TB 301
Adjusting the Sails
10 Apr 16
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
I would love to have your input from this Sunday’s message. As a church we are in a season where we are more than ever Committed to the Vision, but we are Adjusting the Methods. If you did not hear this message I would encourage you to listen to it on the website -- you will get a better understanding of context.
As the strong winds of cultural change blow around us, all the leaders at Bethel are reviewing our methods: using the input of dozens (about 105 people), the labour of our working group, and the leadership of our Elders’ team, we are in a season of adjusting the “sails” so as to stay the course (that is, our vision: “Responding to the Heart of God; Transforming the heart of the City, the Nation and the world”.)
To help process what you heard on Sunday, I would encourage you to use this Touching Base to discuss the ideas presented, provide input to me if you wish (markkotchapaw@gmail.com), and then prayerfully engage as we move ahead.
As a church we are making great strides in many areas, but we are also wrestling with how to be more affective in our calling. The following are the four areas we are currently discussing, praying about, and in which we are looking to be more effective.
1. Discipleship
Definition: Someone who follows another person or another way of life, like an apprentice who submits himself to the teachings of that leader.
What are the winds of change in culture?
• The gap between what the church believes and what culture believes is wider than ever- this is the context of North America.
Talk about the gap that is growing between what the church believes and what the culture believes.
What are the particular issues where those gaps are very apparent?
How does this challenge the mandate of Jesus to make disciples?
• Attendance is less frequent for a growing number of attendees.
Statistics now demonstrate that increasing numbers of people are not as committed to the local church. One report says that people/Christians now attend church 25 Sundays of the year.
What is this indicative of?
How can this make being a discipleship community challenging?
2. Corporate Worship
Definition: Bethel Church will provide worship that is honouring to God as we seek to encounter and glorify Him as the gathered church. The church has always gathered because the church is inherently communal.
This is pivotal as we seek to establish our identity in the city and the corporate nature of our mission.
As a community, we are committed to being part of this transformation (by the Spirit) that is needed in the city, nation and world. All of our initiatives and ministry focuses demand a missional community that is engaged, contributing and investing. And as we do so, we offer up worship!
What are the winds of change in culture?
• Consumerism. Consumer Christianity asks, “What can I get from God?” It asks, “What’s in it for me?” That leads us to evaluate our church, our faith, our experience (and each other) according to our preferences and whims.
On Sunday I contrasted the images of a cruise ship (consumerism) versus a symphony (engagement). The church that is healthy works like a symphony. Talk about the contrast between these two images. How can our corporate identity and vision initiatives be hindered when people view the church like a cruise ship?
We are deeply grateful for the dozens and dozens of people that understand that the church is more like a symphony! However, as we move ahead and walk out our vision further, we are going to need to challenge more and more people to “get off the boat and into the symphony”.
3. Stewardship
Definition: Bethel Church, as a community of faith, will encourage its people to give of their time, talents and treasure to God’s service.
While stewardship is an umbrella term that refers to all of our resources, let me highlight the financial piece.
What are the winds of change in culture?
• The “steward” versus the “owner” - “It’s His!” versus “It’s mine!”
• Canada’s household debt levels keep breaking records.
Now add to that the fact that, as a pastor, I don’t like asking for money, PLUS the other winds of change already listed above and what do we have? The perfect storm. While we are grateful for the many who sacrificially give, what is hurting us is the many who do not. Very often in the local church, 20% of the congregation donate 80% of its income. These are capsizing numbers!
4. Outreach
Definition: Outreach is an outward focus, where Bethel comes alongside individuals and organizations to work collaboratively in bringing the Whole Gospel to our city, nation and world.
Individually, we are finding that increasing numbers (like me) find it challenging to communicate faith to a non-believing world. Many do not have meaningful relationships with people who do not follow Christ. We are, in many cases, very insular.
Corporately, we have several healthy, growing working relationships with organizations that extend our reach corporately as, together, we reach out and love the city, nation and world.
What is one wind of change in our culture that is challenging this area greatly?
• Declining trust in authority
“…people today, particularly unchurched people, start out with suspicion as their primary approach to the church and its leaders. More than ever, trust is earned slowly and lost instantly.” (Carey Nieuwhof, Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow)
Have you found personal outreach more difficult?
Talk about the relationships you have with people who don’t follow Jesus?
How could you be better equipped?
How do you deal with the trust issue?
HOW DO WE WANT YOU TO RESPOND? Here are some suggestions:
A. Process these key statements
Here are some statements that I am working through that will apply to you.
• I must be (we must be) humble and malleable.
Living with a posture of humility allows us to speak into each other’s lives as we stay committed to the vision but adjust the methods. No leader is above the voice of counsel that comes from the body.
“When you choose to be a leader you choose to grow in public.” I am growing, we are growing.
• I must be (we must be) prayerfully curious.
If our humility just leads us to listen to each other then we will capsize. For me, “prayerfully curious” is where we lock arms together, hearing each other and prayerfully engaging with the voice of the Spirit. It is where we are willing to think outside the box if that is where God leads us.
B. Ask these key questions (oh yeah… and answer them!)
• What does my part look like in this season at Bethel?
• What does “stepping up” look like while at the same time guarding my family, rest, study, relationships, and healthy margins?
• What does sacrificial giving look like? Time, Talent and Treasure.
• What does a renewed prayer focus look like?
• What does “speaking up” look like, that is redemptive and empowering?
C. Be Prayerfully Engaged - Join us on May 1 (Sunday afternoon) as we join together corporately to pray into these issues. More details to follow.
Mark Kotchapaw
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Touching Base, Part 300
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
I’d suggest using the following questions in two ways:
1) in your personal devotions
2) in discussion with your family, spouse, close friend or friends, LIFE group
Begin in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to come and show you what you need to see about yourself, your community or your church.
Read aloud the letter to the church in Sardis in Revelation 3.
The church in Sardis had the “reputation of being alive”, but was dead.
1) Suggest some practical ways in which a church may gain a good reputation within a city.
2) What would motivate a church to become involved in these various activities?
3) What can happen to people’s motivation when they gain a good reputation?
4) Brainstorm some practical suggestions as to how a church could guard against being motivated by reputation alone.
5) When we check to see if a person is alive or dead, we often check their vital signs (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation). What might some indicators be of spiritual vitality within a church body? Be specific about the behaviours that would be present or absent.
“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.”
John Stott wrote: “The shortest road to repentance is remembrance. Let someone once recall what they used to be and reflect on what by God’s grace they could be, and they will be lead to repent, turning back from their sin to their Saviour.”
6) How will being a church (or a family or a LIFE group) of remembrance lead to being a community of repentance? List some practical ideas for how this may take place.
7) “Repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sin.” Do you agree or disagree? Discuss.
8) If you are discussing this in a community setting, brainstorm some ways that you can keep each other from being a people of pretense and instead be a people of repentance.
The following questions can be used to discuss as a group or for personal reflection. The basis of these questions has been taken from “Gospel in life: Grace Changes Everything” by Tim Killer with Sam Shammas & John Lin.
1) What does Christ mean in your life on a daily basis? In what way is Christ having a significant impact? In what areas should He be having a greater impact?
2) When is the last time you were convicted by the Holy Spirit? For what did you repent? What was the impact of your repentance on your heart? How did it change the way that you lived?
3) Do you admit your limits, mistakes, sins, and weaknesses to God, others and to yourself?
4) Is your life marked by a growth in spiritual fruit? In what measurable ways have you changed over the last year? Challenging yourself to discuss this with someone who knows you well would be a great start toward growth in these areas.
a. Are you more loving?
b. Are you more joyful?
c. Are you more peaceful?
d. Are you more patient with people? With circumstances?
e. Are you kinder?
f. Do you take criticism better?
g. Are you bolder, more courageous, and more confident in following Christ?
h. Are you less angry and gentler?
i. Are you a more self-controlled person? In what areas?
It is God’s desire to be gracious to us. Isaiah 30:18 says:
18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Lamentations 3: 22-24 says:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Take some time in prayer to praise the steadfast, patient and loving nature of God our Father as He desire intimacy with children and His church.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to our last Unleashed today (March 13th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Amanda Van Halteren
I’d suggest using the following questions in two ways:
1) in your personal devotions
2) in discussion with your family, spouse, close friend or friends, LIFE group
Begin in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to come and show you what you need to see about yourself, your community or your church.
Read aloud the letter to the church in Sardis in Revelation 3.
The church in Sardis had the “reputation of being alive”, but was dead.
1) Suggest some practical ways in which a church may gain a good reputation within a city.
2) What would motivate a church to become involved in these various activities?
3) What can happen to people’s motivation when they gain a good reputation?
4) Brainstorm some practical suggestions as to how a church could guard against being motivated by reputation alone.
5) When we check to see if a person is alive or dead, we often check their vital signs (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation). What might some indicators be of spiritual vitality within a church body? Be specific about the behaviours that would be present or absent.
“Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.”
John Stott wrote: “The shortest road to repentance is remembrance. Let someone once recall what they used to be and reflect on what by God’s grace they could be, and they will be lead to repent, turning back from their sin to their Saviour.”
6) How will being a church (or a family or a LIFE group) of remembrance lead to being a community of repentance? List some practical ideas for how this may take place.
7) “Repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sin.” Do you agree or disagree? Discuss.
8) If you are discussing this in a community setting, brainstorm some ways that you can keep each other from being a people of pretense and instead be a people of repentance.
The following questions can be used to discuss as a group or for personal reflection. The basis of these questions has been taken from “Gospel in life: Grace Changes Everything” by Tim Killer with Sam Shammas & John Lin.
1) What does Christ mean in your life on a daily basis? In what way is Christ having a significant impact? In what areas should He be having a greater impact?
2) When is the last time you were convicted by the Holy Spirit? For what did you repent? What was the impact of your repentance on your heart? How did it change the way that you lived?
3) Do you admit your limits, mistakes, sins, and weaknesses to God, others and to yourself?
4) Is your life marked by a growth in spiritual fruit? In what measurable ways have you changed over the last year? Challenging yourself to discuss this with someone who knows you well would be a great start toward growth in these areas.
a. Are you more loving?
b. Are you more joyful?
c. Are you more peaceful?
d. Are you more patient with people? With circumstances?
e. Are you kinder?
f. Do you take criticism better?
g. Are you bolder, more courageous, and more confident in following Christ?
h. Are you less angry and gentler?
i. Are you a more self-controlled person? In what areas?
It is God’s desire to be gracious to us. Isaiah 30:18 says:
18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Lamentations 3: 22-24 says:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Take some time in prayer to praise the steadfast, patient and loving nature of God our Father as He desire intimacy with children and His church.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to our last Unleashed today (March 13th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Amanda Van Halteren
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Touching Base, Part 299
06 Mar 16
Series - House on Fire! Part 6
"Doors, Pillars, and a Cross"
Rev. 3:7-13
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
We have now come to the second last church in our series, House On Fire! As we come to Philadelphia, we will discover that we have lots in common with this church. In fact, I think their issue is our issue (for many of us) - dealing with issues around the theme of rejection. We will see how this works itself out in Philadelphia, but first, as a group share, about this issue.
What are chapters in your life where you have had to deal with rejection? How has it affected how you trust, express, and communicate? What are the evidences in our culture that people crave acceptance and love?
TEXT: Revelation 3:7-13
What are the images that demonstrate that God has accepted this church?
#1 DOOR (V.7)
To understand this picture of Christ we need to look at the backstory. Check out Isaiah 22:15-25.
What does this imagery communicate about Jesus response to this church? See v.8. How much power does this church have? V.8.
V.9 - tells us why this imagery of the open door would be so powerful. The Messianic Jews in this city had experienced rejection. Christ referred to their enemies as the synagogue of Satan (cf. 2:9). They were Jews who opposed the believers’ Christian testimony. The local synagogue claimed that only those worshiping within their doors could be considered God’s true people and it appears they excommunicated Christian Jews. They have shut the door.
One writer has said that this door represents not only the authority of Christ but the open door represents presence, relationship, acceptance, and embrace. This was the exact opposite of what they experienced in the city.
Two observations:
Note that those being rejected were the ones with “little power” (v.8) - little power in relationship to God, but also in relationship to those Jews who were rejecting them. Talk about how in rejection there is often an unequal distribution of power. Talk about how the one being rejected can feel powerless, helpless and vulnerable. Talk about how the one with power can use that power to carry out the damaging act of rejection.
Note that for some, this rejection may have been from a group that they least expected it, fellow Jews with whom they shared such a rich history. Add to that they were in a city named for its brotherly love (PHILADELPHIA -- Gk. Philadelphia, Philadelphia “love[r] of brother”). They experienced brotherly rejection.
Sometimes, doesn't rejection have a little more sting because it can come from the least-expected place? Have you ever experienced rejection that completely shocked you? How did that unexpected rejection affect you?
V.10-11 - This most likely does not mean that Christ will somehow allow them to bypass trial. One writer has said that the language of this communicates that Jesus will provide a spiritual protection from the devil. The reason John says to hold fast in v.11 is because they will experience trial but they can know Christ’s protection from the enemy in the hour of trial.
#2 PILLAR (V.12)
The second image of acceptance and love in a context where the people of God were being rejected is the pillar.
For this second symbol to make sense, you need to understand the context: Philadelphia was located roughly 20 miles southwest of a volcano named Catacecaumene (modern Kula), in a region prone to seismic activity. The area was subject to frequent earthquakes, and in AD 17, one such earthquake badly damaged the city, prompting Emperor Tiberius to remit taxes for five years to many of the region’s cities, including Philadelphia, so they could be rebuilt (Tacitus, Annals 2.47). In fact as the shocks continued intermittently the people took to living outside the city (Strabo, Geography 12.8.18 [579]).
So these people are experiencing rejection from their fellow Jews… and the very ground beneath them is shaky! It is into this context that the image of the pillar speaks powerfully.
Pillars:
- represented strength, something that was firmly fixed.
- could be used to symbolize the people of God (Ex 24:4).
- symbolized people of importance and great value. Paul refers to James, Cephas (Peter), and John as people reputed to be pillars in the church (Gal. 2:9).
Note it is the pillar “in the temple of my God”. This illustrates presence and relationship. In the New Jerusalem, the Lord God is the temple (see Rev 21:22). And in addition you have God inscribing His name on the pillar (the people). This speaks of value, honor and relationship.
Note the pillar represented so many things that were contrary to their experience of living in Philadelphia:
- While culture communicated that they had little value, the pillar communicated importance.
- The culture kept them as outsiders, but the pillar spoke of value and belonging.
- The culture said they were fools, misguided and lost; the pillar spoke of their identity.
Here are some questions for you to ponder as you consider these two symbols.
- Do I allow my identity to be determined by what man says about me, or what God says about me?
- Do I allow my confidence to be determined by what man says about me, or what God says about me?
- Do I derive my sense of value from the city I live in, or the City that I am going to?
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed today (March 6th ) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Series - House on Fire! Part 6
"Doors, Pillars, and a Cross"
Rev. 3:7-13
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
We have now come to the second last church in our series, House On Fire! As we come to Philadelphia, we will discover that we have lots in common with this church. In fact, I think their issue is our issue (for many of us) - dealing with issues around the theme of rejection. We will see how this works itself out in Philadelphia, but first, as a group share, about this issue.
What are chapters in your life where you have had to deal with rejection? How has it affected how you trust, express, and communicate? What are the evidences in our culture that people crave acceptance and love?
TEXT: Revelation 3:7-13
What are the images that demonstrate that God has accepted this church?
#1 DOOR (V.7)
To understand this picture of Christ we need to look at the backstory. Check out Isaiah 22:15-25.
What does this imagery communicate about Jesus response to this church? See v.8. How much power does this church have? V.8.
V.9 - tells us why this imagery of the open door would be so powerful. The Messianic Jews in this city had experienced rejection. Christ referred to their enemies as the synagogue of Satan (cf. 2:9). They were Jews who opposed the believers’ Christian testimony. The local synagogue claimed that only those worshiping within their doors could be considered God’s true people and it appears they excommunicated Christian Jews. They have shut the door.
One writer has said that this door represents not only the authority of Christ but the open door represents presence, relationship, acceptance, and embrace. This was the exact opposite of what they experienced in the city.
Two observations:
Note that those being rejected were the ones with “little power” (v.8) - little power in relationship to God, but also in relationship to those Jews who were rejecting them. Talk about how in rejection there is often an unequal distribution of power. Talk about how the one being rejected can feel powerless, helpless and vulnerable. Talk about how the one with power can use that power to carry out the damaging act of rejection.
Note that for some, this rejection may have been from a group that they least expected it, fellow Jews with whom they shared such a rich history. Add to that they were in a city named for its brotherly love (PHILADELPHIA -- Gk. Philadelphia, Philadelphia “love[r] of brother”). They experienced brotherly rejection.
Sometimes, doesn't rejection have a little more sting because it can come from the least-expected place? Have you ever experienced rejection that completely shocked you? How did that unexpected rejection affect you?
V.10-11 - This most likely does not mean that Christ will somehow allow them to bypass trial. One writer has said that the language of this communicates that Jesus will provide a spiritual protection from the devil. The reason John says to hold fast in v.11 is because they will experience trial but they can know Christ’s protection from the enemy in the hour of trial.
#2 PILLAR (V.12)
The second image of acceptance and love in a context where the people of God were being rejected is the pillar.
For this second symbol to make sense, you need to understand the context: Philadelphia was located roughly 20 miles southwest of a volcano named Catacecaumene (modern Kula), in a region prone to seismic activity. The area was subject to frequent earthquakes, and in AD 17, one such earthquake badly damaged the city, prompting Emperor Tiberius to remit taxes for five years to many of the region’s cities, including Philadelphia, so they could be rebuilt (Tacitus, Annals 2.47). In fact as the shocks continued intermittently the people took to living outside the city (Strabo, Geography 12.8.18 [579]).
So these people are experiencing rejection from their fellow Jews… and the very ground beneath them is shaky! It is into this context that the image of the pillar speaks powerfully.
Pillars:
- represented strength, something that was firmly fixed.
- could be used to symbolize the people of God (Ex 24:4).
- symbolized people of importance and great value. Paul refers to James, Cephas (Peter), and John as people reputed to be pillars in the church (Gal. 2:9).
Note it is the pillar “in the temple of my God”. This illustrates presence and relationship. In the New Jerusalem, the Lord God is the temple (see Rev 21:22). And in addition you have God inscribing His name on the pillar (the people). This speaks of value, honor and relationship.
Note the pillar represented so many things that were contrary to their experience of living in Philadelphia:
- While culture communicated that they had little value, the pillar communicated importance.
- The culture kept them as outsiders, but the pillar spoke of value and belonging.
- The culture said they were fools, misguided and lost; the pillar spoke of their identity.
Here are some questions for you to ponder as you consider these two symbols.
- Do I allow my identity to be determined by what man says about me, or what God says about me?
- Do I allow my confidence to be determined by what man says about me, or what God says about me?
- Do I derive my sense of value from the city I live in, or the City that I am going to?
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed today (March 6th ) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Touching Base, Part 298
28 Feb 16
Series - House on Fire! Part 5 -
You Do not Realize…
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
The Big Idea this week: "Insight into God leads to Trust; insight into ourselves leads to Humility".
I started Revelation and reading the 7 letters with a bad attitude, but, at least partly, came round. I started to see them as short stories – which I like – since they seemed to fit everything necessary into a short space. They have an economy of words, fitting all their theology into a few verses.
Insight in medicine is defined as “having a correct attitude towards morbid change in oneself”. If you have a stroke, you don't at first have full insight; it's only little by little that you live into your new self and its deficits, and fully understand and appreciate. “I realize I can’t quite play the guitar like I used to” or “I notice certain words are hard to say when I get tired.”
What about the opposite? What about having insight into something great and faultless? If the Laodiceans had had full insight into the 3 attributes of Christ listed at the beginning of this letter, they would have trusted Him; they wouldn't have remained complacent, half-hearted, and lukewarm. He is the Amen, the true and faithful witness, and the starting point of God's creation. These attributes emphasize Jesus' role in creation and his work on the cross – in the past.
At the end of the letter, there is a startling promise for the Christians who "overcome" or conquer: to sit with Christ on His throne – in the future. If the Laodiceans had had insight into the future triumph of Jesus, they could hardly have remained complacent either. Once again, insight would have led to trust.
In between the introduction and the conclusion, we have the body of the letter. Here Jesus tells us that insight into who God is, is not enough. We need insight into who we are as well. Remember the stroke example? You need to know your deficits. And this insight into ourselves leads not to trust, but to humility. "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
Often non-Christians believe in the same ethics as Christians. Or, Christians themselves are on different sides of ethical debates. What then are Christian ethics? What's so important about the Christian religion? The one piece of Christian ethics that hasn't caught on with society-at-large over the last 2000 years is humility. And this letter hinges on those words, "but you do not realize..." They did not have insight into themselves. No insight, no humility.
The Laodiceans weren't rebuked for any specific theological heresy. They were probably good citizens, well-off, upstanding, and ethical. How were they distinguished from others? They probably weren't.
We must be distinguished not merely by "adherence to moralistic norms but a life lived in view of the Christ event in the past and the victory of God in the future". If we had insight into what God is up to past and future, we would be a people trusting in God; if we had insight into who we are, we would be a humble people.
And trusting God while practising humility is a known cure for lukewarmness.
Eric Prost
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, today (February 28th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Series - House on Fire! Part 5 -
You Do not Realize…
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
The Big Idea this week: "Insight into God leads to Trust; insight into ourselves leads to Humility".
I started Revelation and reading the 7 letters with a bad attitude, but, at least partly, came round. I started to see them as short stories – which I like – since they seemed to fit everything necessary into a short space. They have an economy of words, fitting all their theology into a few verses.
Insight in medicine is defined as “having a correct attitude towards morbid change in oneself”. If you have a stroke, you don't at first have full insight; it's only little by little that you live into your new self and its deficits, and fully understand and appreciate. “I realize I can’t quite play the guitar like I used to” or “I notice certain words are hard to say when I get tired.”
What about the opposite? What about having insight into something great and faultless? If the Laodiceans had had full insight into the 3 attributes of Christ listed at the beginning of this letter, they would have trusted Him; they wouldn't have remained complacent, half-hearted, and lukewarm. He is the Amen, the true and faithful witness, and the starting point of God's creation. These attributes emphasize Jesus' role in creation and his work on the cross – in the past.
At the end of the letter, there is a startling promise for the Christians who "overcome" or conquer: to sit with Christ on His throne – in the future. If the Laodiceans had had insight into the future triumph of Jesus, they could hardly have remained complacent either. Once again, insight would have led to trust.
In between the introduction and the conclusion, we have the body of the letter. Here Jesus tells us that insight into who God is, is not enough. We need insight into who we are as well. Remember the stroke example? You need to know your deficits. And this insight into ourselves leads not to trust, but to humility. "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
Often non-Christians believe in the same ethics as Christians. Or, Christians themselves are on different sides of ethical debates. What then are Christian ethics? What's so important about the Christian religion? The one piece of Christian ethics that hasn't caught on with society-at-large over the last 2000 years is humility. And this letter hinges on those words, "but you do not realize..." They did not have insight into themselves. No insight, no humility.
The Laodiceans weren't rebuked for any specific theological heresy. They were probably good citizens, well-off, upstanding, and ethical. How were they distinguished from others? They probably weren't.
We must be distinguished not merely by "adherence to moralistic norms but a life lived in view of the Christ event in the past and the victory of God in the future". If we had insight into what God is up to past and future, we would be a people trusting in God; if we had insight into who we are, we would be a humble people.
And trusting God while practising humility is a known cure for lukewarmness.
Eric Prost
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, today (February 28th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Touching Base, Part 297
21 Feb 16
Series - House on Fire! Part 4
When a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
As we come to our fourth church in this series John hangs picture number four right smack dab in the middle of this church. Like the other three, it is a picture of Christ. If a picture is worth a thousand words then this one is perhaps worth ten thousand words. Maybe this is why this is the longest letter of the seven letters.
Text: Revelation 2:18-29
What are the key aspects of this picture?
Son of God - What does this title say about the identity of Jesus? Check out Romans 1:1-4.
Note that the next two titles both point to brilliance and light. Note how v.23 gives further understanding of eyes and feet with these qualities. It would seem that this is a picture of the omniscience (all-knowing) and omnipotence (all-powerful-bronze picture of strength) of the Son of God.
So how does this picture of Jesus impact what John writes to this church?
One clear implication is that God Sees My Story! He sees their story, He sees my story. There is nothing hidden, nothing in the shadows, nothing unbeknownst to the Son of God about their story.
God Sees My Story.
What does he see?
He knows where I have been in my story (v.19)
Notice the key words that describe a little bit of their story up to this moment in time. Two key statements are,
“patient endurance” - The capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances. As Jesus sees their story and where they have been he sees that they have been bearing up. But notice the next statement.
“your latter works exceed the first.”- In bearing up they have grown. Jesus is looking at their past compared to the present and sees growth. They have been to the school of “hard knocks”, and for many they have grown. It has been difficult, but the trenches have helped them grow.
God knows their story. As God looks at your story – where you have been – would he see growth? In what way has bearing up under difficult circumstances helped you grow? What has been the difficult circumstance and in what way did you grow through it. God knows your story!
He knows where I am in my story (v.20-23)
One thing that is true about the nature of the church and the members that make it up is that our stories are complex. While Jesus saw that many were bearing up, some were falling down. While some had held fast (see v.24), some had found themselves in a compromised position. What is true about the corporate reality of the church is also true about the individual reality of the believer. We live with the good and the bad all mixed in to our story. That is what was happening in Thyatira.
Note the compromised nature of the church by discussing the key words like tolerance, Jezebel and seduction.
Does where they are in their story have any bearing on where we (the Church of the 21st century) are in our story? Discuss the following.
According to a George Barna report,
“The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.” The result? “A Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.” The postmodern mantra, “true for you but not for me,” has infected our churches. The majority of Christians do not think Christianity is objectively true—true for everyone whether they believe it or not.
The following definition of tolerance may be helpful in your discussion.
“Tolerance used to be the attitude that we took toward one another when we disagreed about an important issue; we would agree to treat each other with respect, even though we refused to embrace each other’s view on a particular topic. Tolerance is now the act of recognizing and embracing all views as equally valuable and true, even though they often make opposite truth claims.” (Wallace, Cold Case Christianity, page 142)
He knows where I am going in my story (v.24-29)
Said succinctly,
He will restore all things and we will be part of that restoration story.
This is what we need to keep our eyes on.
As a group you will need to do your homework on this section. On Sunday, I did not have time to develop. The following are some helpful notes.
V.24 - Mystery cults stressed deep secrets shared only among the initiates.
V.25 - until I come - the Greek implies an uncertainty when that will be.
V.26 - Christ promises believers who are faithful that they will join Him in His millennial rule (Ps. 2:8–9; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4–6).
Note: Someone who did not know the Old Testament would have applied this description to the Roman emperor; Revelation declares that Jesus is greater than the most powerful emperor the world had ever known.
V.27 - “rule” (“poimanei”) means “to shepherd,” indicating that they will not simply be administering justice but will also, like a shepherd using his rod, be dealing with his sheep and protecting them as well. Though Psalm 2:9 refers to Christ’s rule, John’s quotation of it here relates the ruling (shepherding) to the believer who overcomes. Believers will have authority just as Christ does (1 Cor. 6:2–3; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 20:4, 6). Christ received this authority from His Father (cf. John 5:22).
V.28 - The morning star, Venus, heralded the dawn, and great people could be compared to it as well as to the sun shining in glory (Eccles 50:6; cf. Revelation 22:16). Because most of the Greco-Roman world believed that life was ruled by the stars, to be given authority over one of the most powerful of stars (a symbol of sovereignty among the Romans) was to share Christ’s rule over creation (2:26–27).
Is there mystery in these words and images?
Do we have everything figured out as we look to where our story will end up?
Thank the Father for giving us Jesus the head of the church. A church filled with stories of people that contain the good, the bad and the “Jezebel” (very bad). A church whose Head knows our story, because He is the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. He will make all things well and we who hold fast get to be part of that radical transformation, that we start now as we live out a story submitted to Him and see completely realized when He comes.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, today (February 21st) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Series - House on Fire! Part 4
When a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
As we come to our fourth church in this series John hangs picture number four right smack dab in the middle of this church. Like the other three, it is a picture of Christ. If a picture is worth a thousand words then this one is perhaps worth ten thousand words. Maybe this is why this is the longest letter of the seven letters.
Text: Revelation 2:18-29
What are the key aspects of this picture?
Son of God - What does this title say about the identity of Jesus? Check out Romans 1:1-4.
Note that the next two titles both point to brilliance and light. Note how v.23 gives further understanding of eyes and feet with these qualities. It would seem that this is a picture of the omniscience (all-knowing) and omnipotence (all-powerful-bronze picture of strength) of the Son of God.
So how does this picture of Jesus impact what John writes to this church?
One clear implication is that God Sees My Story! He sees their story, He sees my story. There is nothing hidden, nothing in the shadows, nothing unbeknownst to the Son of God about their story.
God Sees My Story.
What does he see?
He knows where I have been in my story (v.19)
Notice the key words that describe a little bit of their story up to this moment in time. Two key statements are,
“patient endurance” - The capacity to bear up under difficult circumstances. As Jesus sees their story and where they have been he sees that they have been bearing up. But notice the next statement.
“your latter works exceed the first.”- In bearing up they have grown. Jesus is looking at their past compared to the present and sees growth. They have been to the school of “hard knocks”, and for many they have grown. It has been difficult, but the trenches have helped them grow.
God knows their story. As God looks at your story – where you have been – would he see growth? In what way has bearing up under difficult circumstances helped you grow? What has been the difficult circumstance and in what way did you grow through it. God knows your story!
He knows where I am in my story (v.20-23)
One thing that is true about the nature of the church and the members that make it up is that our stories are complex. While Jesus saw that many were bearing up, some were falling down. While some had held fast (see v.24), some had found themselves in a compromised position. What is true about the corporate reality of the church is also true about the individual reality of the believer. We live with the good and the bad all mixed in to our story. That is what was happening in Thyatira.
Note the compromised nature of the church by discussing the key words like tolerance, Jezebel and seduction.
Does where they are in their story have any bearing on where we (the Church of the 21st century) are in our story? Discuss the following.
According to a George Barna report,
“The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.” The result? “A Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.” The postmodern mantra, “true for you but not for me,” has infected our churches. The majority of Christians do not think Christianity is objectively true—true for everyone whether they believe it or not.
The following definition of tolerance may be helpful in your discussion.
“Tolerance used to be the attitude that we took toward one another when we disagreed about an important issue; we would agree to treat each other with respect, even though we refused to embrace each other’s view on a particular topic. Tolerance is now the act of recognizing and embracing all views as equally valuable and true, even though they often make opposite truth claims.” (Wallace, Cold Case Christianity, page 142)
He knows where I am going in my story (v.24-29)
Said succinctly,
He will restore all things and we will be part of that restoration story.
This is what we need to keep our eyes on.
As a group you will need to do your homework on this section. On Sunday, I did not have time to develop. The following are some helpful notes.
V.24 - Mystery cults stressed deep secrets shared only among the initiates.
V.25 - until I come - the Greek implies an uncertainty when that will be.
V.26 - Christ promises believers who are faithful that they will join Him in His millennial rule (Ps. 2:8–9; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4–6).
Note: Someone who did not know the Old Testament would have applied this description to the Roman emperor; Revelation declares that Jesus is greater than the most powerful emperor the world had ever known.
V.27 - “rule” (“poimanei”) means “to shepherd,” indicating that they will not simply be administering justice but will also, like a shepherd using his rod, be dealing with his sheep and protecting them as well. Though Psalm 2:9 refers to Christ’s rule, John’s quotation of it here relates the ruling (shepherding) to the believer who overcomes. Believers will have authority just as Christ does (1 Cor. 6:2–3; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21; 20:4, 6). Christ received this authority from His Father (cf. John 5:22).
V.28 - The morning star, Venus, heralded the dawn, and great people could be compared to it as well as to the sun shining in glory (Eccles 50:6; cf. Revelation 22:16). Because most of the Greco-Roman world believed that life was ruled by the stars, to be given authority over one of the most powerful of stars (a symbol of sovereignty among the Romans) was to share Christ’s rule over creation (2:26–27).
Is there mystery in these words and images?
Do we have everything figured out as we look to where our story will end up?
Thank the Father for giving us Jesus the head of the church. A church filled with stories of people that contain the good, the bad and the “Jezebel” (very bad). A church whose Head knows our story, because He is the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. He will make all things well and we who hold fast get to be part of that radical transformation, that we start now as we live out a story submitted to Him and see completely realized when He comes.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, today (February 21st) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Friday, February 12, 2016
Touching Base, Part 296
14 Feb 16
Series - House on Fire, Pt 3
Who Wields the Sword?
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
Take a moment and review the two portraits John has hung in the hallway of each church thus far. Check out Revelation 2:1 and 2:8. Note how each portrait is intimately tied into what John proceeds to say to the church. In a sense, he is fleshing out the portrait in what it is saying about Christ and the implications for that particular church.
In your group, take a moment and talk about memorable portraits - perhaps a picture of a jaw-dropping scene in nature, or perhaps a highly sentimental picture of a family vacation. Talk about feelings and memories associated with that portrait.
As we come to the third church in our study, House On Fire, we come to the third portrait.
Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Is this a comfortable, or a troubling, portrait?
What image comes to mind?
We see several times in Scripture (i.e. Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12,13) how the word of God is compared to a sword. As we proceed into the letter, we will see how the two-edged sword operates in the local church.
Question: How does the two-edged sword operate in the local church?
To help answer that question, we not only will look to the rest of the text, but also to 2 Timothy 3:16 -
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Note how the function of the word of God in 2 Tim is illustrated in our text.
TEACHING - Refers to instruction, meaning “to impart knowledge”. The word informs but it never does so in a vacuum and thus it often creates tension. Note the context.
V.13 - This third church was in Pergamum or Pergamos, about 20 miles inland from Smyrna. Like Ephesus and Smyrna it was a wealthy city, but it was wicked, being a major stronghold for Emperor worship. Furthermore, Pergamum was also a center of pagan cults of various deities. Like Baskin and Robbins, Pergamum had “31 deity” flavors - Asclepius, Zeus, Athene, Demeter, and Dionysus…
Yet how is the church described in 13b? What do we learn about the church?
The teaching component of the word sometimes puts us at odds (to say the least!) with our culture.
Where do you sense tension between the word and our culture?
Can you relate to “holding fast”?
What does this look like in your life, practically-speaking?
REPROOF - In v.13, the word is creating tension and dissonance with culture, thus the need to hold fast. Now in v.14 and 15, in the context of the local church, the word is creating tension and dissonance between the church and God. The word “reproof “means to rebuke or refute, to state that someone has done wrong. Christ is angry with some of them and he is stating what is wrong!
Here is a little history lesson:
Balaam was a pagan prophet hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to pronounce a curse upon the invading Israelites. God prevented Balaam from doing so, and instead caused him to issue a blessing on them (Num. 22:5–24:25). However, Balaam subsequently devised a plan (in continued disobedience to God), whereby some of the Moabite women would entice the Israelite men to “defect from the LORD” (31:16), by fornicating with them and joining with them in the worship of their pagan gods (25:1–3). This plan proved successful, and God punished the Israelites for their idolatrous involvement.
So regarding the Nicolaitans, some speculate that it could merely be another name for the Balaam sect.
Perhaps some who had at one time held fast (v.13) to “my name” had gradually “slip-slided away” to the point that they were now holding to the teaching of Balaam (v.14).
Ever experienced or watched this slippery slope?
What can cause this to happen in peoples’ lives?
Discuss the following - “Adultery doesn’t just happen. It is the result of many mini decisions.”
How does this relate to what is being discussed? What are the many mini decisions people make that move them from holding fast to the word to holding to different teaching?
CORRECTION – v.16 Notice how John’s letter progresses from reproof “I have a few things against you” to correction, “repent”. Correction builds on the idea of reproof. It means to offer a new path, to replace a mistake. Jesus, through the pen of John, is asking them to repent, to choose a new path, to replace a mistake, to walk in a new way.
How does repentance work in your life?
How does repentance correct and offer a new path?
How does repentance keep you on the new path?
How hard is it to stay on that new path?
TRAINING - The final key word in 2 Timothy, that parallels our text, is “training”. This word represents the idea of forming new habits. It is a word that speaks of the fruit of repentance. As we accept God’s correction and repent we then begin to walk it out. V.17 gives us a picture of this formation of a new habit. Note the action on the part of the listener (“let him hear”); note the voice of the Spirit and note that these are the words of God to the church. As we train, we need to be attentive and pay close attention to the voice of the Spirit which helps us apply the word of God. This describes training - proper habits.
Describe this Christian habit in your own life. What hinders or helps this habit?
Note finally that this is the kind of Church that God wants to bless. Two phrases illustrate this as we conclude.
Hidden Manna - There is lots of speculation at what the writer is getting at. Perhaps this is contrasting the food eaten in idolatrous worship compared to God nurturing his people and using the imagery of manna that would have reminded these Jews of God’s provision to the people years ago.
White Stone - A white stone was commonly associated with a vote of acquittal (cf. 4 Maccabees 15:26; Acts 26:10) or a favorable vote. Conversely, a black stone indicated guilt
What is the admonition to the church in Pergamum? How would we sum up all that Jesus is saying to this church? SURRENDER TO THE SWORD!
As we surrender to the sword, he will light our house on fire!
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, starting today (February 14th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Series - House on Fire, Pt 3
Who Wields the Sword?
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
Take a moment and review the two portraits John has hung in the hallway of each church thus far. Check out Revelation 2:1 and 2:8. Note how each portrait is intimately tied into what John proceeds to say to the church. In a sense, he is fleshing out the portrait in what it is saying about Christ and the implications for that particular church.
In your group, take a moment and talk about memorable portraits - perhaps a picture of a jaw-dropping scene in nature, or perhaps a highly sentimental picture of a family vacation. Talk about feelings and memories associated with that portrait.
As we come to the third church in our study, House On Fire, we come to the third portrait.
Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Is this a comfortable, or a troubling, portrait?
What image comes to mind?
We see several times in Scripture (i.e. Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12,13) how the word of God is compared to a sword. As we proceed into the letter, we will see how the two-edged sword operates in the local church.
Question: How does the two-edged sword operate in the local church?
To help answer that question, we not only will look to the rest of the text, but also to 2 Timothy 3:16 -
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Note how the function of the word of God in 2 Tim is illustrated in our text.
TEACHING - Refers to instruction, meaning “to impart knowledge”. The word informs but it never does so in a vacuum and thus it often creates tension. Note the context.
V.13 - This third church was in Pergamum or Pergamos, about 20 miles inland from Smyrna. Like Ephesus and Smyrna it was a wealthy city, but it was wicked, being a major stronghold for Emperor worship. Furthermore, Pergamum was also a center of pagan cults of various deities. Like Baskin and Robbins, Pergamum had “31 deity” flavors - Asclepius, Zeus, Athene, Demeter, and Dionysus…
Yet how is the church described in 13b? What do we learn about the church?
The teaching component of the word sometimes puts us at odds (to say the least!) with our culture.
Where do you sense tension between the word and our culture?
Can you relate to “holding fast”?
What does this look like in your life, practically-speaking?
REPROOF - In v.13, the word is creating tension and dissonance with culture, thus the need to hold fast. Now in v.14 and 15, in the context of the local church, the word is creating tension and dissonance between the church and God. The word “reproof “means to rebuke or refute, to state that someone has done wrong. Christ is angry with some of them and he is stating what is wrong!
Here is a little history lesson:
Balaam was a pagan prophet hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to pronounce a curse upon the invading Israelites. God prevented Balaam from doing so, and instead caused him to issue a blessing on them (Num. 22:5–24:25). However, Balaam subsequently devised a plan (in continued disobedience to God), whereby some of the Moabite women would entice the Israelite men to “defect from the LORD” (31:16), by fornicating with them and joining with them in the worship of their pagan gods (25:1–3). This plan proved successful, and God punished the Israelites for their idolatrous involvement.
So regarding the Nicolaitans, some speculate that it could merely be another name for the Balaam sect.
Perhaps some who had at one time held fast (v.13) to “my name” had gradually “slip-slided away” to the point that they were now holding to the teaching of Balaam (v.14).
Ever experienced or watched this slippery slope?
What can cause this to happen in peoples’ lives?
Discuss the following - “Adultery doesn’t just happen. It is the result of many mini decisions.”
How does this relate to what is being discussed? What are the many mini decisions people make that move them from holding fast to the word to holding to different teaching?
CORRECTION – v.16 Notice how John’s letter progresses from reproof “I have a few things against you” to correction, “repent”. Correction builds on the idea of reproof. It means to offer a new path, to replace a mistake. Jesus, through the pen of John, is asking them to repent, to choose a new path, to replace a mistake, to walk in a new way.
How does repentance work in your life?
How does repentance correct and offer a new path?
How does repentance keep you on the new path?
How hard is it to stay on that new path?
TRAINING - The final key word in 2 Timothy, that parallels our text, is “training”. This word represents the idea of forming new habits. It is a word that speaks of the fruit of repentance. As we accept God’s correction and repent we then begin to walk it out. V.17 gives us a picture of this formation of a new habit. Note the action on the part of the listener (“let him hear”); note the voice of the Spirit and note that these are the words of God to the church. As we train, we need to be attentive and pay close attention to the voice of the Spirit which helps us apply the word of God. This describes training - proper habits.
Describe this Christian habit in your own life. What hinders or helps this habit?
Note finally that this is the kind of Church that God wants to bless. Two phrases illustrate this as we conclude.
Hidden Manna - There is lots of speculation at what the writer is getting at. Perhaps this is contrasting the food eaten in idolatrous worship compared to God nurturing his people and using the imagery of manna that would have reminded these Jews of God’s provision to the people years ago.
White Stone - A white stone was commonly associated with a vote of acquittal (cf. 4 Maccabees 15:26; Acts 26:10) or a favorable vote. Conversely, a black stone indicated guilt
What is the admonition to the church in Pergamum? How would we sum up all that Jesus is saying to this church? SURRENDER TO THE SWORD!
As we surrender to the sword, he will light our house on fire!
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, starting today (February 14th) at 4 pm in the Upper Room.
Mark Kotchapaw
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Touching Base, Part 295
07 Feb 16
Series - House On Fire! Part 2
The Stretch!
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
What might be five or six words that could describe the stretch in your life these days? We all experience stress, troubled waters or challenging paths - I call this the “stretch” - experiences that challenge our resources, drain our energy and perhaps rock our faith. There are words that help express what it feels like or what the tribulation actually is.
What is it about being “in the stretch” that can cause us to lose our focus on Christ?
In part 2 of House on Fire we come to the Church in Smyrna. This was a church that is not rebuked but encouraged and instructed as they face the stretch in ways that perhaps we will never face in our lifetime.
Smyrna, a large and wealthy city 35 miles north of Ephesus. Like Ephesus, it was a seaport. In contrast to Ephesus, which today is a deserted ruin, Smyrna is still a large seaport with a present population of about 200,000. The name of the city, Smyrna, means “myrrh,” an ordinary perfume. It was also used in the anointing oil of the tabernacle, and in embalming dead bodies.
Read the text (Rev 2:8-11) and pull out the words that describe their stretch.
Note what they are presently suffering through, and what they can anticipate in suffering.
Note: 10 days
“Some have taken these words “for 10 days” as a symbolic representation of the entire persecution of the church; others think it refers to 10 persecutions under Roman rulers. “The most probable meaning is that it anticipated a limited period of time for suffering” (cf. Walvoord, Revelation, pp. 61–62).
Notice that John wants them to READ THE RECORD IN THE STRETCH. In verse 8, he makes a Christological statement and then he applies Jesus’ record to their situation.
V.8 - What is John saying about Jesus?
What was he stating about Christ’s character, identity by referring to Him as the first and last?
Note that His death and resurrection demonstrate His unique character and identity.
Now work through the text and look again at the words describing their stretch, and the encouragement John gives them in light of who Christ is.
For example – v.9 - they are experiencing tribulation and poverty ( the Greek here emphasizes extreme poverty). However, because Jesus is the first and last, because this is Jesus’ record, how does that impact how they are to truly see themselves?
Note: “that you may be tested” What is John getting at? Certainly he is not referring to a “works” kind of salvation - “Grind through this tough time and earn your way, pass the test and you will be saved.”
I think what John may be getting at is that, when we go through trials of all sorts, they can test (reveal, expose) the certainty of our faith, the maturity of our walk and our trust in our Saviour. The difficult path can expose our vulnerabilities and at the same time be a source of strengthening and growth. Only Jesus who is the first and last can take our trials, our difficult path, and use it for the greater good in our lives.
How do you keep your eyes on Christ and His record when going through tough times?
How do you process the tension of a sovereign God allowing you to go through trial?
What have you learned about God and yourself (tested) in seasons of tribulation?
Imagine a church like this, facing tribulation but allowing the record of Jesus to shape our response. Perhaps the testimony of the church, the passion of the church is most powerfully seen, not when all is well, but when life is hard, the cost is high. That’s when the world will truly see our passion, fire, and conviction! A House on Fire!
Our first Sunday (Feb 14) of Unleashed, our prayer focus, is all centered on the character of God. Not on asking, requesting, or bringing our list, but thinking and reflecting and worshiping who Christ truly is. Reading His record! It is His record that instills passion and fire into the heart of the church.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, starting on February 14th at 4 pm.
Mark Kotchapaw
Series - House On Fire! Part 2
The Stretch!
This is a useful tool for small group discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
What might be five or six words that could describe the stretch in your life these days? We all experience stress, troubled waters or challenging paths - I call this the “stretch” - experiences that challenge our resources, drain our energy and perhaps rock our faith. There are words that help express what it feels like or what the tribulation actually is.
What is it about being “in the stretch” that can cause us to lose our focus on Christ?
In part 2 of House on Fire we come to the Church in Smyrna. This was a church that is not rebuked but encouraged and instructed as they face the stretch in ways that perhaps we will never face in our lifetime.
Smyrna, a large and wealthy city 35 miles north of Ephesus. Like Ephesus, it was a seaport. In contrast to Ephesus, which today is a deserted ruin, Smyrna is still a large seaport with a present population of about 200,000. The name of the city, Smyrna, means “myrrh,” an ordinary perfume. It was also used in the anointing oil of the tabernacle, and in embalming dead bodies.
Read the text (Rev 2:8-11) and pull out the words that describe their stretch.
Note what they are presently suffering through, and what they can anticipate in suffering.
Note: 10 days
“Some have taken these words “for 10 days” as a symbolic representation of the entire persecution of the church; others think it refers to 10 persecutions under Roman rulers. “The most probable meaning is that it anticipated a limited period of time for suffering” (cf. Walvoord, Revelation, pp. 61–62).
Notice that John wants them to READ THE RECORD IN THE STRETCH. In verse 8, he makes a Christological statement and then he applies Jesus’ record to their situation.
V.8 - What is John saying about Jesus?
What was he stating about Christ’s character, identity by referring to Him as the first and last?
Note that His death and resurrection demonstrate His unique character and identity.
Now work through the text and look again at the words describing their stretch, and the encouragement John gives them in light of who Christ is.
For example – v.9 - they are experiencing tribulation and poverty ( the Greek here emphasizes extreme poverty). However, because Jesus is the first and last, because this is Jesus’ record, how does that impact how they are to truly see themselves?
Note: “that you may be tested” What is John getting at? Certainly he is not referring to a “works” kind of salvation - “Grind through this tough time and earn your way, pass the test and you will be saved.”
I think what John may be getting at is that, when we go through trials of all sorts, they can test (reveal, expose) the certainty of our faith, the maturity of our walk and our trust in our Saviour. The difficult path can expose our vulnerabilities and at the same time be a source of strengthening and growth. Only Jesus who is the first and last can take our trials, our difficult path, and use it for the greater good in our lives.
How do you keep your eyes on Christ and His record when going through tough times?
How do you process the tension of a sovereign God allowing you to go through trial?
What have you learned about God and yourself (tested) in seasons of tribulation?
Imagine a church like this, facing tribulation but allowing the record of Jesus to shape our response. Perhaps the testimony of the church, the passion of the church is most powerfully seen, not when all is well, but when life is hard, the cost is high. That’s when the world will truly see our passion, fire, and conviction! A House on Fire!
Our first Sunday (Feb 14) of Unleashed, our prayer focus, is all centered on the character of God. Not on asking, requesting, or bringing our list, but thinking and reflecting and worshiping who Christ truly is. Reading His record! It is His record that instills passion and fire into the heart of the church.
Check out http://bethelkingston.com/unleashed and be sure to come to Unleashed, starting on February 14th at 4 pm.
Mark Kotchapaw
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