August 2, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 5:8–14
Will there be singing in heaven? Of course! And it will be the best song! It will be a new song, a song from an angelic choir and echoed by the voices of creation. It will be the lyric of history—"The Lamb has triumphed!" It is the song of the Redeemed which we can begin to sing even now.
It's natural to want to know the future. But if curiosity is all that draws us to the Book of Revelation, we are setting our sights too low. This book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is a portrait of who Jesus is, but also what Jesus wants to say to His Church in every generation. Follow this three-week series on the first 5 chapters of Revelation. The description of Jesus and His Words will give you hope.
Worthy is His Sacrifice
August 1, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 5:6–10
We think of heaven as being free from pain. Our tears are wiped away and there is no more suffering. But in all this bliss, there remains an eternal reminder of death. Jesus, described as the Lion of Judah, is seen as a slaughtered Lamb standing before God's throne. The sacrifice of Jesus will be an everlasting memory and a cause for unceasing praise.
Worthy is the Lamb
July 31, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 5:1–5
It is human to seek meaning. In the events and incidents of our lives, we ask, "Why?" We instinctively think of life as having direction and purpose. When John saw the scroll of history remaining closed, he wept loudly. Surely there should be someone who can open the scroll and give us hope! There is. Jesus alone is worthy by His life, death and victorious resurrection. Jesus will bring history to the Father's appointed end.
Worthy is Our God
July 30, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 4:6–11
The Book of Revelation is fundamentally a book of worship. While it points forward to the victorious purposes of God, it points upwards to the exalted position of God and the response of heaven to Him. In chapter four, we witness strange and wonderful creatures proclaiming: God is worthy, God is holy, God is timeless, God is the source and end of all things. Worship is the language of heaven and earth.
Where the Glory Resides
July 29, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 4:1–6
If we refer to someone as being downcast, it speaks of their mood and perspective. In a spirit of discouragement, their eyes are focused on what is around them. John wrote to seven churches of what was around them - some of it hopeful, some of it challenging. But now in Revelation 4 and 5, John writes of what is above. Colours and sounds. Angels and Elders. The Throne of God and His glory. There is wonder and power in the plans of God. Just look up.
It's natural to want to know the future. But if curiosity is all that draws us to the Book of Revelation, we are setting our sights too low. This book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is a portrait of who Jesus is, but also what Jesus wants to say to His Church in every generation. Follow this three-week series on the first 5 chapters of Revelation. The description of Jesus and His Words will give you hope.
The Useless Church
July 26, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 3:14–22
Every church faces the danger of "institutionalization." It's a long word to describe a church that begins to function simply to exist for their own ends. Keeping the doors open matters more than the calling and purposes of God. Laodicea was deluded into thinking that their status and actions made them rich. God saw them as useless for His Kingdom. Their pretence could only be broken by repentance. Jesus is knocking at the door.
The Open Door
July 25, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 3:7–13
We think of a "door of opportunity" as something that swings open for our response, but be quick! The door may close. Jesus has a different message for the church of Philadelphia. Jesus opens a door that no one can shut. God had placed before the congregation a calling that, while it held challenges, they can trust their Lord as they walk through this open door.
Jesus Against Lethargy
July 24, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 3:1–6
In these letters to the seven churches, Jesus usually has something positive to say, except for Sardis. To this congregation, Jesus offers no commendation. Jesus does not name any specific sin but declares them to be dead. What made them "lifeless?" Listen as Dr. John explains what was missing.
Jesus Against Jezebel
July 23, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 2:18–29
We can be complicit in sin, not because we commit it, but because we tolerate it. Jesus speaks to the church in Thyatira in which a woman who claims to speak for God advocates for immoral truth and practices. While Jesus notes the things that are commendable within the congregation, their passivity about this false prophet was not. We are reminded that within the church, tolerance of false teaching and practice holds the whole accountable for the few.
Jesus Against Balaam
July 22, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 2:12–17
Our society is saturated with sexual themes and expressions. The commands of God are ignored, and immoral practices are flaunted. None of this is new. John writes the words of Jesus to His church in Pergamum, a congregation surrounded by sexual immorality. Today Dr. John explains the context of these believers and highlights the commands of Jesus for them. What are we to do today in our society? The commands of Jesus still ring true.
It's natural to want to know the future. But if curiosity is all that draws us to the Book of Revelation, we are setting our sights too low. This book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is a portrait of who Jesus is, but also what Jesus wants to say to His Church in every generation. Follow this three-week series on the first 5 chapters of Revelation. The description of Jesus and His Words will give you hope.
Faithful Unto Death
July 19, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 2:8–11
While Jesus did not offer any criticism of the congregation of Smyrna, that didn't mean that His message was easy to hear. They were a church under severe Roman pressure and Jesus said that their suffering was about to increase. The notion that doing what is right makes us immune to tribulation is not the message of Christ. But Jesus is faithful to His Church amid suffering. The One who has suffered and won stands with us in our need.
It's natural to want to know the future. But if curiosity is all that draws us to the Book of Revelation, we are setting our sights too low. This book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is a portrait of who Jesus is, but also what Jesus wants to say to His Church in every generation. Follow this three-week series on the first 5 chapters of Revelation. The description of Jesus and His Words will give you hope.
Restoring Your First Love
July 18, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 2:1–7
What would Jesus say to your church? Revelation demonstrates that Jesus has insight of and a message for each congregation. Jesus will affirm what is worthy, correct what is wrong, and holds a promise for each. Today we hear Jesus call a church back to its first love. Jesus insists that His Church be known by their love.
Jesus and His Churches
July 17, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 1:9–20
John is the last living apostle of Jesus who writes to the Church in a time of severe pressure. What is the first thing he writes? A vision of Jesus, as He is. The description strips away our Sunday School images of Him. While the imagery is overwhelming, the presence of Jesus is our hope. He stands in the midst of His Church - at all times.
A Tribute to Jesus
July 16, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 1:3–8
Many find the book of Revelation difficult to understand. There are so many confusing symbols and mysterious descriptions. But the blessing of this book is not in deciphering the details. This book unveils Jesus for us! We catch sight of who He is and what He will do. That is the promised blessing! Listen today as Dr. John speaks of three titles that fit only Jesus and of three graces He extends to you today.
The Revelation of Jesus
July 15, 2024 • Dr. John Neufeld • Revelation 1:1–3
In this introduction of the Book of Revelation, we will find that the word "soon" is elastic. We can shrink it to the nearness of lunch, or expand it to stretch over 2000 years. "Soon" is not intended to offer us a timetable. It is intended to offer us confidence in our day - His victorious return is certain!
It's natural to want to know the future. But if curiosity is all that draws us to the Book of Revelation, we are setting our sights too low. This book is an unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is a portrait of who Jesus is, but also what Jesus wants to say to His Church in every generation. Follow this three-week series on the first 5 chapters of Revelation. The description of Jesus and His Words will give you hope.
