Sermon: Revelation 1:1-3, The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Main Point: The book of Revelation is not a puzzle, it is a picture of Jesus and His reign over a sinful world.

I. The Glorious Revelation – 1:1-2.

See Revelation 22:10

“This vision is about Jesus Christ, not the pope, Adolf Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte, Saddam Hussein, or any other person in world history… The Bible is not a horoscope; it is a revelation of Jesus Christ.” – Joel Beeke

1. The Son of Man and the Seven Churches (1:1-3:22).

2. The Lamb and the Seven Seals of God’s Scroll (4:1-8:1).

3. The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19).

4. The War with the Dragon (12:1-14:20).

5. The Seven Bowls of Wrath (15:1-16:21).

6. The Fall of Babylon (17:1-19:21).

7. The Victory of Christ’s Bride (20:1-22:21).

II. The Promised Blessing – 1:3.

Application

1) Try to start fresh as we look into the book of Revelation. 

2) Here are a few principles that will help us in our study:

Revelation is a series of visions filled with symbols in motion. 

Revelation makes sense only in light of the Old Testament. 

Numbers are used symbolically. 

Revelation is for a church under attack. 

Revelation concerns “what must soon take place.” 

The victory belongs to Christ and His church! 

The central message of this book is so clear that those who hear can take it to heart and receive the blessing it promises!

“Though the enemies’ might is portrayed in all its hideousness, Revelation’s last word is not about the destructive power of the “prince of darkness grim,” but rather about the joyful celebration of those redeemed by Jesus, the Lord’s Messiah. This hope motivates the suffering church to endure tribulation and the tempted church to remain a pure bride for her Groom.” – Dennis Johnson

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Sermon: Malachi 3:1, Two Messengers

Main Point: What Malachi predicted has come to pass through the two messengers. Believe the good news and proclaim the Messiah!

I. Messenger 1: Elijah

See also Isaiah 40:3; Luke 1:15-17; Mark 1:2-3; Matthew 11:13-15, 17:10-13

II. Messenger 2: Messiah.

See also John 2:19

Application

1) Messenger #1 has fulfilled his mission!

See also 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

2) Messenger 2 has come!

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Sermon: Zechariah: The Purpose of Prophecy

Main Point: Make eschatology primarily about you growing in holiness instead of merely gaining more knowledge of the future.

I. God’s call to holiness – 1:3-4.

See also 2 Peter 3:11-14

“We should contemplate the future life morning, noon, and night, for it is only when we fix our gaze upon it that we can be fully prepared to despise this present life and its allurements.” – John Calvin

II. God’s definition of holiness.

“The man who lives under the abiding conviction that he will soon see Christ, and give account to Him, will daily strive to please Him.” – J.C. Ryle

III. God’s way to holiness.

“Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.” – WSC 33

“Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.” – WSC 35

“If you would get holiness, think much of Christ’s coming. Live in the light of His approach.” – Charles Spurgeon

Application

1) Let eschatology cause you to turn from sin.

2) Let eschatology cause you to turn to God.

“Eschatology is not designed to inspire fruitless speculation but to encourage diligent service.” – R.C. Sproul

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Sermon: Zephaniah 3:14-17, The LORD Sings Over Us

Main Point: Sing to the Lord because of His salvation, and rejoice in the fact that He sings over you.

I. Sing to the LORD because of His Salvation – 3:14-16. 

See Psalm 33:3, 95:1-2; Galatians 3:28-29; Hebrews 12:22-24

II. Because of His Salvation the LORD Sings Over You – 3:17. 

See Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesian 1:4, 3:19 

Application

1) Trust in the LORD and His salvation.

“Any life but a life lived fully and faithfully for Jesus Christ is a wasted life!” – Joel Beeke

2) Rejoice in the LORD and His salvation.

3) Stand in awe of the fact that He sings over you!

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Sermon: Habakkuk, Faith in a Fallen World

Main Point: True faith trusts in God’s sovereignty and promises even when we don’t understand His ways.

I. True Faith’s struggle with evil in the world – 1:2-4. 

See also Psalms 13:1

II. True Faith’s Fuel in the Promises of God – 2:2-3, 14. 

See also 2 Peter 3:9

III. True Faith’s Rest in the Goodness of God 3:17-19. 

See also Psalms 18:33, 28:8-9 

“Destroy the “vines” and “fig trees” of the carnal heart, and his mirth ceases. But those who when full enjoyed God in all, when emptied can enjoy all in God. They can sit down upon the heap of ruined creature comforts, and rejoice in Him as the “God of their salvation.” Running in the way of His commandments, we outrun our troubles.” – A. R. Faussett

Application

1) Habakkuk shapes our prayers. 

2) Habakkuk shapes our expectations. 

3) Habakkuk shapes our purpose. 

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:1-4

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Sermon: Nahum: God’s Goodness in Judgment and Mercy

Main Point: Because God is good, He is faithful to both judge His enemies and save His people.

I. The LORD is good in judgment. 

See also Psalms 145:9, 86:15; Exodus 34:6,7; Nahum 1:3b

“Divine goodness is the overflowing bounty of God by which he communicates blessing to his creation and to his creatures. … Goodness is the broader category encompassing several of God’s moral attributes. His goodness toward those in misery we call mercy. His goodness to forebear with those deserving judgment we call patience. And his goodness to those who are guilty we call grace.” – Kevin DeYoung

II. The LORD is good in mercy – 1:7.

Application

1) Pray for this nation!

2) Pray for the lost around you. 

3) Pray for yourself. 

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalms 139:23-24

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Jonah 3, A Great Work in a Great City

Main Point: It is not too late for our great city. Let us repent, preach the law and the gospel, and intensely pray for revival!

I.A Great Wicked City – 3:1-3.

II.A Shocking Message = 3:4.

III.An Amazing Response – 3:5-9.

IV. God Had Mercy – 3:10.

See Jonah 4:2; Jeremiah 18:7-8

Application

1)Some of us need to truly press into repentance like Nineveh.

2)Some of us are reluctant messengers like Jonah.

3)Some of us doubt God’s ability to revive.

4)Will we repent? Will we fast and pray for revival?

5)Will we preach both Law & Gospel?

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Sermon: Amos 5:21-24, The Priority of Righteousness

Main Point: Repent and let God’s Word define your worship and life.

I. Repent of Impure Worship – 5:21-23.

“Amos condemns Israel not only on the ground of their thinking to satisfy God by sacrifices without obedience …, but also because even their external ritual was a mere corruption, and unsanctioned by God.” – JFB Commentary 

See 1 Samuel 15:22-23

II. Repent of Unrighteous Living – 5:24.

See Proverbs 14:34; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 3:10-12; Romans 3:23-24

Application

1. God hates man-made worship! 

2. God hates empty rituals! 

3. God loves and calls for righteousness! 

4. So, repent and let God’s Word define both the way you worship and the way you live. 

Conclusion: Isaiah 2:2-3

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 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 

– 2 Corinthians 7:10

Sermon: Joel 2:12-13, True Repentance

Main Point: Respond to God’s message of judgment and hope by rightly understanding and embracing true repentance.

I. The Call to True Repentance – 2:12-13. 

II. The Nature of True Repentance

“Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.” – Thomas Watson

Spurgeon’s Catechism Q 70: What is repentance to life?A. Repentance to life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sins, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it to God, with full purpose to strive after new obedience.

Elements of True Repentance:

1) Sight of Sin: “Sin is not simply making bad choices or mistakes. Sin is having the desire in our hearts to do the will of the enemy of God.” – R.C. Sproul

2) Sorrow for Sin: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalms 51:17

3) Confession of Sin

4) Shame for Sin: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.” – Ezra 9:6

5) Hatred of Sin: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” – Romans 12:9

6) Turning from Sin: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

III. The Promise of True Repentance – v. 13b. 

See Joel 12:13

Application

1. Be honest with yourself. Have you returned? 

2. Are you taking your sin seriously? 

3. Are you properly defining the cure?

4. Have you truly embraced the cure? 

5. Have you found God gracious & merciful and rested all of your hope for salvation in Christ? 

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Sermon: Hosea 2:19-20, Steadfast Love

Main Point: Let God’s steadfast love shape your life so that you walk inassurance and imitate His love in all that you do!

I. Steadfast Love Defined – Hosea 2:19. 

See Hosea 2:19-20; Psalms 23:6 

II. Steadfast Love Embraced – 2:20. 

See Hosea 2:20; Ephesians 3:14-19 

III. Steadfast Love Returned – 2:20. 

See John 14:15 

Application

1) God’s love is not best read by your circumstances. 

2) God’s love is not best read by your feelings! 

3) God’s steadfast love is best read by the gospel and the fact that His Word says He set His love on us from before the foundation of the world! 

Conclusion

“God’s love is an exercise of His goodness towards individual sinners whereby, having identified Himself with their welfare, He has given HisSon to be their Savior, and now brings them to know and enjoy Him ina covenant relation.” – J.I. Packer

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