January 5, 2012

Everything Made New

Object: All things will be new. Activities: - What began in Genesis ends in Revelation; What ends in Revelation began in Genesis (vise versa). Answers in Ge are found in chpts 1-3; Revelation chpts 21,22 GENESIS REVELATION 1:1 heavens & earth created earth 1:16 - Sun created sun 1:5 Night established 1:10 - The seas created [exiled on Patmos!] 3:14-17 - The curse announced [satan, serpent, soil] 3:19 - Death enters history 3:24 - Man driven from paradise paradise 3:17 - Sorrow & pain began pain Sermon: ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? BUT ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEW JERUSALEM? When we look out on our world its easy to be pessimistic with countries at outright war and others threatening each other, the environment at risk through global warming, disease and disaster. Evil seems to abound, with downright wickedness, injustice and discrimination, ruthless cruelty and wanton disregard for human life. Even in the sheltered parts of the world still free from terrorism, where were privileged to live, theres an undercurrent of crime and vandalism, broken families and relationships. Surely this isnt the world that God intended for human beings, made in His likeness, made for His glory and for our good. No, it was and still is Gods great purpose to create and call out a people who will respond to His love and with whom He can be in perfect and everlasting fellowship. The Bible is His-story and, in the words of an old hymn, it begins with a tale of a garden and ends with a city of gold. Thats not a bad summary of the Bibles view of creation and 21:1 New heavens &

21:23 - No need for the 22:5 21:1 22:3 No night there No more seas No more curse

21:4 - No more death 22:14 - Man restored to 21:4 No more tears or

Gods new creation. Human history began is paradise the Garden of Eden. And it will end in paradise the New Jerusalem Genesis = paradise that was lost Revelation = paradise restored (New Jerusalem) Genesis = cunning and power of the devil, and man fleeing from God and hiding himself from God Revelation = most wonderful and intimate communion between God and redeemed manking John saw first hand a new heaven and new earth. And he describes it all to us in Revelation 21 - Read Revelation 21 v.5 pretty much sums up all of chapter 21 and 22. ALL THINGS WILL BE NEW v.6 says "it is done/ finished" What do you think thats referring too? What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation Lets go over our little challenge Don't you look forward to going to heaven? What a day that'll be Let's describe a major city "Babylon of this world" - decay and filthy (squalor) - drug abuse - prostitution Ideally the city is where the whole community lives in peace. But thats only found in the City of God, New Jerusalem, the Church, the Bride of Christ. When people have fellowship with God they live in community. (v.10) describes where the city comes from. The city is a work of God's sovereign grace. It's God's creation and it comes from heaven. God not only creates it, but he is there (v.3) Only the redeemed will be there. This whole place is only temporary. In heaven He will reign and we will have super with Him and worship Him. Many will not be there - Read Revelation 3:20 But if we accept the invitation that Jesus makes - Pass around picture The scene is the subject of a famous painting by Holman Hunt. The original is hung in St Pauls Cathedral in London. If you look at it closely, theres something rather odd about it because its a door with no handle! I expect there is a handle, but its on the inside! Now whats the reason for this? The artist is telling us that although Jesus wants to enter the home, its up to the person inside to open the door and let him in. If weve done that by coming to Him in repentance and faith, entry into The New Jerusalem of His Kingdom begins a new relationship as we become v.9 NJ is presented as the bride of Christ = you and I. We know that the Lord

will keep his Promise, we just have to be vigilant; like the wise virgins in (Mt 25). The reality of our world is that sin separates and keeps us from God. When we convert and become sons and daughters of Him we live behind our old lives and put on a new one. (Eph 4:1) - Read Matthew 25:31-46 We're reminded of the coming day of Jesus. he tells us that we are accountable and although free to do live as we please, we will be accounted for everything. Judgement awaits everyone, with no exceptions, favoritism, and no excuses. As Christians we enjoy a foretaste of the New Jerusalem here. - Read Revelation 22:5 - Read 1 Corinthians 13:12

NOW ARE YOU READY?