The Person and Work of Christ -- Express
(Revelation 1:4-8)
1. We have been reviewing our learning some basic Christian facts these past Sunday mornings; very much like material we cover in AWANA. 10 Commandments…
2.Love is another basic. It is also an amazing motivator. Take this account:
Alvin Straight, age seventy-three, lived in Laurens, Iowa. His brother, age eighty, lived several hundred miles away in Blue River, Wisconsin.
According to the Associated Press, Alvin’s brother had suffered a stroke, and Alvin wanted to see him, but he had a transportation problem.
He didn’t have a driver’s license because his eyesight was bad and he apparently had an aversion to taking a plane, train, or bus. [Source: Sermon Central, Ryan Johnson]
But Alvin didn’t let that stop him. In 1994 he climbed aboard his 1966 John Deere tractor lawn mower and drove it all the way to Blue River, Wisconsin.
3. Sometimes it is good to review the basics, like Who Jesus is and what He did.
Main Idea: A good overview of Jesus’ awesomeness is like a tonic for the soul.
I. Jesus: WHERE is He? (4-5a)
A. To the SEVEN churches in Asia Minor
B. From HEAVEN
1. John, who was CAUGHT up
2. YAHWEH
3. The SEVEN spirits
Ben Witherington III writes: "According to Rev. 5:6 the seven spirits are something Jesus sent throughout the earth and are equated with the Lamb’s seven eyes. At 4:5 they are equated with the blazing lamps. At 3:1, they are associated with the seven stars, which we have already been told are the angels of the seven churches. It seems unlikely that John is referring to a sevenfold division of the Holy Spirit…Early Jewish texts clearly refer to seven archangels before the throne of God (Tob. 12:15; I En. 20:1-8; 4 Qserk)." From Revelation, p. 75).
Here is the text from I Enoch 20:1-8, "And these are the names of the holy angels who watch. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is over the world and over Tartarus. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. Raguel, one of the holy angels who †takes vengeance on† the world of the luminaries. Michael, one of the holy angels, to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ over chaos. Saraqâêl, one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise."
4. JESUS
Jesus sat down at the Father’s right hand because His work of salvation is done. He died once for all time, rose again, and, after 40 days, ascended back into heaven.
II. Jesus: Who is He and What Did He Do? (5b-6, 8)
A. His PERSON (5b, 8)
1. Faithful WITNESS
2. FIRSTBORN from the dead
Not simply first raised, pertaining to His human nature, the best and most honored. Explain two natures.
Jesus is the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).
The ancient Rabbis called Yahweh Himself "Firstborn of the World" (Rabbi Bechai cited in Lightfoot’s commentary on Colossians). Rabbis also used firstborn as a Messianic title. "God said, ’As I made Jacob a first-born (Exodus 4:22), so also will I make king Messiah a first-born’ (Psalm 89:28)." (R. Nathan in Shemoth Rabba, cited by Lightfoot in his commentary on Colossians) [David Guzik]
3. RULER of the kings of the earth
Psalm 2:7-12, " I will proclaim the decree of the LORD : He said to me, "You are my Son ; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.
You will rule them with an iron scepter ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
4. ALPHA and OMEGA (8)
Revelation 22:12-13, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
5. Who was, is, and is to COME
Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, ’I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ’I AM has sent me to you.’
B. His WORK (5c-6)
1. He currently LOVES us
This is the present tense, which means it is still going on, continuous.
2. He has FREED us from sin by His BLOOD
This is the past tense, called an aorist. It suggests completed, finished work.
In the twisted wreckage of a Metrolink train crash, firefighters from Los Angeles Fire Station 27 found a message that brought tears to their eyes. A survivor of the crash, thinking he was dying, had used his own blood to write on the seat in front of him that he loved his wife and kids.
Normally, we use the words “written in blood” in a less literal way. It usually conveys a willingness to stand behind our words with our life. [Our Daily Bread]
3. He has made us a KINGDOM
We have a king and are citizens when we repent from our sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. This Kingdom is currently at war and is an invisible kingdom.
4. He has made us PRIESTS to serve God
A priest goes directly to God. A priest offers sacrifices. The torn veil.
5. He is worthy of WORSHIP
• He is God. We are only to worship God.
• To worship Him means to honor Him as God and includes praying to Him, praising His attributes and accomplishments in song or word, and
• prioritizing Him by putting Him before everyone and everything else in life.
III. Jesus: What RECEPTION Awaits Him? (7)
A. Return with CLOUDS
Daniel 7:13, "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Matthew 26:64, " "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
B. EVERY eye will see Him
C. Those who pierced Him will MOURN
D. ALL mankind will mourn
