Sermon for Sept 29 -- Heaven as a Place of Worship

Revelation 3:17-19

Revelation 3:17-19 

English Standard Version 

  Have you ever gone to the store and forgotten your wallet?  Depending on how far along you were in your shopping, it can be embarrassing.  You probably don't go to the store manager and ask them if you can simply pay for it later.  You have to give up and go back to retrieve some method of payment.

  Here in Revelation, the rich are being made aware that they are actually poor.  In God's store, their money can't buy anything... but the good news is that God's economy doesn't work like our own.  In God's economy, those most ready to buy are those that realize they don't have any acceptable currency.  We like to think of our good works as currency, but the Gospel opens our eyes to the reality that our good works aren't enough to overcome our sin.  We are bankrupt, but in God's economy, the realization that we are bankrupt actually becomes the currency we need to buy from God treasure beyond compare.  With the realization that we are poor, we then become rich, and we are clothed in white garments, dressed for the banquet in heaven, because we who are poor are made rich by the love and mercy of God.

  If we claim to be rich, we miss out because we're poor.  If we realize that we are poor, that we had treasure and squandered it through the holes in our pockets, then we recognize that we are made rich beyond our wildest dreams, beyond all we can ask or imagine, and life truly begins!

Revelation 19:11-16

Revelation 19:11-16 

English Standard Version 

  Like many of you, I keep reading the news, and it's hard.  It's mostly sad, but sometimes, I get angry, then depressed, then despondent, and then I cycle back to angry.  It's easy to settle somewhere between heartbroken and angry, wondering what's become of this world.  I have my own ideas about moves that might lessen the chances of things like this happening again, but I realize that we can't stop 100% of violent incidents.  Mostly, it seems like we're stuck in a cycle where violence keeps claiming innocent lives, and we all hate it.  

  When I get despondent, this is one of the verses I turn to.  I think of the world as a battlefield that's been decimated by all the acts of violence that have claimed so many lives, and when I feel like I'm going to give up, I imagine Jesus riding to victory, with a robe dipped in blood, the armies of heaven following him on a white horse, and a sharp sword coming out of his mouth.  He is the one who will set things right, who will bring life where there is death, lifting up in resurrection those who have been innocently struck down and casting sin and death into the final death which they deserve.  I will follow Jesus as he rides to victory on his white horse, and it gives me encouragement to think of him riding to victory, especially when it feels like hope is barely holding on by a thread.

  May this image give you hope, too, especially on this Memorial Day weekend, when we remember and honor those who have given their lives for the sake of others.

Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation 22:1-5 

English Standard Version

  Parts of the book of Revelation are tough to read, for certain.  These parts, however, I think about a lot.  There's such elegant beauty in the way the descriptions are crafted, and I believe that it speaks to me, that it speaks to us, because we are made for eternity -- we are knit together with this reality woven into the fabric of our very beings, and so we know that it is the ultimate thing for which we strive.  We are drawn towards eternal light, and just as our eyes were made to receive the sunlight, by which we see, our souls were made to receive the eternal light of God, by which we truly see and are seen.

Revelation 21:1-4

Revelation 21:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  One of the best people I've had the chance to know died Wednesday in a car accident.  He retired on June 30 after serving as the General Presbyter in East Tennessee.

  I've got nothing... simply devastating news.  

  Hug your loved ones.  Life is a gift.  Be careful about always living for the future... stop and enjoy the present.  We never truly know...

  And give thanks for the hope we have that is rooted in the Gospel, for one day there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more death.

Revelation 5:11-14

Revelation 5:11-14 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  The church is a wondrous organization, called and gifted by the Holy Spirit with one purpose -- to participate in God's greater mission to the cosmos.  This Advent season, as we draw near to Christmas, may we all remember that the church is about far more than individual salvation.  May we never forget that Christ has handcrafted us and loves us uniquely, but that Christ also calls and redeems us as a community.  The throne room of God is surrounded by millions and missions (myriads and myriads in other translations).  This isn't just about us -- we are one of many, and participating in Christ's church means having a heart for the larger world and the greater mission of God.  We are called, we are blessed, and we are sent!

Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  Here we see the contrast between Jesus and his followers, and we learn about the nature of Jesus.
  When Jesus opens doors, there is not a force in the universe that can close it.  And so the door is open to eternal life -- remember that Jesus says in John 10 that he is the door through which we enter.  No one, not even death, can close this door, and so we can rejoice in having such a strong advocate. 
  In contrast, we are weak.  The church in Philadelphia cannot open the door, but they know how to obey, and they have placed their trust in Jesus.  They know their own strength and weakness, and they understand where true strength comes from.  They are saved not by their own merits.
  I don't know that self-examination is very high on the list of desirable traits in the modern world.  But when we know ourselves and acknowledge our weaknesses, we're looking to Christ to hold the door open, and falling into his grace and love.  The crown of life is given to us by the one who is stronger than we are -- so may we receive with grateful hearts, and depend on God to lead us forward into eternal life.

Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:1-6 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  This is always a hard day for me.  19 years ago, my best friend didn't wake up, and I did, and ever since that day, I've wrestled with the basic unfairness of it all.  To be 19 and invincible and have the world crash down around  you is a terrible thing, and then to try and make sense of something insensible... it's impossible, and yet the sun rises in the morning, and we must press on, right?  There is hope on the other side of the horizon, and yet every day, seeing the path can seem like grasping for the light switch in the dark, where any step can send you careening into unseen obstacles.
  I don't know why some live and some don't, why some thrive and others don't, why life happens the way it does.  I think about where my friend should be, and it hurts, to this day -- the sorrow is an ache to the depths of my soul.  I still remember the tears I cried and the tears his mother cried and the way our souls still weep to this day.  Often, I have only a little strength left, and it is almost gone. 
  Here in this letter, the church is urged to stretch towards God.  We can run in fear, or we can turn to God in trust.  Each day, I try and choose trust.  I don't always do it, and some days I wander in fear and uncertainty and mourning, but trust calls  to me still, whispers to my soul, and I want to choose faithfulness, to walk with the Lord towards the light, to let God carry me forward, for my strength is not my own, and my wisdom is not my own, and my life is not my own -- it belongs to God, body and soul, and I entrust myself to God's greater providence.  I know not  what the journey holds, but I know the end, and I trust in God to lead me there.

Revelation 2:18-28

Revelation 2:18-28
English Standard Version (ESV)

  To be completely honest, there are times when I read the Bible, close it, and then hope that I didn't read what I just read.  Not that I'm worried about the specific sins referenced here, but rather just because the overall tenor can be rather threatening at times.  God searches the mind and heart, and I'll certainly confess that my mind and heart aren't always perfect places -- there are some dark places that each of us harbor, and the thought of God knowing the fullness of my sins and brokenness is troubling.
  Fortunately, God knew all of this before God ascended the cross to die in order to redeem me.  My sins are ever before me, but they aren't a surprise to God.  God knows that I cannot save myself, and so God sends Jesus Christ to save us.  We are desperate and in need, and so God comes to save.
  Sometimes, it feels like 'Hold Fast' is about the only thing that I can do.  I desperately want to write my name in the list of those who conquer and keep God's works, although there are days when enduring seems like too great a task, and conquering will have to be left to those more worthy than I.  Fortunately, the Holy Spirit comes and prays with sighs too deep for words, and I am reminded that salvation depends on God, not on me.  Thanks be to God!

Revelation 2:12-17

Revelation 2:12-17 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  When Abram left the world he knew behind to follow God's call, he was eventually given a new name as a sign of his new identity. 
  When Daniel was sent to Babylon, he and his fellow exiles were given new names in an attempt to transform their identity, to leave the old behind.
  When Saul left behind his persecuting ways, he became Paul, a passionate advocate for the early Christian church.
  The church in Pergamum was offered new names, just as you and I are, to mark our new identity in Christ.  To those who persevere in faith, who endure the road of discipleship and keep their eyes focused on the call of Christ, a new name is offered, one rooted in the identity of a risen Savior, in the grace and love that is freely given.  We are no longer ours but have been purchased by God, liberated from sin and death, and our identity is rooted in God.

Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:8-11 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  You can hide things from colleagues for a long time.  Less time with friends, and even less with family, although there are some who keep secrets buried deep for decades.  With God, however, we can keep no secrets -- fortunately, we don't have be afraid, but can be confident that God knows us completely and still loves us.
  Note, here, how God mentions the poverty of the people of Smyrna, but they have plenty of money.  Their poverty is spiritual, and it's an affliction that is as common today as it was then -- material wealth cannot hide spiritual poverty.
  To the people in Smyrna, God reminds them to stay faithful, even until death, for there is life beyond death.
  The same charge is directed at us.  Put not your trust in riches, as tempting as it may be, but rather lean into the grace and love of God, depend on God and God alone for life, and the second death cannot hurt us.

Revelation 2:1-7

Revelation 2:1-7 
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  There are letters to seven churches in Revelation -- we looked at the one for Laodicea on Friday.  Here is the letter to Ephesus, and notice how personal it is.  It addresses the specifics in Ephesus, and it praises the way they endure and their intolerance for sin, while calling the church back to their first love.  The Ephesians have endured, but they're tired, and here they are encouraged/threatened to ensure their love sustains, and they are reminded of the crown of glory that awaits, the feast in the garden.
  God's love for each of us is unique -- we are each handcrafted by the love of God.  God knows our strengths, and our weaknesses, too.  God surrounds us with community, with a tribe, to encourage us as we grow and develop.  At times we need to hear the harsh truth and be held accountable, and at times we need encouragement to continue using our strengths.
  Find a church that acts as a tribe, that surrounds you and loves you and holds you accountable.  In this, we hear the nourishing words that remind us of our hope in Christ and points us towards the garden that awaits.

Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:14-22
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  On this Black Friday, people will storm malls and big box stores and websites the day after thinking about everything they have to be grateful for.  Now, much of this is born out of a genuine desire to give during the upcoming holiday season, and some of it is a bonding event for friends and family.  A good portion of it, however, is simply the desire for more.  Someone sent me a Ted Talk the other day by Johann Hari -- he was talking about depression, but through the lens of how the world is distorting our appetites, and so the consumerism we're engaging in isn't actually meeting the needs we want or think it will, and so we keep buying, but don't find the satisfaction we're craving.
  Clearly the Laodiceans had a similar predicament.  They thought they were rich and successful and independent, and probably lived that way, perhaps turning to God whenever they ran up against a problem they couldn't solve.  They hadn't completely turned from God, but they weren't turning completely towards God, either.
  So the message here is for them to recognize their true needs, to realize that true and lasting hope can't be purchased, and to turn to participate in God's abundant economy.  They were called to buy their gold from God, to discover the wealth of treasure in heaven, and only then will they see many of the world's empty promises for what they are.
  I don't think it's wise to completely pull back from our economy.  We're in this world, and we should participate in it -- but recognize that our truest needs, for hope and for love and for relationship, will never be met by something you can buy from a store.

Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation 22:1-5 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  It's no surprise to anyone that we're living in a divided time. MLK day is a day to remember that we were once incredibly divided as a country and that we still have a lot of work to on healing the racial divisions in our country.  There are political divisions as well, rifts that seem to be growing deeper rather than shallower.  It's fascinating to me to look at my children and wonder what the political and social landscapes will be when they are my age. 
  A question I heard recently -- What kind of world would you want if you weren't guaranteed what country you would be born in?
  That question sticks with me.  As an American, especially one born into opportunity and privilege, it's easy for me to take things for granted.  But knowing everything I do now, having been to a country where they bake cakes out of mud to feed their starving children who are running through the streets naked because they don't have anything to wear, that question haunts me some evenings, late into the night.  The world is divided between the haves and have-nots, and health and wealth and opportunity and illnesses visit some populations more than others.
  So what kind of world would you design?  Scripture gives us a vision of what the final-state will be, one where we are gathered around the water of life and we have leaves that offer healing to the nations.  We will be centrally fixated on God, and no darkness will enter that place.
  Until we reach that day, however, what should the world look like?  And what can you do to help get it there?

Revelation 21:1-4

Revelation 21:1-4 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Notice who undertakes all the initiative here -- it's God who brings the new heaven and the new earth.  It's God who has the heavenly city descend from the heavens.  It's God who prepares the city for us, an it's God who wipes away the tears.  God does all of this, well before we figure out how to live perfectly.  God reaches out before we can even think to ask.
  So rest in God's love.  Know that the future does not depend on you and your planning and your perfection.  The future depends on God's gracious love and his initiating grace.  He descends from the heavens and reveals his love to us, and he wipes away our tears by his righteous and tender hand.
  Take a deep breath.  Relax.  Fall into endless grace and unconditional love.  God has done a mighty work to secure your eternal future in the heavenly kingdom.  Your work is merely to receive that boundless love and share the Good News of unconditional love with the world around you.

Revelation 1:4-8

Revelation 1:4-8
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  The Bible is a long and complex book, and yet it presents a single story, and that is captured so well here in Revelation -- God wishes grace and peace, and he loves you and has freed you from your sins by his blood.  That's the essence of the Biblical story -- it's a love story, one of grace and peace, and it begins with God creating and ends with God's re-creation.  He is the beginning and end of your story, for we end our stories in his peace, in his love.  His Kingdom is our destiny, and in the meantime, let his love and peace wash over and renew you.

Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:14-22
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I've always believed that this passage described much of the American church -- we can be so comfortable that our passion for Christ doesn't run hot.  We're lukewarm, heating up on some days and cooler on others.  Our material riches have lulled us into a sense of complacency where we don't recognize our full need for grace, and this leads us to a spiritual blindness that prevents us from seeing how utterly dependent we are upon the Spirit of God for our every breath.  We think we are rich, and yet if we were to see our accounts from a spiritual perspective, we are utterly broke, because the only riches worth obtaining are from God and God alone.  No money or success in this world can buy true and lasting wealth -- it is a gift from God alone, who stands at the door and knocks, asking to be let in, so that we might be healed. 
  Those who open the door will be rich beyond measure, with a wealth that the world cannot imagine.  May we who accept the gift have the courage to pray for Holy Spirit passion to love Christ more each and every day.

Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  We put ourselves in the middle of the story --- we like to be the heroes of our stories.  We like to be the ones who work out the solution, who save the day. 
  When we come to Scripture, though, it is God who is the hero of the story, and he is saving us from an enemy over which we cannot prevail on our own strength.  He is the one who has opened the door, and he is the one who will keep the door open.  I love here how the letter mentions that the people in Philadelphia have little power.  Note that it isn't a bad thing -- it's simply a fact, and it doesn't change the story.  Their little power does not prevent them from serving God -- they can still be faithful and stay true to the name of their Savior.  They are working with their situation, whatever it may be, serving faithfully in the present.  In the same way, we are called to serve faithfully, no matter the circumstances, no matter our situation.  If we have power or if we don't, if we have influence or if we don't, we can be faithful, patiently enduring whatever challenges we face, so that God's glory may be proclaimed.

Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:1-6
English Standard Version (ESV)

  The last few months have been a sad testament to the difference between public lives and private lives.  Many figures that were once held in high esteem have been brought down due to allegations of how they acted in private.  They lived a double life for a time, but eventually, the truth came out.  It almost always does.
  God sees through when we try and cover our private sins with a veneer.  That's why confession is so important -- we acknowledge our sins, both public and private, and trust in the forgiveness of God.  God is calling the church in Sardis to recognize that many in the congregation do not have a heart that matches their reputation, and so they are offered the chance to repent, to turn from sin and trust in God.  There is healing for brokenness and a balm for our souls if we accept the offer of forgiveness, but we first must stop denying our sins and confess them before God, who is faithful and just to forgive our sins. 
  We who are broken have quite a story to tell, of a God who forgives and of life restored!

Revelation 2:18-29

Revelation 2:18-29
English Standard Version (ESV)

  As a parent, I'm not always great about praising my children.  I'm usually quick to criticize, but it's much harder for me to give them the praise they often deserve.  I'm trying, and I think I'm doing better, but there's still a long way to go. 
  God notices what we do.  That's an important thing to remember -- it matters how we choose to live.  So often, we act like much of our lives don't matter.  We compartmentalize our lives, and the ones that fall outside of the 'church' part are ignored, or we think that God doesn't care.  God notices.  God cares.  It's important how we live, both inside the church building and when we go out into the world as the church.  We should choose carefully, paying attention to our words and deeds in each and every situation.  We have a constant opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom by holding fast to joy and hope, pointing to love and extending grace.  God is paying attention -- this need not strike fear in our hearts, for God has proven himself to be merciful and patient, but it should encourage us to lead lives that would be praised.