Grace Bible Church Columbia, MO

God gives John—and then us—a glimpse into the second series of judgments: the Trumpets. Before those are poured out, there is a powerful pause of silence, then a trip to the altar of incense, because God cares. Each of the judgments intensifies the truth that God is using His creation to show His wrath against sin. This week, Pastor Denis will begin with walking us through Revelation 8:1 and the s...

“If we minimize grace, the world sees no hope for salvation. If we minimize truth, the world sees no need for salvation.”  Randy Alcorn   There is a pause in Heaven as the Lamb halts the judgments of the Horsemen long enough to seal the promised tribes of Israel during the Tribulation.  The pause also allows John to glimpse the hordes of martyrs around the throne as a promise to us that Salvation...

The Book is opened by the Lamb and the Seals are broken one by one.  The first four are well known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – so we will see them first.  Each one in turn unleashes the wickedness stored up and held back by God until this time.  We have seen some of each over the course of human history but now, in quick order, all of them released unrestrained.  The 5th Seal is a loo...

“Satan cannot rob you of Heaven or God’s promises but he will try to steal your joy!” Have you ever been by yourself to a place so beautiful that it was sad not to be able to share the moment with someone? John is witness in Heaven as the Angels sought anyone worthy to open the book sealed by the Father – and found none!  John wept for the loneliness of Heaven – then a growing chorus of voices bro...

This is the first stop before we leap past the edge of time into the future!  God is about to show some amazing things – things that are ‘inexpressible’ as Paul was “was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.” 2 Cor 12:4 Sunday I want to take us as witnesses to a conversation of Heaven itself – God takes 2 chapters to demonstrate that what He is...

Revelation 3:19 (ESV): “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”   We have arrived at the final church in our study of the seven churches: Laodicea, the lukewarm church. Before we move to the throne room of heaven in Revelation 4, we pause to hear Jesus’ loving but serious words to His church. In this passage, we will see His faithfulness, His authority, and His grac...

“Christianity is not devotion to work, or to a cause, or a doctrine, but devotion to a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Oswald Chambers 5/2 This is the little Church with little power – and yet … great opportunity! The sixth Church on our Turkey tour is Philadelphia – the Church of the Open Door. We find a Church family with little resource and little power yet lots of opportunity – ‘an open door’...

Dead or Alive?   Can something look alive but be dead?  Sardis was a Church of contrasts – rich but broke – secure but vulnerable – alive but dead!  This city of disparities was the 5th in Revelation – a city of hypocrisy and worldliness.  This was not a typical barrel of good apples with a few bad – this was mostly bad with just a few being faithful.  This city is the warning not to live on a rep...

“Sin is a spiritual and moral malignancy. Left unchecked, it can spread throughout our entire inner being and contaminate every area of our lives.” Jerry Bridges (Respectable Sins) Thyatira: This was a busy Church – lots of good things happening and many opportunities to grow and share the Gospel – sounds like a wonderful place to join! And yet…. Thyatira had a real problem – they were too nice –...

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”  C.S. Lewis – Screwtape Letters The City of Pergamum is a paradox – on one hand they a hero of the faith who gave his life for his faith – Antipas.  This great life of courage was lived in the backdrop of Satan’s throne. In spite of this testimony th...

The First and Last – Smyrna – The Suffering Church Smyrna is our next stop – a city named for the incense myrrh and known for its great beauty and Greek games.  But in this city was also great persecution for believers – they suffered under the pressure from the Roman world and the Jewish zealots who despised them for their view of Jesus as Messiah.  These faithful followers faced discriminations...

John moves quickly from the ‘One who was’ as Jesus was with the disciples for 3+ years and on toward ‘the things which are’ and addresses the Seven Churches of Asia Minor.  We start with Ephesus and commendations and condemnations of that Church.  The recurring theme of all Seven is repentance and restoration.  God desires for each Church to return to the passion and faith of their beginning.  Eph...

Maranatha! 1 Cor 16:22 Early Christians greeted one another with this single word prayer – one of praise and promise! Our Lord has come! O Lord Come! Both were included in the exciting word. Sunday we begin our journey through the book that God has said: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy” (Rev 1:3). I want you to have that blessing – we will read all the verses...

“Jesus Christ did not come into this world to make bad people good; He came into this world to make dead people live.” Lee Strobel – Case for the Resurrection Years ago I said we should celebrate Christmas every year – Easter every week – Thanksgiving every day! This week is anniversary Sunday of our weekly celebration of Jesus empty tomb. I have enjoyed this account of the Resurrection for 50 yea...

Matthew 21:5 (ESV) “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”   Palm Sunday is the first event of Holy Week, and this remarkable passage marks the beginning of the Jews’ rejection of King Jesus. It also invites us to search our hearts and consider how we are receiving Jesus as our King.   Let’s ex...

Who is Mark? Why 4 Gospels? Plan of Mark?   These and many other questions we looked at over the past year in Mark!  I will step back and look again at a few of those best moments – we need to be reminded of what to take home and on in life with us from Mark.   Mark was an unlikely author and with that Peter was an unlikely disciple now Apostle to be sharing this account with Mark.  John Mark had...

Mark’s Gospel began suddenly and abruptly so we should have expected it to end the same way. Peter was himself pretty radical and impulsive in ministry and we see it in his dictation to Mark for this Gospel. His favorite word was ‘immediately’ used over 40x in 16 chapters. Peter’s time in Rome as brief and ended suddenly and violently (crucifixion). With the persecution and execution of so many le...

How important is the burial? I find it fascinating that God includes this in the Resurrection formula of 1 Cor 15:3,4 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” From the Scriptures God wanted to leave no doubt that J...

“You cannot claim the joy – the blessing – the peace – the love – the forgiveness – WITHOUT THE CROSS!”   After Jesus had been scourged, Mark tells us that the soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, which was the judgment hall of Pilate when he was in Jerusalem.  The torture of Jesus did not end with the scourging but continued when He was brought into the judgment hall. This torture by the whol...

Jesus has endured the abuse by the very teachers who should have recognized Him and welcomed Him into Jewish faith – instead Jesus was ridiculed and rejected. The Sanhedrin tried Him with lies and fabrications – then failing to make a case for blasphemy they questioned Him about His claims to be the Son of God. Jesus is The Truth – speaking truth the High Priest condemned Jesus of a crime worthy o...

"It is through trials that Faith is exercised and developed more and more." George Muller Sunday we will take a look at two separate denials – one by betrayal and the other by fear.  Judas sold out Jesus – for money!  Peter sold out Jesus – by fear.  Think of the contrast between these two disciples – both loved by Jesus – both trained by Jesus – both committed to Jesus.  Both failing at critical...

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”  Oswald Chambers I have often wished to be able to pray like Jesus – facing my worst day while giving everything to God in trust.  Instead of wasting minutes in panic or worry – give those minutes to the Father in conversation.  Those are the wishes of a person in peace – they seem to elude me in moments of uncertainty and...

“It is true that the Lord’s Supper is only for sinners. But within that group, it is only for repentant sinners.” Mark Dever (9 Marks) Many things must come together for a group meal – planning is essential!  Not to know where or who or how the day of supper would be exhausting for any normal host – but Jesus was not normal.  Any holy day or festival for the Jewish nation was special -they had 7 e...

It was festival time – the Passover and Unleavened Bread.  All Israel recalling deliverance from Egypt with Moses and quietly praying for another Moses to come on the scene.  As folks gathered around Jerusalem for the celebrations – friends gathered and enjoyed time together.  One of these suppers was with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Jesus and the Disciples all invited to Simon the Leper’s house.  Duri...

This is repeated 4 times in our passage Sunday – a warning to believers to be watching!  We have come through Christmas and celebrated the coming of our Redeemer.  Those without hope find all they need in Jesus – hope of life and life to come!  Returning to Mark I have stepped back into the final days of Jesus in His first coming and we find Him advising the disciples about His return.  So much se...