a Christo-centric future

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 4.  John’s picture of the future continues with a picture of the redeemed universe. He sees…

  1. 24 elders on 24 thrones that make a circle around the perimeter of the scene. The represent redeemed humanity of all time.
  2. Forming a smaller circle around the throne in the center are the four living creatures.  They represent – wait for it – all the living creatures of the future.  They have both diversity and unity.  The unity is focused on the final element of the scene.
  3. In the center of the universe of the future is Christ on his throne. He will be eternally praised because he both created all things and brought redemption.

LORD, you are the center of the universe. May we so live as to witness to that reality to a world that has forgotten it.

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the future of overcomers (2)

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 3.    Christ promised a future for those who persevered against the difficulties that they would face and stayed true to him:

  1. For overcomers in Sardis, Christ promised the white robes of victory and celebration (1-6; 19:7-8).
  2. For overcomers in Philadelphia, Christ promised stability and a new name – associated with God and his new creation (7-13; 21:10-11).
  3. For overcomers in Laodicea, Christ promised authority and glory represented by sitting on his throne with him (14-22; 20:4).

LORD, help us to persevere through the trials of the present so that we might realize the future you have promised.

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the future of overcomers (1)

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

sdc11490Revelation 2. Christ does not promise a future for mere attenders . He required his churches to produce overcomers.  Each church had a danger that it faced. For those within these four churches who overcame – Christ had special promises:

  1. For overcomers in Ephesus, Christ promised the tree of life (1-7; 22:2).
  2. For overcomers in Smyrna, Christ promised the crown of life (8-11; James 1:12).
  3. For overcomers in Pergamum, Christ promised the hidden manna and a new name (12-17; John 6:48-50).
  4. For overcomers in Thyatira, Christ promised authority over the nations (18-29; 20:4).

LORD, grant us the strength to do spiritual warfare wherever you send us – so that we can overcome and inherit all your promises.

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Jesus and the future

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11490Revelation 1.    Is this book a Revelation of Jesus Christ, or is it a prophecy about the future of the world?  Yes.

Jesus is the key to our destiny, and the future of the world.

  1. He is the firstborn of the dead (5), who died, is alive forever, and has the keys of death and Hades (18).  You can trust him with your personal destiny.
  2. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth (5) who holds the stars in his right hand (16).  We can trust him with the world’s future.

LORD, give us the wisdom to trust Christ to work out your will in the cosmos, and in our personal lives.

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authenticity: spotting fakes

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.013Jude.    Jude wrote on a similar topic as John’s letters.  His concern was that the church had opened its doors to false Christians, who had infiltrated it. He likened them to:

  1. Cain, who killed his brother out of jealousy (11).
  2. Balaam, who conspired to corrupt Israel (11).
  3. Korah, who rebelled against God’s chosen leader (11).
  4. Hidden reefs, set to cause damage (12).
  5. Shepherds feeding themselves (12).
  6. Waterless clouds (12).
  7. Fruitless trees (12).
  8. Wild waves of the sea (13).
  9. Wandering stars destined for darkness (13).

You can spot a fake by looking for someone who fits this description:  “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (16).

LORD, give us a commitment to you that can never be confused with inauthentic Christianity.  Teach us to minister in maturity, and never seek our own gain.

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authenticity: finding balance

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0133 John.    In his second letter, John had encouraged believers not to associate with deceivers who taught new things.  In this third letter, he deals with the opposite problem.  Diotrephes – apparently a leader in the church John writes to – has refused to accept a legitimate ministry.  He used his position in the church to deny support to others, seeking to narrow the people’s attention to only himself.

Today, we need to learn the same lesson.  There are some false teachings we ought to shun.  But there are lots of legitimate ministries we ought to be accepting and supporting.  Finding the appropriate balance will require discernment.

LORD, help us support legitimate manifestations of your Holy Spirit, while avoiding counterfeits.

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authenticity: staying in the truth

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0132 John.    John’s second letter was to a church group.  Although he addressed it to “the elect lady and her children” all of the commands in it are plural, which suggests he had the group in mind.

He encouraged them to stay in the truth they know, and not to be eager to “go on ahead” (9).  It is tempting to always be looking for some new teaching, but those who do so are in danger of wandering away from the simple message of grace in the gospel.

John warned the believers not to even receive those with “new” teachings into their homes.  That would be taking part in a deceiver’s “wicked works” (11).

LORD, help us to stay in the truth, and so avoid being lured away from  it by “new” teachings.

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authenticity: things we just know

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0131 John 5.    John concludes this letter with a list of things that authentic believers know.  There is no doubt about it:

  1. We love each other (2).
  2. We have eternal life in Christ (13).
  3. God hears our prayers (14-15).
  4. We have protection from the evil One (18).
  5. We are from God (19).
  6. We can know Christ (20).

The accusers make all kinds of condemning claims in our ears.  We do not have to believe them.  We know who we are in Christ, and that is what matters.

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tests of authenticity

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0131 John 4.    Is your faith genuine?  Here are some tests to determine the authenticity of a profession of faith.

  1. Do I confess that Jesus is God’s Son who has come in the flesh?  (2,15)
  2. Do I love other believers, or hate them?  (7-8; 20-21)
  3. Do I fear the future, or trust God to vindicate me?  (4; 16-18)

LORD, we put our faith in Christ, and seek to love as he loved.  We put our confidence in you, not in ourselves.

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authenticity: children of God

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Authentic-Christianity.0131 John 3:4-24.    John agrees with James that confession of faith is not proof of faith.  True children of God are going to stop habitually sinning, and start habitually loving each other.  If we say that the blood of Christ has made us righteous before God, then our lives are going to produce righteous practices.  Our lives are to be proof of our testimony.

LORD, we want to prove who we are by what we do.

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