QR code
today is going to be a little different than normal. I’m going to utilize this morning to teach on how to properly study the Bible and understand the truths and principles of a passage of scripture.
Have you ever read something in the Bible and thought “Man, I don’t get that...” or “What does that even mean?”
That happens to me all the time. It happened to people who knew the Old Testament and heard Paul preach the Gospel.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 17:10-12
And whether you are aware or not, God desires for us to not only know the stories in His Word but to understand them
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15
Rightly dividing the Word of truth I believe means to know the difference between “what does the text say vs what do I think it says”
The big word used to describe this is exegesis, which means we will allow the text to speak for itself rather than us speaking for the text. You may also hear people use words like hermeneutic which is a word added onto others to describe how one deals with an interpretation of a text.
Exegesis is a type of hermeneutic with its opposing view being Eisegesis. Exegesis is as I said, allowing the text to speak for itself and Eisegesis is reading into the text what you want it to say.
Now, don’t tune me out thinking this is about to be an academic lecture, if you know me…that’s not what I do. Even when I do record online lectures, I preach through them.
Now, I reccommend that you grab somehting ot take notes on and with.
We are going to walk through this text together and find the appllications based on the lliiteral, grammatical, and historical context of the verses.
So where do we start?
The Bible of course.
We are going to use Revelations 5 as our chapter to exegete today. I’m really going to be walking you through what I do for sermon prep and then bring you to the place of application. It’s my prayer that you will take this methodology and use it in your own study or at least find a proper one that works for you as you seekt o know God more.
let’s Pray and read the first few verses here
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:1-6
Alright…where do we start? Well if you scanned that QR code and are following along you will see that there is a list of questions there and we are going to work down through them before we even begin talking about what’s in the text itself.
There is something you will know when you walk out of here today…Context is Key. Say it.
I do this becuase starting with a blank page is one of the most difficult things for any of us to do.
Questions to ask when Studying Scripture
Questions to ask when Studying Scripture
1. Who Wrote it?
1. Who Wrote it?
The frist question I ask when studying is who wrote what I am reading. I want to know what they, by the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, have been through. When I read in 1st Peter I can recount the stories I know of peter in the gospels and acts. When I read one of Paul’s writings I can go to Acts and see his interaction with others to better understand him.
When you know who is writing you can know a little bit more about the context in which they are writing in and remember Context is key.
The author of the book of Revelation is John the Apostle.
This is the same author as the gospel of John and 1 of the three apostles that Jesus would take away separately from the others and pray with and speak to. He was close to Jesus.
2. When was this written?
2. When was this written?
This piece of information allows us to know what events in the life of the author and in Christianity have taken place up to this point. What events could be influencing what’s taking place.
The book of Revelations was written around AD 95.
The Apostle John at this point has been boiled in a vat of oil because of his faith and exiled to the island of Patmos. It is on the island Patmos that he has the vision in Revelations. Some of the information I’m giving you is on top of the questions asked but are found easily as you are gaining your answers to this in study and research.
3. Who was this written to?
3. Who was this written to?
This question is different than who si hearing what is being said. We will cover that one later. This question related to who this book’s intended audience is. You can often find that in the beignning of the book or within the context of the verses.
The book of Revelation is very plain who its intended audience is
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:4-6
PICTURE ON SCREEN
These 7 churches in Asia are the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
Notice them on this slide here. They are all located on the western side of modern day turkey.
It’s important to understand who the book is written to because that will help you understand the references that are made. For instance, Hebrews has a primarly Jewish audience. That’s why there are many references to the Old Testament and the people of the Old Testament. 1 Corinthians has a priamrily gentile believer audience which is why you will find minimal references to the Old Testament.
As far as revelations is concerend it’s important to see these 7 churches as literal churches so we don’t fall into the trap that has been preached for quite a while now that these churches represent the 7 ages of time and the state of the church.
While that may preach well and sound cool, it’s not true. These 7 churches were literal churches in Asia that John wrote this letter to.
So when we read Revelations and seek to understand the imagery and various allegorical situations that are spoke of we have to read it as though we are a member of these 7 churches. Which means we should understand it as they do because God would not have given them a Holy Spirit inspired writing that is confusing.
4. Who is Speaking?
4. Who is Speaking?
This is different from who the author is. Sometimes it’s not. Many of the Pauline Epistles are just paul talking to the church or person he is writing to. However, this question must always be asked. Matthew may have wrote the gospel that bears his name but he is not the only one speaking.
In chapter 5 of revelations we have a few people speaking. A mighty angel, John, an Elder, four living creatures and 24 elders, many angels, then lastly every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everthing in them worshipping Jesus.
You still with me?
5. What is the purpose of the writing overall?
5. What is the purpose of the writing overall?
Why is this book of the Bible written? Knowing why the author writes can help us understand some of the things said inside of the verses.
The purpose of Revelation?
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:1
It was to reveal to these 7 churches and the believers of his day things that were to come to pass.
I’m not going into details of timelines this morning and discussing shortly vs the 2k years its been. That’s not just a message for another day, that truly dives deep and becomes a lecture. Not that it isn’t warranted or needed, it’s just not what we are doing this morning.
At this point we have established the context for the passage. The next few quesions begin developing the message. They begin to allow us to extrapulate the truth from the passage based on the context we have discovered.
6. What does it mean to those who heard it?
6. What does it mean to those who heard it?
7. What is the Positive element in the text?
7. What is the Positive element in the text?
This is a personal question I have to ask because I my dispostion to reading scritpure is finding the application to me and others because of my brokenness. This will make me see the negative side of it all rather than the positive element. I believe scripture has both a positive and negative. Negative…us....Positive…Jesus…but I don’t need to be reminded to see the negative.
8. How does the text point to Jesus?
8. How does the text point to Jesus?
9. What does it mean to NT Christians?
9. What does it mean to NT Christians?
10. How does it bring me closer to Jesus?
10. How does it bring me closer to Jesus?
Ok, those last 5 questions are what you hear me bring to the platform each week.
So let’s take what we have learned and hear the truths and principles that are here.
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:1-6
Exegete:
We’ve sat the background to the entire book now as far as where this passage is in timeline of events in the book.
Ch 1 John sees the visions Ch 2-3 are the eltters to the church
Ch 4 John sees God on the throne being worship
and now we are that place where the mighty angel is asking Who is worthy to open the book.
Now, we don’t know what this book is. We do not know the contents of this scroll.
Many times you will find people preaching and teaching about what the four beasts are, or the meaning behind the seven horns and seven eyes. That’s not what we are doing this morning.
After John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll, an elder comes to him and says “dont cry, look..the lion of Judha, the root of David…He can open it. He can loose the seals.
What did this mean to the 7 churches?
You are not worthy, but He is.
What is the positive element? He is Worthy. Jesus has paid the debt. Jesus died and rose again and is now in Heaven able to do whatever needs to be done because all power has been given to Him in Heaven and in earth.
How does it point to Jesus? This is 100% about Jesus.
What does it mean to us?
Illustrate:
Ever been to a place that has a VIP section?
Ever tried to get in without paying?
What about going to box seats at a sporting event?
Maybe trying to get into the employee only area of a business when you don’t work there?
O, maybe you’ve tried to sit as a judge and pass sentences without any training or anyone appointing you to the bench.
What happens in all of these situations…you quickly get told…NO. You can’t. You arent’ worthy. You don’t possess the qualifications.You aren’t capable of doing what you are trying to do.
You and I aren’t able to open that scroll. Why? Because we are not God. But Jesus is.
He died and rose again. He lived the perfect life and paid the ultimate price for you and for me.
Did he do it because you are worthy? No. He did it to satisfy God’s wrath. He did it so you could have a relationship with God now and for all eternity.
Apply:
As people in the New Testament Jesus being able to open this scroll and being the only one worthy means He is who He said He was. It means we can’t earn our way to Heaven. It means we have to see our brokenness before Christ so that he can make us whole by faith in Him.
I. We are Unworthy, but He isn’t
I. We are Unworthy, but He isn’t
We are unworthy of salvation. We are unworthy of God’s grace. We are unworthy. And in our unworthiness…I don’t even know if that sentence makes sense but I”m saying it. In our unworthiness…He still came and died. He still extended His love, justice, mercy, and grace.
What made Him Worthy?
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Rev 5:7-11
Exegete:
Jesus took the scroll from God and when He did, the beasts and elders began playing their harps and singing a new song…not an old hymn…a new song...
He is worthy because He has redeemed us, people, peoplle from all over. Eevery tribe, every kindred, every people, every nation…he redeemed everyone back to God.
Heaven will be full of praises from different languages. People won’t look the same…assuming our glorified bodies maintain current features.
Jesus’ sacrifice and our faith in Him makes us priests tot he Lord because we have direct access to Him.
Everyone from everywhere has direct access through faith in Christ.
Illustrate:
This passage points to the universality of the Cross and what Jesus did on it. It flies in the face of any Christian who ever claimed racism or slavery is ok.
It pushes agains any movement that promotes one race over another. It takes the idea of hatred toward anyone and rips it up becuase even though people hate Jesus, Jesus died for them.
It gives us a great glimpse as to what Heaven will be like.
Is hows us what church should look like.
While churches can reflect the nieghborhoods they live in, it is my prayer that we see Liberty become a multi-generational, muli-ethnic church. Why? Because I want us to have a place that is just like Heaven on earth.
Apply:
For that to happen each of us have to take up the honor that it is to shar the gospel with anyone and everyone. Jesus died for each person you come across daily. How many of them are you sharing Jesus with?
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:14-17
The term preacher does not describe my role in the church. It describes the responsiblity of each of us here today. We are to be preachers of the Gospel.
II. His message is for everyone
II. His message is for everyone
You and I should be prepared to share the Gospel to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Unashamedly and without resevation.
Now I know that we can go deeper in this passage and look at what it means to be purchased by His blood and why that had to happen. We can talk more about what it means to be a priest, and why we will reign on earth. However, If you try to pull everything from a passage all at once, you will find yourself getting nothing.
It’s better to seek one truth from study session. Go back and study it again and see what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
Let’s notice these final verses
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 5:12-14
Exegete:
Now everyone in Heaven, everyone and everything on earth is praising God.
They are worshipping Jesus forever.
Why? Because He is worthy.
He has been given all glory, alll power in ehaven and in Earth.
Forever and ever is a long time. In fact it’s an eternity.
This passage reinforces the doctrine of Eternal Security.
On multiple palces in scripture we see that our salvation in Christ is for eternity. It cannot be removed. Once Saved Always saved is the simple phrase used to describe this.
Jesus said that whosever believes in Him shouldl nto perish but has ETERNAL life. Eternity is never ending. It begins at the moment of salvation and goes on forever and ever.
Apply:
Some would argue that this gives us an excuse to sin. An excue to live hwoever we want if we can just confess our sins and go to heaven.
This argument ignores the Bible and the calls to holiness from peter.
The admonishent of Paul that says
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:15-16
Our eternal life is reason to life for Jesus, not to live for others. We are servants of Christ no longer in bondage to sin.
No mmatter waht those first century Christians went through, they had the hope of eternal life in Christ.
III. The Gospel brings hope to all
III. The Gospel brings hope to all
The hope of eternal life, the hope of Jesus ruling over all, the hope that one day this too shall pass.
Time of Response
Time of Response