bpchurch Sermons

Human beings were created to worship—the problem is that we often find ourselves worshiping anything and everything, except the one who is worthy of our worship. In a world filled with trouble, we so often look to other things to bring us safety, security and happiness, but nothing else can ever fully satisfy. C.S. Lewis says “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Join us this week in Revelation 4-5 as we get a glimpse of another world and the worship that takes place there.

You've probably heard the phrase "it all depends on your perspective" used in a variety of ways. One person might use that phrase to suggest that something sinful might be okay. Another might use it to refer to how well things are going. It might refer to the impossibility of a problem. It could also suggest that people with differing purposes might see the same situation differently.

This Sunday we will consider the last four letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3. Each of these final four churches see their situation differently than the Lord does. So, if "it all depends on your perspective," how can we be sure that we have the right perspective? How can you know if you are seeing things as you should see them? The letters to these four churches will give us some "perspective" on this.

The book of the Revelation of Jesus reminds us that we need to know Jesus. We need to know Him as we see Him in the gospels, and we need to know Him in His power and glory. But it also reminds us that Jesus knows His church. Jesus knows us, and He knows what we face in the world. He knows the dangerous diversions that could keep us from finishing well.

This Sunday we will look at the first three of seven letters to specific churches. These letters have something to say to all churches, and I think one of these first three is especially relevant to us today. Which one do you think it is?

What was once said of Russia's intentions could be said about the book of Revelation: "It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key." Many have taught fantastic things from this book, which the continuation of years have shown not to be so. Others steer clear of this book believing it too hard to understand and that eschatology is not so very practical anyway.

However, God Himself has declared it to be very practical for His churches and a specific source of blessing and strength in the midst of trying times. So, over the next few months we will immerse our church in the blessings of this book, but I won't be trying to answer every question you may have or identifying all the "signs of the times." Instead, we will focus on the main points of this book which will give us the big picture concerning how God will complete His promises in Jesus Christ.

This Sunday, we will discover some of the keys to the book of Revelation which open up its message, and its blessing, to us as His church.

Communications is important, that's why we are sending this email to you right now, to let you know about what is going on this weekend. And communication is especially important in the relationships that we have with each other. Husbands and wives, parents and kids, and friends all know how quickly relationships run into trouble when there is miscommunication or lack of communication. This week, as we finish our series in Ephesians we will see the importance of proper communication with the most important relationship we have, our relationship with God.

In one of his letters, the Apostle Paul warns Christians against being outwitted by Satan, "for we are not ignorant of his schemes." But what if we are ignorant of his schemes? What if we are unaware of the enemy's typical ways of attacking Christians and how we can stand firm in these attacks? We don't have to remain unaware of his attacks and unengaged in the battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us what to do and how to stand. The imagery used may be ancient, but this Sunday let's talk about some present-day specifics that will enable you to stand firm in Christ's life and victory.

Ephesians 6:5-9 is a relatively simple and clear yet difficult passage. It's difficult because it's one of the places where Paul could have clearly condemned slavery. He could have ignited a revolution in the Roman world, but he doesn't - or does he?

This is a practical passage, and it definitely has applications you can "work with." But if all we learn from this passage is how to be better workers or better bosses, we may have missed the point.

We may feel like families have a hard time today. There are many influences within our culture that pull parents away from their children and pull children away from their parents. Actually, the same was true over 2,000 years ago. The Old Testament closes with a longing for God's blessing and the coming of God's savior king. God promises to prepare his people by "turning the hearts of fathers back to their children and the hearts of children back to their fathers (Malachi 4:6)."

What if God intends to get us ready for Jesus' return in the same way? What if one of the ways we ex-perience the filling by God's Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) is in how we relate within family as children and parents? Let's talk about it Sunday. We'll discuss some practical ways that we can take a next step, as children and parents, whatever our ages.

Last week in God's Word we saw that the Spirit of God fills us with the fullness and likeness of Christ. Over the next three weeks we will apply that reality into three different relationships: marriage, parenting, and at work. This Sunday we'll start in Ephesians 5:22-33, with the easy one marriage! By God's grace we will be stretched a little and have our toes gently stepped on. We'll talk about the two most compelling needs in a couple's relationship and how they relate to Jesus' faith in God and faithfulness to us.