Rev'd Up Pt 4 Series

Series: Revelation

Thesis: We need to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ daily because it makes the difference whether you will decide to die for Christ daily or literally for Him in the end.

Key verse of Revelation: Text: Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Scriptures:

Text Rev. 1:3: "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

Text: Rev. 14:13 "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

"There are Heavenly blessing spoken of in Revelation and the New Testament for those who die in the Lord for Jesus Christ – in the above verse they are: first there is eternal rest and second their deeds will follow them to Heaven."

We have been exploring Revelation 2 looking at the 7 churches and the message of Jesus to these 7 churches in Asia. Let’s be reminded of what we have learned so far:

Summary of Ephesus: The Loveless Church

What was the message to this church and also to us? We need to stay awake and guard ourselves from anything (including ministry) that allows us to forsake our love for Christ personally. It screams at us that we need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ and His love, so that we will not leave love behind. Hear this message Christian Hills Church - Is your love for Jesus exclusive? Do you regularly take quality time to be with him? Or have other things crept into your heart, taking up your thoughts and affection? Jesus is asking you to repent and start over again if you have answered “yes” to any of the preceding questions. He wants you to stop and realize, ‘Wait a minute - I see how this lack of love has crept into your life. It's robbing me of time with you says Jesus!' Today is the day to go back to you first love. Ask him to renew your passion for Him and to keep Him in the number one spot of your heart so you can eat of the Tree of Life in Heaven.

Summary of Symrna: The Persecuted Church

Jesus is God who came in the flesh and experienced what it was like in this abusive world. He can relate to what injustice, persecution feels like. He experienced it so He knows what it feels like. Jesus knows their pain and suffering. He can also help you go through it and help you to overcome it with His touch and presence. What will the world and Heaven record of your life and death in the annuals of History? Will you be famous in Heaven – before the throne of God? Or famous in annuals of Hell? Will you stand faithful at the evil hands of persecution for Jesus and receive the Crown of Life and see how the second death will not hurt you?

Question: How could someone give up their life? Could you or would you? How is the life changing question right? I ask the Lord what was inside these men and women of faith’s heart, soul and mind to give them the courage to do this?

Answer: The how is that they had a revelation of who Jesus Christ was, is, and will be personally - intimately. We all need this today in our world!

Sermon 4: Rev’d Up part 4:

Thesis: We need to get Rev’d Up for Jesus’ Second Coming as we look at what is happening to our society and world. Many are saying the time is near and Revelation tells us to be ready at a moment’s notice. So, let’s get Rev’d up and be ready to meet Jesus! Let’s receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation so we know Him better. We all need to know that Jesus see’s and knows about all of us and our churches even today.

Introduction:

We read in the annuals of church history and in the Bible of people of faith who gave up their lives for the cause and message of Jesus Christ – they upheld his name even in the face of death. When Jesus appears to John and sends 7 messages to His churches He is telling them that He knows and sees their current situations. He sees the good and the bad and leaves instructions to each one to follow.

Once again, it’s important to remind you that Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ to all His servants who are suffering for The Kingdom of Heaven. The book and it’s unveiling of Jesus is delivered to John in a supernatural way – to show who is in control – not Domitian or the Roman Empire – John is imprisoned on the Island of Patmos and Jesus shows up. How cool is that?