Sermon Central
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Revelation
Contributed by David Scudder on Jun 22, 2008 (message contributor)
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1. The Reason For Revelation
Contributed on Jun 22, 2008
Just the mention of the book of Revelation will often bring a dejected sigh that, “No one can really understand this book.” But, if we can’t understand the message of this book then why did God give it to us? Why is this the only book that promises a bl
THE REASON FOR REVELATION REVELATION 1:1-3 Purpose: To understand why Revelation was written. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in Christ’s present exalted state. INTRODUCTION: Just the mention of the book of Revelation will often bring a dejected sigh that, “No one can really ...read more
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2. Heaven Breaking Loose
Contributed on Jul 10, 2008
The book of Revelation reveals Jesus Christ in all of His power and glory as the King of the universe. Let’s look at our text today and learn more about our God and what He has called us to do and pray that “all heaven will break loose.”
Heaven Breaking Loose Revelation 1:4-6 Purpose: To describe the character of God. Aim: I want the listener to serve God passionately because of who He is. INTRODUCTION: There is an old fable about how Satan once called his top demonic aides to plan a strategy against the church of Jesus ...read more
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3. The Revealing Of The King
Contributed on Jul 19, 2008
How can we know for sure that Jesus is coming back to earth? Our text today promises that Jesus is coming back, but how can we be sure?
The Revealing of the King Revelation 1:7-8 Purpose: To exalt Jesus as God and King of the universe. Aim: I want the listener to humbly submit to Christ and worship Him. INTRODUCTION: How can we know for sure that Jesus is coming back to earth? Our text today promises that Jesus is ...read more
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4. Meeting The Exalted Christ
Contributed on Jul 29, 2008
Was it worth suffering and maybe dying for this Jewish rabbi called Jesus Christ whom they had never seen? Who was really more powerful: the Caesar in Rome or the Christ in heaven? We have similar decisions to make. Are we going to look to peo
Meeting the Exalted Christ Revelation 1:9-12 Purpose: To describe Christ’s awesome glory. Aim: I want the listener to deepen their adoration for Christ. INTRODUCTION: The Christians who received this letter from John were something like us. They had never seen the Lord Jesus Christ. ...read more
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5. Meeting The Exalted Christ Part Ii
Contributed on Aug 4, 2008
Have you seen Jesus Christ? The world is not going to see Jesus in us until we see Jesus ourselves. We must see Jesus for ourselves.
Meeting the Exalted Christ Part II Revelation 1:12-18 Purpose: To describe Christ’s glory. Aim: I want the listener to be in awe of Christ’s glory and assured of His love. INTRODUCTION: Have you seen Jesus Christ? The world is not going to see Jesus in us until we see Jesus ...read more
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6. 7 Stars 7 Lampstand
Contributed on Aug 24, 2008
Beautiful buildings do not make a church. The important question is, “What is God doing here?”
7 Stars 7 Lampstands Revelation 1:19-20 Purpose: To display Christ as the light of the world. Aim: I want the listener to look for ways to spread the light of Christ. INTRODUCTION: Beautiful buildings do not make a church. A tour group was going through Westminster Abbey. [ Pictures ...read more
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7. Ephesus: Laboring Without Love
Contributed on Aug 25, 2008
In our text today we have the first of seven letters from Jesus to a church. By studying these letters we can learn to look at a church the same way that God looks at a church.
Ephesus: Laboring Without Love Revelation 2:1-7 Purpose: To discover God’s priorities for the church. Aim: I want the listener to rekindle a fervent love for Christ. INTRODUCTION: The abilities that world class athletes can demonstrate never ceases to astound me. I remember watching ...read more
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8. Freedom From Fear
Contributed on Sep 1, 2008
Fear cripples and paralyzes. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone else, or it could be the fear of not having some material thing. It can also be the fear of pain or even death. But fear of the future or the fear of man is a sin. So, how
Freedom from Fear Revelation 2:8-11 Purpose: To encourage persecuted believers. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a gift. INTRODUCTION: Fear cripples and paralyzes. Fear blocks us from doing what we know to be right. Sometimes it is the fear of being rejected by someone ...read more
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9. Pursuing Purity
Contributed on Sep 22, 2008
Troy could not be defeated from without, but they were defeated when they unwittingly let the enemy inside the city. This is the same tactic that Satan was using to defeat the church in Pergamum. If we are not careful, Bethel Chapel Church could be made
Pursuing Purity Revelation 2:12-17 Purpose: To show the disaster that compromise with sin brings. Aim: I want the listener to avoid the allurements of sin. INTRODUCTION: In 1871, an American named Heinrich Schliemann began excavating an ancient city in Turkey. This retired businessman ...read more
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10. Christian Cowards
Contributed on Oct 5, 2008
A fresh vision of Christ is the only way we can face life’s trials with joy.
Christian Cowards Revelation 2:18-29 Purpose: To alert us to the danger of having false teachers in the church. Aim: I want the listener to cling to holiness. INTRODUCTION: We are in constant danger of letting our view of Christ get out of focus. Pergamum allowed heretics in the pew, ...read more
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11. Standing Alone For Christ
Contributed on Oct 5, 2008
It is possible to be so used to seeing imitations that we fail to recognize the real thing. I fear that is happening in American churches. It has been so long since American Christianity has boldly lifted up a holy God before the culture that lukewarm C
Standing Alone for Christ Revelation 3:1-6 Purpose: To warn against a type of Christianity that is impure. Aim: I want the listener to love Christ so much that they will stand alone, if necessary, for Christ. INTRODUCTION: In the 1930’s the rage was imitating Charlie Chaplin’s “Little ...read more
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12. Attacking Apathy
Contributed on Oct 19, 2008
The church in Laodicea lost their passion for Christ; did they also lack forgiveness?
Attacking Apathy Revelation 3:14-22 Purpose: To show how the church in Laodicea was unknowingly lifeless. Aim: I want the listener to feel their own need for a closer relationship with Christ. INTRODUCTION: Today we are looking at the last of seven letters from Jesus Christ to seven ...read more
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13. Magnifying God's Majesty Part I
Contributed on Oct 26, 2008
It has often been said, "When the outlook is bad try the up look." That is what we see here in chapter 4. There were “doors” of persecution all around, but now John sees an open door in heaven. This was not just a door into heaven; this was a doorway int
Magnifying God’s Majesty Revelation 4:1-3,5a Part I Purpose: To display Christ in His proper glory. Aim: I want the listener to have a deeper and more profound worship of Christ. INTRODUCTION: Revelation is the "Throne Book". The word throne is used 46 times in Revelation and only 15 ...read more
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14. Magnifying God's Majesty Part Ii
Contributed on Nov 4, 2008
As we read the book of Revelation, sometimes we wonder if God is just talking over our heads. Some of the symbolism is difficult to understand, but if we study carefully it is amazing what we can learn. What we will learn today should transform your praye
Magnifying God’s Majesty Revelation 4:5b-8 Part II Purpose: To extol God’s glory. Aim: I want the listener to gain a deeper sense of reverence for God. INTRODUCTION: The Reader’s Digest told the story of young Matthew, age 4, who was eating an apple in the back seat of the family car. ...read more
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15. Magnifying God's Majesty Part Iii
Contributed on Nov 24, 2008
How can we know when worship is real? Claiming to worship and real worship are not necessarily the same thing. Sometimes our worship might look good, but not mean anything to God.
Magnifying God’s Majesty Part III Revelation 4:4,9-11 Purpose: To show that praise of God is man’s greatest duty and joy. Aim: I want the listener to have a higher opinion of God and worship Him more deeply. INTRODUCTION: Our text today gives us a picture of what worship in heaven looks ...read more
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16. Magnifying Christ's Majesty I
Contributed on Nov 30, 2008
As John set about to write these two chapters I’m sure that he felt a deep sense of frustration. How could he put in words what he had seen in God’s throne room? He must have felt like he had been given the task of describing a rainbow to a blind man, or
Magnifying Christ’s Majesty Part I Revelation 5:1-7 Purpose: To exalt Christ’s worthiness. Aim: I want the listener to respond to Christ’s majesty with passionate worship. INTRODUCTION: When Vance Havner once told a group of people that he was very optimistic about world events. ...read more
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17. Prophecy In Perspective
Contributed on Jan 19, 2009
Before we delve into this great prophetic section of Revelation with all of its symbols we need to begin with an understanding of prophecy in general. Why should we study prophecy if it involves a lot of mysteries? If we can’t figure out what all of the
Revelation 6-18 Purpose: To understand the reasons for biblical prophecy and see the big picture of chapters 6-18. Aim: I want the listener to be motivated to walk closer to Jesus Christ. INTRODUCTION: The book of Revelation comes to us in four great movements: Chapters 1-3 Christ ...read more
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18. Satan's War Against God's Creation I
Contributed on Feb 2, 2009
Having taken the scroll from the Father, the Lamb now begins to open the seals. As each seal is opened, (think of it as different chapters in a book) a new judgment comes upon the earth.
Part I Revelation 6:1-2; 12:1-2,6a Purpose: To show Satan’s true nature. Aim: I want the listener to see Satan as he really is and avoid his allurements. INTRODUCTION: Having taken the scroll from the Father, the Lamb now begins to open the seals. As each seal is opened, (think of it as ...read more
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19. Satan's War Against God's Creaton Ii
Contributed on Feb 16, 2009
If God’s judgments sound strange to us it’s because we do not fully understand the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Man’s purpose for living is to glorify God and every person will ultimately glorify God.
Revelation 6:3-4; 12:3-4a Purpose: To expose the awfulness of sin. Aim: I want the listener to hate sin and forsake it. INTRODUCTION: At first glance, it seems odd to us that the glorious worship of chapters 4 & 5 is immediately followed by the awful judgments that begin in chapter 6. But, ...read more
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20. Satan's War Against God
Contributed on Feb 27, 2009
Why does God call for the brutal killing of so many people in the book of Revelation? Have you ever wondered why God told the Jews to completely wipe out certain groups of people in the OT? Doesn’t God love? How could a loving God take such drastic measur
Revelation 6:5-8; 12:4-9 Purpose: To expose Satan’s nature. Aim: I want the listener to be more aware of Satan’s tactics and oppose him more aggressively. INTRODUCTION: Why does God call for the brutal killing of so many people in the book of Revelation? Have you ever wondered why God told ...read more
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21. Satan's War Against God's Followers
Contributed on Mar 8, 2009
The American church has been mostly exempt from persecution for more than 200 years. Could it be that we too have become lazy along the way? The fifth seal talks about those who have died for the Lord rather than live for the world. If you were given th
Revelation 6:9-11; 12:10-17 Purpose: To describe how and why martyrs die. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a privilege. INTRODUCTION: The early church suffered much persecution. But from the death of Severus in 211 until the reign of Decius in 240, about 30 years, the church ...read more
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22. God's War Against Satan
Contributed on Mar 23, 2009
The sixth seal begins to demonstrate God’s direct intervention into world affairs. All of this is just part of God’s plan. The Lord is in the process of fixing what is wrong with our world as only He can do.
Revelation 6:12-17; 13:1-10 Purpose: To describe Satan’s futile efforts to rule the world. Aim: I want the listener to wait confidently for Christ to return. INTRODUCTION: Up to now, the effects of the first five seals, although unparalleled in their impact on the world, could still be ...read more
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23. Grace In The Middle Of Grief
Contributed on Mar 30, 2009
Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.
Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God ...read more
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24. Warnings From Heaven
Contributed on Apr 19, 2009
What can we do to get our priorities back in line? Studying the book of Revelation is one solution. This book gives us life’s big picture that will put all of life’s problems into their proper perspective.
Purpose: To show that warnings of coming judgment are demonstrations of God’s grace. Aim: I want the listener to serve God energetically since judgment is imminent. INTRODUCTION: It is SO easy to let life get out of focus. Life is filled with necessary things that need doing. There are bills ...read more
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25. The Lamb As Lord Part I
Contributed on Apr 27, 2009
I fear that American Christians have largely lost their focus on holiness. We have allowed the things of this world and our own personal desires to distract us from loving and serving Jesus Christ as we should. The solution is to allow the Bible to renew
Revelation 8:1-6; 15:1-8 Purpose: To display God’s wrath against sin. Aim: I want the listener to gain a greater sense of God’s awesome holiness. INTRODUCTION: The Lord is about to unmask the full fury of His wrath against sin. All of man’s vain attempts to excuse or ignore sin will be ...read more
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26. God's Wrath Or God's Righteousness?
Contributed on Jul 29, 2009
The message of God’s wrath is a powerful message, but it is NOT the most powerful message in the Bible. The most powerful message in the Bible is the Gospel.
Revelation 8:6--9:11; 16:1-11 Purpose: To show that God’s awful wrath will not turn sinners to God. Aim: I want the listener to see that grace is the only answer to God’s coming wrath. INTRODUCTION: We have come to the final seal or chapter in the scroll that was opened in heaven by Jesus ...read more
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27. Seeing Victory In A Disaster
Contributed on Oct 25, 2009
Today we are going to take a step back in our study of Revelation. We have seen the judgments revealed in the seven seals of the book that only Jesus was able and worthy to open. In the pause that we see in today’s text, God is declaring His ultimate and
Revelation 10:1-11 Purpose: To show that the messages of mercy and judgment are often mixed together. Aim: I want the listener to hold on to hope in the midst of any trial. INTRODUCTION: Today we are going to take a step back in our study of Revelation. We have seen the judgments revealed in ...read more
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28. The Wrecking Of The World's Wealth Part I
Contributed on Oct 25, 2009
In chapter 17 we saw the destruction of religious Babylon. In chapter 18 we will see the destruction of commercial Babylon. Over and over John refers to Babylon as a city, so he may be referring to a specific city that will be the center of the world’s ec
Part I Revelation 18:1-8 Purpose: To show how God will devastate the world’s economy. Aim: I want the listener to see materialism as idolatry. INTRODUCTION: In chapter 17 we saw the destruction of religious Babylon. In chapter 18 we will see the destruction of commercial Babylon. Over and ...read more
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29. The Results Of Materialism
Contributed on Oct 25, 2009
We will begin today with a bird’s eye view of our text and then we will look at part of James chapter four to see how we can avoid the tragedy of greed.
Revelation 18:9-24 Purpose: To show how God will devastate the world’s economy. Aim: I want the listener to turn their affection away from material things. INTRODUCTION: Last time we saw that commercial Babylon, the center of the world’s wealth in last days before Jesus comes back to earth, ...read more
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30. The Four Hallelujah's
Contributed on Oct 25, 2009
All appears to be lost. Just when it seems certain that there is no hope the Righteous King of the universe breaks through the clouds and reverses everything the antichrist and the Beast had inflicted on this earth.
Revelation 19:1-6 Purpose: To highlight the joy that awaits believers. Aim: I want the listener to examine their hearts to make sure they belong to Christ. INTRODUCTION: As Chapter 18 of Revelation closes, the kingdom of the Antichrist and the Beast has destroyed peace and prosperity on the ...read more