The Almighty One
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Almighty One
The Almighty One
10:00 AM
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
19 and for me, that a word may be given to me at the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
Introduction
Introduction
There are many voices in the world, all of them proclaiming
they have the answers for success in the world
they have the answers for the worlds problems
There is only one voice that truly does have answers for us
Lets look at our theme verse for today, Revelation 1:8 (NLT)
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Revelation 1:8 reminds us that we are still in the middle of God’s plan and purpose.
And, there is an end to God’s plan.
Jesus Christ “is still to come”
And, when He comes, it will be as the “Almighty One”
The book of revelation begins with Revelation 1:1-2
1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
This book, Revelation, tells us that we are to look forward.
There are e”events that must soon take place”.
What is coming is greater than what we have seen.
Much of what we find in Revelation is about judgement coming on the earth.
These are not things we want to see happening, yet the news is full of
the war in the Ukraine
the Pandemic and worries about the next virus whether it is Monkey Pox or some new and unnamed virus.
there are worries about inflation and worries about supply chains with shortages in fuel and food
But what is written in Revelation is not there to cause us to worry about what is coming.
We do face challenges today and there are more to come ahead
However, Jesus said this to his disciples in John 15:11
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
When the news around us is so worrisome, what things did Jesus tell them that would fill them with joy?
Take some time on your own and read back a little bit and you will find John 14:18
18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
and John 14:26
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
and John 14:26
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
There is much more we could cover, but this promise from Jesus that “your joy will overflow” all begins with
Jesus taking his place on the throne in heaven
And, Jesus has given us access to His authority, telling us in Hebrews 4:16
16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
There is help for us now
There is Hope for us now
There is Joy for us now
We also though, know that there is an end to all of these things
At the end of the Bible, it says in Revelation 21:6-7
6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
At the end there will be blessings because he says “All who are victorious will inherit these blessings”
In some translations the word “victorious” is “overcomers” or “the one who conquers”
The Book of Revelation Textual Problems in 21:4
“Overcomers” are those whose lives are characterized by refusal to compromise their faith despite the threat of persecution.
The Good News is not only that we, in Jesus Christ, “inherit all these blessings” at the end,
But we also have help from God now (we could go back and read Isaiah 55:3, or even the whole chapter).
3 “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
10:20 AM
In the Beginning was the Word
In the Beginning was the Word
Our theme verse, Rev 1:8 says
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
We just saw this phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end” repeated in Revelation in 21:6 where it also says “It is finished”. This is the end of God’s plan.
But lets go back for a minute to the beginning of John’s gospel and look at what God began doing through Jesus Christ in John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
All of creation came into being through “the Word”
“the Word gave life to everything”
It says it this way in Colossians 1:17
17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
He, the Word, Jesus Christ, holds all creation together.
This act of creating “everything through him” was not just a one time exercise of power
This act of creation was not only a “big bang” as some have described creation
This act of creation is an ongoing exercise of power by which “he holds all creation together”.
We come to know this ongoing exercise of power through the life of Jesus Christ as it says in 1 Timothy 2:5
5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.
The “man Christ Jesus” took on the role of “Mediator” and because of this we experience
10:30 AM
Salvation through Jesus Christ
Salvation through Jesus Christ
Lets be clear. In these last few passages, when it says “He”, or “the Word”, it is talking about “Jesus Christ” and it says in John 1:14
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
“the Word became human”, in some translations it says “became flesh” meaning that “He”, “the Word”, “Jesus Christ”, took on flesh
and “He” “made his home among us” meaning he walked on the earth as a human being
John 1:14 adds one more description to “the Word”, here “He” is called “the Father’s one and only son”
The work Jesus did is described in Hebrews 1:1-3
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
Jesus spoke to us and the things Jesus said express “the very character of God”
Do you have any question about the character or nature of God?
Read what Jesus said as He walked the earth, Read the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Look at God’s creation as it says in Romans 1:18-32
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Some key takeaways from the message today are that
You can know God’s plan and purpose and it is for your good
Jesus finished the work of salvation “when he had cleansed us from our sins”
Jesus paid the price for us to be reconciled to God and opened the way for access to God’s very throne room.
This plan of salvation is available for anyone that will receive it.
It is one thing to know about God, even the demons believe there is one god. It says in James 2:19
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
It is another thing entirely to know God and come into a personal relationship with him.
In John 17:3 Jesus says,
3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
Eternal life, in the final analysis, is nothing more or less than knowing God.
Eternal life is entering into a friendship with God, one that deepens and grows through all eternity.1
1 John M. Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology, (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006), 74.
Our understanding of God and His plan for our lives develops as our relationship with Him develops.
10:40 AM
Progressive Revelation
Progressive Revelation
There are those that say that God is revealing himself little by little as humanity is able to understand him.
Certainly, there are parts of God’s plan that are still unknown, for example, no one knows when Jesus Christ will return
Our challenge though, is do we know what God has already revealed?
Our lives with Christ begin by faith and grow from faith to faith as it says in Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
The “power of God” is “at work, saving everyone who believes”
What is it that we believe?, it is the “Good news about Christ”, it is the account of Jesus life, death and resurrection.
By believing, we are born again and become sons and daughters of God.
We then grow in our relationship from glory to glory as it says in 2 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
We are transformed as we enter into this relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit becomes our teacher and guides us into more and more truth.
Paul prayed this way in Ephesians 3:16-19
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
His prayer was that we would grow strong
that we would have “the power to understand”
That we would be “made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God”
Then, he adds one more statement in Ephesians 3:20
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
That God would accomplish more than we might ask or think.
There is more that God has for us than we have known or thought to ask for.
10:50 AM
Ever Increasing Faith
Ever Increasing Faith
One more point before we close.
Jesus told his disciples to wait until the received power, the baptism in the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
As they waited for the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came on them in Acts 2:2–4
2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
This event was noticed by many in the city and 3,000 were saved that day.
But it is some time later that Peter and John went to the temple as was their habit and a lame man was healed in Acts 3:6
6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
This was a notable miracle and people around the city noticed because this man had been lame all his life.
It wasn’t for some time though that faith began to arise and people began to respond and we find in Acts 5:15–16
15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
The people that were sick “were all healed”.
The power of God was not any stronger in Acts 5 than it was in Acts 3.
The difference was in what the people believed.
During the time between Acts 3 and Acts 5, the people heard the gospel, they were seeking God, they were praying.
Even Jesus said in Mark 6:5-6
5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.
There is power to heal.
There is power to set free.
God has an answer, and it begins with faith in Him as the Almighty.
We are not alone.
We are in the company of the hosts of heaven and God himself in Hebrews 12:22–24
22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
11:00 AM
Closing
Closing
This brings us back to our theme verse Revelation 1:8
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Jesus finished God’s plan of salvation for us and he is active now on our behalf.
Though there is trouble in the world around us, there is help from God and Jesus made this invitation in Matthew 11:28–30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus doesn’t ask us to go through the agony and suffering He went through, He asks us to come to Him.
The power of God is available to help us and Jesus, our mediator is always making intercession for us.
It is for us though, to follow Jesus example.
He went around teaching people, and as he did, faith would arise as it also did with the disciples in Acts 3 and 5.
Though there is trouble in the world around us, but there is help from God. In 2 Timothy 1:7 it says
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
We need to set our minds on God and let His Holy Spirit direct us.
Though there is trouble in the world, we need to act on what it says in Colossians 3:15
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
It says, “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts”
This isn’t always easy because the voices in the world shout loudly. But we are told in Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Set your mind on things above
Set your mind on the Almighty one and “let God transform you”
This transformation will come in “the way you think”
And, then, no matter what is happening in the world, “you will learn to know God’s will for you”!
It says in Philippians 4:8–9
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Jesus was there at the beginning.
Jesus will be there at the end.
And now, “fix your thoughts” and “the God of peace will be with you”
He has promised He would be there and would never leave you.
Now, He simply says, in Psalm 46:10a
Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
Be still, and know that I am God!
Prayer of Salvation
Prayer of Salvation
Do you believe what God has said? Then, in Rom 10:9-10
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Pray: If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, simply say this prayer with me.
"Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward.
Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
If you prayed with me, I want to seal that with a short prayer for you.
"Father,
I thank you for these that have accepted Jesus Christ today. Lead them by your Holy Spirit and teach them more about you and your plan for their life, In Jesus name, Amen
Commission Prayer for Christian
Commission Prayer for Christian
Pray: For those of you that are Christians, we have a commission to stand together, united in Christ, as one body.
Would you pray with me now.
"Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Father, I know it is your desire that all would be saved and come to know the truth.
As Jesus prayed, let me take my rightful place in the body of Christ so the world will know that you sent Jesus Christ, not only for us, but also for them.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."