“The Returning King”

Revelation 19

Take-Home Truth: You cannot know Jesus unless you know Him as a sacrificial lamb and a warring king.

Christ-Connection: Christ is gloriously good. But, if the world rejects Him, they are spitting in the face of the world’s most powerful judge and will be condemned to permanent destruction.

Recap: (Talk about last week)

  1. The title of last week’s message was “Four Hallelujahs.” How have those four things we should be thankful for caused you to wait and even suffer with hope?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text

  1. Read Revelation 19:11; John 14:2, 3, and 6 and discuss why Jesus is called “Faithful” and “True”?

  2. Read Revelation 19:15, 16; Psalm 2:10-12 and discuss how Christ the returning King will defeat Satan and his limited power.

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. How does this passage reassure us that we will be protected during the final battle?

  2. Compare how Jesus came initially on a donkey before being crucified but returns a second time on a white horse to judge the world.

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

  1. Richard used the example of the Blackstone grill. He explained the dangers of flames being unseen. Are there examples in your life where you have moved too close to a surface that is hot or are you there now? What do you need to do to make sure you are not “deluded” by the false prophet?

 

Four Hallelujah’s

Revelation 19:1-9

 

Recap: 

  1. What changes this past week did you make in the treatment of others to show you are valuing people above possessions?

Take Home Truth:  God will impose a final and permanent judgement on evil; He will gather all those who follow Him for an eternal wedding banquet.

Christ-Connection: Jesus died the death I should have died so I could live forever joyfully by God’s side. 

Engage: 

  1. Read Revelation 19:1-9. Discuss the Four Hallelujah’s and how they provide hope for the church today. How do you see God’s sovereignty in this passage?

Reflect: 

  1. Discuss the evils that we see in our society as depicted by the harlot throughout Revelation. How do we justify the rejoicing of Rev. 18:20 and Rev. 19:3?

  2. Read 1 Peter 3:18 – How is that any of us escape the judgment of God?

Respond: 

  1. Richard said that there is no greater title in the world than “servant of God” in reference to Rev. 19:4-5. ­How can we align our view with the scripture’s view on being a bond servant both small and great?

 

  1. Read Rev. 19:6-8, Isaiah 61:10 and Luke 15:22 – What does it take to be clothed in the fine linen? Why is it important to be clothed with Christ robe of righteousness?

 

  1. Men and Women view a wedding in different ways. In light of Rev. 19:9 – How do we anticipate being the Bride of Christ?

“When Kings and Merchants Weep”

Revelation 18

Take-Home Truth:  The world’s view of possessions is in sharp contrast to what God wants for us as believers.

Christ-Connection: Jesus has absorbed God’s wrath for the sins of those who believe in Him.

Recap: (Talk about last week) 

  1. The title of last week’s message was “The Purpose of Life.” Did God give you an opportunity this past week to bring Him glory in some way?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

  1. Read Revelation 18 and discuss where the people of Babylon in this chapter put their hope. Which verses do you see that in?

  2. What does this chapter say is the outcome of these values?

  3. Read 1 John 2:15,16 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. How does the Biblical worldview in these verses differ from the Babylonian worldview discussed in chapter 18?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon) 

  1. What causes you to weep?

  2. Discuss the difference between an intellectual answer and a functional answer to the question “Who is your God?”.

  3. What did Richard say are the two results of putting our hopes in material gain? What are ways these two things might be seen in our lives even as Christians?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions) 

  1. As you evaluate your own life, does your giving reveal that you are putting your hope in God or in wealth? Discuss your answer and the changes that might need to be made to reflect true hope in God.

  2. What changes might you need to make in the treatment of others to show that you are valuing people above possessions?

 

“The Purpose of Life”

Revelation 18

Take-Home Truth: Glorifying God is the ultimate purpose of life.

Christ-Connection: Jesus gave His life on the cross so that we could glorify God in this life and experience the full glory of God in eternity.

Recap: (Talk about last week)

1. Share ways in which you engaged the unbelieving world this past week (showing mercy, saving others, or staying clean).

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

2. Read Revelation 18:1-8 and discuss how this describes a crumbling culture.

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

3. Richard taught and supported that the ultimate purpose in life is to glorify God. Define and support this from scripture.

4. The opposite of glorifying God is glorifying self. How is this evidenced in your world and in your life? (Romans 1:18-28).

5. Consider the world you live in and the chaos you see (home, work, play, community); how do you remain unstained by the chaos of culture?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

6. How do the following verses instruct you specifically to glorify the Lord through service and sacrifice?

  • Matthew 5:16
  • 1 Peter 2:12
  • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
  • 1 Peter 4:1
  • John 21:18-19

7. Share how you will trust God this week with the plan He has for your life in a way that glories Him?

Who is Able?

Jude 1:17-25

Take-Home Truth: God is able to keep us from falling and to help us to speak of His mercy to others.

 

Christ-Connection: Christ, who is our strength, is calling us as His dearly beloved bride to come alongside Him out into the fields ripe for harvest.

 

Recap:

 

  1. As you formulated an action plan this past week for coming out of the world, please share some of your strategies for overcoming the world’s pull.

 

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. Read Jude 17-19. With Ephesians 6:12-18 in mind, how can you prepare and protect yourself from those that divide, are worldly, and do not have the Spirit?

 

  1. Read Jude 20-23. What three ways does Jude exhort us to keep ourselves strong in the faith? What three ways does Jude exhort us to engage with the opposition and false teachers?

 

 

 

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20. Discuss what it means for God to call us His mouthpiece to save people from hell?

 

  1. Caleb shared the quote, “Our silence to proclaim the Gospel comes not from a lack of knowledge but from a lack of vision.” How does our lack of vision prevent us from snatching someone from the fire?

 

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. Who have you snatched from the fire?  Who in your life can you develop a strategy for engaging in this life-saving process?

 

 

 

 

 

Come Out of Her My People

Revelation 17:14-18, 18:1-4

 

Take-Home Truth: Come out of the world so that you will not share in her sins. 

Christ-Connection: Christ invites us to come to Him for deliverance from the culture and for salvation.  

Recap:

 

  1.  As you have seen evil increase in our culture, how have you been able to find hope?

        

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1.  Read Revelation 17:14-18 and 18:1-4. (See Judges 6:33 and 7:22) How does evil destroy itself? What are some examples of evil destroying itself in culture and/or our own lives?   

  1.  Reread Revelation 17:17. What evidence is there to support the fact that God is in control and restraining the degree of evil in our world today?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1.  In what ways does the prostitute allure us to follow her?

  1.  Richard said that living for ourselves destroys others. How have you seen this played out in your life and in the culture? (1 Corinthians 10:24 and Philippians 2:3-4)

 

 

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

  1.  What will coming out of the world mean for you? Do you see a need for an action plan? Discuss some steps you can take this week in order to formulate a plan. 

      
  2. Reflect on the testimony of Pastor Epratha and his ministry in India. How were you challenged/encouraged by our brothers and sisters there?

 

 

  

   

A Woman, a Beast, and Ten Kings

 Revelation 17:8-14

Take-Home Truth: The Lamb will overcome.

Christ-Connection: Christ’s return will be the final triumph over the Beast.

Recap: (Talk about last week)

 

  1. Based on last week’s discussion, how did you see the evil in the culture around you differently?

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. 2. Read Revelation 17:8-14 and identify who the woman, the beast and the ten kings represent. How do their descriptions shed light on the current state of the church?

  1. Reread 17:8 and 14. Discuss the differences between those who belong to the world (17:8) and the called, chosen, and faithful (17:14)

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. 4. Richard showed us a pattern in vs 8. What was the pattern? How does this pattern help you interpret the world around you? How do you see it revealed in your own life?

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. 5. In verses 12-14 we read a description of chaos and seemingly unchecked evil. How do we see God as sovereign in this passage? How does this give you hope for the various sufferings in the world and in your life?

Astonished and Alarmed

Revelation 17:1-6

Take-Home Truth: God creates us to have a relationship with Him; we are to recognize His worth.

 

Christ-Connection: Christ’s worth is eternally greater than all the glittery gold the Harlot has to offer.

 

Recap:

 

  1.  Share how you were a bold Ambassador for Christ this past week?

 

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. Read Revelation 17:1-6. What did you understand in this passage?

 

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

 

  1. Who is the Woman? What metaphor does she represent? Rev. 17:1-3

 

  1. What is the Woman offering to the city? Rev. 17:4

 

  1. What city does Babylon point to specifically and generally? Rev. 17:9 and 17:15

 

  1. How does this influence us? Rev. 17:6

 

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

 

  1. The Reason for John writing Revelation 17 is…
  2. To create a sense of  .
  3. is strong but is not sin.
  4. Seeing temptation for what it is: Choose sin or .
  5. Compel you to develop a to overcome temptation.
  6. To help you understand why new forms of sin so rapidly.

 

  1. Considering this, what is our hope? Read Revelation 1:5-6

Ambassador

Ephesians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:3-4, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Luke 6:22-23, Philippians 1:14, 2 Timothy 4:17

 

Take-Home Truth: God calls us to be bold ambassadors.

Christ-Connection: Christ’s strength is sufficient for us to speak in boldness.  

Recap:

 

  1.   Discuss ways that you engaged in prayer this past week on behalf of Richard, the Hope Point staff, and elders.  

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

 

  1. Read the scriptures listed above. How do these scriptures make the case for living a bold and courageous life?

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

  1. Discuss ways that we shy away from sharing the gospel due to fear.
  1. Where does our boldness and ability to speak for Christ come from? What outcomes can come about as a result of boldness?

 

  1. In what ways have you experienced the “spiral of silence”? In what ways have you experienced courage due to someone else’s boldness to speak?

 

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

  1. Read 2 Timothy 4:17. In light of Christ standing at your side, what current situations are you facing where you need to rely on His strength to be bold?
  1. From Ephesians 6:19-20, how can you be an ambassador for Christ this week? 

 

  

   

“Pray for Me”

Ephesians 6:19-20

Take-Home Truth: Darkness is only eliminated through prayer by the Holy Spirit.

Christ-Connection: Prayer is key to making Jesus known!

Recap: (Talk about last week)

1. Who did you pray for last week? Share specific examples.

Engage: (Observe the passage and engage with the text)

2. Read Ephesians 6:19-20 and discuss why Paul focused on asking prayer for himself (cf. 2 Timothy 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11). Talk about this in light of Paul’s suffering.

  • abandonment –
  • desperation –
  • weakness –
  • falsely accused –
  • attacked –

Reflect: (Reflect upon the key take-aways from the sermon)

3. Paul asked the believers to pray that “words may be given to me.” In light of this, discuss the following:

  • How does knowing about Richard’s week help you to pray for him?
  • How can we better pray for the staff with intentionality?

4. Discuss the corrosive effects on church leadership of statements, questions, and actions designed to call into question the authority of leadership.

Respond: (Apply the truths of God’s Word to your heart, affections, and actions)

5. Using the following list, brainstorm ways to make plans to pray for Hope Point leadership (Richard, staff, elders):

  • Monday: abandonment –
  • Tuesday: desperation –
  • Wednesday: weakness –
  • Thursday: falsely accused –
  • Friday: attacked –
  • Saturday/Sunday: words given to advance to the gospel – 

“You Probably Have a Good Pastor”: https://www.reformation21.org/blog/you-probably-have-a-good-pastor