A few weeks ago, I was listening to this very encouraging series on prayer by R.C. Sproul, so I though I’d link it for you here. It will take you to the first message, How To Pray and you’ll find more episodes in the drop down menu on the right. They are not in order, so you’ll have to follow the flow from May 6th through May 13.
I also want to call your attention to all the free resources at the Gospel Coalition site. I’ve linked a few of their podcasts and vodcasts in other posts, but you can find them all here. You may also find some helpful blogs by members of the Gospel Coalition in their aggregator.
I was asked if we would be posting the outlines of our messages in Revelation on the site and I don’t think we’ll be able to do that right now, because of time constraints. I will be posting resources and discussions of specific issues related to our weekly study, however. We will also begin podcasting pretty soon, beginning with our Revelation series, starting in Chapter 1. Later, we will backfill with previous messages from over the years. You can keep up on news and updates to the site by clicking on the RSS feed button at the bottom of the page. I have the alerts sent to me via email, but you can choose how you will be updated.
Finally, I would ask that you would pray that I would be able to retire from the USPS and devote more time to the family and mission of NCCF, as well as other opportunities in our community and abroad. Our obstacles are financial (as they seem to be everywhere I look). Thank you and I look forward to our next time together.
Continue reading about Encouragement, Excuses and A Prayer Request
Welcome to the next installment of our online discussion of The Apocalypse or The Book of Revelation! Each Sunday at Nevada County Christian Fellowship, we are going verse by verse through the revelation of Jesus Christ, which He showed John the apostle in the first century. Our purpose has a very practical aim: we are approaching this letter as written specifically to us — disciples of Jesus Christ engaged in the monumental struggle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. Each week, we conclude by asking ourselves, “what will be my response, as a disciple of Jesus?” We want to worship Him, tell others about Him and live for Him.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:21 & 22
So, if you would like to participate, you are welcome.
I thought it would be good to begin by asking, “where are you coming from?” What is your purpose in studying Revelation along with us? Do you have a view of the end times that guides you through Revelation or do you favor one interpretive method above another? Whatever your interest, I hope that you want to see Christ above all.
I’ll start. For the longest time, I was put off by the wrangling and hard feelings in the Body of Christ over eschatology and different views of The Apocalypse. Sure, I’d studied Revelation, Daniel, the letters to the Thessalonians, Matthew 24 and actually remember getting a lot out of A.T. Robertson’s treatment of Revelation in Word Pictures in the New Testament. I was really apprehensive about teaching it, because I didn’t feel I had the depth in the Old Testament it takes to do a good job and, frankly, I still need a lot of work there. But, lately I felt compelled to get into Revelation and it has been one of the most exhilarating and profitable undertakings in my entire Christian walk. As of this writing, I am premillennial in my view of Revelation. I think the millennium is a literal period of Christ’s reign on earth, but I am not dispensational. I suppose I would be labeled historic pre-mil.
Interpretation? I take an ecclectic view – a position which seems to be gaining popularity nowadays. I see some things as fulfilled, some future, yet all things are ideal or profitable to Christians of every age, who take seriously their discipleship. Please join us each Sunday and here, online, under the Revelation link.
Well, we’ve begun our study in John’s Apocalypse. The best place to begin in the Book of Revelation is with the Revelation itself. Sit down and read it straight through, in order to get a sense of how it flows. Try not to get too hung up on the symbols or timing, but keep a note pad handy to write down your thoughts and questions as you read right through it.
We will be going through the book in a survey fashion over the next couple of months and that should help with the purpose, major themes, symbols and literary features of the book — Adam and I will try to keep it fairly simple. Each week we will draw out one important theme or application.
Next, you may want some general tools to help you get oriented. We’ve added a fairly thorough resource page. Check it out here.
Contemporary Options in Eschatology by Millard Erickson is a classic textbook at the undergraduate level (Bible institute or college) and and place to start if you’ve been a student of the Bible. Erickson does a good job of surveying the most popular views of the millennium out there, concluding each chapter with an evaluation highlighting their respective negative and positive aspects. This book goes in and out of print often and is now out of print. You can usually find it used for about $2-4! By the way, the author is so fair and objective, I’ll bet you can’t figure out which position he holds.
This week, NCCF rejoiced to learn that some of our young people had been recognized for two awards. Remington King and the NCCF Youth Group placed second in an area film festival for their dramatic presentation of The Good Samaritan. They also received a cash award of $200. Congratulations!
Tyler Hargrove, a junior at William Jessup University, was awarded the Biblical Studies Award, recognizing the one student who demonstrates the best use of the original languages and the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. He also received the Hal & Evelyn Martin Memorial Scholarship, which is presented to an outstanding student involved in Gospel ministry. Congratulations, Tyler!
Continue reading about “Rejoice with those who rejoice…” (Romans 12:15 ESV)
