Moraine Valley Church

The Struggle is Real // Week 1

Pastor Pat kicks off our Fall series, The Struggle is Real. To find out more information on the resources we will be offering throughout this series, visit us at morainevalleychurch.org and check out Fall Series Resources under our "EVENTS" tab!

Overcome // Week 17

Pastor Pat closes out our summer series, "OVERCOME"

Overcome // Week 16

The Coming World Tribulation
Revelation 6-18 September 8, 2019
I. Introduction:
A. This morning we are going to look at the period of time, that is yet to come, that
will be the worst time this world will ever know!
1. In the Revelation 6, it is called the great day of the wrath of Him who sits on
the Throne and the Lamb.
2. Jesus called it the great tribulation and he said if those days were not cut
short, then not one person would have survived!
B. This time actually starts in Chapter 4. Read v1
1. In Chapter 4 we get a vision of the throne room and the one who sits on it to
remind us who is ruling and in charge of the things that are about to take
place.
2. Then chapter 5 we get a vision of Jesus to show us that He is the only one
who is worthy to open the scroll and to bring about the judgement upon the
earth that is about to take place.
C. Two weeks ago, we learned something of the nature of this time, and the fact that
it will last 7 years. Two weeks ago, we were introduced to some key players,
primarily the antichrist and his activities during this time.
• What we are going to see in Chapter 6-19 are a series of judgments.
II. Judgments begin
A. In Chapter 6 Jesus breaks the first seal of the scroll. Read v1 this first series of
judgments, the seven seals – These judgments are:
1. Seals:
a) First Seal: White Horse—Conqueror by Antichrist
b) Second Seal: Red Horse —War
c) Third Seal: Black Horse—Famine
d) Fourth Seal: Pale Horse—Death 1/4th of the Earth
e) Fifth Seal: Martyrs under the altar
f) Sixth Seal: Earthquake, signs in the heavens
2. Listen to the response of mankind to this
a) Read 6:15-17
b) Note:
(1) worldwide – Kings of the earth
(2) They recognize this judgment is from God and that even the
greatest and strongest cannot stand!
3. Note the last phrase in v17 “who will stand?” Chapter 7 is an interlude in the
action that answers that for us by telling us about the 144,000 Jews who will
be sealed and the great multitude from every nation will be saved!
B. At the start of Chapter 8, the seventh seal was broken which introduced the seven
trumpets and there was complete silence in heaven for half an hour. Read 8:1 –
indicates just how solemn this series of judgments will be as there is an increase
in intensity in this round of judgments!
1. Trumpets:
a) First Trumpet – Hail, fire, blood
b) Second Trumpet – Fiery mountain in sea, 1/3 of sea becomes blood
c) Third Trumpet –Star falls, 1/3 of rivers Bitter
d) Fourth Trumpet – 1/3 of sun, 1/3 moon, 1/3 stars turn dark
e) Fifth Trumpet—Demon locust from the Abyss to torment mankind
f) Sixth Trumpet—200 million man army kills 1/3rd of mankind
2. Again note man’s response to all of this read 9:20-21
3. Then in Chapters 10-11 we see another interlude about
a) Chapter 10 - a little book that had seven peals of thunder in them but the
contents of these were sealed and John was not to write about them
b) Then the two witnesses in Chapter 11 who for 3 ½ years will prophecy
for God, Read v3
(1) The beast, Antichrist, will kill them. Read v7-8
(2) Then listen to what happens. Read v10-13
4. Then the seventh trumpet sounds and Christ’s reign right here on earth is
foreseen. This captures the heart of this whole book and the purpose of
Jesus’ judgments! Listen to 11:15-19.
C. Then as we saw last week in Chapters 12-14 there is another interlude to explain
who some of the main characters are in this tribulation and what their roles will
be!
D. Then in Chapters 15-16, we move into the final judgments the seven
plagues/bowls.
1. Read v1 – In these judgments we will see the completion of God’s wrath
upon mankind! Cr 16:17
2. The Bowls of Wrath
a) First bowl - painful sores
b) Second bowl - turns sea into blood
c) Third bowl rivers and springs - blood
d) Fourth bowl—sun scorches people
e) Fifth bowl—plunges kingdom of the beast into darkness
f) Sixth bowl—dries up the Euphrates for battle of Armageddon
g) Seventh bowl—judgment against Babylon
3. Note men’s responses to these judgments. This time they not only refused to
repent but took it a step further and blasphemed God! Read: 16:9, 11, 21
4. I want to take a moment to focus upon the last two bowls as both of them set
up events yet to come in this program of God
a) The sixth bowl –
(1) Read 16:12-14,16
(2) God uses this bowl to prepare for the war that will take place in
chapter 19 when Jesus returns and defeats the kings of the earth,
the antichrist and the false prophet! We will look at bit more at
this next week!
b) The seventh bowl
(1) Read 16:17-21a
(2) Scholars have debated for years as to whether this is a reference
the revived Roman Empire or a rebuilt Babylon! One thing I know
for sure is that I do not know for sure which it is!
(3) Here we see the final piece of God’s judgment that chapters 17-18
expand for us and give the details of it.
E. Then in chapters 17-18, we see the judgment of the Babylon the great harlot, her
religious and political systems during the tribulation along with city itself and its
great commerce!
1. Chapter 17 refers to the judgment of the great harlot! Read v1-2, 5 in
Scripture harlotry and immorality are used to speak of spiritual unfaithfulness
to God.
a) This chapter appears to be the destruction of a one world religion that
will be set up at that time
b) Then at the end of this chapter, we see that God uses the antichrist to
actually destroy this one world religion. Read 16-17
2. Then in chapter 18 Babylon is pictured as the commerce center of the world,
it will be destroyed as well!
a) Read v3a-b = Chapter 17 and now 3c = Chapter 18.
b) And note the response of mankind to this – Read 18:15-19
c) But note the saints are actually called to rejoice over this, listen – v20
III. Conclusion
A. That brings us up to Chapter 19 where we will see the return of Christ next week!
B. But that chapter starts with heavens response to the destruction of Babylon. Read
v1-6
C. Then we see the marriage feast of the Lamb! Read 7-9
D. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are blessed to be a part of this. If you are not
may I implore you today to come to Jesus now and avoid the great wrath of the
Lamb!

Overcome // Week 15

The Future Kingdom: Time of Restoration

Millennial Kingdom and the New Heaven and Earth
Revelation 20-22
September 1, 2019, MVC
I. Introduction:
A. U Thant, former Secretary General of the United Nations met with a group of 67
scholars and statesmen addressing the issue of world peace. He asked them this:
What element is lacking so that with all our skill and all our knowledge we still
find ourselves in the dark valley of discord and enmity?
1. They never were able to come up with an answer to this question!
2. But the Scripture tells us what the missing element of world peace is; it is
Jesus and the setting up of His kingdom here on earth for 1,000 years. A
kingdom of peace, prosperity and righteousness which God promised His
people, actually covenanted with His people! A kingdom that will be set up
after Jesus returns!
• Turn to Revelation 20
II. Millennial Kingdom
A. Six times in these few verses, we are told it is going to be 1,000 years long, thus,
it is called the millennial kingdom also known as the Davidic kingdom, the
forever kingdom, with a forever king who reigns forever!
1. It is forever because it starts or is inaugurated with this kingdom here on
earth for 1000 years but it continued on forever in the new heaven and earth
forever and ever!
B. It starts with Satan being bound for 1,000 years so that he can no longer deceive
the nations. Read v1-3.
C. This kingdom will be populated at the start by every believer who was still alive
after the return of Jesus. Then the population will grow as they have children and
many of their children will not become believers in Jesus, so much so that v8 says
that by the end of the Millennium “the number of them will be like the sand of the
seashore!” who come to war against the capital city, Jerusalem where Jesus will
be reigning from. So both believers and unbelievers will populate it.
D. The government of this kingdom will be Jesus as king with His throne in the
capital Jerusalem (that we learn in the Old Testament) and those who will be
reigning with Him are resurrected believers, Old Testament and church believers,
and those who were martyred during the tribulation.
1. Simply everyone who will be part of the first resurrection – that is all saved
people of all time who have already died! The second resurrection is for all
lost people of all time.
2. Read 4a. In other words these are the people to whom God had committed
and promised them the authority to reign in the kingdom
a) Old Testament saints – Daniel 12: 2, 13
b) The church - the promises to the churches to reign with Jesus, which we
saw in the letters to the seven churches.
(1) Thyatira Revelation 2:26-27
(2) Laodicea Revelation 3:21
3. Believers who were martyred during the tribulation. Read. V4b-6
E. While we do not learn of the character of the kingdom in Revelation 20, we do
learn of it when we read God’s promises and the prophets in the Old Testament.
1. Encourage you to go to church website to download my notes as there is a lot
here and later in the message too that is too much to follow this quickly. I
reference the verses in those notes where I am getting this.
2. This kingdom will last forever and will crush all the other kingdoms and
bring them to an end (2 Samuel 7:12-19; Daniel 2:34-35, 44). Israel would
again possess their own land, the very land their fathers lived on, as one
nation, but this time forever (Ezekiel 37:22, 25). A time of security, justice,
peace and abundance. A time when there would be no more wars, people’s
lives will be as long as the life of a tree, their numbers would increase like a
flock. Diseases and infirmities will be healed – the blind will see, the lame
will walk, the deaf will hear, and the mute will speak (Isaiah 29:18; 35:3-6;
42:7). The waste places will be rebuilt, the wilderness and dessert will
blossom and the land will become like the Garden of Eden. Even wild
animals will become safe and not hurt anyone (Isaiah 2:4; 11:6-9; 35:1-
2; 65:20-23; Ezekiel 36:33-38).
3. The people themselves would be full of joy and praise, forgiven
and righteous, given a new heart and God’s Spirit will dwell within them and
fill them along with doing extraordinary works (Isaiah 61:3; Ezekiel 36:25-
27; Joel 2:28-29).
4. As for the nations, those that are left after their judgment, their wealth will be
taken for Israel (Zechariah 14:14) and they themselves will go to Jerusalem
to worship the Lord (Zechariah 14:16), seek the Lord’s favor and be taught
by Him regarding His ways. (Isaiah 2:3) They will want to be identified with
the Jews because they will know that God is with them. (Zechariah 8:20-23)
F. After this 1,000 years Satan will be let loose and will again deceive the nations
and lead them into a war where God will destroy them with fire from heaven, then
Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever.
Then the great white throne will take place, and our present heaven and earth will
be destroyed
• Then God will create a new heaven and new earth where He will dwell with His
people forever right here on a new earth.
III. New Heaven and New Earth
A. Yes, our future with God will be right here on earth, a new earth forever not on a
cloud up in the sky playing a harp. Read 21:1-3
B. “What” and who will not be in heaven.
1. What will not be - – death, mourning, crying, pain, (21:4) curse (22:3)
hunger, thirst, heat (7:16-17)
2. Who will not be - read – 21:8
3. The implications are huge here. Let me mention just a few –
a) No more funerals graveyards, or tearful goodbyes, no more emotional
pain and depression over rejection, separation, abuse or loss, no more
hospitals or cancer or deformities or diseases, no more migraine
headaches or need for pain killers and no more health insurance, no more
food pantries or food stamps, no more sin to affect people, their
relationships, their work or the earth. The earth will be fully productive
and beautiful.
b) That means we will never again suffer persecution, mocking or conflict
of beliefs or values with those who are unbelievers, nothing shameful,
vile, detestable, unpleasant will be there, no news reports telling us about
murders that happened in the big cities, we can walk the streets safely
and without fear, no more adultery, rape or sexual abuse, no more
demonic influence through witchcraft or drugs, you can trust anything
and everything that is said, there will be no shaky deals or
misrepresentations; and God will be the greatest love of everyone that is
there. No one will ever put anything or anyone above God and His will
for them. They will love Him with all their hearts, all their souls, all
their minds and strength, and they will love their neighbor as themselves.
C. What will we do? “Serve” him and reign with Him forever – Read 22:3,5
1. In Matthew 25, we learn that we will be assigned responsibilities in light of
our faithfulness to the responsibilities that we had here on earth.
2. In Luke 19, we learn that we will actually have authority over different cities
in the future dependent upon how faithfully we steward the money,
possessions and spiritual gifts that God has given to us here on earth.
D. Let’s take a quick look at what the New Jerusalem will be like. Read 9-11.
1. Walls and gates. Read v12
2. Foundation stones – Read v14
a) Interesting to note that even in the eternal state there is still a clear
distinction between Israel and the church imprinted into the city
3. Then he tells us the measurements of the city are 1500 miles in each length,
width and height. The walls are 72 yards high.
4. Listen to what the foundation stones will be adorned with – God is even
going to decorate the foundation stones! V19-20. Read
a) After service special treat – my friend Hans has a table with all 12 of the
gems that will adorn the foundation stones so you can see them!
b) This is a must see! Amazing the work and effort, he put into getting the
stones and in setting them up for us to see.
5. Listen to what the gates will be made of Read v21
a) Largest pearl to date found was 14 pounds and just over 9 inches
b) Each gate a single pearl that will take a big oyster or a supernatural act of
God!
6. There also will be no need for the temple or the sun and the moon to give
light. Read v22-24
E. Finally, we get a close up look of the throne and a river that comes out from it and
we see a tree of life! Listen to Rev 22:1-2
1. Fruit
a) Bears 12 different kinds of fruit
b) Yields its fruit every month (I thought there was no time in eternity?)
2. Leaves for the healing of the nations – Who are the nations? What do they
need healing for? Don’t ask me ask Josh he can tell you.
IV.Closing
A. Let’s celebrate this great future hope of ours! Josh

Overcome // Week 14

The Coming World Leader
Various Passages; August 25, 2019
I. Introduction:
A. There is something new that I have seen happening on TV over the past number
of years. That is they gradually role out credits regarding who is who on the show
over the first 15 minutes rather than all up front or at the end like before.
1. Revelation is like that. The action begins but after the action goes on for a bit
then we are introduced to some of the key characters during the time of the
Tribulation.
B. There are many important people in the Tribulation period who play a big part in
it:
1. In Chapter 7 we learn of the 144,000 from Israel who will be special servants
of God during this time
2. In chapter 11 we hear of the “two witnesses” – who for 3 ½ years will
prophecy for God, be killed by the Beast and then raised again to life and
caught up into heaven.
3. Chapter 12-13 John uses many figures to picture many key players during
this time.
a) The woman clothed with the sun represents Israel
b) The red dragon with the 7 heads and 10 horns and on his head are 10
diadems - presents Satan
c) A male child who is born from the woman Israel is Jesus the Christ
d) We meet Michael, the archangel, who does war with Satan and throws
him down to earth
e) The beast out of the sea who is the world dictator or as we call him the
Antichrist
f) The beast out of the earth – the False Prophet who deceives people by
preforming miracles and pointing people to worship the Antichrist!
C. This morning I want to focus upon the one whom I call the third main character in
this time. I call him the third because Dave Parro already introduced us to the top
two during this time:
1. God the Father on the throne reminding us that He is in control of these
things happening on the earth during this time!
2. Jesus Christ the only one worthy to perform the judgment we will read about.
• But the 3rd character is the Beast, the Antichrist, the World Dictator …
II. What we know of the Beast outside of Revelation 13
A. We first hear of this Beast in chapter 11 when he kills the two witnesses. Read
11:7-8
B. At this time we really do not know who this beast is until we next hear of him in
further detail in chapter 13
1. Read 13:1-2
2. The big thing we learn about this Beast here is that Satan was the source, the
one who gave the Beast his power, his throne and his authority.
C. But the Bible tells us about this Beast, the Antichrist, and world dictator even
before we see him in Revelation 11 and 13 here. We need to turn back to Daniel
7 where we first meet him.
1. Daniel had a dream and vision that when all was said and done it alarmed
him and made his face grow pale.
2. The Vision was of four beasts coming out of the sea
a) A lion that represented Babylon
b) A bear that represented Medo-Persia
c) A leopard that represented Greece
d) The reason we know they represented these kingdoms is both because
the interpretation of the angel later in Daniel 7 and history proved them
out as well
3. Then for the first time we meet the Beast of Revelation 13. Read v7-8
a) Now we are pushing heavily into things we will see in the book of
Revelation.
b) But what is very important to note here is that the emphasis both in
Daniel and in Revelation is not upon the whole Beast itself but upon one
that comes from the Beast. Actually, it has to do with the ten horns and
then another horn, a little one that came up among them.
c) Let me repeat the emphasis of Daniel and Revelation is ultimately upon
an individual that comes from an empire more than the empire itself.
4. As the vision goes on, we see the Father, called the Ancient of Days, making
a verdict, a judgment against this little horn to take away his kingdom,
destroy him and give the everlasting kingdom to the Son of Man, Jesus, and
to his saints. Thus as we saw in the seven churches we will reign with Him.
5. Let me read the end of this chapter where the angel clarifies all of this for
Daniel and as you read it, you feel you could be reading a portion of
Revelation. Read v19-27
D. Then in Daniel 9 we here of him again and this time we are given a clue as to
what kingdom he will come out of and represent.
1. Read v26
2. Here it speaks of the Jesus’ death and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem
and the temple. We see here that the people who do it are the people of the
prince who is to come, the little horn we read of in Daniel 7. We know from
history that the Roman Empire was the one that destroyed Jerusalem and the
Temple
3. Now the next verse tells us about some of the activity of this leader, prince,
and little horn. Read v27. Again reading this verse is like reading the book
of Revelation
E. Again, listen to the book of Revelation in the book of Daniel regarding this man!
Read 11:31-37
1. Jesus talks about this time of the Antichrist as being part of the great
Tribulation. Read Matthew 24:15…21
F. Turn to 2 Thessalonians 2 where we will see Daniel and Revelation fingerprints
all over this description of this man.
1. Read 2:1-4 – this is the abomination of desolation, the key turning point of
the Tribulation.
2. We see a further description of his activity during this time a few verses
down along with the good news that drives the book of Revelation – Jesus
wins! Read v8-11
3. Note the progression we have seen in the Antichrist’s relationship with God
from Daniel through here - boast against, claim to be equal to, magnify
above, display himself as God
• Now let’s turn back and see what we see of this
III. Beast in Rev 13
A. Remember the emphasis of Daniel and Revelation is ultimately upon an
individual that comes from an empire, more than the empire itself.
B. You may say stop! How do you know this Beast is speaking of the one leader
more than the entire Roman Empire?
1. Read v3 - It appears he mimics Jesus as one head of the beast is killed and
resurrected so everyone is amazed and follows him. And as the narrative
continues like Daniel, it focuses on the one individual rather than the entire
empire.
2. Also, turn to Revelation 17 where he tells us very directly, who this beast is.
It is an individual, one of the kings and not the kingdom itself. Read 17:7-13.
3. So bottom line I do think the Beast is the ultimate king and embodiment and
key representative of the revived Roman Empire! At times referring to the
empire but primarily to the ultimate king
C. Now in Revelation we see some of the activity of this beast during this time.
Turn to Revelation 13
1. Most of this has been heard already or hinted towards in other passages we
have seen already.
2. We already seen in v2 he receives his power, kingship and authority from
Satan. Reread
3. Verse 3-4 it appears he is killed and resurrected, thus amazing the whole
earth to follow after and worship him. Read v3-4
4. V5-6 we see his blasphemes which we have already heard about. Read 5-6
5. Then in v7, as we heard in Daniel, wars against the saints and overcomes
them and finally worldwide rule under him! Read v7
D. Then we hear in the second half of this chapter about another beast who comes up
out of the earth. His primary purpose is to be the prophet for the Antichrist and
deceive the world through miracles to get them to worship the beast!
1. Read 13:11-15
2. And this False Prophet will be the one who oversees that everyone who wants
to buy anything has to have the mark of the Beast first! Read 13:16-17
E. Later on in Chapter 16, we see that the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan
himself will work together with demonic powers to gather all the kings of the
earth together for the great final war, the war of Har-magedon! Read 16:13-
14,16
F. But before that war we learn in Revelation 17:16 that God will actually use the
Antichrist to overthrow the Great Harlot, which I believe is the one world
religion.
G. But as we learned in the book of Daniel – his doom is certain and we see that at
the return of Christ in Revelation 19 when He overcomes the armies gathered for
war against Him. Read 19:19-21
IV. Conclusion
A. You may be wondering what does all this have to do with me if I will not be here
for the Tribulation. Didn’t you tell us last week we would be raptured before this
happens?
1. Actually a lot! Every believer in Jesus is in one of the major events in this
story. Listen
2. Listen to Rev 17 when he foretells of the Lamb defeating the Antichrist and
the 10 kings – what I want you to note is who will be with Jesus when He
does this
a) Read 17:14 – the called, chosen, and faithful.
b) Who are they?
3. Now let’s read 19:7-8 the marriage feast of the Lamb with the church and as
I read note who is clothed in fine linen, bright and clean
4. Now listen to the return of Jesus when He comes to defeat the Antichrist, the
False Prophet and the kings of the earth. Note again who is with Him
a) Read 19:11-15,
(1) Note v14 – clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following
Him on white horses
(2) 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 adds that the angels will be with Him as
well!
b) Read 19-21
5. So you had better believe this story and sermon have a whole bunch to do
with you!
B. Pray

OVERCOME

It Won’t Get Any Worse Than This – Intro to the Tribulation
Rev 6-19, and Various Passages, August 18, 2019
I. Introduction:
A. We are making a major transition this morning in the book of Revelation as we
move from the letters from Jesus to the church to the prophetic section of the
book, which tells us about the future things that must take place!
B. But before I go there today I want to start with what normally happens at the end
of a sermon, application! What should be our response to these things beyond
just satisfying our curiosity regarding what is going to take place, in the future?
1. We learned in the intro to this book that Jesus was writing the whole book of
Revelation to the seven churches in Asia Minor and not just chapters 2-3. So
the primary application to this book is seen in those churches, which we
learned that Jesus was encouraging them to persevere in holiness, allegiance
to and worship of Jesus because the future reward outweighs the present
suffering!
a) Peter says the same thing as to how we should respond to some of the
things we will see in this section of Revelation.
(1) Read 2 Peter 3:10-11,13
(2) Bottom line do not live for this world because everything you are
living for and working for will be destroyed in the end. Instead,
we should conduct our lives in a holy and godly way! With our
eye on a better life and world ahead.
2. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 24 that no one knows the day or the hour of
His return. However, He did say we could know the season of His return
when we start to see the signs the Bible talks about falling in place.
a) And anyone who knows the Bible well and has half an eye on current
events is convinced we are in the season of Jesus’ return.
b) Then Jesus gives us instructions how we can be faithful and wise in light
of knowing we are in the season but not knowing the specific day or
hour.
(1) Read 45-47
(2) What has God put you in charge of? What is God’s will for you?
Be faithful in carrying that out whether that is changing diapers or
helping someone come to know Jesus or grow in Him!
3. We should be thinking about these things as we work our way through the
rest of the book of Revelation!
• Next, as I introduce chapters 6-19 I want you to know that this time was talked about
before in the Bible. The time of God pouring His wrath out on mankind and
disciplining the Jews at the same time. So this is a detailed description of a fulfilment
of what God already said must happen.
II. The Tribulation
A. Maybe the best imagery we can get of just how difficult this time is going to be is
that pain a woman feels when giving birth to a child.
1. Listen to how Jeremiah describes it. Read 30:3-7,11
a) V3 – that is the future kingdom in Rev 20 – the very same land that
Abraham and the other fathers lived on
b) V5-7,11 Listen to what they must go through first
c) He calls this the time of Jacob’s trouble
2. Listen to how mankind responds to Jesus when He first starts to pour forth
His wrath in the seals! In Revelation 6.
a) Turn and Read v15-17a
3. Bottom line, this is going to be a very painful, difficult and scary time for
those who will live during this time. The worst time this world has ever seen
or will ever see.
a) Listen to what was told Daniel about this time: Read Daniel 12:1
b) Listen to what Jesus said Matthew 24:21-22
c) In chapter 7 when the question is answered as to who is able to stand this
day of God’s wrath read 6:17
(1) This terrible time, it is called the Great Tribulation. Read 7:13-14
B. So how long will this take place and when will it start? We know it is in the
future so let’s turn to Daniel 9 to gain a bit more insight into this!
1. Read v24 –
a) A week means seven just like a dozen means 12 to us. It could be a
week of eggs = seven eggs or a dozen of eggs = 12 eggs. Here it is a
week of years or 7 years!
b) God has decreed some things for His people, the Jewish people and
Jerusalem. That is why in Rev 4:1 he says, “I will show you what must
take place” these things have to happen, they must happen because God
decreed them to happen.
c) And part of what He decreed was to bring in everlasting righteousness
and seal up vision and prophecy. That is what the whole book of
Revelation is about the coming of God’s eternal righteous kingdom and
the fulfilment of everything He has prophesied!
2. As I read v25, we have done the figuring on this before and it refers to Jesus
coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to present Himself as the Messiah,
the king of Israel. Read 25
3. Then we read in v26 after this the Messiah will be cut off by means of a
violent death and then the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed by the people
of the one who is the prince to come, the Antichrist.
a) Read v26
b) These were fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion and the destruction of
Jerusalem in 70 ad by the Roman army under the leadership of General
Titus.
4. So at this point 69 of the 70 weeks have been fulfilled, there is one week left
or 7 years left to complete God’s program and we hear about that in v27.
Read 27a
a) “He” is the prince referred to in v26, which we see in the book of
Revelation as the beast whom we call the Antichrist! We will talk more
about him next week as we look at the main character in the Tribulation,
the Antichrist
b) This tribulation will start when “he” makes firm and reestablises an
already existing peace treaty with Israel for 7 years. Point out in v27
c) This treaty will be for one week or seven years, so this Tribulation will
last seven years
d) But in the middle of that week, 3 ½ years into this treaty he will stop
sacrifices to God and desolate the temple by taking his place in the
temple and receiving worship as God. Read 27b
e) Then it finishes by saying this will continue until he is completely
destroyed, something we will see in Revelation 19. Read v27c
• Welcome to picnic Sunday at MVC! At this point, I can send you all out and tell you
to enjoy your hamburger and games! But it feels a bit heavy for that. So I want to
encourage you with something as we finish today’s message. It called the ….
III. Rapture
A. Turn to and Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1. We already saw in Revelation that the people recognized that this time in
Revelation 6-19 was the great day of God’s wrath.
2. This verse speaks to those who have turned to the living God through Jesus
that they will be rescued from this future wrath
B. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9
1. He is speaking to believers here and the whole context of this section is the
Day of the Lord, when He returns. So he is saying that God has not destined
us for this time of wrath but rather to obtain salvation through Jesus.
2. This salvation he is referring to here is known as the Rapture of the Church
that he talks about at the end of chapter 4. Read 4:15-18.
C. This is the same thing we saw that Jesus promised the church in His letter to
Philadelphia.
1. Read 3:10b-c
2. Jesus promised them He would keep them “from” going through this hour of
testing that was going to come upon the whole world, which we learn of in
Revelation 6-19.
D. Do something for me – twinkle your eyes! Did that take long? That is how
quickly the rapture of the church will take place, the very next thing that God has
already scheduled for His future program. Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
E. IF you are here today and you do not know Jesus as your savior, in prayer, admit
to God your sin, and declare that there is nothing you can do to save yourself and
your trust is totally in Jesus, and then finally thank Him for forgiving your sins
and giving you new life!

Overcome // Week 12

Dave Parro continues in our summer series, "Overcome".

Overcome // Week 11

Dave Parro continues in our summer series, "Overcome".

Overcome // Week 10

The Lukewarm Useless Church
Rev 3:14-22 July 28, 2019
I. Introduction:
A. The struggle that the church in Laodicea had is probably the biggest struggle that
suburban churches in North America face. The temptation to be self-sufficient
because of our many resources rather than relying upon the All Sufficient One –
Jesus!
B. Laodicea was known for three things: it was a wealthy city with many banking
centers, the soft black wool they produced and the eye salve that was produced
there to treat medical conditions for the eye.
1. This city was so wealthy and self-sufficient that when a major earthquake
destroyed the city about 34 years before and Rome offered them money to
rebuild that they wrote a letter back to Nero telling him that they were
wealthy and in need of nothing and that, they could rebuild it themselves.
C. But they did have one glaring weakness: their water supply!
1. Twelve miles to its east was Colossae. There refreshing cold water came
down from melted snow and rain from the mount that towered above it.
These waters were valued for their ability to refresh and reinvigorate people
2. Seven miles to its north was Hierapolis. It was famous for its hot springs,
which were used, cure ailments.
3. In Laodicea, the cold streams from the east and the hot water from the north
met which created a lukewarm water that was not either good for refreshment
or healing. It tasted awful and could make the people sick!
• As I read this letter from Jesus to this church, note how he used their cultural realities
to connect with them with what was going on in their church. Note how their
material self-sufficiency had deceived them regarding
II. Their spiritual condition!
A. Read Revelation 3:14-17
B. In v16 we see their problem was lukewarmness
1. Many without considering the cultural context of their water situation would
interpret this something like this: I wish that you were either very passionate
and on fire for Jesus or apathetic and cold toward Jesus rather than just being
a middle of the road Christian!
2. In light of their cultural context, it appears to be referring to their usefulness
rather than passion level for Jesus. Like the lukewarm water in Laodicea, it
was not useful for healing and it was not useful for refreshment.
3. The next verse tells us why they were useless! Note “because” at start of the
verse explains the cause of their lukewarmness and uselessness. As I read
note there are two reasons – their self-sufficiency and their self-deception
regarding their true spiritual condition.
4. Read v17
C. One of the great temptations for churches, for individuals, for countries that are
wealthy or can easily get resources in their hands is to think that they really do not
need anything, they can pull it off, and they are self-sufficient.
1. In Deuteronomy 8 God warns Israel that when they come into the land of
milk and honey, the place where they will not lack anything, a place where
they will be satisfied listen to his warning.
a) Read Deut. 8:11-14 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God
… when you have eaten and are satisfied… then your heart will become
proud and you will forget the lord”
2. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18 what Paul instructs wealthy believers to do
• So the great temptation to wealthy churches, wealthy nations and even wealthy
Christians is to be self-sufficient and deceived as to how that condition has put them
in a dangerous place spiritually. Next Jesus tells them of
III. The cure
A. Read v18
B. To buy is a figure here that means to acquire these things from Jesus. You do not
get things from Jesus with money but rather by faith. You buy from Jesus without
money but through faith and probably even more specifically through believing
prayer.
C. In v17 Jesus said you were materially rich but spiritually poor – therefore get the
true spiritual riches from Me Read v18a
D. In v17, they said they needed nothing, this city that made some of their wealth
from the sale of black wool and wore luxurious clothes, but Jesus said you were
naked – therefore get spiritual garments to cover your shameful life. Read 18b
E. In v17, Jesus refers to their spiritual blindness, right in the middle of the city that
was known for their eye medication and v18 tells them they need to get the eye
medication He has so they can see clearly regarding their spiritual lives! Read
18c
• Then finally Jesus makes a
IV. Call to the Church
A. Listen to this call to the Church. I say church for three reasons
1. We see in v14 it is written to the Church. The Church is made up of
believers gathered together and we learned earlier that the Church was Jesus’
lampstand to bring light to the world. Unfortunately rather than bringing
light to the world, the world has permeating the Church!
2. Secondly, I say this is written to a church of believers and not to a group of
unsaved religious people going to church is because of what verse 19 says.
Read
a) Daniel Wallace, a Greek scholar, says this about this Greek word love in
this verse “phileo” this word is never used in the New Testament of God
or Jesus loving unbelievers! Only the word “agape” is used in the New
Testament of God’s love for unbelievers!
3. The third reason is that many people take v20 to refer to Jesus coming into
the life of an unsaved person to save them.
a) Watch closely as I read “will come in to him” not “come into him”
b) Again Dan Wallace says the author could have used the Greek word for
into so as to indicate the penetration into a person’s life but instead he
used the Greek word that means coming towards or before someone
B. So all of that goes to say that Jesus here is making an invitation to this church to
come back into fellowship with Him, not to lost religious churchgoers to be
saved!
1. Read v20
2. So Jesus is simply summing up what He has said and wants them to turn from
their self-sufficiency and turn to Jesus and they will be back in a place of
fellowship and usefulness to Him.
C. To those who respond to that invitation listen to what Jesus says to them! Read
v21-22
V. Let me finish with an
VI. Application
A. I personally believe that the greatest expression that MVC can have that we are
not trusting in the many resources and wealth that are available to us here in the
south suburbs of Chicago is prayer that comes from the heart of those who have
the very first character trait that Jesus said is true of a kingdom person – poor in
spirit! A church who recognizes their spiritual poverty apart from Jesus!
1. If you are one of those persons I would encourage you to join us at
Wednesday mornings as we, as a church together, declare to Jesus that what
we are doing here at MVC is not about us or from us but about and from
Him!
2. If we want to fulfil our function as a light to the suburban culture, we will
desperately need to call upon Jesus to move in and through us. Because we
live among a people who think they are doing fine and need nothing when it
comes to spiritual things. But the reality is that they are poor, naked and blind
deeply in need of new life from Jesus Christ.

Overcome

Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door
Revelation 3:7-13 July 21, 2019

I. Introduction:
A. There is a large gap between the way that God does things, the way He conducts
His affairs and the way we do things and conduct our affairs!
1. Isaiah 55:8-9
2. These differences are seen in a huge way in the church in Philadelphia.
a) Last week in the church in Sardis we saw the difference in the way God
evaluates a church – one they thought was alive, Jesus said was dead!
b) In Philadelphia we will see a huge difference in the way that God thinks
about the ministry opportunities for His churches and the way we think
about them especially here in North America

B. Turn in your Bibles to Revelation 3:7 – The church in Philadelphia, Asia Minor
not Pennsylvania.
1. This is the second and final of the seven churches where Jesus had no
criticism for them. Only encouragement regarding what they are doing and
what they can expect in the future for this faithfulness
2. Again, we are going to see a church under persecution.
a) In v8 we will see they did not deny Jesus’ name and in v10 we see they
persevered! Two words that indicate to remain faithful in the face of
resistance
3. The source of their pressure to deny Jesus was like every other church in the
Roman Empire - emperor worship was always a present pressure upon them
a) But in this passage, Jesus in v9 will refer specifically to the Jews, which
appears to be their greatest source of persecution.

b) There are also a number of writings from the church fathers at that time,
including one of the better-known ones, Polycarp, that the Jews were
persecuting Christians in Philadelphia!
c) Scholars suggest that this persecution was a combination of doctrinal
differences and jealousy over the success of Christianity to win over so
many Jewish converts!
4. But Jesus says in this passage that the Jews will find out who God’s real
people are, the ones whom God loves! And it is not them but Christians!
C. Before I read, let me point out one more thing. In the New Testament, an open
door refers to an opportunity for ministry of some sort!
1. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Acts 14:27, 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3
2. That is what this passage will be talking about. This is a church where a door
of ministry has been opened for them to serve the Lord in some undefined
way.
3. And important to note, God opened this door for ministry they did not create
this opportunity!
D. As I read this passage, watch for their faithfulness under pressure and watch
especially as to why God opened this opportunity of ministry for them! Read 3:7-
13.
• This morning I want to focus on the reason
II. Why God opened this opportunity for service for them.
A. Let me read verse 8 to you as the New American Standard has it then read it to
you as the Greek has it and its most likely interpretation
1. Read NASB v8
2. As I read the Greek, listen closely and see if you can notice the difference.
“because you have little power (emphasis in Greek on little) and or yet (word
can be translated either way depending upon the context) you kept my word
and did not deny my name”
3. Now look at it in the NLT which I believe captures the Greek perfectly “you
have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me”
B. So what is the big difference?
1. “Because you have a little power and ...” That would indicate to us that the
first of three reasons why God gave them this opportunity for ministry. It was

because they at least had a little bit of power along with obeying God’s word
and not denying His name!
2. If it says you have little power yet.... that means this becomes the basis for
His commendation even though you have little power you still kept my word
and did not deny me!
C. Literally its says you have “little power” not “a little power!” Let me build this a
bit further.
1. The word “little” here is the one Jesus used when he talked about the one
who is the least in the kingdom, and the mustard seed that is smaller than all
other seeds. In the book of Acts, it is used when speaking of the smallest to
the greatest.
2. And the word “little” is emphasized here. The point is that Jesus is saying
here – you have “very little power” or simply “you are not very powerful.”
It is a statement of fact not a complement or a reason for opening the door!
D. Simply He is saying, “I am opening this door because you are not very powerful
yet you have obeyed my word, you have not denied my name under pressure and
you have endured persecution!
1. Some commentators suggest that Jesus referring to the size of the church as
small and others believe He is referring to the status of the people in that
church, not the rich, high and mighty in Philadelphia but rather the poor,
lowly and weak people of Philadelphia.
2. So how can people like this, probably a small church full of poor people who
are lowly in status in that community and weak, be so faithful and strong in
the midst of such pressure and persecution? Why would Jesus give this kind
of church such a golden opportunity for ministry?
3. Don’t we think here in North America, the churches with many resources and
significant people are the ones who are in a place to do great things for God?
a) They are the ones who are smart enough to figure out the kind of
programing to open up opportunities and have the resources to pull them
off!
b) But this passage is not about a church creating opportunities for God to
work but God do it for the church!

4. But a church like Philadelphia has no choice but to turn away from
themselves and to turn to Jesus for what they need! Churches that are
wealthy, have status and are strong face the constant temptation to rely upon
themselves and their resources to do God’s work rather than on God Himself
E. I believe the very reason why Jesus gave this church such opportunities for
ministry is because His power is perfected in weakness, He has chosen the weak
things of the world to confound the wise! Let’s look at two key passages that
show us that
1. Listen to how God has chosen to display His power and confound the world.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
2. Power is perfected in weaknesses when we embrace them, kiss them and
even boast of them! Listen 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
F. When all is said and done I believe that God opened this door of ministry to this
church because they recognized, embraced and probably even boasted in their
weakness and the fact that they had little power they turned to Jesus for what they
needed to be faithful to Him
III. Application
A. So let me ask you and us as a church are you/we looking to ourselves, to other
churches, to best practices, to latest programs, to latest technology etc. to open up
opportunities for ministry or are we looking to
B. God
C. What would that look like?
1. It would look like 21 days of prayer! It would look like our weekly prayer
meeting on Wednesday mornings at 6am right here in this room.
2. It looks like a group of church people coming before God in prayer
recognizing, embracing and probably even boasting in their weakness and the
fact that they had little power and turning to Jesus for what they need to be
faithful to Him
3. As a church, we will be having more weeks of prayer and will continue to
meet every Wednesday at 6am. I would ask you to join us in this so we can
be a church and a people where we see God open doors of opportunity for
MVC and us as individuals! Then we would be a church that has no
explanation except God
D. Let me close with an encouragement, which He gives to the whole church, not
just the overcomers!

1. Read 10b... - referring to that time we will be talking about in a few weeks,
Revelation 6-19, the tribulation that time of great trouble like never before
that will come upon the whole world!
2. We know words are important so watch this:
a) Does he say, “I will also keep you in the hour of testing?” No! If he did
say that it would mean that, the church would go through the tribulation
but Jesus would preserve us during it!
b) Does he say, “I will also take you out of the hour of testing?” No! If he
did say that it would mean that, the church would go through a portion of
the tribulation but taken out part way through!
c) Does he say, “I will also keep you from the hour of testing?” Yes! That
means that the church would not go through the tribulation but Jesus
would deliver us from going through it!

E. Brothers and sisters as we have a great hope to look forward to may we be found
faithful relying upon Jesus in prayer and in our ministry and not upon ourselves
F. Pray