Sanctify Us

In Revelation 5:1-7, John sees a vision of God upon His throne holding a scroll in His hand. Scrolls were usually written on one side for ease of reading while being unrolled, but this one was filled with writing on both sides. This scroll is marked with seven seals to indicate God’s authority and ownership of what is written on it. Whatever the scroll reads, it must represent God’s will and plan for all things. Who is worthy?  John must have been curious what was contained in the scroll, but it could not be read while it remained sealed. Suddenly a mighty angel cried out, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” Only one who is able to carry out God’s will in its fullness could open the scroll. Even the mighty angel did not step forward to do so himself! Even though that angel must have been particularly powerful to be distinguished in that way, he still falls short of what is needed. Perfect power and holiness are required to open the scroll.   The mighty ange...

In the beginning of the book of Revelation, we can find each member of the Godhead described. Revelation is a book of signs and symbols so we must be careful with our interpretation but there are important truths revealed here. The Father.  “Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…” (Revelation 1:4). This is a description that technically applies to the Father, Son, and Spirit alike. One of the defining characteristics of deity is being without beginning or end. However, another key to understanding Revelation is to respect its near-constant quotations of and allusions to the Old Testament. To read Revelation without a working knowledge of the Old Testament is an exercise in futility!   In this case, there are several passages in the Old Testament that this passage is making reference to. When Moses asked God who he should tell Israel sent him to them, God said, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:1...

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1-2). Christians are expected to take on the character of God. This is not a new concept in the New Testament. Even in the law of Moses the people of Israel were told, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2).  Our work in imitating God can be even more successful because we also have the example of Jesus’ sacrifice of love to follow. Ephesians 5:3-5 gives us a contrast between imitating God and certain shameful sins. These aren't necessarily the worst sins (it's futile to categorize sins by severity since God finds all sin to be an abomination), but they are common ones and easily mark us as children of the world.   Sexual immorality . Sexual immorality (along with “all impurity”) is an expression of excess and lack of self-control. Included in this would be lust, fornication, adultery, ...

This last Sunday I preached on the kingdom parables of Matthew 13. One thing we did not discuss was Jesus’ explanation to His disciples why He spoke in parables at all. It is true that parables are easier to remember, but the disciples also saw how they could inhibit understanding in those who did not know the proper interpretation. Secrets of the kingdom.  “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt. 13:11). Jesus did not reveal all information about His work and even His true identity all at once. Different people were given different levels of knowledge at various times. Jesus could speak plainly to His inner circle of disciples and know that they were ready to hear those teachings. Others were given a veiled version for now until everything was revealed. Testing of hearers.  “For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be take...