Intro: one of the new items on the Internet is “my space”. I don’t have a my space place, but for those who do, it is a place where they introduce who they are to those who visit that site. During the time of Jesus they didn’t have a my space place, but in the Revelation, He introduces Himself to the seven churches in different ways. Today, I would like to go to Jesus, My Space. Com, Revelation Chapters 1-3, and give you the ways Jesus introduces Himself into our lives. After reading the introduction, you will be sure to want to read the rest of the book.
Jesus, My Space.Com
Revelation 1-3
Background: most people who study the book of Revelation seek out to understand end times. Some people spend their entire life studying this book to find hidden mysteries. But today this sermon isn’t about the end, but the beginning. Jesus introduces Himself in some outstanding ways in this book and today we can be so encouraged by understanding who He really is.
Revelation 1:8—this is one of His favorite introductions because it is used many times throughout this book. It is a wonderful description of who He is, and my thought reading this introduction is this:
I’ve Got It Covered---I had it covered from the start, I’ve Got it covered to the end, and I will take care of everything in the middle. Don’t worry about anything because it is under my control. I am the A and I am the Z, I am the one that is, and was and is to come—The Almighty.
I really like that—The Almighty—I think that is a description that really says it all. When you are Almighty, there is nothing you can’t do, there is nothing you can’t defeat, there is nothing that you will ever promise that you won’t be able to fulfill. All your promises are yes and Amen.
Revelation 2:1—now He moves to the introductions to the churches and I love the introduction to Ephesus. In a world where the churches where under great trial and persecution, He says, I hold the seven churches together.
This is my thought about His introduction: I hold the church together. I am glad Jimmy Swaggart, or Jim Bakker, the Baptist, Methodist or Assemblies of God don’t hold the church together. I am glad as a Pastor, it isn’t my responsibility to hold the church in my hands. It is so freeing for any pastor to realize that Jesus holds the churches. He has the keys to the kingdom, and the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Denominations will come and go, this church or that church may close it’s doors, but “the church” His church will last forever. I am not here to build my kingdom, I am here to build His kingdom on earth.
Revelation 2:8—Smyrna—during this time many people were dying as martyrs for the Lord. I am sure that the finality of death was a weight that some were carrying. So Jesus introduces Himself, I’m Back—
I’m Back—I was dead, but I am alive forevermore—no grave could keep my body down. I am the first fruit, I am the Resurrection and the Life. Smyrna, let me introduce myself—the devil said it was over, religion said I was through, even some that were very close to me had given up and were saying all hope is gone: but let me say it one more time, I’m Back—I’m here to stay. If you will believe on me, you will inherit everlasting life.
Revelation 2:12—Pergamos—I am the one who has Words that are sharper than a knife. I will defeat Satan by the Word of my mouth. My Word will not return void, it will accomplish what it sets out to do.
Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Word will never pass away.
Pergamos—let me introduce Myself to you, stand on the Word, stand on the promises of God, they will not fail you. Hide this Word in your heart so that you will not sin against Me. Let the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in My sight—
Don’t try to fight your battles, my Words will fight your battles. They are a rock that will not be moved.
Thyatira—Revelation 2:18---I am pure, holy, I can see right through you. Jesus says, here is who I am, the Holy One, the Spotless Lamb, I am perfect from the beginning, I am perfect to the end. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Look deep into my eyes, I can see right through you.
You must be real with me, I can see your heart, I know your thoughts, I know your motives in life. I know what you are about, I know your dreams, I know your visions. I am Jesus, the all knowing, the all seeing, the one who is everywhere and in everything. My eyes move to and fro over the earth, I look to help the righteous, I hear the faintest cry.
3:1-Sardis—I am the giver of the Spirit of God. You cannot make it on your own, you will face things that are too big and difficult for you. So I am the giver of the Spirit of God, I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh. I am the one who will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.
This won’t be a fleshly walk, this will be a spiritual life. I am the one who will give you so much Spirit, because it won’t be my your might or your power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.
Sardis, let me introduce the Spirit into your lives—every gift, every anointing that you will ever need, you will find it in Me. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead will dwell in you.
3:7—Philadelphia—I own the keys, I open doors that no one can shut, I shut doors that no one can open. What a powerful introduction Jesus makes into our lives. He says today, I can open doors for you that you cannot open by yourself.
I am the Opener of Doors—what a great title. Jesus has the keys to your life, the keys to your future, the keys to your destiny. He can open the doors to wisdom, wealth, happiness, fulfillment in life. He can open doors that others try to close on you.
Here is the news, He can close doors that no one can open. He can close the doors to your past and no one can open them again. He can close doors so that you won’t walk in the wrong direction.
I love that He is the opener and closer of doors. In our lives everyday there will be doors in front of us, and we will not know which way to go. But Jesus will open doors He wants us to walk through, He will close doors that will never be opened.
3:14—Laodicea—let Me introduce myself to a lukewarm Christian, I am the Amen, faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
Amen—you can go to the bank on it. I am the final Word, I have the last say, read the end of the book and my name is there, and I win. This is a sure Word of prophesy, Amen means So Be It or let it be So.
I love this title: Hi, I Am Jesus, Let It Be So—He comes into our lives in a very special way—we say we have dreams, He says, let it be so, we want to win a battle in our life, He says, Let it be so, we say, we want to go to heaven, He says, I am the one who says, Let it be so.
Faithful and True Witness—everything I say to you is absolutely true. If it were not so, I would have told you. You can trust me with all your heart, you don’t have to lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Me and I will direct your paths.
Close: let’s review Jesus, My Space.com
Hi, I’ve Got It Covered—I’ve Got you covered. Your past is covered in the blood, your future is covered with My promises, I’ve Got it covered.
I hold the Church together—without Me you can do nothing. It isn’t the flaming evangelist, it isn’t the mass choir, it isn’t a stained glass cathedral, it is Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever, who holds it all together.
Hi, I’m Back—I’m here to stay—I’m here forevermore—that is a long, long time. Eternity, Everlasting Life, He that is, and was, and is to come, The Almighty.
You have My Word on it—my Word is sharper than a knife. I cut the devil into pieces with it. Every knee shall bow and tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.
By the Way, I can see right through you—my eyes are like fire, I am so pure and Holy, I can spot sin a million miles away. Be truthful with Me, confess your sins and I will forgive you of all unrighteousness.
I am the giver of the Spirit.
I Open, no one shuts, I Shut, no one opens. Here it is: don’t try to shut what I’ve opened, don’t try to open what I’ve shut.
Amen—let it be so—when you get to the last page of life, when you read the final line of history, when you come to the end of the end—it is Me, Amen.
Jesus, My Space.com—in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
