Follow Along with the Message

Revelation 1:4-6- John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Letter to Ephesus- Revelation 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.

The Letter to Smyrna- Revelation 2:8-11

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Continue to study:

• Matthew 5:13-15

• Luke 12:11-12

• Luke 14:25-33

• Acts 5:40-42

• James 1:2-4

• Colossians 4:5-6

The Letter to Pergamum- Revelation 2:12-17

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

The Letter to Thyatira- Revelation 2:18-29

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

The Letter to Sardis- Revelation 3:1-6

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.

The Letter to Philadelphia- Revelation 3:7-13

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

The Letter to Laodicea- Revelation 3:14-22

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Follow Along with the Message

The Book of Revelation: “Hope in the Storm”
Revelation 1:1-2 - This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

“REVELATION” literally means “unveiling ”!
Knowing that JESUS WINS is our source of our HOPE !
Rev. 1:1b - which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John.
Rev. 1:1b-2 - He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
1) REVELATION BRINGS BLESSING
Revelation 1:3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

A blessing for the Reader
A blessing for the Hearers
A blessing for the Obedient
REVELATION OFFERS US GRACE & PEACE
Revelation 1:4-6 - This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
John’s desire is for everyone who reads this letter to filled with GRACE & PEACE.
2) THE FULL REVELATION OF GOD’S POWER
A. The power of God the Father
(v. 4) "the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come"
B. The power of the Holy Spirit
(v. 4b ) "The seven spirits who are before his throne"
C. The power of Jesus Christ
(v. 5a) "The faithful witness" … "The firstborn of the dead" … "The ruler of kings on earth"
3) REVELATION PROMISES HIS COMING

Revelation 1:7-8 - Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
A. The Certainty of His Coming (v. 7a)
Rev. 1:7a - "Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven"
Acts 1:9-11 - After saying this, he [Jesus] was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” NLT
Hebrews 12:11 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. NLT
B. The Visibility of His Coming
Rev. 1:7b - And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him."
C. The Lord’s Declaration of Authority
Revelation 1:8 - “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.” NLT
Throughout the Book of Revelation the main character is JESUS !

Sermon Notes Coming Soon!

Follow Along with the Message

Foundation Verse- Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image"

Segment 1: Personal Stories & Awakening

Acts 10:34-35- Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

Galatians 3:26-28 - “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Segment 2: The Church's Challenge

James 2:1-9- ”My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”

1 John 4:20 - If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

Isaiah 1:17 -Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

Segment 3: Spokane-Specific Realities

Jeremiah 29:7 - "And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile.”

Micah 6:8 - "O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Segment 4: Moving Forward Together

Romans 12:9-10 - "Love must be sincere...Honor one another above yourselves."

Ephesians 2:14-16 -For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21- This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

SERMON NOTES

Ecclesiastes 1:13 NIV- “I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. "

Proverbs 2:6 ESV- “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

This sermon explores how miracles and science are not enemies but different lenses through which we view God’s creation. While science explains how the world works, miracles remind us of who is ultimately in control. Together, they reveal the majesty of a Creator who operates both within and beyond natural laws.

Opening Questions:
1. Do you have to believe in miracles to be a Christian?
2. What makes a miracle?
3. What is the relationship between miracles and Christianity?

“A miracle is a divine intervention into, or an interruption of, the regular course of the world that produces a purposeful but unusual event thatwould not or could not have occurred otherwise.” - Norman Geisler, “Miracles and Modern Thought”

“Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.”- Albert Einstein

Genesis 1:1- “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...”

Classical Apologetic Method
1. God exists.
2. Miracles are possible.
3. The gospels are reliable accounts of actual events.
4. Jesus rose from the dead.
5. Jesus is who He claimed to be, and what He said can be trusted.

Jeremiah 32:27 NIV- “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

Luke 18:27 NIV- “Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Romans 11:33 ESV- “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

Sermon Notes

Jesus modeled a revolutionary approach to women in ministry that transcends cultural limitations, calling the church to embrace God's original design where both men and women serve as equal participants in advancing His kingdom.

Point 1: The Foundation: What Does the Bible Say About Male and Female?

Genesis 1:26–27 NIV- God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

First, we are made in God's image. This sets us apart from every other creature. We alone bear the imago Dei—the image of God.

Second, we are given dominion over creation and called to be fruitful and multiply. This speaks to our purpose and calling.

Third, and this is crucial for our discussion today—we are created as male and female.

Genesis 1:27 NIV- So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

John 4:24 NIV- God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Genesis 2:21–22 NIV- So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Point 2: Addressing Common Arguments

A. “Genesis 1 Assumes Non-Binary Aspects of Creation"

B. “Jesus' Acceptance of Eunuchs Affirms Non-Binary Identities"

Matthew 19:12 NIV- For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Matthew 19:10 NLT- Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!”

C. "Galatians 3:28 - 'Neither Male nor Female'"

Galatians 3:28 NIV- There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Point 3: The Biblical View of Human Nature

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV- Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Romans 12:1 NIV- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 6:13 NIV- Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Romans 6:16 NIV- Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Point 4. Pastoral and Practical Applications

A. Distinguishing Between Cultural Stereotypes and Biblical Truth

B. Responding with Truth and Grace

First, we respond with genuine compassion.

Second, we acknowledge the church's failures.

Third, we gently offer biblical perspective.

C. Addressing Medical Transition

D. Creating Safe Spaces in the Church

Creating environments where questions are welcome.

Building genuine relationships.

Speaking truthfully but humbly.

Offering ongoing support.

Conclusion: Truth and Grace Together

John 1:14 NIV- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The truth we must speak.

The grace we must show.

Study more deeply.

Love more fully.

Speak more carefully.

Walk more humbly.

Sermon Notes

Jesus modeled a revolutionary approach to women in ministry that transcends cultural limitations, calling the church to embrace God's original design where both men and women serve as equal participants in advancing His kingdom.

Point 1: God's Original Design - Partnership in Paradise

Genesis 1:26–28

Genesis 2:18

Psalm 121:1–2

We must distinguish between descriptive passages and prescriptive ones.

Point 2: Jesus' Revolutionary Example

• First, look at John 4—the woman at the well.

John 4:29
• Second, consider Mary of Bethany in Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38–42

• Third, look at Luke 8:1-3

Luke 8:1–3

Matthew 28:5-10

Mary Magdalene doesn't just see the risen Jesus; she's commissioned by Him in John 20:17-18

John 20:17–18 NLT
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

Point 3: Understanding Difficult Passages in Context

1 Timothy 2:8–15
1 Timothy 2:11–12

- The word translated "authority" is "authenteo."

- The word translated "quiet" is "hesuchia," which doesn't mean complete silence.

1 Timothy 2:15

Romans 16:1

Romans 16:7

Point 4: Biblical Examples of Women in Leadership

- Miriam was a prophet and leader who led Israel in worship after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:20-21).

- Deborah was a prophet, judge, and military commander who led Israel to victory against their enemies (Judges 4-5). When Barak refused to go to battle without her, she didn't hesitate to lead.

- Huldah was the prophet that King Josiah consulted when the Book of the Law was found. Not Jeremiah, not any of the male prophets—Huldah (2 Kings 22:14).

-Esther used her position of influence to save the Jewish people.

-Lydia was a businesswoman who became the first European convert and opened her home as a church (Acts 16:14-15).

-Priscilla taught Apollos, correcting his understanding of the gospel (Acts 18:26). Notice that Luke mentions Priscilla's name first, suggesting she took the lead in this teaching ministry.

-Philip's four daughters were all prophets (Acts 21:9).

-Phoebe was a deacon whom Paul trusted to carry his letter to the Romans—arguably the most important theological document in the New Testament (Romans 16:1).

Point 5: The Church's Call Today

First, we must stop limiting God's gifts.

Second, we must follow Jesus' model, not cultural traditions.

Third, we must have the courage to ask hard questions.

Revelation 7:9–10

Acts 17:11

2 Timothy 2:15