Living Out God's Story: Hope and Perseverance
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound narrative of God's story and how it intertwines with our own lives. We have journeyed through the scriptures, from the Old Testament to the New, culminating in the often-misunderstood book of Revelation. This book, frequently seen as a cryptic code about the end times, is actually a letter of encouragement to the early churches, urging them to persevere in their faith amidst cultural challenges. Revelation is not about predicting the end of the world but about offering hope and encouragement to live out God's story in our lives.
John of Patmos, the author of Revelation, received a vision during a time of great persecution. His message, "Do not be afraid," echoes throughout scripture, reminding us that God's presence brings hope, not fear. The imagery in Revelation, drawn from the Old Testament, was meant to resonate with the early church's cultural context, offering them a vision of hope and a call to worship. This call to worship is not just for the future but is something we can experience now, as we pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.
We are reminded of the importance of patience and waiting on God's timing. Throughout scripture, from Adam and Eve to Abraham and Sarah, we see the theme of waiting and trusting in God's promises. This patience is not passive but involves actively living out our faith, being still, and listening for the Holy Spirit's guidance. We are called to be active agents of Christ, ushering in God's kingdom through our actions and presence.
As we conclude our exploration of God's story, we are challenged to consider how we will continue to live out this story in our own lives. The vision is Jesus, and our trajectory should be towards living in the presence of God, sharing the hope and peace that comes from knowing Christ. Let us not close the book on God's story but continue to live it out, embracing the thin space where heaven and earth meet.
Key Takeaways:
1. Revelation as Encouragement: Revelation is not a secret code about the end times but a letter of encouragement to the early churches. It calls us to persevere in faith and live out God's story in our cultural context. This perspective shifts our focus from fear to hope, reminding us that God's presence is with us. [24:45]
2. The Message of "Do Not Be Afraid": Throughout scripture, the phrase "Do not be afraid" accompanies divine encounters. It reassures us that God's presence brings hope and not fear. This message is crucial as we navigate life's uncertainties, trusting in God's promises. [31:01]
3. Worship as a Present Reality: The imagery in Revelation calls us to worship God not just in the future but now. We are invited to experience the beauty of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, participating in worship that reflects the glory of God. [35:32]
4. Patience and Waiting on God: Scripture teaches us the importance of patience and waiting on God's timing. This waiting is active, involving trust and obedience as we live out our faith, allowing God to lead us through the Holy Spirit. [42:20]
5. Living the God Story: As we conclude our exploration of God's story, we are challenged to continue living it out in our lives. The vision is Jesus, and our trajectory should be towards embodying His presence, sharing hope, and participating in God's kingdom work. [46:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:51] - Introduction and Call to Worship
- [22:22] - God's Story and Our Story
- [23:36] - Understanding Revelation
- [24:45] - Revelation as Encouragement
- [31:01] - Do Not Be Afraid
- [32:08] - Message of Hope in Revelation
- [33:17] - Cultural Context of Revelation
- [34:05] - Worship and Imagery
- [35:32] - Present Reality of Worship
- [36:33] - Experiencing God's Kingdom Now
- [37:33] - Thin Space of Heaven and Earth
- [39:03] - Invitation to Come
- [40:36] - Living with Patience
- [42:20] - Trusting God's Timing
- [44:54] - Active Agents of Christ
- [45:41] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 1:17-18
2. Revelation 5:11-14
3. Revelation 22:16-21
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the phrase "Do not be afraid" in Revelation 1:17-18, and how does it relate to the overall message of hope in the book of Revelation? [31:01]
2. In Revelation 5:11-14, what imagery is used to describe the scene around the throne, and how does this imagery connect to the theme of worship? [34:05]
3. How does Revelation 22:16-21 convey a message of invitation and hope, and what role does Jesus play in this passage? [39:03]
4. According to the sermon, how does the book of Revelation serve as a letter of encouragement to the early churches? [24:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the repeated message of "Do not be afraid" throughout scripture, as highlighted in the sermon, influence a believer's response to life's uncertainties? [32:08]
2. What does the imagery of worship in Revelation 5:11-14 suggest about the nature of worship in the present and future, and how might this shape a believer's understanding of worship today? [35:32]
3. In what ways does the invitation in Revelation 22:16-21 to "come" reflect the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, and how might this impact a believer's approach to sharing their faith? [39:44]
4. How does the sermon challenge the common perception of Revelation as a book about the end times, and what implications does this have for how believers live out their faith? [24:45]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt afraid of the future. How can the message "Do not be afraid" from Revelation 1:17-18 provide comfort and hope in your current situation? [31:01]
2. Consider your current worship practices. How can the imagery of worship in Revelation 5:11-14 inspire you to deepen your worship experience both personally and within your community? [35:32]
3. Revelation 22:16-21 extends an invitation to all who are thirsty. Who in your life might be spiritually thirsty, and how can you extend an invitation to them to experience the hope and life found in Jesus? [39:44]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of patience and waiting on God's timing. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with patience. What steps can you take to actively wait and trust in God's promises? [42:20]
5. How can you actively participate in living out God's story in your cultural context, as encouraged by the sermon? What specific actions can you take this week to embody the presence of Christ in your community? [24:45]
6. The sermon speaks of a "thin space" where heaven and earth meet. How can you create moments in your daily life to experience this connection with God? [37:33]
7. As you consider the trajectory of your life, how can you align your goals and actions with the vision of Jesus as described in the sermon? What changes might you need to make to live more fully into God's story? [46:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Revelation as a Source of Hope
Revelation is often misunderstood as a cryptic prediction of the end times, but it is fundamentally a letter of encouragement to the early churches. Written by John of Patmos during a time of persecution, it calls believers to persevere in their faith despite cultural challenges. The book's imagery, drawn from the Old Testament, was meant to resonate with the early church's context, offering them a vision of hope and a call to worship. This perspective shifts the focus from fear to hope, reminding us that God's presence is with us, encouraging us to live out His story in our lives. [24:45]
Revelation 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective from fear to hope in your current circumstances, trusting in God's presence and promises?
Day 2: Embracing the Message of "Do Not Be Afraid"
Throughout scripture, the phrase "Do not be afraid" accompanies divine encounters, reassuring us that God's presence brings hope, not fear. This message is crucial as we navigate life's uncertainties, trusting in God's promises. In Revelation, this message is echoed to encourage believers facing persecution and cultural challenges. It reminds us that God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, urging us to trust in His promises and not be overwhelmed by fear. [31:01]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific fears are you facing today, and how can you invite God's presence into those areas to bring hope and reassurance?
Day 3: Worship as a Present Reality
The imagery in Revelation calls us to worship God not just in the future but now. We are invited to experience the beauty of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, participating in worship that reflects the glory of God. This call to worship is not just for the future but is something we can experience now, as we pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Worship becomes a present reality, a way to connect with God and experience His presence in our daily lives. [35:32]
Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV): "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine, creating moments to experience God's presence and reflect His glory in your life?
Day 4: The Active Patience of Waiting on God
Scripture teaches us the importance of patience and waiting on God's timing. This waiting is not passive but involves trust and obedience as we live out our faith, allowing God to lead us through the Holy Spirit. From Adam and Eve to Abraham and Sarah, we see the theme of waiting and trusting in God's promises. This patience is active, involving being still and listening for the Holy Spirit's guidance, as we are called to be active agents of Christ, ushering in God's kingdom through our actions and presence. [42:20]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to practice active patience, trusting in God's timing and guidance?
Day 5: Living the God Story
As we conclude our exploration of God's story, we are challenged to continue living it out in our lives. The vision is Jesus, and our trajectory should be towards embodying His presence, sharing hope, and participating in God's kingdom work. We are called to be active agents of Christ, ushering in God's kingdom through our actions and presence. Let us not close the book on God's story but continue to live it out, embracing the thin space where heaven and earth meet. [46:32]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's story today, embodying the presence of Jesus and sharing His hope and peace with those around you?
Quotes
1. "We have since August been looking at we had a little bit of, you know, a little hiccup, if you will, in how we were going to go through all of this. But we've been able to fairly well look through all of the scriptures from the old to the new. And we're going to be finishing the new tonight. But where is God taking us? Where was God taking the people? Where was God present? Where was God not present? How are the people acting? How are they reacting?" [00:22:38] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Revelation is not a secret predictive code we have to crack to work out when the world will end it is first and foremost a letter to encourage the early churches in their cultural context if you read through here you're going to see we'll get this in a moment you're going to see a lot of signs and symbols and visuals and imagery and just like wow you know mind blowing designs of things if you want to think of an angel as some little cherubim the porcelain da sitting on your mantle that's not what's described in this book about what an angel is." [00:26:10] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And we as the church, still active today, we need to continue to remind ourselves, yes, it can be any moment, and yes, the Gospels tell us to always be prepared, but let's not rush the coming of Jesus because it's God. It's in God's timing. When the fullness of creation comes, it's in God's timing. When the fullness of creation will be made whole." [00:44:48] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "It's also being patient and being still and waiting and listening for the Holy Spirit's call upon us. It's not telling God what we're going to do, but allowing God to tell us and lead us through the power of the Spirit where we are to be and how to be and how to live. Not to rush God, but to why not be with God right now?" [00:45:33] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "All of history is on a throneward trajectory heading towards the feet of the humble resurrected King Jesus. He continues. Revelation started with a vision of Jesus and ends with a longing for Jesus. In between, it confirms the God story is a unified plot line to Jesus. The vision is Jesus." [00:46:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I think that's important that we need to wait and be still and stay in the presence of God as we do the work that needs to be done and not neglect the work that God has called us to do as well. So may we do that." [01:00:19] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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