Just as we are used to reading Luke-Acts as one two-volume work, Peter Leithart (Revelation, International Theological Commentary, T & T Clark, 2018, vol. 1, p22), suggests that we should read John-Revelation in the same way.
John's gospel begins with Jesus the bridegroom (3:29) at a wedding but he's not the one getting married in chapter 2. The woman at the well in chapter 4 seems like she should be the bride, but they don't get married. Maybe Mary Magdalene, the woman who meets one like the gardener after the resurrection, seems like a candidate, but Jesus can't stay. It is only at the end of Revelation that the bride is actually ready.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Revelation 21vv9-10, 22-22:5 - a handout
Indulging once again my passion for over complicated handouts, here's a draft for Sunday:
An Extraordinary Angelic-guided Tour
Of the
Blessings of God’s Coming Kingdom:
Six Things I
Did Not See – And Two Great Things Not to Miss!
Revelation
21:9-10, 22-:22:5 (page 1249)
v9: The church, the bride
of Christ (contrast chapter 17)
v10: The New Jerusalem –
the mountain of Daniel 2 and Isaiah 2
“coming down out of heaven
from God” (v10) – opposite of Babel
(1) A BETTER NEW TEMPLE CITY (21vv10-27)
The city a cube / pyramid
(v16) like The Holy of Holies / a holy mountain
(a) no temple because…
(v22) – John 1:14; 2:19-21
(b) no need for sun or
moon because… (v23) – John 8:12
(c) no need to shut the
gates because no night (v25)
(d) nothing impure, nor
shameful nor deceitful but… (v27)
(2) A BETTER NEW EDEN CITY (22vv1-5)
River of the water of life
(22v1) – John 4:10-13; 7:37-39
Tree of life (22v2f)
(e) no curse (22v3) –
Genesis 3:14-19; Galatians 3:13
With God and the Lamb!
(22vv3-5) – Exodus 28:36-38
(f) no end (22v5)
Have you booked? (22vv11, 14, 17) Will you invite
others?
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Psalm 23 - a handout
PSALM 23
(page 555)
Where do you place your
confidence?
Who or what do you depend
on / follow?
TRUST THE GOD WHO PROVIDES & PROTECTS
(1) The LORD is my good shepherd who takes care
of his sheep even when they walk through the darkest valleys (vv1-4)
I shall lack nothing I
really need (v1)
“I shall not fear” (v4)
“You are with me… and comfort me” (v4)
(2) The LORD is my generous host who shares his
plenty with his people in the presence of their enemies (vv5-6)
You welcome and honour me and lavish me with abundant
blessings (v5)
“I shall dwell in the
house of the LORD for length of days” (v6)
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Psalm 23
God-willing I am going to preach on Psalm 23 on Sunday.
We are planning to sing Henry Baker's, The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
And Stuart Townend's version of the psalm.
The 1650 Scottish Psalter version we know, of course.
Michael Wilcock's commentary also mentions a version by George Herbert, The God of Love My Shepherd Is.
And Joseph Addison's, The Lord My Pasture Shall Prepare.
We are planning to sing Henry Baker's, The King of Love My Shepherd Is.
And Stuart Townend's version of the psalm.
The 1650 Scottish Psalter version we know, of course.
Michael Wilcock's commentary also mentions a version by George Herbert, The God of Love My Shepherd Is.
And Joseph Addison's, The Lord My Pasture Shall Prepare.
Friday, May 03, 2019
Acts 9:1-22 - A handout
If you are coming to Bodle Street or Warbleton churches on Sunday, you may wish to look away now. It might go something like this:
A case of
mistaken identity
and a dramatic
transformation
The Conversion
and Call of Saul of Tarsus
Acts 9:1-22
(p1102)
(1) Meet Saul the
Persecutor! (7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2)
(2) Saul meets Jesus
the Risen Lord! (vv3-6)
A
case of mistaken identity!
Jesus
identifies with his people: to persecute them is to persecute him (vv4-6)
Lord
(vv5, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17)
“Jesus
is the Son of God” (v20)
“Jesus
is the Christ” (v22)
Jesus
is powerful and in control (e.g. vv11-12)
Jesus
has mercy on his enemies
Saul is transformed
from persecutor
to preacher (vv20-22)
… and from persecutor
to persecuted (v16, v23)
Jesus
uses even very unlikely people to join his mission
Have
you met Jesus as your Risen Lord in the Scriptures?
Have
you understood that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ?
His
power and control? His mercy?
Might
Jesus change and use you, and other unlikely people, in his mission?
Are
you willing to speak and suffer for him?
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