Sunday AM Sermon Notes     Pastor Anthony Hovey     29August 2010

The Book of Revelation #25
The Dynamic Duo
Revelation 11:3-13

At this point in this parenthetical chapter of the Book of Revelation we find God regressing back to the very beginning of the Tribulation, where He will introduce two additional characters into the mix; they are the two witnesses of the Tribulation that I have chosen to call The Dynamic Duo…

Let’s begin by reading from God’s Word…

Revelation 11:3-14… 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven…

While there are many speculations concerning the identities of these two individuals, the most common being Moses and Elijah or Elijah and Enoch, no one can truthfully tell us who they are... Therefore, like our speculation concerning the identity of the Antichrist, trying to determine who these men really are is nothing more than an exercise in futility… In my study of the Word, I have concluded that the understanding of some things God has chosen to keep to Himself and this is one of those things… Had this knowledge been fundamental to our faith, without a doubt, God would have revealed it to us…

So, rather than speculating on the unknown, let’s spend our time looking at what we do know about these two witnesses as revealed to us in the Book of Revelation… The first thing we notice is…

I. Their Public Emergence (vv.3-6)

From verses 3-6 we can easily see three truths concerning these two witnesses that God calls “mine”…
1. Their Supernatural Position (v.3a,4)… 3a And I will give power unto my two witnesses… 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth…
Jeremiah 1:5… Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations…
2. Their Supernatural Purpose (v.3b)… they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore (1260) days, clothed in sackcloth… (We are told that they have a Specific Task, for a Specified Time; but, we see that they also have a Troubled Spirit)… Ezekiel 18:23… Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?... Ezekiel 18:32… I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye…
3. Their Supernatural Powers (vv.5-6)… 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. (They Have The Been Empowered By God To Bring DEATH, DROUGHT and DISEASE)…

II. Their Perceived Elimination (vv.7-10)

In spite of his best efforts, the Antichrist cannot silence these two witnesses, but there is one who can; and he is coming and he ain’t happy… Revelation 12:7-9,12… 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him… 12 Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time... Let’s notice two facts concerning their death…
1. Their Death Is Coldhearted (vv.7-9)… 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves…
2. Their Death Is Celebrated (v.10)… And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth...

III. Their Personal Exodus (vv.11-13)

Thus far we have seen The Dynamic Duo both Heavenly Burdened and Horribly Brutalized; finally, we see them Homeward Bound…
1. The Resurrection Following Their Demise (vv.11)-12… 11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them…
2. The Ramifications Following Their Departure (v.13)…
a. The Rage Of God Is Released (v.13a)… And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:
1 Chronicles 16:21-22… 21 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm…
Deuteronomy 32:35… To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste...
b. The Remnant Of God Is Revealed (v.13b)… and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven... This is the turning point for the Jews… facing intense persecution, they will come to have faith in the promises of God… We will discuss this in more depth in an upcoming message…
Romans 11:25b-27… 25b blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins...
Joel 2:32… And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call...

CONCLUSION: Many years ago my pastor shared a message entitled Are You Known In Hell?, during which I wrote in the flyleaf of my Bible these words… I want to live a life for God that is such that not only is my name recorded in heaven, it is respected in hell… I want the devil to be sorry that he ever knew me… I want him to curse the day I was born and celebrate on the day I die… I want him to know no peace until I know peace in heaven… While this is a goal that I aspire to; it is one that The Dynamic Duo achieved… Their faithfulness is without question, can the same be said of ours? 1 Corinthians 4:2… it is required in stewards, that [they] be found faithful… Will He find us faithful when He comes? I pray that He will…
 

Sunday AM Sermon Notes     Pastor Anthony Hovey     August 22, 2010

The Idiosyncrasies Of The Ineffective Church
Acts 2:40-47

Acts 2:40-47… 40 And with many other words did (Peter) testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

In our text we see the uniqueness of the early church… They were characterized by their acceptance of the Gospel, their acts of obedience and oblations (charitable acts), and their attitudes toward the Word and worship of God … Without a doubt the early church IS the established standard that all other churches must strive for… And, we must, as a church, adopt this standard established by them if we hope to ever please God with the work that we do here…

Yet, there are churches today that seem to feel that this established standard has outlived its effectiveness... They have come to the conclusion that what has worked for centuries, is no longer working… Why is this? Well, I believe that it is because they find it harder and harder to fill the pews using the tried and true methods established by the early church… So, instead of working to grow churches they have shifted their efforts to gathering crowds… They become more concerned with statistics than with souls… This is a final mentality which I believe happens when they begin to perceive the church as an establishment of serves-us and not an institution of service… Thus, rendering them ineffective for Christ…

In the time remaining, I want to point out to you what I perceive to be The Idiosyncrasies Of The Ineffective Church… Let’s begin by noting that number one…

I. They Have Changed Their Priorities

There are three biblically established priorities for every church…
1. The Priority Of Every Church Is To Exalt The King Of God… Matthew 5:16… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven... 1 Corinthians 10:31… whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God…
2. The Priority Of Every Church Is To Expand The Kingdom Of God… Matthew 28:19-20… 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen...
3. The Priority Of Every Church Is To Exhibit The Kindness Of God… Luke 10:30-37… 30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise…

II. They Have Compromised Their Preaching

A prevailing thought in the ineffective church is that they don’t want to offend anyone through their preaching, but Peter said that the preaching of Christ and His Cross are a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word (1 Peter 2:8)… I would rather offend the sinner by preaching the truth than to offend the Savior by not preaching it… We have a clear mandate from God to preach the truth… Listen to these passages from the Bible on this matter, then ask yourself , Does my pastor preach the truth of the Word?... 2 Timothy 4:2-4… 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables… Romans 10:14… How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?... Ezekiel 3:17-21… 17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul...

1. They Are Reluctant To Preach About The Curse Of The Sinner… 1 John 5:12… He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life… John 3:36… He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him… John 3:18… He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God… 2 Corinthians 5:11a… Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…
2. They Are Reluctant To Preach About The Cross Of The Savior… Galatians 6:14… But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world… 1 Corinthians 2:2… For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified... Romans 1:16… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek... John 14:6… Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…
3. They Are Reluctant To Preach About The Condition Of The Saints… 2 Timothy 4:2… Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine… Titus 2:15… These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority… 1 Timothy 5:20… Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear… Titus 1:13… Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith…

III. They Have Constricted Their Power

1. They Are Snubbing The Source of Their Power… Acts 1:8… ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth…
2. They Are Neutralizing The Strength Of Their Power… Zechariah 4:6b… This is the word of the LORD… Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD… John 15:5… I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing… Philippians 4:13… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…
3. They Are Intentionally Suppressing Their Power… 2 Timothy 3:1,2,5,7… 1 This know also, that in the last days... 2 men shall… 5 [have] a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof… 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…

CONCLUSION: The basic underlying problem of the ineffective church of today is that they cannot see their faults and fallacies… They do not perceive that they have Changed Their Priorities, Compromised Their Preaching or Constricted Their Power… They have rejected the established standards of the early church and have replaced it with their own system of doing church… They clearly must be ignorant or indifferent to their plight… Let me close by echoing the words of the apostle Peter as they are recorded in 1 Peter 4:17a… the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…