Sermons

There's a great spiritual battle going on over whom/what we will worship. Revelation depicts two types of people: those that worship the beast and those that worship the Lamb. Judgement is coming for those that worship the beast and the doctrine of hell helps Christians to endure in loving our neighbor and loving our Savior.

The devil has been warring against the church since the very beginning. His tactics are broad; he uses force and craftiness, and he engages both the people of this world and its institutions to conquer the saints. Meanwhile, the world rejoices in the splendor of its accomplishments, not realizing the reality of its state; that it is subjugated to terrible (and defeated) forces. The church should know better. It's called to stand firm in both endurance and faith, trusting in the finished work of Jesus, their champion, to bring ultimate victory. Here's the problem: the church can only stand firm against the devil if it recognizes that it's in a war in the first place.

Every one of Jesus' purposes for the church come from one main purpose - to receive His Word, hold fast to his Word, bear testimony in our lives to his Word and to proclaim his Word.

Prayer is the gracious means God has given his people to invite them into his redemptive and sovereign purposes. God hears our prayers. God accepts our prayers because of the mediating work of Christ. God answers our ultimate prayer for his Kingdom to come and His will to be done.

Jesus has given us a future to look forward to. The anticipation of this future is on aspect of the Christian hope that drives us in life and mission. When we look at what the King offers and the vision of His Kingdom that He shared with John we are filled with hope and joy as we navigate the tribulations of this life.

When Jesus died, rose, and ascended into heaven he was given all authority in heaven and on earth to rule, reign and defeat his and our enemies. He continues to reign until he returns and restores all of heaven and earth. But until then, it seems that evil often wins the day. It doesn't take long for us to see the evil in this world when we flip through our news feed. How then, can a Christian claim that Jesus Christ is in charge of history? When there is great evil, the Christian turns to the person, the promises and the purposes of God to find meaning and willingness to continue in faith.

John's vision of the throne room in heaven is a cause for worship as it is seen through the lens of Scripture. The throne room of heaven puts the worth, glory and welcoming goodness of Christ on display for all to see.

Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia that he is pleased with their holding fast to his person and work. He encourages them to remain confidence that He is holy, true and unstoppable. Their confidence is born from these facts. The confidence we have in Christ is the basis of fruitful mission, unwavering perseverance and our standing before a Holy God.