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This past week, we took a look at the opening of the first six seals in Revelation 6. We saw death and destruction, and our study finished with: Revelation 6:17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Our answer was: “No one!” But John continues in Revelation 7 with a description of those that God will save during this extremely troubling time. They may experience what some would call “hell on earth,” bu...

Last week, we finished up a two-chapter section between “The Church Age” and what most call “The Tribulation Period.” We looked at “The One Who is Able” to: 1) take the scroll from the Father’s hand; and, 2) open the seals.

A key feature over the last two weeks that we shouldn’t miss is that the Father and the Son are God, and everyone and everything will worship Them!

Today, we begin the largest section of the Book of Re...

Last week, we began a two-chapter section between “The Church Age” and what most call “The Tribulation Period.” Our attention is drawn to heaven as John tries to describe the things that he saw in the Throne Room of God.

Our points were:

1. Who is on the Throne?
2. Who is Around the Throne?
3. What is Happening at the Throne?

Today, our attention will be transferred from the One Who sits on the throne (God the Father) to the O...

Last week, we finished looking at what some call “The Church Age” as we looked at the Church of Laodicea.

This is a reminder of what we saw in each of the seven churches:

In Ephesus, we saw that their love for Christ had grown cold.

In Smyrna, we saw an obedient but suffering church.

In Pergamum, we saw a worldly church.

In Thyatira, we saw a church that tolerated sin.

In Sardis, we saw a dead church, and…

In Philadelphia, we saw a...

Today, we will take a look at the last of the Seven Letters to the churches in Revelation. In Ephesus, we saw that their love for Christ had grown cold.

In Smyrna, we saw an obedient but suffering church. In Pergamum, we saw a worldly church. In Thyatira, we saw a church that tolerated sin. In Sardis, we saw a dead church, and…In Philadelphia, we saw a faithful church.

We will look at the Letter to the Church in Laodicea....

The last 3 weeks have been pretty discouraging: from the Compromising Church (Pergamum) to, the Tolerant Church (Thyatira) to, the Dead Church (Sardis). Today, we get a reprieve from the sadness that the other previous churches have produced. We will take a look at the Obedient Church in Philadelphia. 

From the devastating earthquake in 17 A.D. with its lingering aftershocks to the constant persecution from the Jews, the Churc...

Over the past few weeks, we have moved from the Compromising Church (Pergamum) to the Tolerant Church (Thyatira), and today, we will look at the Dead Church (Sardis).

I have shared that my study for this sermon series has been discouraging. As I read this great Book, it is easy to see the modern church described in each of the letters to the seven churches. I firmly believe that churches that compromise to sin and become tolerant t...

Last week, we looked at what some call: The Compromising Church. Even though the Church at Pergamum didn’t fall victim to emperor worship, many compromised by partaking in sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Those who didn’t compromise their actions, compromised by allowing sin in the church.

Today, we will look at what some call: The Tolerant Church. The Church at Thyatira had a lot going for it. Many had persev...

Last week, we took a look at Jesus’ message to the Church of Smyrna. We learned that Jesus had no rebuke for this church. They didn’t turn to the right or the left as they experienced persecution. Jesus lovingly encouraged them as He promised them eternal life. Today, we will look at the Church of Pergamum. It was called by many: “The greatest city in Asia Minor.” Pergamum was roughly 100 miles north of Ephesus, and it was located ...

Last week, we took a look at Jesus’ message to the Church of Ephesus. We learned that they had “forsaken their first love.” We also learned that the Ephesian church is a strong example that works and doctrinal orthodoxy cannot make up for a cold hard heart.

Today, we move on to the Church of Smyrna. We find that they along with the Church of Philadelphia are the only two churches that didn’t receive a rebuke in their letters. Smyrn...

Two weeks ago, we read about John’s second meeting with the Lord. He first heard the Lord, and then he turned to see the Lord. John was terrified, but Jesus comforted and instructed him before revealing what we are studying this year: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. For the next seven weeks, we will see what Jesus told John to write to the seven churches. If we look closely, we will see attributes of each of these churches in the p...

Last week, we took a look at the first eight verses of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. We didn’t tear them apart, but we did look at them as we saw:

1. What this Study Will Be
2. What this Study Will Not Be
3. How Easy it is to Major on the Minors

I pray that we will stay focused on these things as we move forward in this study. Many things divide us; may Christ unite us!

Today, we will look at Revelation 1:9-20 as John meets ...

Honestly, I never thought this day would come. I have avoided the thought of teaching through Revelation for a long time. I wanted to preach through the Book of Romans over the next year and a half or so, but I never could get a sense of peace. It is weird to say this, but I am comfortable being uncomfortable as we look at what some call “that scary Book at the end of the Bible.”

Today, we will glance at the first eight verses of R...

I pray that you were encouraged last week as we looked at how we can make our Yes Be Yes and our No Be No with our Promises. It was a blessing to have Justin Barthelmes with us to share a promise that he and his family have made to God. Please continue to pray for them as they ready themselves to move to Portland, Oregon in October.

Today, we will talk about Fasting. Fasting is something that we rarely talk about in the Baptist chu...

Last week, we looked at “Resolutions. We talked about not purposefully making resolutions we know we won’t keep. Saying one thing and doing another hurts our reputation, and all Christ-followers should have a good reputation. I pray that we all seek to apply our three points from last week’s message: Resolve to Recognize the LORD Resolve to Know the LORD Resolve to Listen to the LORD

Today, we will talk about Promises. Much like Re...

Last week, we introduced the 2023 Verse of the Year. Matthew 5:37 says: Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. We chose this verse because the church needs to take seriously what she says. When the individuals of the church speak and truth, we build a good reputation in society. When those outside the church trust us, they will be more apt to listen to the Gospel when we s...