Church notes - May 2022
1st
Homegroup?
Proverbs 27:17
Hebrews 10:24, 25
1 Thessalonians 5:1
Communion
1 Corinthians 11:17 - 34
Revelation 1
Revelation - to pull back the veil.
What is God hiding?
A glimpse at what He's doing.
An encouragement in times of persecution.
Jesus in context of history.
Massive Changes
Island of Patmos
John was exiled to that island rather than martyred.
A glorious encouragement.
Alpha and Omega
He is sovereign over everything that happens.
vs 11
Four major divisions of interpretation.
Preterite - everything has already been fulfilled.
Historical - The predictions are in the process of fulfillment.
Futurist - All predictions are in the future.
Spiritual - The events described are only symbols of spiritual realities and struggles, without any literal or historical application.
vs 12, 13
Jesus among the Churches. He is among us.
Daniel 7 and 10
There are similarities in the descriptions.
Like a Son of Man
Golden Sash
vs 14
Eyes like blazing fire. He is all seeing. Everything we do.
vs 15
Purity
Voice of authority and power.
vs 16
A picture of the glory and splendour of God, but above all, the absolute power and authority of Jesus.
A picture of Jesus that is strong.
vs 17, 18
Don't be afraid.
Our sins are forgiven. We have eternal life.
He is risen
He is indestructible.
He is unconquerable.
He is Lord.
8th
Prayer for the Federal Election
When considering how we vote in an election, it is not just the policies of the respective parties that we must consider. Equally, or even more importantly, we must examine the character and values of the individual candidates and, indeed, of the parties themsevles.
Pray that God would rule over this election. That rightous leaders would be elected to govern this nation in truth and justice.
Revelation 2:1 - 7
A heart of love matters
Ephesus
Jesus' authority over the Church.
Good deeds.
Identify what Jesus says is good and protest against the evil.
Have a good enough knowledge of the Bible to know what is false teaching.
It is good to be right, but that is not all it is.
Motivation - should be from love, not duty.
Don't take your assurance of eternal life for granted.
Remember what we have in Him, the Gospel and the enthusiasm you had when first Saved.
Repent
Do the things you did at first.
Nicolatians
Immoral practices.
Do you hate the things Jesus hates?
Do you love the things Jesus loves?
To those who repent, the promise is of eternal lfie!
15th
Micah 6:1 - 8
Micah as Prophet vs. laywers in various modern day legal dramas.
Standing against injustice.
Context: Israel divided into two Kingdoms with centres of worship in Samaria and Jerusalem. They had become centres of disespect towards God.
The preists were motivated by money.
vs 7
O man - you are made in His image.
vs 8
Love mercy.
22nd
Ephesians 2:1 - 10
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Romans 1:18 - 20
God forgives, so should we!
Dead in transgressions
- You can't help yourself by works.
- You need the gift of God's grace.
29th
Revelation 2:8 - 11
Smyrna
- The Imperial Cult was strong there.
- Therefore there was persecution.
vs 8
No words of condemnation.
They may not have had approval of the community, but they did of God.
They needed to be faithful unto Him.
Philippians 1:21
Paul would have a greater partnership with Jesus if he had died.
Jesus is bigger than death.
Death has no power over Him. He has conquered it.
Jesus knows His people in their suffering.
Suffering for Him because He suffered for us on the Cross.
Romans 8:11
The Smyrnan Christians were not to be fearful, but to be faithful.
The Triumph of Eternal Life
Jesus is the first and the last.
Jesus calls His people to be faithful unto death
Jesus is worth dying for. And if He is worth dying for, then He is worth living for.
Mark 8:35
Jesus promises His people life.
Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.