Wednesday Mar 25, 2015

“The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth” (1 Timothy 3:14–16)

New Testament

Sunday Mar 22, 2015

“The Fall of Babylon the Great” (Revelation 18:1–19:10)

Sunday Mar 22, 2015

“The Fall of Babylon the Great” (Revelation 18:1–19:10)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday PM/March 22, 20151. The world laments over the fall of the great city of Rome (1–3).“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”” (Revelation 18:1–3, NIV) 2. The churches are warned to separate from Roman paganism, pleasure, and luxury, so as to not be judged with the world (4–8). “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “ ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” (Revelation 18:4–8, NIV) 3. The kings and merchants of the Roman world collectively mourn the destruction of their source of wealth, security, and pleasure (9–19).““When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore—cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves. “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’” (Revelation 18:9–19, NIV) 4. The fall of Rome represents the final and sure destiny of all who oppress and persecute God’s holy people (20–24).““Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”” (Revelation 18:20–24, NIV) 5. God’s people rejoice in his sovereign justice when sin is ultimately judged and God reigns supreme (19:1–10).“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”” (Revelation 19:1–10, NIV) Main Idea: God’s chosen people should not find their joy in the sins and luxuries of this world; rather they should look with eagerness for the coming kingdom of God when his justice is carried out on a sinful world.

Sunday Mar 22, 2015

"Peter's Denial and Jesus' Interrogation" (John 18:15-40)

Sunday Mar 22, 2015

“Peter Denies Jesus” (John 18:15–18, 25–27)Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sunday AM/March 22, 2015“Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.” (John 18:15–18, NIV) “Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.” (John 18:25–27, NIV) 1. Peter’s denial is a fulfillment of Jesus’ own prophetic words.“Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:37–38, NIV) 2. Peter’s denial is an example of the truth that Jesus would have to bear the weight of our sins all alone on the cross, abandoned by his closest friends.3. Peter’s denial is a reminder that in our own flesh we are often over-confident, but in reality we are too weak to meet real life challenges to our faith.4. Peter’s repeated denials illustrate the truth that sin progressively binds the sinner. 5. Peter’s denials reveal the power of the fear of man to ensnare us. 6. Peter’s denials and Jesus’ forgiveness reminds us that we stand only by the undeserved grace of God for sinners.“Jesus Is Interrogated” (John 18:19–24, 28–40)“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” (John 18:19–24, NIV) “Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.” (John 18:28–40, NIV) 1. The interrogation of Jesus before Annas reveals the illegality and injustice that Jesus’ accusers would use to murder Jesus (19–24).2. The interrogation of Jesus before Annas reveals that Jesus was on the side of truth and openness, while his accusers were steeped in deception, plots, and manipulation (19–24).3. The trial of Jesus before Pilate reveals the hypocrisy of outward religion (28). 4. Jesus is a true King, but his Kingdom is not a typical earthly kingdom with armies and political alignments. His Kingdom is a spiritual, heavenly one that unworthy sinners enter into by faith (33–36).5. Pilate’s skepticism regarding truth reflects our current postmodern age; but this narrative also reminds us that truth can only be found ultimately in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (37–38).6. Pilate’s willingness to release a condemned man and punish an innocent man reveals the pull of our depraved hearts toward ease, physical security, and the praise of man (38–39).7. Jesus’ standing in the place of Barabbas is a picture of what he came to do in his larger mission for sinners (39–40).Main Idea: Christ endured the abandonment and denial of his friends and the injustice and manipulation of his enemies so that he might rescue sinners from death.

Wednesday Mar 21, 2012