Revelation 6: The fall of Babylon Key Text: Revelation 17:1-19:10 Often the outcome of something makes it easier to endure, and often when we simply focus on the negative aspects we find now hope and power to endure. For example, contrast the preparation for a wedding; now for ladies this might be an engaging and exciting time; however, for most men, and I am generalizing picking plates and flowers etc. is beyond tedious. However, you have the power to endure it because you k

Genesis 4: 17 - 26 "Without God, the more power we have the sooner we destroy ourselves; without God, the richer we are the sooner we rot.” You can’t help but be amazed at how quickly things go downhill from a very promising beginning. Trouble breaks out almost immediately, paradise is lost, and the human race slides headlong in the pit of sin. Sin starts as a tiny virus that invades the human bloodstream and begins to multiply immediately, growing in power with every passing

Genesis 4: 1 - 16 This is the story of Cain and Abel. This story is dark and tragic from beginning to end. Parents remember what it was like to wait for the birth of our first child. So many hopes and dreams are wrapped up in that little baby. I am sure Adam and Eve had big dreams for Cain. They hoped he would make his mark on the world. He certainly made a mark, but things did not work out as they intended. Instead of fulfilling their dreams, the first baby, broke their hear

Revelation 5: The seven angels and the seven plagues Revelation 15:1-16:21 Revelation 15-16New International Version (NIV) Seven Angels With Seven Plagues 15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its nam

Revelation 4: The Lamb’s army and the Harvest Revelation 14:1-20 Revelation 14New International Version (NIV) The Lamb and the 144,000 14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they san

Sexuality and the Christian hope 1 Cor 6:12-7:1 and 7:25-31 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:7New International Version (NIV) Sexual Immorality 12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14

Revelation 3: The beasts of the land and the sea Revelation 13:2-18 We continue our series through Revelation tonight; as we have read this passage gives us two terrible images and then one of the most controversial images ever given in scripture; the mark of the beast! Again, we have to understand this passage from the context of when it was written and the particular language that it was written in. It was written to real churches, in the Roman Provence of Asia Minor, where

Work and the Christian hope Titus 2:11-3:8 Titus 2:11-3:8New International Version (NIV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to p

Revelation 12:1-13:1 So, we don’t have time to read through this entire chapter although, I would have loved to. However, I would suggest that you do so in your own studies. So a quick recap of where we are in Revelation and what is happening in the story tonight. So last week we saw how John had depicted the Old Testament “Day of the Lord” for the second time. Now, we are transported to a series of symbols; John calls them signs from chapter 12. The first symbol or sign that