sermon notesA collection of resources, background information, and periodic reflections on the scripture readings in worship from Pr Josh Ehrler. Archives
July 2018
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Notes for Revelation 21.1-75/17/2017 Our sermon text for the weekend of May 22 is Revelation 21.1-7.
John is bringing his long and winding letter to a close with a vision of a "new heaven and new earth." Immediately we might ask, 'What will happen to this one?' This is one of the significant challenges to reading John's revelation, acknowledging that everything we know about this world will come to an end. For some, this is desperate relief. For others, this is pure anxiety, since this is literally the only existence that we know. It is impossible to fully understand what it means to have our lives transformed completely. The good news, though, is that Christ was there before Creation and He will be there in the end. inf fact, Eugene Boring, in his commentary on Revelation, notes that the "end" will not be an event, it will be an encounter with Christ. This new heaven and earth is not about what we'll lose but who Creation will be joined to and be enlivened by forever and ever, Amen. For Pablo Richard, author of A People's Commentary on the Book of Revelation, the good news is found in the free gift of Grace that God offers. For instance, the water of life in verse 6. God calls this a gift and it is for anyone who is thirsty. Many of us have to pay for our water, even if its a surcharge from the city. Our people in Flint, Michigan, are paying mightily to have clean water. There seems to be a cost for everything in this world. In God's heaven, which will be here on earth, there is no cost, no charge, no debt. All that we need will be free and available and within reach. How might we live now knowing this promise is coming? How can we share this vision without telling people they have to wait for it? What would it be like to give away everything we have, as if it were a gift for others? Are we ready to lose everything? A few more brief notes: Verse 1 may be a reference to Isaiah 65.17-19 Verse 5 is similar to Isaiah 43.19 Verse 7 is covenant language found throughout the Hebrew Writings ex: Exodus 3.12; 2 Samuel 7.14; Psalm 2.17; Jeremiah 3.19 Verse 6 - Jesus describes himself as Alpha and Omega in the beginning of Revelation 1.8
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