INTRODUCTION
• Video clip
• SLIDE #1
• Robyn and I used to love to watch that show, the stories were heart-warming and the sacrifices people made to help others were self-less. People were willing to make sacrifices to help these families in need of a home.
• The show would coordinate the community to help what seemed to be impossible for the needy family to become a reality/
• The stories and the sacrifices people would make could bring tears to your eyes knowing there are still awesome people out there who are willing to help.
• The best part of the show was when Ty would yell out, “MOVE THAT BUS!”
• The overwhelming joy displayed as the family would for the first time see their impossible dream become a reality as they gazed upon their new tailor-made home was a sight to behold!
• It is a moment for the family where everything works out for their God.
• This is a picture of the Book of Revelation! The book paints for us a picture of what will be!
• Paul’s writings give us a good systematic unpacking of faith whereas John in the book of Revelation artfully uses metaphors to paint a beautiful picture of the upper story blessing God has in store for His people.
• God has a place for us, a place where all the injustices, pain, and suffering are gone. A place where all WILL be made right. God has a tailor-built home for each of us who are His!
• Today we are in the final chapter of our journey through The Story we have one of those MOVE THAT BUS moment as we see the future God has in store for us!
• The final chapter of The Story is not the end, but it is a new beginning!
• Let see what the book of Revelation let us see why we can look forward to our MOVE THAT BUS moment with God!
• SLIDE #2
SERMON
I. The Book of Revelation presents to us the triumphant Christ.
• I love to listen to Cardinal baseball and this time of the year is really fun for Cardinal fans because the team I root for us usually in the playoff hunt. As I listen to the close games my heart rate elevates, my tension level raises with every pitch.
• You know why, because I want my team to WIN! When the game is in the balance there is a lot of tension until victory is assured.
• I listen to the games on MY MLB app on my IPhone. On the app you can listen to the audio broadcast (and watch it if you pay more) and they have a feature called Gameday that gives you a pitch by pitch animation.
• Well the Gameday is usually a couple of pitches ahead of the broadcast so I can tell what is happening with the game before the broadcast tells me.
• When I saw that Rosenthal got the final out in the game Thursday before I heard it, I was relieved and excited before the broadcast told me what happened.
• Well in the book of Revelation, we get the Gameday version of what is going to happen before it is broadcast!
• In the book of Revelation, we are ASSURED that in the end God wins!
• WE can relax because we KNOW that in the end GOD WINS! Satan strikes out! Game over!
• It appears that Rome rules the world as John the Apostle is in exile on the Island of Patmos, but things are not always as they seem!
• SLIDE #3
• Revelation 1:8 (NIV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
• What this tells us is that it is all about God and His upper Story! When it seems like God is not in control or anywhere to be found, He is in control and He is there.
• We live in a fallen world and as a result of that fact we will see suffering, pain, and injustices. God is keeping count!
• In the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation it looked like God lost, when Saul failed as King, when David struggled, when the nation of Israel was divided and later conquered it looked like God lost.
• When Jesus was being put in the grave, it looked as if God had lost. Well, the good news is that WINS!
• Not only does God win, Jesus stays with His church so we win also!
• SLIDE #4
• Revelation 1:12–13 (NIV) 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
• What? The book of Revelation is a book of sounds, images and numbers.
• The SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS represent the church. Later John will write about the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation.
• John was an artist with a pallet of metaphors and the book of revelation is wrought with imagery. There is more imagery than explanation in Revelation. It is more of a symphony than a sermon!
• In Revelation 2-3 where Jesus addresses the 7 churches, it is a metaphor used by Him to show He is speaking to all of the churches!
• The number 7 is used 54 times in Revelation denoting that it is a number representing completion!
• Jesus will stand tall in victory when the final chapter to this world is opened. And His church will be victorious as the bride of Christ!
• SLIDE #5
• Ephesians 5:27 (NIV) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
• The thought Revelation present to us is found in Revelation 4:1-2.
• SLIDE #6
• Revelation 4:1–2 (NIV) 4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
• SLIDE #7
II. The Book of Revelation presents to us the very center of the universe.
• At the center of the universe is Heaven, at the center of Heaven is a throne, and there is Someone, our TRIUMPHANT GOD, sitting on the throne!
• At the time this was written, in the early 90’s AD, Rome was not in control of the world, GOD WAS!
• Today, Washington, D.C. does not run our world, GOD DOES!
• God is up to something and that something is the revelation of His GLORY!
• SLIDE #8
• Philippians 2:9–11 (NIV) 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• When Jesus returns, it will not be as a humbled servant, but rather a TRIUMPHANT SAVIOR!
• The center of the universe (HEAVEN) is full of the worship of God!
• SLIDE #9
• Revelation 4:6–11 (NIV) 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
• Jesus prevails and the church prevails against Satan and all adversaries!
• SLIDE #10
• Revelation 20:13–15 (NIV) 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
• Then God does something awesome! He creates a new heaven and a new earth for those who are His, for the church!
• SLIDE #11
• Revelation 21:1–6 (NIV) 1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
• The final thing that Revelation presents to us is…
• SLIDE #12
III. The Book of Revelation and the whole Bible present the truth that God will make all things right.
• In the book of Genesis we see the creation of the heavens and earth; Revelation presents the NEW heaven and earth!
• The world that was created perfect, corrupted by sin will be made NEW again!
• In Genesis we see the creation of light, from the Sun, stars and reflected from the moon.
• Revelation tells us there will be no need for the sun because God will be the source of light!
• Genesis starts beautifully, then tells of paradise lost. Revelation presents paradise regained! No more sorrow, no more tears, no more suffering!
• Genesis tells us that Satan resided in the first garden. Revelation tells us Satan is banished forever from the NEW garden!
• SLIDE #13
• Revelation 20:10 (NIV) 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
• All the injustices will be taken care of! God will make things right in His timing.
• I know that is frustrating for us in the lower story because we want justice NOW! God has not forgotten nor will He let it go.
• Those who do not give their lives to Him will account for what they have done! What God will allow to happen to them will be far worse than ANYTHING we can do!
CONCLUSION
• I pray you learned something and grew spiritually was we embarked on our 31 week journey through The Story.
• The lower story can be rough at times, but always remember a couple of things!
• 1- God loves you! 2- There is an upper story!
• As you stand before God, will you anticipate being able to gaze upon the new heaven and earth promised in Revelation will you remember that God did a makeover for you that you cannot possibly accomplish on your own.
• God sent His Son to redeem us from the curse of sin. God took our house and completely made it over!
• My question for you is simple, will you be there for the reveal? Will you be one of the ones joyfully shouting, MOVE THAT BUS!
• Are you prepared RIGHT now for God to call you home? Do you want to be ready? Do you want to go to heaven?
• The Story has been all about God WANTING you to be with Him. DO you want to be with God?
• We have finished reading The Story, but we must go on living The Story!
• Are you ready?
