Revelation
The Bible and Heaven
December 2, 2018 • Collin Monger
There are many myths about heaven. What does the Bible say? • Heaven is a real place: John’s vision in Revelation is clear, when he describes heaven it is not an ethereal manifestation; it is a tangible location. • Heaven is a perfected place: Our world is marred by sin, heaven will be a paradise uncorrupted by sin and death. • Heaven is a promised place: Heaven is a promise of hope for all humanity when place faith is placed in Jesus Christ. (Verses Cited: John 14:3; Matthew 13:44, 13:47; Isaiah 43:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 5:12, 8:18; Exodus 33:18-23, 34:29; John 3:16)
It's the End of the World as We Know it
November 25, 2018 • Collin Monger
Revelation 20 is encouraging because we learn that God will reign for eternity, Satan will be defeated, and we have the assurance of eternity with God through faith in Jesus. • God Reigns: Every Christian eagerly awaits the reign of Christ however, we must be on guard because Satan seeks to draw us away from God. • Satan’s Defeat: When Satan is defeated he will be torments for eternity in the lake of fire. • Divine Judgement: When God comes to judge the world the only way we can stand secure is with our name in the book of life because of our faith in Christ. (Verses Cited: Revelation 12:1; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:17-20; Revelation 2:26-27; Isaiah 35:5-6; Revelation 5; Isaiah 11:6-8; Genesis 3:7-8; Romans)
The Battle of God
November 18, 2018 • Collin Monger
In Revelation 19 we see one warrior, one weapon, and one battle that will change the course of history for all people. • Jesus the warrior: This is not the typical Jesus. On the cross Jesus was the lamb, here He is the Lion of Judah! • The Bible our weapon: Jesus does not conquer the world with tanks, He used the Bible. We overcome Satan in our lives when we know and apply scriptural truths. • The war of Armageddon: Our adversary is determined but his defeat is secure! We overcome through faith in Christ. (Scriptural Citations: John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; Philippians 2:10; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3; John 1:1, 1:14; Ephesians 6:17; Genesis 3:1, 2:17, 3:4-6; Matthew 4:6, 4:11; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 3:5; Revelation 18:2)
The Bigger they are the Harder they Fall
November 11, 2018 • Collin Monger
In chapter 18 of Revelation we see the consequences of God allowing man to follow the desires of their heart. • Rise of Babylon: The righteous sometimes languish and sinners sometimes prosper. God is ultimately still in control. • Rebuke of Babylon: Though Babylon was a great and powerful city it was conquered in a day. The wicked will face God’s judgement. • Response to Babylon: We do not celebrate the judgment of the wicked, we rejoice at the return of Christ and the establishment of his rule on Earth. (Citations: Genesis 3:15; John 14:3; Romans 1; Daniel 5:1-4; Proverbs 16:18; Mark 4:39; Psalm 107:28-29, 25:14; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11; Chuck Swindoll)
How God does Evangelism
November 4, 2018 • Collin Monger
Faith requires evangelism. As believers we seek to share the message of Jesus in the same fashion as God. • The messenger is Visible: Sharing the gospel requires we go to the people we’re seeking. • The message is Predictable: It’s the same message it’s always been. • Truth is Universal: The gospel applies to everyone • The lesson is Practical: God relates the message to life. • Application is Personal: God is personally interested in you • Motive is Simple: Our goal is to see people come into a personal relationship with Jesus (Verses Cited: Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; John 20:31; John 18:37; Ephesians 4:11-12; Exodus 4:10; Matthew 24:14; Mark 16:15; I Corinthians 9:22; John 3:16; John 4:6; Genesis 17:8; Acts 2; James 2:19; Psalms 23:1; John 10:27; Luke 15:7; John 15:13; Hebrews 12:6,11)
Marks of a faithful Christian
October 28, 2018 • Collin Monger
Despite persecution and tribulation, it is possible to remain a faithful believer in Christ. What makes a faithful believer? • Committed to the Church of God: Though the Church consists of many parts we are one body. Believers must stand together on the principles of Christ. • Committed to the person of God: We must live our lives displaying the love of Christ. God’s love must be evident in us. • Committed to the Word of God: There is no separation between Jesus and the Bible. Steadfast believers are dedicated to the study of scripture. (Verses Cited: 2 Samuel 7:16; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 6:11; Romans 6:14, 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:20, 1:10; Philippians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Luke 6:31; Romans 14:7; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:12; John 1:1; Isaiah 1:18)
5 Things to Know About Enduring Hardship
October 21, 2018 • Collin Monger
In life, how do we make the best out of a tough situation? • The struggle is real: Hardships are a fact of life, sometimes we cause them sometimes they occur through no fault of our own. • Do not forfeit spiritual freedom for worldly pleasures: Satan will try to lead us away from God using desires of the flesh. • Do not live in fear, live through faith: Decision made in fear rarely lead to productive outcomes. We have a spirit of freedom, live life trusting God. • Be saturated in scripture: We MUST set time aside for God. There is a direct correlation between time spent in scripture and seeing God at work in our lives. • Be steadfast in prayer: Speaking to God is important but it equally important to listen God in prayer. We are protected from Satan when we pray. (Verses Cited: Acts 7:55-58; Matthew 5:10-11; James 1:12; Matthew 24:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 John 4:3; Matthew 6:24; Luke 9:24; Galatians 5:1; Revelation 6:2; 2 Timothy 1:7; Colossians 3:2; Proverbs 4:25; Psalm 23:4; Romans 8:37; Jeremiah 10:6; 1 Chronicles 17:20; Exodus 18:11; Philippians 2:9; Romans 10:17; Matthew 5:5; Psalm 91; Philippines 4:13)
Witness Protection
October 7, 2018 • Collin Monger
When we stand for truth we can become a target of the world. Regardless, we’re called to preach the message of Christ. • We must preach honestly: Even when it’s difficult and the message is unpopular we must share our testimony boldly. • We are divinely protected: God has a plan for our lives. As long as we are alive, God has a ministry for us to complete. • We are limited relationally: Some people will reject the message of Christ and us because we shared it with them. We must share the truth in love until God brings us home. (Verses Cited: John 15:18; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 1:10; Job 16:15; Jonah 3:5; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Matthew 5:11; John 16:33; 2 Peter 2:5; John 19:30; 2 Timothy 4:7; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:31; Daniel 6:22; Exodus 4:12; Luke 16:31; Acts 15:39; 2 Timothy 4:10; Matthew 5:14; Ephesians 4:15; Matthew 25:23)
Organized Chaos
September 30, 2018 • Collin Monger
Sometimes life feels chaotic, at times even out of control. Revelation is a declaration of Jesus’ victory and sovereignty over this world! • God is in control: The angel in chapter 10 has one foot upon the sea and the other on the land. This is a declaration of God’s strength and authority. • God’s plans are hard to swallow: We cannot cherry pick scripture, only following the parts we like or are uncontroversial. The world opposes the message of Christ. However, our call is to persevere through adversity. • God uses us to share His message: The Church faces opposition from both within as well as outside the Church. The message of Jesus continues to thrive! (Verses Cited: 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 8:28; Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7; Psalm 146:6; 2 Peter 3:9; Exodus 9:12; Revelation 20, 21:1; Hebrews 4:12; John 3:16; Titus 2:11; Romans 6:23; Acts 20:27; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:30; John 15:1-2; Jeremiah 29:11; Job 1:21; Isaiah 43:18-19; Ecclesiastes 3:1; 1 Corinthians 1:27; Matthew 16:18)
Tribulation Trumpets
September 23, 2018 • Collin Monger
It is difficult to wait patiently on the Lord. Scripture, however, reassures us that God will act when the time is right. God’s plan has a… • Righteous application: God has not forgotten us in our time of need. When God comes to our aid nothing can stand against Him. • Limited application: Even during the tribulation, when God’s judgment is evident, there is still unmistakable evidence of God’s mercy and grace. • Spiritual application: God, throughout history, has used natural disasters to draw people back to himself. We are not called to fix problems, we are called to trust God and share His love with others. (Verses Cited: 2 Peter 3:8; Exodus 24:12; Psalm 27:14; Habakkuk 2:3; James 5:7; Jude 1:21; Matthew 5:10; Romans 12:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 8:31, 6:23; Genesis 3:9; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Kings 1:39; Matthew 24:30-31; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; Colossians 1:17)
The Eye of the Storm
September 16, 2018 • Collin Monger
When undergoing terrible storms in life it is comforting to remember we can have peace when we trust in God. • God remembers His promises: God makes promises in hindsight, looking back and knowing what will happen next. • God remembers His people: It is frustrating to be overlooked. Even when we feel forgotten God remembers His people. • God’s gospel has real power: Our focus in ministry is Jesus. He alone can save therefore we need to share Him boldly! (Verses Cited: Deuteronomy 31:8; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; Genesis 17:19-20; John 14:6; Psalm 105:8; Numbers 27:12; James 4:13-14; Genesis 17:8; Jeremiah 32:38; Luke 23:42-43; Genesis 7:24, 8:1; Romans 1:16, 10:17; John 21:17; 1 Corinthians 2:2)
High Ground in Low Times
September 9, 2018 • Collin Monger
The events of chapter 6 demonstrate a world in turmoil. • The crisis is systematic: Peace turns to war. War leads to starvation. Starvation causes widespread disease. All this ends in death. We can’t control what happens around us, only how we respond. • The crisis is systemic: The rider on the white horse, Satan, caused this turmoil. Even through times of distress we receive God’s grace. • The crisis requires sacrificial action: The World's message is “pursue your happiness”. Jesus calls us to live sacrificial lives of service. (Verses Cited: 2 Thessalonians 2:15-16; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Matthew 5:10; Proverbs 11:1; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 5:6; 1 Timothy 5:23; Luke 9:23)
The Loss of Peace
September 2, 2018 • Charles Rowdon
The second rider on the red horse came to take peace from the earth. As a believer in Christ you can experience peace in your life. • Jesus’ authority leads to peace: When we recognize Jesus’ sovereignty we can have peace even during dreadful circumstances. • The Holy Spirit provides peace: When we feel overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit can provide peace for the believer through prayer. • Peace requires action: When we go into the world we are called to bring peace. Live as an ambassador of peace to everyone you meet. (Verses Cited: 2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 6:18; Isaiah 46:8-10; 1 peter 2:13; Leviticus 17:14; Revelation 20:14; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 6:15; James 3:18; Philippians 4:7)
And it Begins
August 26, 2018 • Collin Monger
The tribulation marks the beginning of judgement on the earth, culminating in the defeat of Satan and the reign of Christ. • Satan offers a false peace: Beware of anything offering an easy, trial free, life. Struggles and difficulties keep us from complacency in our faith. • Satan portrays a false perception: Satan appears to be a genuine savior; his true motive is destruction. Be careful who you allow to influence your life. • Satan comes with a false purpose: Do not give the enemy a foothold into your life. Satan came to conquer, Christ came to make our joy complete. (Verses Cited: Revelation 3:10; Matthew 24; Revelation 6:4; Genesis 3:6; John 16:33; Romans 12:2; Revelation 19:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:16-17, 2:2; 1 John 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8)