The church of Christ on McDermott Road

Every Christian should be grateful for their church family. Not just grateful in their heart, but verbally express their gratitude to their brothers and sisters, and to God. Just as importantly, every Christian should demonstrate their gratitude towards their church family. Even when we’re frustrated with our church family—perhaps, especially when we’re frustrated—we should express, demonstrate, and practice gratitude. This sort of gratitude helps to cement and strengthen our relationships with one another. (Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-10

The new Jerusalem is called “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” It is a beautiful and enormous city (large enough to cover the land mass of the entire Roman Empire). It stands in direct contrast to the beastly empire and the prostitute city that have been destroyed. This is the city that will endure forever, the city of God, the holy city. Many wonder, is this city symbolic of the church or is it the city in which the church will dwell in forever? The answer is likely, yes! A city is both a place AND a group of people. We are the people of the New Jerusalem right now, but this is also the “city that is to come.” From an earthly  perspective, it may seem that the church is nothing special right now (just as it did in John’s day), but someday it will be revealed that we are the citizens of the most glorious city, the eternal city. Only those who are loyal to the Lamb will live and experience that reality. (Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

In contrast to Babylon’s drunkenness and debauchery, a new feast is announced, “The marriage supper of the Lamb.” This is the final celebration that all of history is moving towards, the feast that will celebrate the destruction of Babylon, the victory of the Lamb, and the reconciliation of heaven and earth. Not everyone will be invited to enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb, only those who have made themselves ready and “clothed themselves with fine linen, bright and pure.” Those who are drunk on the wine of Babylon do not understand thefollowers of the Lamb, who are preparing themselves for the true party that is to come. (Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:39

Finally, in chapter 18, an angel declares with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon (a figurative name for Rome) the great!” Though John’s audience would not live to see Rome fall, they needed to know that day was coming. The city who lived like a queen, would someday experience torment and mourning. The compromisers in John’s audience needed to hear, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.” Every worldly power will someday experience the same fate. Those who give their loyalty to earthly powers will share in her sins and in her punishment. The only way  to survive this fate is by following the Lamb, “wherever he goes.” (Scripture: Revelation 18:1-10)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

The great enemy of Revelation is the dragon, “who is called the devil and Satan.” The dragon “gave his power and his throne and his great authority” to beasts, one from the sea and one from the land. This vision reveals that the Empire is not as beautiful and glorious as it seems, it is a monster who is empowered by Satan. Those who worship the beast and give it their loyalty, in order to “buy or sell,” will suffer the wrath of God and the Lamb. Though the Roman Empire is now gone, are we still able to pull back the curtain and recognize beastly imperial power today? “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (13:10).

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13