Lesson 1
Look Who’s Talking
Revelation 1:1-20
December 12, 2010
I. Introduction
A. This message is a bit of a hybrid.
1.
2.
3.
4.
It is the first of several messages on the letter to
the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1-3).
Chapter 1 is the introduction to the Book of
Revelation and to chapters 2 and 3.
Next week is our Christmas program.
Today I’m approaching Revelation 1 in relation
to the birth of our Lord.
B. Observations
1.
2.
Only two Gospels record the birth of Jesus.
Little attention in either Gospel to the actual
birth of Jesus (mainly what precedes and
follows Christ’s birth).
C. Question: Why don’t Mark & John include a
birth account in their gospels?
D. The answer may help us better appreciate the
person of our Lord and His words to us.
II. The Gospel of Matthew -- Matthew is
written to a Jewish audience, yet it is an
indictment of Pharisaic Judaism.
A. Genealogy
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
1.
2.
Abraham to Jesus (1:1-17; see 3:9-12)
Gentile women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth
Jerusalem’s response to news of birth
The Magi come from afar (2:1-12).
Galilee of the Gentiles (4:12-16).
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
The Centurion (8) and the Canaanite (15)
III. The Gospel of Luke (a Gospel to
Gentiles)
A. Luke 1: primarily about John the Baptist
B. Luke 2: primarily about Jesus
C. Luke intertwines the ministries of John and
Jesus (beginning with Elizabeth and Mary
– bearing a child is “impossible” for both).
D. There is a fairly strong Jewish element.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Priestly roots of Zacharias and Elizabeth
Two visits to the temple as a child
Shepherds were Jewish
No escape to Egypt mentioned
Jesus goes to synagogue at Nazareth (chapter
4).
IV. The Gospel of Mark
A. Mark omits much initial material
B. Mark may add detail, even in his brevity
(e.g. temptation in 1:12-13).
C. No mention of Jesus’ birth.
D. Mark begins with the prophecy of
Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. He pushes
the “beginning” back to O. T. prophets.
E. Opposition comes early (chapter 2); the
opposition purposes to kill Jesus in 3:6.
V. The Gospel of John
A. John does not present a gradual
realization of who Jesus is (as in Matthew
1-16).
B. John views coming of Christ theologically.
C. John spells out the identity of Jesus as God
incarnate in chapter 1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Creator (1:1-3)
Life and light of men (1:4-5, 9-13)
God in human flesh (1:14-18)
Lamb of God (1:19-34)
VI. My “Christmas concern”
A. Jesus is remembered as meek and mild – a
manageable Jesus, rather than as the
Sovereign God.
B. Keeping a proper perspective of Jesus in the
Gospels and Acts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
His baptism
His transfiguration: “Listen to Him!”
The voice from heaven (John 12:28-33)
Spectacular phenomenon at resurrection
Stephen’s view of glory of God in heaven
Paul’s vision (Acts 9, 22, 26)
1.
2.
3.
The key to unity in the church (2:1-4)
The key to understanding the incarnation (2:5-11)
The key to Christian living (2:12ff.).
C. Keeping a proper perspective of Jesus in
Philippians 2:
D. Jesus in the Book of Revelation
1.
2.
Observations
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
This is a letter to the churches (1-3, 22:16).
Chapter 1 begins with exhortation to listen (1:1-3).
Rev. 1:10-20 is not a photo of Jesus.
It causes us to recall prophecy (Daniel 2, 7, 10;
Zechariah 12:10).
It is Christ-centered.
It is soon to come (1:1, 3; 22:12).
The message: Second Coming is based upon
Christ’s first coming and the work of Calvary,
achieving redemption & the birth of church (1:56; 4-5).
VII. Conclusion
A. We need to listen to our Lord and be
blessed (1:3).
B. We dare not neglect or distort these words
(22:18-19).
C. Jesus is the Sovereign God, in control of
this world and bringing God’s purposes to
fulfillment.
D. To unbelievers: “Come!” (22:17)
E. To believers: “Come Lord Jesus!” (22:20)
Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint
presentation of Lesson 1 in the series, Our Lord’s Letter to the Seven Churches of
Asia, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for December 12, 2010. Anyone is at
liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.