Sermons from Harvest Bible Chapel - Barrie

One of the most stunning images in the Bible is found in Revelation 5, the passage we’ll be looking at together on Sunday. The Apostle John, who is receiving the revelation from Jesus, comes face-to-face with the Lion of Judah, who he sees as the Lamb of God who was slain. Lion and Lamb. In this scene, we have innumerable angelic beings worshipping God in the heavenly realm because he alone was worthy to open the scroll and reveal the full redemptive plan of God. It is another overwhelming picture of what awaits us in eternity, focussing on the reason for the rejoicing: that the Saviour died and yet lived to provide us a way, to end our sorrow and to join the angels in worship for all eternity.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation

Message: 11 - I began to weep loudly

Text: Revelation 5

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

June 19, 2022

Revelation 21:4

God’s redemptive plan is the only hope, so I must…

…know the history:God has always had this plan (v. 1)

…acknowledge the tragedy: no one is worthy (v. 2-4)

Psalm 30:5b

…experience the victory: the Lamb was slain (v. 5-7)

Isaiah 53:7b

The final victory of Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah—as the conquering Messiah—is possible only because he has first suffered as the Lamb. Here is a great mystery, which the New Testament affirms but does not explain because it involves ineffable realities at the point where God’s spiritual world intersects man’s historical world. Christ’s worthiness and ability to break the seals of the scroll of human history and destiny are dependent on the victory he won in his incarnate life. If he had not come in humility as suffering Saviour, he could not come as conquering Messiah.

George Eldon Ladd

…give the glory: all of heaven rejoices (v. 8-14)

’ve been listening to a new song by Red Rocks Worship all this week. It’s been on repeat. I’ve watched the videos on YouTube of the full band version as well as the acoustic one. The song opens with these lyrics…

Gathered at the highest throneWelcomed by a melodyAnthem I have always knownA song that's always been in meAll glory and honour, dominion and power, to you

Our worship director, Iddo, brought the song to me because, over the next two Sundays, we’ll be looking at Revelation 4-5 in our current series. Jesus gave John a look through the door into eternity and the first thing he saw? “Behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.” That throne is referred to a dozen times in these two chapters. The one who sits on that throne is the indisputable focal point of eternity. Knowing him changes everything then and now.

Series: Great & Amazing - RevelationMessage: 10 - A throne stood in heavenText: Revelation 4Todd DugardHarvest Bible ChapelJune 12, 2022

The top 5 purposes for the Revelation:

Blow our minds

Challenge spiritual rebellion

Encourage persecuted believers to endure

Reveal “the future”

Exalt Jesus Christ

[John’s vision of the scene in heaven gives] the appropriate perspective from which to view and make sense of what is happening on earth. This scene is the theological fountainhead and anchor point for the whole document.M. Eugene Boring as quoted by Buist M. Fanning

The vision of worship in eternity…

…inspires us with the hope we need (v. 1-2)

However fearful or uncontrolled the forces of evil on earth may seem to be, they cannot annul or eclipse the greater fact that behind the scenes God is on his throne governing the universe.George Eldon Ladd

…overwhelms us with his awesome power (v. 3-6a)

The apocalyptic literature of the Bible should wash over us like a wave of the sea.David Barker

…humbles us in light of his holy, holy, holy-ness (v. 6b-10)

…encourages us by his authority over all things (v. 11)

Part of our history includes some challenging seasons that caused heartache and strained relationships. Two significant times of struggle come to mind. One of those involved the dissolution of our former fellowship in 2017 and a season of estrangement from the church that founded us. It was our elders’ desire to one day see the relationship restored, and by God’s grace, that day is here. We are excited to have Pastor Jeff Bucknam, the lead teaching pastor from Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, here to preach on this anniversary weekend. He will be bringing a word to us from Hebrews 12:1-2 that I anticipate will challenge and encourage us in our life and mission for Christ.

Message: Just Keep RunningText: Hebrews 12:1-2Jeff BucknamHarvest Bible ChapelJune 5, 2022

Hebrews 3:14

Embrace Your Race (v. 1)

Hebrews 11:32-38John 21:18-22

Run Without the Robe (v. 1)

Luke 8:14

Welcome the Witnesses (v. 1-2)

On the one hand, this is the hardest of the seven letters. On the other, it is still filled with hope. In this final letter of the seven letters in Revelation 2-3, Jesus extends grace to a church that had almost completely lost its way. They are described by Jesus as “lukewarm,” neither hot or cold which is preferred. Think coffee or tea. Great when it is hot. Great when it is ice cold. But terrible lukewarm. Jesus wants his church to be crisp, clean and refreshingly cold like a tall glass of ice tea or piping hot like a good cup of joe. The lukewarm church is spewed out. Unfit to be consumed. Unworthy to be called a church.

Series: Great & Amazing - RevelationMessage: 9–Neither cold nor hotText: Revelation 3:14-22Todd DugardHarvest Bible ChapelMay 29, 2022

Jesus is the faithful and true witness and so we must give ourselves fully to him…

…setting aside our complacency (v. 15)

…receiving his stern rebuke (v. 16)

…doing a deep dive on our sin (v. 17)

You will never make yourself feel that you are a sinner, because there is a mechanism in you as a result of sin that will always be defending you against every accusation. We are all on very good terms with ourselves, and can always put up a good case for ourselves.D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Seeking the face of God: nine reflections on the Psalms

…accepting his wise counsel (v. 18)

Matthew 6:19-20John 9:25bJohn 9:39

…knowing his heart for us (v. 19)

Proverbs 3:11-12

…opening the door to his abundant grace (v. 20)

…obtaining eternal blessings from him (v. 21-22)

You won’t conquer what you won’t confront.Tai Adeboboya

What a relief to get to the sixth of seven letters and know that there’s no rebuke attached to it. Jesus commends and encourages them. That’s it. After the challenging messages we’ve heard already, this comes as welcomed relief in advance of hearing a very tough seventh and final letter next Sunday! The church in Philadelphia—the city of brotherly love—was reassured by Jesus in this letter in light of the crushing burdens they were facing as believers. For anyone who is feeling the weight of things right now, my hope is that you would be encouraged by the Word this week.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation

Message: 8–You have kept my word

Text: Revelation 3:7-13

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

May 15, 2022

Jesus opens and closes all doors (v. 7), and so we should be encouraged…

Matthew 16:19

…to persevere in his work (v. 8)

With great power comes great responsibility.

Uncle Ben

We glorify God by making more and better disciples of Jesus who love God and love people

…to await his vindication (v. 9)

Isaiah 60:14

…to lean hard on his promises (v. 10-13)

Revelation 21:22

We’re continuing our hard-hitting journey through the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 with a look at the letter to the church in Sardis. This church gets only the slightest of commendations and a stern warning to “Wake up!” This is a timely message because many professing believers were lulled into a sleepy sense of complacency over the last two years. The #1 issue facing churches around the world is finding people to serve as they did pre-pandemic. But to claim to be a Christian and not be serving is an act of hypocrisy, according to Jesus.

I won’t hide it from you: this promises to be another difficult message to hear.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation

Message: 7–Wake up

Text: Revelation 3:1-6

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

May 15, 2022

Hypocrite: one who pretends to be something they’re not

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, exposes our hypocrisy, so we must…(v. 1)

…acknowledge the problem (v. 2)

…return to the gospel (v. 3a)

8 Habits for Growth (https://www.amazon.ca/8-Habits-Growth-Darryl-Dash/dp/0802423655/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2T91ZAMXGE3ZV&keywords=darryl+dash+habit&qid=1652562943&sprefix=darryl+dash+habit%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1)

A Habit Called Faith: 40 Days in the Bible to Find and Follow Jesus (https://www.amazon.ca/Habit-Called-Faith-Pollock-Michel/dp/1540900533/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3DY2GFD56221&keywords=40+habits&qid=1652562974&sprefix=40+habits%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-2)

Opening Evangelism’s Overlooked Back Door, Jen Pollack Michel (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/opening-evangelisms-overlooked-back-door/)

The Leadership Series (https://theleadershipseries.church/)

The gospel is central in my life when I…

• Start or keep attending worship every week;

• Start or keep reading the Bible daily;

• Start or keep praying even when I’m not sure what to say;

• Start or keep connecting with the community of faith.

…anticipate his coming (v. 3b)

The Christians in Sardis must take heed and prepare themselves spiritually so that Christ’s coming will not have that hostile character to it. Buist M. Fanning

…get with faithful believers (v. 4)

Bad company corrupts good character.

1 Corinthians 15:33

…long to hear Jesus say our name (v. 5-6)

I realize that we’re only six messages into this series, Great & Amazing, in the Book of the Revelation, but it has already seemed like a lot to take in. The passages we’ve looked at are powerful and challenging; stop-you-in-you-tracks kind of stuff. This book is exposing our sin but also laying out a path of hope and blessing for us as the world applies pressure to those who live by faith in Christ. That’s why these messages and this book continue to be so relevant for today. In this next message in Revelation 2:18-29, we’ll hear what Jesus said to the church in Thyatira. With his glory and awesomeness on display, we will be compelled to live passionately and purely for the Lord in the face of strong temptation to betray him. In light of who he is, how could we do anything else?

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation

Message: 6–Hold fast what you have

Text: Revelation 2:18-29

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

May 8, 2022

Jesus is awesome and glorious (v. 18), and so we must be passionate and pure about…

…our own good works (v. 19)

…resisting the world’s influences (v. 20-21)

The gift of prophecy has far more to do with the FORTHTELLING of known truths and much less to do with the FORETELLING of the future.

…living in light of God’s coming judgment (v. 22-23)

…holding fast to what has been entrusted to us (v. 24-29)

ENVISAGE BABY BOTTLE DRIVE

https://www.envisagepregnancy.ca/baby-bottle-campaign/

Chart below: Vaughan Roberts, ????????? ?????? (IVP, 2011)

In the days when I used to preach at floor-level, wandering along the front and up and down the aisles, I was able to get up close and personal with people. One time, using a sword as an object lesson, I swung it wildly, almost clipping Liz in the front row. I have noticed that she doesn’t sit anywhere near the front anymore. Hasn’t for years. Understandable, I guess. But where’s your faith! ;-) I’m telling you this because I’m bringing out the sword again this Sunday. A few weeks ago, in Revelation 1:16, we heard this description of Jesus: “from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword.” As we look this Sunday at the letter to the church in Pergamum, that description of the Lord comes back and is relevant to the challenge Jesus puts in front of this church; these are “The words of him who has the sharp, two-edged sword” (Revelation 2:12). We know from passages like Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17 that this sword is the Word of God, and the church in that city was having trouble with false teaching that was creeping in, and that’s something that every church today is dealing with. Once again, this is a timely and relevant message for our church. Come ready to hear the Word and respond.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation Message: 5–Therefore repent Text: Revelation 2:12-17 Todd Dugard Harvest Bible Chapel May 1, 2022

Jesus wields the sharp, two-edged sword (v. 12), and so we must always be repenting… (v. 16a)

…as we have already done (v. 13)

Pergamon image and info: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1457/

…in order to root out error (v. 14-15)

The term “deconstruction” is being used prescriptively [today] …especially [toward] those questioning what they’ve grown up with; [it is being recommended] as a courageous thing to do. [But] to applaud or even recommend deconstruction lands somewhere between unhelpful and dangerous.—John Stonestreet and Timothy D Padgett, Breakpoint

Scripture (especially the Psalms) not only creates plenty of space for doubting and questioning, but describes how God meets us in our questions and doubts. So, if all that is meant by deconstruction is asking tough questions about God or faith, that’s a normal part of the Christian life and need not mean deconversion.—Stonestreet and Padgett

"The problem with deconstructing faith" https://www.breakpoint.org/the-problem-with-deconstructing-faith/

"We should talk about Disney" https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/lets-talk-about-disney/

…avoid a battle with God (v. 16b)

…and instead find what we’re looking for in him alone (v. 17)

Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. C. S. Lewis

Jesus wields the sharp, two-edged sword, and so we must always be repenting, as we have already done, in order to root out error, avoid a battle with God, and instead find what we’re looking for in him alone.

After a fantastic Good Friday and Easter Sunday weekend, we’re back to our current series, Great & Amazing, in the Book of Revelation. We’ll be looking at Revelation 2:8-11 and the letter to the church at Smyrna. In this letter, Jesus comes as the first and last and the one who was raised from the dead. The message: we must not fear anything that we face. For that church, it was intense persecution for living out and preaching the gospel to a hostile world around them. This will be another challenging message.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation

Message: 4–Be faithful unto death

Text: Revelation 2:8-11

Todd Dugard

Harvest Bible Chapel

April 24, 2022

How strange this fear of death is! We are never frightened at a sunset.

George MacDonald

Jesus is the first and last and was raised from the dead (2:8), and so we must not fear... (2:10a)

...our current difficulties (2:9)

Christ reminds them, however, of the paradoxical status of God’s people in a sinful world: they are often poor in this world's wealth (outward, material, fleeting), but ‘rich’ inwardly, spiritually, and eternally.

Buist M. Fanning

...our future path (2:10b)

There are no promises of an easy life in Scripture. Instead, there are promises of divine comfort and blessing in the midst of suffering.

Grant R. Osborne

The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.

Leonard Ravenhill

To prepare for whatever the future holds:

(1) I will take nothing I have now for granted

(2) I will not exaggerate my current situation

(3) I’ll take my faith seriously now

...our eventual death (2:10c-11)

Mark 8:34b

John 16:33b

Acts 5:41

Philippians 1:29

2 Timothy 3:12

Polycarp Article, Christianity Today

https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/martyrs/polycarp.html

Augustine called him, “Latro laudabilis et mirabilis,” that is to say, a thief to be praised and wondered at. He is among the most unknown and enigmatic characters in the Bible. He appears, unnamed, in one narrative alone, and everything we know about him fits into a few brief verses. He was a convicted and confessed criminal being executed along with another of his kind and, providentially, Jesus of Nazareth. In the six hours that the three of them hung on their respective crosses, two spiritual transactions were made. One resulting in despair and death and the other in hope and eternal life.

As we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we will examine the encounter between Jesus and these two criminals, and we’ll hear the gospel message of hope proclaimed unencumbered by anything but grace on God’s part and faith on ours. In the end, we’ll see that the whole thing is something to be praised and wondered at.

Message: You will be with me in paradiseText: Luke 23:39-43Jordan CorosHarvest Bible ChapelApril 17, 2022

Heaven and Hell are not places far away. Charles Spurgeon Hebrews 9:27

He detested Jesus (Matthew 27:44; Luke 23:39)…as you do (James 4:4; Romans 3:22b-23)

Matthew 27:40-44 It is the glory of God not honoured; the holiness of God not reverenced; the greatness of God not admired; the power of God not praised; the truth of God not sought; the wisdom of God not esteemed; the beauty of God not treasured; the goodness of God not savored; the faithfulness of God not trusted; the promises of God not believed; the commandments of God not obeyed; the justice of God not respected; the wrath of God not feared; the grace of God not cherished; the presence of God not prized; the person of God not loved. John Piper Numbers 32:23

He appealed to Jesus (Luke 23:40-42)…as you must (Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12)

He was saved by Jesus (Luke 23:43)…as you may be (Romans 5:10; 1 Peter 1:3b-5)

If Jesus could save this unnamed criminal—and he did—he can save anyone; he can even save you. John 6:37