Appleton Gospel Church

The Ascension: Maybe one of the most overlooked aspects of the gospel is the ascension of Jesus back into heaven. Why is this significant? Because the ascension of Jesus reveals both his kingly power and authority over all of creation and the wonderful comfort of his promise to return and take us to be with him. Recorded on Mar 20, 2022, on Acts 1:1-11, by Pastor David Parks.

This message is part of The Supremacy of Christ sermon series. The Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? Absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re focusing on, The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Supremacy of Christ. The Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? Absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But if we fail to get this vision of Jesus, high and lifted up, supreme over all, we’ll have all sorts of problems in our life and faith. We’ve considered the transfiguration of Jesus and also the exclusivity of a relationship with God through Jesus. That no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. Today, we’ll consider the ascension of Jesus back into heaven. This is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of the gospel. But the ascension of Jesus reveals both his kingly authority over the kingdom of God and the wonderful comfort of the promise of his return. So we dare not miss this. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Acts 1:1.

Acts 1:1–11 (NIV), “1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Two weeks ago, we considered the story of the transfiguration of Jesus from Luke’s gospel. There, I said that Luke was the first of a two-part work in the Bible.

The Only Way: Jesus claimed to be the way and the truth and the life. He claimed to be the only way to know God and find salvation. But how can Jesus be the ONLY way? Isn't that unbearably narrow? Isn't that offensive to people who do not believe in him? Not only does this make sense through the lens of having a personal relationship with God, but Jesus points to his own words and works as evidence that he is who he claimed to be. Recorded on Mar 13, 2022, on John 14:1-14, by Pastor David Parks.

This message is part of The Supremacy of Christ sermon series. The Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? Absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re focusing on, The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Supremacy of Christ. The Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? Absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead. But if we fail to get this vision of Jesus, high and lifted up, supreme over all, we’ll have all sorts of problems in our life and faith. We started our series last week with the story of the transfiguration. And we saw that Jesus came into the world from the eternal glory of heaven, is raised today, in that same incredible glory, and will one day return in glory for all to see. No one is more glorious than Jesus. Today, we move to what some have called the exclusivity of Christ, the seemingly arrogant or at least offensive belief that Jesus is the only way to God. Did Jesus really claim this for himself? Let’s find out. If you have a Bible/app, please open to John 14:1.

John 14:1–14 (NIV), “1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name,

The Transfiguration: What is the significance of the transfiguration of Jesus, when he changed in appearance and spoke with Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop? This mysterious event reveals the glory that Jesus had from before the creation of the world, and the glory he would again possess after his resurrection. Recorded on Mar 6, 2022, on Luke 9:28-36, by Pastor David Parks.

This message is part of The Supremacy of Christ sermon series. The Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? Absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

Sermon Transcript

This year, the annual theme which unites all of our sermon series is The Greatness of God. Today, we’re starting a new sermon series called The Supremacy of Christ. And here’s the big idea of this series: the Christian gospel claims that Jesus is far greater than anyone or anything. And it’s true that his first coming was marked by humility, suffering, and even death on a cross. But is that how Jesus is today? The answer, as we’ll see, is absolutely not. Jesus has risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. Today, Jesus reigns and rules over all of creation and will one day return in glory to judge the living and the dead. And if we fail to get this vision of Jesus, high and lifted up, supreme over all, then we will have all sorts of problems in our life of faith. But with this proper view of reality, and the supremacy of Christ, all sorts of other problems are solved. Today, in the story of the transfiguration, we’ll consider the eternal glory of Jesus and what this has to do with our future. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Luke 9:28.

Luke 9:28–36 (NIV), “28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.”

So the gospel of Luke is the first of a two-part series in the Bible written by a man named Luke. Luke was a physician who became a Christian through the ministry of the Apostle Paul, probably in/near the city of Ephesus. Luke was sponsored by a man named Theophilus to do a careful investigation into the person and work of Jesus by interviewing eyewitnesses of his life and teaching and, ultimately, his death and resurrection from the dead. The gospel of Luke is the first half of this work and the book of Acts is the second, which explores what happened next. What happened after Jesus rose from the dead. In two weeks,

Epilogue: Remaking Heaven and Earth: One day, at the end of our current age, we'll discover that the end is really a new Genesis, a new beginning. In this epilogue to our series, we’ll see that one day God will re-create the heavens and the earth, that the power of the curse will be undone, and our future is sure. Recorded on Feb 27, 2022, on Revelation 21-22, by Pastor David Parks.

This message is part of The Making of Heaven and Earth sermon series. There are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. These chapters dramatically shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. More importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re finishing a sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. As we’ve said, there are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. The creation narratives of the Bible shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. But more importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things. In this series, we considered the creation of all things and the meaning and purpose and perfect relationships that were intended for us. But then we saw the fall to sin and the division/destruction/death introduced into God’s good and perfect world. But even in the dark chapters of the fall, we saw God’s grace and mercy and the promise of salvation. Today, we’ll turn from looking at the beginning of all things all the way forward to the end of this age and, in one sense the end of this heaven and the earth. But the end is really a new Genesis, a new beginning. And in this epilogue to our series, we’ll see that one day God will re-create the heavens and the earth, that the power of the curse will be undone, and our future is sure. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Rev 21:1. We’re going to look at three sections of Scripture in Rev 21-22, but we’ll unpack each one as we go. v. 1.

Revelation 21:1–5 (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.”

Let’s pause here. So Revelation was written by the Apostle John when he was in exile on the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. We ended our Encounters with God series with John’s encounter with Jesus there. But here, at the end of Revelation, John has a vision of the future. There’s nothing that we who live as exiles in this world need more than a hopeful vision for our future. And what does he see? He sees the end of our current age of history, the judgment of the living and the dead, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Just as Jesus died but was resurrected, one day, all of creation will die and rise again. And just as Jesus died in humility and weakness, but rose in glory and power, so in the same way, will this broken world,

New Garments: Even in the terrible chapter of the Fall of humanity to sin, the grace and mercy of God are found in abundance. Ever since, sin has had a profound impact on our relationships, work, identity, and so much more. But even in a place of guilt and shame, God's promises are full of hope. Recorded on Feb 20, 2022, on Genesis 3:14-24, by Pastor David Parks.

This message is part of The Making of Heaven and Earth sermon series. There are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. These chapters dramatically shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. More importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. As we’ve said, there are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. The creation narratives of the Bible shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. But more importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things. So far, we’ve considered the creation of the heavens and the earth, the creation and vocation of human beings, and the creation of marriage before the fall to sin that we looked at last week. The fall of humanity marks one of the most significant turning points of history and is really what most of the rest of the Bible is all about. Well, today, we’ll consider some of the consequences of the fall. However, even (and perhaps only) in the disaster of the fall, do we see the depths of the grace/mercy of God. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Ge 3:14.

Genesis 3:14-24 (NIV), “14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring  and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” 20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

As we’ve said, the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, were written by Moses, the famous prophet/leader of the people of ancient Israel during the time of the Exodu...

Did God really say? The Fall of humanity was one of the great turning points in history. Temptation came through questioning God's character and his word. No longer was there perfect openness, honesty, and trust. The new world was marked by fear, guilt, shame, blame-shifting, and ultimately, death. Yikes. What do we learn? Sin is the real reason the world is a mess. And sin is the main reason we need Jesus. Recorded on Feb 13, 2022, on Genesis 3:1-13, by Pastor David Parks.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. As we’ve said, there are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. The creation narratives of the Bible shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. But more importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things. So far, we’ve considered the creation of the heavens and the earth, the creation and vocation of human beings, and the creation of marriage: a good gift of God designed for human flourishing in the whole-life union of husband and wife. Well, today, we come to one of the great turning points of history, in the fall to sin of Genesis 3. We’ll consider both the nature of sin and the pervasive impact of sin on the world and in our own lives. But even in the disaster of the fall, we find the grace and mercy of a God whose greatness is only matched by his goodness. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Ge 3:1.

Genesis 3:1-13 (NIV), “1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Now, as we’ve said, the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, were written by Moses, the famous prophet/leader of the people of ancient Israel during the time of the Exodus. Moses was writing during a critical time when God was fulfilling his promise to Abraham and Sarah to make their family into a great nation. So, in that age, it was critical for God’s people to know their story, including these creation narratives which shaped their understanding of who they were and what they were created and saved for. Of course,

Two Become One: Is marriage "just a piece of paper," like so many people say? What is the purpose of marriage? Marriage is a gift of God for human flourishing. Marriage is intended to be a whole-life oneness between husband and wife. Recorded on Feb 6, 2022, on Genesis 2:18-25, by Pastor David Parks.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. As we’ve said, there are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. The creation narratives of the Bible shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. But more importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things. So far, we’ve considered in the creation of the heavens and the earth that, contrary to a materialistic cosmology, the universe is not the product of chance, but is the good design of a God who speaks light into darkness and order into chaos, resulting in abundant, flourishing life. In the creation of human beings, both male and female, we have both the incalculable worth of being made in the image of God, and also the very human vocation of working and caring for God’s good world. Today, we’ll consider the joining of the man and the woman, of two become one. We’ll consider the stunning beauty and goodness of marriage as God intended. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Genesis 2:18.

Genesis 2:18-25 (NIV), “18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

So, the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah, are understood to have been first written by Moses, the famous prophet/leader of the people of ancient Israel during the time of the Exodus. He was writing during a critical time when God was giving his people their story, including these creation narratives which shaped their understanding of who they were and what they were created and saved for. As such, they are still important to us today because every generation needs to know who they were created to be and what they were created to do. Let’s go back and work through this text together. v. 18.

Genesis 2:18 (NIV), “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” So here, even in perfection, something isn’t quite right. In Genesis 1, God repeatedly assessed his creation as good, it is good, it is very good. But here, he sees something and assesses it as not good. It is not good for the man to be alone. I think this is as true today as it was all the way back then. Human beings were not ever intended to be alone. So many people in our church and in our world experienced the crushing reality of loneliness and isolation over ...

Working and Caring: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it..." Why are we here? What is our purpose? So much of our God-given purpose is found in our work. Good work can be paid or unpaid, in or outside the home, in a variety of roles or industries. People were created to do good work. Recorded on Jan 30, 2022, on Genesis 2:4-17, by Pastor David Parks.

This sermon is part of our series, The Making of Heaven and Earth. There are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. These chapters dramatically shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. More importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re continuing a sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. As we’ve said, there are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. The creation narratives of the Bible shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. But more importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things. Two weeks ago, Ted kicked off this series looking at the pattern of creation by a God who speaks. Creation doesn’t come by chance or by conflict, but by God’s word which brings light out of darkness and order out of chaos. And the power/authority of God’s word results in flourishing life. Last week, Joe preached on the intent of God in creating human beings, both male and female, and the incredible worth we have as creatures made in the image of God. We’ve already considered some foundational truths: you are not an accident, but the good intention of a creator who speaks. And you are not left having to create your own worth, but rather, you have infinite worth because of how God made you. Well, today we’re considering the creation of work, and this is a story of purpose. We’ve seen, so far, the stage on which these human creatures, loved and made in the image of God, are supposed to play — a beautiful world, teaming with life. But what have we been created to do? People have always wrestled with this question. Why are we here? Is there some God-given purpose for our lives? The answer, in Ge 2, is absolutely yes. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Genesis 2:4.

Genesis 2:4-17 (NIV), “4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams[b] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin[d] and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush.[e] 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east ...

The Making of Heaven and Earth: There are few more important chapters ever written than the first three chapters of Genesis. These chapters dramatically shape our understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, and the reason why things are the way they are today. More importantly, they introduce us to the God who created and sustains all things.

"In the beginning..." Genesis 1 introduces us to a God who works as an artisan, creating all things by his powerful word. God's word brings light out of darkness, order to chaos, and abundant, flourishing life. The creation of the heavens and the earth reveals our origin, but more importantly, God's character and power. Recorded on Jan 16, 2022, on Genesis 1:1-25, by Ted Selker.

Encounters with God is a sermon series about the theophanies or divine appearances and how they reveal the stunning character of God and his heart for a world that is lost without him. How can we face the danger and chaos of this world with courage and poise? The Apostle John encountered Jesus while he was in exile. What did he learn? That Jesus has authority over life and death, that Jesus has a plan and knows the end from the beginning, and that Jesus is near and involved in his church. Recorded on Jan 9, 2022, on Acts 9, by Pastor David Parks.

Sermon Transcript

All year, we’re talking about The Greatness of God. And today, we’re finishing our Encounters with God series. Next Sunday we’ll start a new sermon series called The Making of Heaven and Earth from Genesis 1-3. But, as we’ve said throughout this series: in the Bible, when God appears to someone it’s known as a theophany or divine appearing. And these encounters are wild stories; God never seems to act how we would expect. But these encounters, reveal the stunning character of God, and his heart to save a world that is lost without him. Well today, we’re finishing a series that started in the first book of the Bible by landing in the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. And Revelation is wild, full of vivid and sometimes disturbing imagery. It’s written in the style of Jewish apocalyptic literature, which was a style popular in the first century AD, but no longer really exists, which makes it notoriously difficult for us to understand/interpret. The closest modern style, I would say, would be a combination of a zombie and superhero movie, everything is big and scary and there’s a cosmic battle between good and evil. So today, and like last week with the story of the conversion of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, we get another theophany of the risen Jesus, high and lifted up, to an elderly Apostle John. But in this, our final encounter with God, we’ll see that Jesus is the reason that we can face all the danger and potential chaos of the world with courage and poise. If you have a Bible/app, please open to Revelation 1:9.

Revelation 1:9-11 (NIV), “9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

Let’s pause here. So the Apostle John was a young man when he met Jesus and started following him with his brother James. Based on the gospel accounts, he seems to have had anger issues when he was young, but by the time he was an old man, he was known as the Apostle of love. John was raised near the Sea of Galilee, like Jesus, but eventually served as a bishop over the churches in the region of Ephesus in Turkey. You never know where your life might take you or how you might change when you start to follow Jesus. But here, toward the end of a long life, we’re told that John is in exile on the Island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. They didn’t kill him for talking about Jesus (although according to historical accounts they tried several times), but they did send him into exile. Perhaps, for this reason, much of John’s vision is similar in style to Daniel’s and Ezekiel’s theophanies when they were in exile in Babylon. John says that it was the Lord’s Day, meaning it was Sunday, the day that Jesus rose from the dead. This is why Christians continue to gather for worship on Sundays. 

We don’t know if anyone else was there,