Passage: Revelation 22:1–5
Theme: God’s Reign in New Jerusalem
God’s reign in New Jerusalem enables His people to experience:
1. Perpetual Life (1–2): God’s reign produces life.
2. Freedom from the curse (3a): God’s reign ends the curse and all its effects.
3. Service for our King (3b): God’s reign empowers our worship.
4. His Presence (4–5a): God’s reign brings us into the fullness of His presence.
5. Eternal Rule (5b): God’s reign reciprocates with us.
Main Idea: God’s reign in New Jerusalem enables us to fully experience Him.
Do you truly want Him?
Application Questions:
• What parallels do you see between this vision and the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2)? How does Revelation 22:1–5 go beyond what Adam and Eve experienced?
• As you contemplate these verses, in what ways do they provide you with hope amid what you are currently experiencing?
• What parallels do you see between this vision and Psalm 1:1–3? How can we experience life now? How does what the world promises as abundant life fall short of this vision?
• What do you think “serving” and “ruling with” God eternally will look like?
• In your life currently, what competes with you wanting God and submitting to His reign over your life? What is the passage challenging you to do with that?
September 11, 2022
God's Reign in New Jerusalem
September 11, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:1–5
October 9, 2022
October 9, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:18–21
Passage: Revelation 22:18–21 Theme: Conclusion to Revelation Revelation’s conclusion leaves us with three final challenges: 1. Be Warned (18–19) a. To hearers who add to the Word, God will pour out His plagues. b. To hearers who subtract from the Word, God will remove them from life in His city. Application: • Teach the Word and only the Word. • Live according to the Word. 2. Trust His Promise (20) a. Jesus is coming soon! b. His followers long for His return. 3. Receive Grace (21) a. From beginning to end, its only by grace. b. Jesus offers grace to all of us. Main Idea: HEED JESUS FINAL WORDS! Application Questions: • What does it mean to add to God’s prophetic word? How are you tempted to add to God’s word? • What does it mean to subtract from God’s word? How are you tempted to subtract from God’s word? • Do these warning apply to believers? How do vv. 18–19 impact our understanding of eternal security? • What can you do to keep your focus on Christ and His coming? • What application can we make from the final statement that Jesus extends His grace to all of us?
October 2, 2022
October 2, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:16–17
Passage: Revelation 22:16-17 Theme: A Call to “Come” 1. Jesus’ Testimony (16a) a. “I, Jesus” i. Authorization ii. Autograph iii. Attestation b. “give you this testimony for the churches” i. Warning ii. Encouragement iii. Exhortation 2. Jesus’ Credentials (16b) a. He is God (“I am”) b. He is Messiah 3. Invitations to “Come” (17) a. The Spirit and Bride say “Come” b. Let the hearer say “Come” c. Let the one in need come d. Let the desirer take freely of the life-giving water Main Idea: Jesus’ Revelation invokes invitation. Will you come?
September 25, 2022
September 25, 2022 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Revelation 22:12–15
Passage: Revelation 22:12–15 Theme: Payday is Coming Notice three truths about payment at the Second Coming: 1. Jesus brings life’s paycheck (12–13). a. He renders payment because He is God (13). b. He pays each of us for what we have done (12b). 2. He blesses those who repent to receive His cleansing (14). a. Penitents have the right to partake in eternal life. b. They can freely come into God’s eternal presence. 3. He excludes those who remain unrepentant (15). Main Challenge: Wear clothes washed in Christ’s blood. Application Questions: • From what you heard today, do you think that there will be degrees of reward in heaven for believers? Why or why not (consider the rewards mentioned in this text)? • How do you define repentance? Is this something you did at some point or something that is an on-going process? • In what ways is this passage encouraging news to people who sin? How is it frightening news as well? • How can you wear clothes today washed in Christ’s blood? What attitudes and actions is this passage calling you to embrace?