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Episodes
Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday Sep 26, 2016
Monday Sep 26, 2016
Letters to the Church: Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17
Pergamum (v. 12a)
· Located about 10 miles inland from the Mediterranean
· Contained an ancient citadel and fortress
· Atop the citadel was the temple to “Zeus the Savior”
o Also known as the throne of the city
· It also contained the temple to “Aesculapius the Savior”
o The Greek god of healing
o Which included a hospital
o And a doctrine of personal salvation
A Vision of Jesus (v. 12b)
· Jesus describes Himself as having a “sharp two-edged sword”
o A reference to His role as conqueror (see 1:16; 2:16)
“I know…” (v. 13)
· Jesus assures the Church that He understands their circumstances
· They dwell where “Satan’s throne” is
o Possibly a reference to the temple to Zeus or Aesculapius
· Yet, they remain true to their faith in Christ
o With some (Antipas) even dying as a result
“But I have this against you…” (v. 14-16)
· Yet, Jesus reprimands the Church for a few things
· They have some in their midst who have fallen under false teaching
o Balaam (see Num. 22-24; 31:15-16)
§ Eating food sacrificed to idols & engaging in sexual immorality
o The Nicolatians
§ Possibly a form of Gnosticism
• Salvation through secret knowledge
§ And/or a group of false Apostles
· Jesus’ concern is not just with Orthodoxy, but with Orthopraxy
o Orthodoxy: Right belief
o Orthopraxy: Right practice
The Call to Conquer (v. 17)
· Jesus promises that those who overcome by persevering in their faith in Him will receive:
o Hidden manna: God’s provision (see Ex. 16:32-34)
o White stone: May be a reference to the stone used in a vote of acquittal (see Acts 26:10)
§ Or a reference to an invitation to the Jesus’ banquet (see 19:9)
§ Or to being a stone in the Temple of God (see 3:12)
• White marble was only found in temples in Pergamum
o New name: Either a reference to believer’s new identity in Christ
§ Or the name of Jesus Himself (see 3:12; 14:1; 19:12; 22:4)
So What?
· Are we known for our orthodoxy & orthopraxy?
· Is our identity found in Christ?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:17
Monday Sep 19, 2016
Monday Sep 19, 2016
Letters to the Church: Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna (v. 8a)
· A major city in Asia Minor
o Ismir, the third largest city in modern Turkey, is built on the rubble of ancient Smyrna
· Contains a protected harbor and was built upon the slopes of Mount Pagus
· Contained temples to Cybele, Apollo, Aesculapius, Aphrodite, and Zeus
· It was the center of Imperial worship for all Asia
A Vision of Jesus (v. 8b)
· Jesus describes Himself as “the First and the Last” (see Rev. 1:8, 21:6; 22:13)
o A reference to His eternal nature
o Which stands against the temporality of the Church’s suffering
· He is the one who ‘has become dead’ and lives again
o A reference to His ultimate victory
o One in which the Church will share (v. 11b)
“I know…” (v. 9)
· Jesus commends the Smyrnan Christians for their:
o Endurance under persecution
o Perspective in their poverty
§ Because they are rich in Christ
o Fortitude while being slandered
· “Synagogue of Satan”
o Possibly a reference to the “Curse of the Minim” (c. 90 AD), which expelled Jewish Christians from synagogues
Encouragement (v. 10)
· This letter has no correction
· But rather, an encouragement to continue to endure under the growing hardships the Church will face
o Including imprisonment
o And even death
§ Gladiator games
§ Martyrdom of Polycarp (Feb. 23, AD 155)
The Call to Conquer (v. 11)
· Those who endure such tribulation will experience need not fear death
o Because Jesus has conquered it
So What?
· Are we known for our faithful endurance? Have we ever really experienced tribulation?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:11
Monday Sep 12, 2016
Monday Sep 12, 2016
Letters to the Church: Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus (v. 1a)
· City on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
· Center for commerce
· Center for the Imperial Cult and the Temple of Artemis
· Center for the spread of the Gospel in Asia Minor (see Acts 18-20; Ephesians)
o Also closest city to Patmos, the island where John wrote Revelation (Rev. 1:9)
A Vision of Jesus (v. 1b)
· Jesus is portrayed as being holding the churches in His right hand and walking among them
o A symbol of both His power and His presence
“I know…” (v. 2-3)
· Jesus commends the Ephesians for:
o Their hard work
o Their patient endurance
o Their impatience for evil
o Their sound doctrine
§ Especially by testing those who would claim to be in authority
· The Nicolaitans (v. 6)
· Would Jesus commend us for these things?
“This I have against you…” (v. 4-5)
· The Ephesians have lost sight of their first love
o This may be a reference to love for:
§ God Himself
§ One another
§ The Lost
· They are called to return to the basics
· They lost their focus
o Have we?
The Call to Conquer (v. 7)
· The Ephesians are called to conquer* through truth, unity & love
o Conquer: a play on the name ‘Nicolaitan’
§ Not conquering people
§ Conquering lies, division and apathy
So What?
· How are we doing as a church? Have we lost our focus on loving God, each other, and the lost? Are we defined by truth, unity and love?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:4-5a
Wednesday Sep 07, 2016
Wednesday Sep 07, 2016
Chasing the Wind: The End of the Matter
Ecclesiastes 11 & 12
Invest Wisely (11:1-8)
· Solomon commends us to divest our interests (v. 1-2, 6)
o Both financially and otherwise
· Because life is unpredictable & uncontrollable at times
o Like the rain and the wind (v. 3-4)
o Like how a child is formed in the womb (v. 5a)
o Mysterious and perhaps unknowable
· But these reflect the way God works in the world (v. 5b)
o Thus, we should invest in eternal things
· We should not waste time worrying about what might happen (v. 4)
o But rather deal with things as they are
· Thus, we should live life to the fullest (v. 7-8a)
o While remaining aware of the risks (v. 8b)
On Aging, Death & Contentment (11:9-12:7)
· Solomon encourages us to enjoy life while we can
o To make the most of opportunities (v. 9a)
· While remaining aware of our standing before God (v. 9b)
o Thus, we ought to live with eternity in mind (v. 10a)
§ In a way that pleases God
§ And gives freedom from stress
· He reminds us that our youth is fleeting (v. 10b-12:7)
o Using various illusions to the process of aging (loss of eyesight, hearing, teeth, strength, sexual desire)
· These are the reflections of an aged man who lives with regrets
o His advice: Make God honoring choices now, so you have nothing to regret later
The End of the Matter (12:8-14)
· Solomon concludes by repeated his call of hebel (vanity)
· He reflects on his own desire to share wisdom (v. 9-10)
· Claiming that wisdom is meant to move us forward (goads), and anchor us (nails) (v. 11)
o While coming from God alone (one Shepherd)
· But even wisdom has its limits and should be pursued in measure (v. 12)
· What is not hebel, what has real meaning is God alone (v. 13)
o Thus we should revere and love Him
o And live with eternity in mind (v. 14)
So What?
· Are we living wisely by making the most of opportunities and investing in eternity?
· Are we finding our life’s meaning in God alone?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13