The Tabernacle Today

United in Support Acts 4:23-27

But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether its right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”   -Acts 4:19-20

Today’s passage shows how Christians are to support other Christians who are being _____________________ due to their public witness.

Four R’s of Supporting Each Other’s Public Witness: V. 23-30

1. R____________________ to each other V. 23

2. Raising our voices together in _______________ V. 24ff

3. Reflecting on ____________________ together V. 24ff

Verse 28 shows that they believed that no matter what evil people do on earth, God’s plan to save people will not be derailed! What they have meant for evil, God can even turn around and use for _____________________.

4. Recommitting to __________ God no matter what V. 29-30

God Answers in multiple ways: V. 31-37

Throughout the book of Acts we have seen that the primary evidence of someone being filled with the Spirit is ____________________ in speaking God’s truth.

Barnabas = Mr. Encouragement!

God’s Wrath Intensifies on Earth

People often don’t think about changing their sinful ways until they face their own mortality!

Time to repent is running out!

The Trumpet judgments are more intense than the seal judgments, less intense then the bowl judgments to come.

Read Revelation chapters 8 and 9

The Calm Before the Storm 8:1

Time to repent is running out!

The Prayers of the Saints Precede the Trumpet Judgments 8:2-6

Time to repent is running out!

God’s wrath in the time of Tribulation must be understood in terms of His strategy to save the world!

“For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. So repent and live!”  -Ezekiel 18:32

“The Lord does not delay His promise, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:9

The First Four Trumpets: The Physical Elements begin to fail  8:7-13

Time to repent is running out!

And so a third of the vegetation burns up at the first trumpet…

Time to repent is running out!

A third of the sea is messed up at the second trumpet…

Time to repent is running out!

A third of the drinking water becomes wormwood, or bitter and poisonous at the third trumpet…

Time to repent is running out!

And then in the fourth trumpet the heavenly lights begin to flicker…

What’s happening in these first four trumpets?

God is taking away the things the sinful world system has relied on, gifts from Him that they have taken for granted.

It is love to say “When you are ready, you can always come home!”

It is not love to fund a sinful lifestyle!

“It was really pathetic to hear my father praying pointedly for me today at family worship, and to think the poor man’s supplications were addressed to nothing better able to hear than the chandelier.”

-Robert Louis Stephenson, quoted in The Undercover Revolution, Iain Murray, p  13

Time to repent is running out!

Fifth and Sixth Trumpets: Hell on earth 9:1-19

As John struggles to relay what he saw this chapter has more occurrences of the words ‘as’ and ‘like’ than any in the Bible.

There is one thing worse than experiencing 5 months of Hell on earth – and that’s experiencing eternity in Hell.

Time to repent is running out!

Time to repent is running out!

Many people still did not repent!  9:20-21

My greater concern right now: why won’t you repent?

Time to repent is running out!

Due to inclement weather, this special video episode was filmed for our January 16, 2022, Sunday Service. Currently only Spotify supports video playback.

The glory of God is the overarching theme of the Bible, not salvation. God IS glorified through the salvation of repentant sinners; But He is ALSO glorified through the judgment of unrepentant sinners. He will receive the glory due His name, either in salvation or judgment. 

Read John 17:1-5

Eight ways we see God is glorified in the Bible:

1. God is glorified through the display of His attributes 

And one (seraphim) cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” -Isaiah 6:3

When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,  and the glory of the Lord on the Temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshipped and praised the Lord, saying, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” -2 Chron. 7:3 

“Give to the Lord the glory due His name.” -1 Chron. 6:29

Nations shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory. -Palm 102:15

I will not share My glory with another. -Isaiah 48:11b

2. God is glorified through His creation and providential care of all things

The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. -Psalm 19:1

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him. -Isaiah 43:7

What is the chief end of man? To Glorify God and Enjoy Him forever!

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God? -Romans 3:23

3. God is glorified through His dealings with Israel in the past and future

Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. -Romans 9:4-5  

We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against You. Do not abhor us, for Your name’s sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory. Remember, do not break Your covenant with us. -Jeremiah 14:20-21 

4. God is glorified through the gospel of Jesus Christ given for all mankind

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name. And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake. -Psalm 79:9

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the one of a kind of the Father, full of grace and truth.   -John 1:14 

5. God is glorified through the raising up of churches as ‘Kingdom Embassies”

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. -Ephesians 3:20-21

6. God is glorified through the forgiveness of repentant sinners 

Christ in you, the hope of glory. -Col. 1:27

7. God is glorified through the judgment of unrepentant sinners 

Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come. -Rev. 14:7

8. God will be glorified in His coming Kingdom  

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” -Mark 8:38

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. -John 17:24

Unable to Stop! Acts 4:1-22

Harassment of Christians has become commonplace in the public square in America, and we will be hearing more about persecution in our land.

The trend is clear: secular humanists are not just pushing for believers to get back in their churches and be quiet, they want believers to not act on what the Bible says at all or face civil ____________________.

The Apostles are arrested for Preaching Jesus V. 1-7

Now what’s interesting is that Peter and John were standing on trial in the ___________________ place their beloved Jesus had just two months earlier!

The Apostle ____________________ THE Message: Jesus Saves!   V. 8-14

Remember that just two months earlier Peter had denied Christ to a servant girl while standing in the courtyard outside the Sanhedrin while Jesus was being tried. Now he gets a chance to testify in the place of his greatest __________________________!

Matthew 10:16-20

Acts 4:8-10 are just one sentence in the Greek! His subject is the power of the Name of Jesus!

The word for whole or healed at the end of verse 10 comes from sozo, which is the same word used in verse 12 for _______________!

Peter is saying, “The Jesus you killed is alive and saved this man here, and will be the only way for you or anybody else to be saved as well!”

The Jewish leaders were the builders of the nation, but they were not building on the only lasting _________________ - Jesus the Messiah!

The Apostles are told it is Illegal to _______________ mention Jesus    V. 15-18

How did the early Christians react when they were told such nonsense?

The Apostles are unable to stop talking about Jesus V. 19-22

Peter and John were not going to disobey the orders of Acts 1:8!

When they tell you you can’t, say, “______________________ told me I can, and I am unable to stop talking about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”

The ______________________ of God is the overarching theme of the Bible, not salvation. God IS glorified through the salvation of repentant sinners; But He is ALSO glorified through the judgment of unrepentant sinners. He will receive the glory due His name, either in salvation or judgment.

Unprecedented Revival in the Time of Wrath

The question is often asked, “Will anyone be saved during the time of tribulation?”

Our passage today decisively answers that question, “YES!”

Read Rev. 7:1-17 Unprecedented Revival in the Time of Wrath Let’s Pray!

An Interlude in the Unfolding Wrath of God V. 1-3

Instead of going directly to the next series of judgments though, chapter seven starts with an angel from the east telling other angels to hold off on the coming judgments momentarily while he completes his mission!

There are 67 occurrences of angels in Revelation, an average of 3 occurrences per chapter, one every six verses!

Here we see four angels standing at the four “corners” of the world. The word for corners is the same word we would get quarters from; Think of the four quadrants, or points on the compass: North, South, East, and West.

God raises up 144,000 special Jews! V. 4-8

The names of the tribes of Israel are NEVER used to describe anything non-Jewish. They are always used to describe the specific son of Jacob referred to, or that Jewish tribe, that tribe’s descendants, or the land allotted to that tribe.

Five things we know about the 144,000 from Revelation:

1. They live during the time of the tribulation.

2. They are Jews!

3. Sometime in the tribulation they give their lives to their Messiah Jesus!

4. They are sealed!

I believe the data indicates they are doubly sealed:

Sealed with the seal of salvation like believers now…

“In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation- in Him when you believed- were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance…” -Eph. 1:13-14

Sealed from some kind of harm during the tribulation!

5. They are pure!

The probable mission of the 144,000 is to spread the gospel worldwide during the tribulation!

Unprecedented harvest of souls from the tribulation  V. 9-17

The interesting exchange he has with the elder in verses 13-14 make clear this group are those who specifically have come out of this time of great tribulation!

Perhaps the fact they are sealed from harm will keep the witnesses from death; we’re not sure about that, but if they are, it will make would be persecutors even more upset with them! When they can’t kill them, they’ll kill many of those who are converted listening to their message.

If the worst thing that could happen to you happens on earth, martyrdom, you get special recognition in Heaven!

God is in control; Jesus is your shepherd; Heaven is your reward! Even during the worst times of trouble God can be glorified in your life – let Him!

Blessing People Wherever You Go Acts 3:1-26

The Apostles were ready to bless people _____________________   V. 1-10

Jews had 3 daily times of prayer:

9 AM-3rd hour  Noon-6thhour  3 PM-9th hour

The beggar saw an opportunity for money; Peter saw an opportunity for ________________________!

The signs of an apostle were performed among you in all endurance – not only signs but also wonders and miracles.  -2 Cor. 12:12

The apostles’ ability to work miracles like Jesus affirmed their ___________________________ to write New Testament Scripture. In this sense there are no “apostles” today!

John Duns Scotus entered the Franciscan Order at the age of 15 and was ordained a priest in 1291...

The Apostles were ready to bless people ______________________   V. 11-26

Set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.  -1 Peter 3:15

This crowd would have been 100% Jewish, and probably all men.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment that in the SEED of Abraham all nations would be ______________________. Jesus is our High Priest, Isaiah’s Suffering Servant.

Jesus Christ is the ______________________ that must be obeyed, the one Moses spoke of in Deuteronomy 18:15-22.

Peter reminds the people that just as they are guilty of the curses pronounced by the prophets because of their sin, if they turn to the Messiah they will be heirs of the _______________________ made by the prophets to the repentant!

The blessing awaiting those who turn to Jesus V. 19-21

When a person repents and turns to Jesus, their sins are wiped out, and times of ______________________ will come from the Lord!

Jesus will remain in Heaven until the promised restoration, as Psalm 110:1 says!

Now it is wonderful when someone gets healed physically, but that’s still temporary healing. A person who is healed physically will still die someday. But salvation brings eternal healing, and is thus a ___________________________ miracle.

John 9

Bethany Hamilton

Daniel Ritchie

All of this unearths a Deeper Question: Is Jesus _______________ for you?

For me, living is Christ, and dying is gain. -Philippians 1:21

Final challenge:

Like the early Christians, be a blessing _________________ you go!

God’s Wrath Comes to Earth

In contrast to so many gloomy predictions of the coming destruction of earth, Revelation succinctly presents the last 7 years of earth as we know it, where the end is really the beginning of a renewed and renovated earth.    

Read Revelation 6:1-17 God’s Wrath Comes to Earth Let’s Pray! 

When sinners persist in their sinful lifestyle and refuse to repent, what is the judgment of God?  

Letting them continue in that sinful lifestyle and reap the consequences that inevitably come by refusing to live by the Designer’s plan. 

During the tribulation, God will give the world what it says it wants: life without God. 

What the world doesn’t understand now is how much it benefits from two things it will not have during the tribulation: the difference the church makes in the world as salt and light, and how active the Holy Spirit is in restraining evil in the world.

The first seal/ white horse: The rise of the Antichrist V. 1-2

In Revelation we see that Satan loves to imitate God; the rider on the white horse may be God’s way of mocking him. What Satan’s man the antichrist promises earth but can’t deliver, Jesus will deliver when He comes!

“We do not need another committee. We have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people, and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man and be he god or devil, we will receive him.”   -Paul-Henri Spaak

The second seal/ red horse: War V. 3-4

But we do know that at some point whatever peace the Antichrist has promised will crumble into people slaughtering one another.  

The third seal/ black horse: Famine V. 5-6

The fourth seal/ pale green horse: Death V. 7-8

During this time of the tribulation, a godless approach to life will cause the death of over a billion people. That’s what I call the dark ages.  

The fifth seal: The martyr’s prayer for justice V. 9-11

I think from this we clearly get that people in Heaven know both the good things and bad things happening on earth, and pray to God about them!  

“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” -Luke 15:10

The sixth seal: Asteroids and earthquake V. 12-17

God normally not only protects us from doing all the harm we could do to each other, but also sustains us from space debris hitting us. 

Well, in verse 17 these events are so severe that men who have wanted to be free from God now acknowledge that what has happened is His wrath. 

Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. -Amos 3:7

The Redeemer is Praised in Heaven!

We often find ourselves crying out, “Is there anyone out there who can really fix the mess we are in?”

In chapter four we saw Heaven praising God for being the Creator of all!

In Chapter five we will see Heaven praising Jesus for being the Redeemer, the only One who can really fix the mess earth is in!

Read Revelation 5 The Redeemer is Praised in Heaven Let’s Pray!

The scroll that must be opened to initiate the redemption of earth  V. 1

The scroll is about the events that will unfold beginning with the tribulation. The scroll gives the recipient the authority to initiate the redemption of earth.

“The scroll seems to contain the story of humanity’s losing its lordship over creation and the regaining of that authority by the man Christ Jesus. The scroll might be titled the “Book of Redemption” since it contains the story of redemption to its final consummation, not only in relation to humanity but also in relation to the world.” Charles Ryrie, Revelation, page 48

“To put it simply, Adam and Eve sold the farm. Satan walked away with the title deed to all creation.” -Adrian Rogers, Unveiling the End Times in Our Time, 77

John doesn’t see anyone able to open the scroll V. 2-4

Jesus: The One who will open and act on the scroll!  V. 5-7

“Judah is a young lion…the scepter will not depart from Judah…until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him….He washes His clothes in wine, and His robes in the blood of grapes.” -Genesis 49:9-11

The Lion who is the Lamb is another way of speaking of the One who is

100% God and 100% man, uniquely qualified to open the scroll!

Christ’s receipt of the scroll initiates three hymns of praise!!! V. 8-14

What are they singing about?

They are praising Jesus for the redemption He provided with His blood!

It is my hope this morning that this passage becomes fuel for your prayer-life!

There is a reason verse nine comes after verse eight here: the prayers of the saints have brought a harvest of souls into Heaven from every place on earth!

How many prayers do you have in Heaven’s bowls for unreached people in the world?

Oh, folks, don’t be lazy pray-ers!  Be prayer warriors!

Don’t miss it folks: your praise of the Lamb in Heaven with believers from around the globe will be so much richer if you have prayed for them!

“Missions is not the main purpose of the church, worship is! Missions exists because worship does not!”  -John Piper!

There will be someone from every tribe there, including…

There will be someone from every language there, including…

There will be someone from every people group there, including…

There will be someone from every nation there, including…

The Basics Acts 2:40-47

The Greek word for church is ekklesia. It comes from combining the words ek and kaleo. Ek means “out of,” and kaleo means “to call.” Put them together and we understand that the church is made up of “called out ones.”

The 3,120 believers in the first church in Jerusalem had been called out of the world into a new God-centered ___________________ that would go back into the world with the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ.

Four Basics that are to define God’s church: V. 42-46

1. Devotion to the ___________________________

The Apostle’s teaching was their explanation of how Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and the ramifications for living now that He had completed His work on the cross and risen from the dead. Our _________________ Testament is the apostle’s teaching!

The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.  -Psalm 147:11

2. Devotion to each other in the Christian community

The word that comes to my mind is ________________________: true Biblical fellowship is being totally devoted to other people who are also totally devoted to Christ!

Philippians 1:3-5 1 John 1:6-7 2 Corinthians 8:3-5

Christian giving is _____________________________ and motivated by the love of Christ. The sacrificial giving of our fellow Christians inspires others to do what they can.

3. They were devoted to the _______________’s Supper

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a SHARING in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a SHARING in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for all of us share that one bread.  -I Corinthians 10:16-17

The Lord’s Supper joins baptism as the 2 ordinances we are commanded by Jesus to observe.

Baptism is done just once after a person is born again.

The Lord’s Supper is done more often, to get us to reflect on the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and the value of our koinonia with each other in His Name.

It gives us opportunity to be forgiven and forgive.

The early church devoted themselves to it!

4. They devoted themselves to Praying __________________

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. -I Timothy 2:8

Now what happens when a church devoted themselves to the things the first church devoted themselves to?

First, something happens ___________________ them!

Second, something happens in our sphere of ___________________!

Finally, something happens in _______________________!

Unwrapping Christmas

Read Matthew 1:18-25 Unwrapping Christmas Let’s Pray!

Christmas’ Essential Credentials V. 1-17

“In your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” -Genesis 22:18

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, “And to Your Seed, who is Christ.” -Gal. 3:16

I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel. -Numbers 24:17

And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious.   -Isaiah 11:10

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom.  -Isaiah 9:6-7a

Christmas’ Exceptional Stepdad

Christmas’ Extreme Miracle

Christmas’ Eternal Offer