OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Have you ever wondered “What’s next”? … as in the BIG “next”! … after this life is over?

For followers of Jesus we have several clear pictures of “Next” in Scripture … one of the clearest is found in Revelation 4:1-11.  Click on the link to download a handout of the text where you can takes notes.

When we leave this “dusty marble” of a planet, our next view should be the Throne Room of Almighty God!  Use the following questions to spur on your preparation for this coming Monday night’s Bible study.

• Whose voice does John hear?
• What analogies does John use to describe the “One sitting on the throne”?
• Who are these “24 elders”?
• What is the primary activity of chapter 4?
• Who are the “four living creatures”?
• What does the phrase “full of eyes around and within” mean?
• Compare Revelation 4 with similar O.T. passages:  Isaiah 6:1-7 and Ezekiel 1:1-28.
• Meditate on the various meanings of our new memory verse:  Revelation 4:11.  Click on the link for a handout of memory cards.

The dessert will be served by 7 pm (thanks to Chuck W.) … so show up early to enjoy that!

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

When we began our in-depth study of the Message to Laodicea, we made the unhappy discovery that they had made Jesus so sick, He wanted to throw up!  However, over these past several weeks, we observed how Jesus gently wooed these self-deceived believers back into an intimate relationship with Him … what mercy! … what grace!

In fact, we determined that His loving discipline of these late-1st-Century-believers actually produced deeper spiritual intimacy and whole-hearted commitment.  In addition, we concluded that when we grant to Jesus complete access to our heart and life, He promises us access to His throne! … what glory!

Click on these two links for resources from our study of the Message to Laodicea:

• Revelation 3:14-22 Notes
• Laodicea Slideshow

Remember that we will NOT meet Labor Day evening, so you can enjoy one final, summer BBQ with family & friends.  We will meet again on Monday, September 9th.  Resources for that evening’s study will be posted soon.

Continue to lift up each other in prayer … Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click on the link for a two-page handout including details and a map for this coming Saturday morning’s Meet Jesus @ Beach (7 – 9 am, Sat., August 24).  Feel free to invite a friend (or two) and share the handout with them, too, or simply direct them to this blog post.

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

In less than 24 hours, the OC Bereans will gather together again after a somewhat “hit & miss” summer schedule.  I am eager to be in your presence again!

We will continue our in-depth look at the “Message to Laodicea” in Revelation 3:14-22.  A few questions remain from an earlier post that we have yet to explore:

1. What advice does Jesus give to them?  (v. 18)
2. What promises does He make?  (vv. 19-21)
3. What commands does He give?  (vv. 19, 22)

In addition, I want you to re-read the nine verses, asking yourself, “What is the ‘Big Idea’ that Jesus is attempting to communicate to these 1st Century Christians”?  If we can answer this question, then we will have a firmer grasp on what He is saying to us today as well.

Attempt to summarize the primary theme of Jesus’ message in your own words.

Bob H. will bring the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm, so plan to arrive by then to enjoy that.  Our study will commence shortly after that.

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

In addition to reviewing the five questions in the previous post on “… prepping for Laodicea,” consider carving out one hour of your weekend sabbath to meditate on Revelation 3:14-22.  Click here to download the handout Meditating on the Message to Laodicea and use this to aid your reading and thinking processes.

Dessert will be served Monday night (July 29) at 7 pm (brought by Bob B.), so arrive by then to enjoy it!

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Click on these two links for resources from our study of the Message to Philadelphia:

• Revelation 3:7-13 Notes
• Philadelphia Slideshow

Also click here to download a handout on our next section: Message to Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22.

Use these questions to aid your preparation for our next study, scheduled for Monday, July 29th:

1. What do the descriptions of Jesus in 3:14 tell you about Him?
2. What does Jesus know [οἶδα] about the believers in Laodicea?  (vv. 15-17)
3. What advice does Jesus give to them?  (v. 18)
4. What promises does He make?  (vv. 19-21)
5. What commands does He give?  (vv. 19, 22)

Continue to pray for each other … see you on July 29th.

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

What is wrong with the title to this post … other than misspelling “Finishing”?  In addition to that, we will never stop being a community of brothers who love each other (Hebrews 13:1).

We will, however, finish our study of the “Message to Philadelphia” tomorrow night, so plan to join us by 7 pm at my home … Bill W. is bringing the dessert!

Here are four questions to help your preparation for our discussion:

1. What is the “hour of testing” in v. 10? … When might this occur?
2. What promises are made to the “overcomer”?  (v. 12)
3. In review, what are the “7 Promises” made to this church at Philadelphia?
4. Which of these promises apply to us as well?

See you tomorrow evening … Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

I agree 100% with Bill’s prayerful observation Monday night that the Holy Spirit was definitely leading our study and discussion!  AMEN!!!

The article on the worldwide growth of Christianity can be accessed at this link … Tidal Wave of Good News … or downloaded as a .pdf here — Tidal Wave of Good News.

Please remember that we will skip another week before we meet together again on Monday, July 15th.  In the meantime, continue to study the Message to Philadelphia, and pray especially for the OC Bereans who will be in Montana for next week’s “Trinity Encounter”:

• Bill M., Steve P., Steve T. and Bill W.

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

To prepare for Monday night’s Bible study on Revelation 3:7-13, first scroll down the page and re-read the previous two posts on this blog:

• The Message to Philadelphia and Pop Quiz!

Then think through these questions:

1. God placed an open door of opportunity in front of the church at Philadelphia.  What open doors of ministry has He placed before you?
2. What three reasons did Jesus give for opening a door for the Philadelphia church?
3. Review your notes on the letter to the church at Smyrna (2:8-11) to identify who comprises the “synagogue of Satan.”
4. What is the “hour of testing” in v. 10? … When might this occur?
5. What promises are made to the “overcomer”?  (v. 12)

Bill M. will provide the dessert, so plan to arrive by 7 pm to enjoy that.  Our study will begin shortly after that.

Shalom!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

For those of you unable to join us this past Monday, I sprung a Pop Quiz on the guys!  Click the link and take the quiz … without checking your notes!

One of the key highlights of Monday night’s study of the Message to Philadelphia was found in the self-description of Jesus in Revelation 3:7 …

Because Jesus is …

• … “holy” meaning He is, in fact, God …
• … “true” meaning He is genuine … the “real deal” … and
• … has the “key of David” (cf., Isaiah 22:22) meaning He controls the access to God’s throne room …

He can be totally trusted when He promises to put an “open door” before us.

When we meet again on Monday, July 1st, come prepared to share how God has opened doors of ministry for you … or maybe closed doors, too.

Continue to pray for each other!

Shalom!

~ tr