In this introduction to the book of Revelation, Pastor Luke Herche looks at various passages... (Revelation 1:1–2, 10–12, 19; 5:1–2, 6; 6:9; 7:1; 9:17–19; 10:1; 13:1; 16:13; 17:3, 12; 19:11; 20:11; 21:1–2; 22:8–9) and shows us that Revelation is a picture book. Listen as Pastor Luke explains, addressing four questions: What does that mean? Why is it important? How do we understand it? And what does it show us?

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

As we begin this journey through the final book of the Bible, what vivid image from the book (whether mentioned in the sermon or not) stirs your imagination or curiosity the most and why?

The sermon suggests that Revelation is less like a puzzle to be solved and more like a picture book intended to show us spiritual realities. How does that shift in perspective change the way you feel about opening this book?

If this book truly “pulls back the curtain” on the inner workings of our world, what is one area of life where you are longing to see things as they really are from God’s perspective?

In what ways have you become so consumed with cultural pleasures or social ills (things we can see with our eyes) that you’ve lost sight of God’s sovereign grace at work in the world?

Since things are often not what they appear in this age, what is one practical way you can proceed with humility and trust God’s “corrective lenses” rather than your own self-confidence this week?

In the second of two introductions to the book of Revelation, Pastor Luke Herche examines passages from Revelation with a focus... on our hope. Addressing three questions (Why must we hope? How can we hope? And what happens when we do?), Pastor Luke shares that we can hope because Revelation reveals what is and what will be, the lamb reigns and wins, his enemies are restrained and will be judged, and his people are safe and will be raised.

Sermon text: Revelation 1:19; 2:2–3; 2:5; 2:10–11; 2:25; 14:12; 19:11; 20:14; 11:15–18

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

What are some places in your life where you need hope? What specifically is wrong in you, your circumstances, or our world?

What is our natural response to hard things? What are some ways we respond poorly to tragedy, temptation, and turmoil? Why do we respond this way?

How does the message of Revelation (as summarized in the sermon) speak into the hard things?

If you had hope in the midst of hard things, how would that shape your response and what might your new response be?

Take some time to pray that the message of this book would sink into your heart and that God would give you opportunity to share it with others.

The risen Christ has a message for you, ordinary Christian, about the goings on of this... world, which will bless those who hear and do. Learn more in this sermon from Pastor Luke Herche on Revelation 1:1–3.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

In Revelation 1:3, blessing is found in hearing God’s voice. How does this challenge our usual idea that being blessed depends on our outward circumstances or comfort?

What voices in our culture or in your heart are currently acting like noise-canceling headphones, making it hard for you to hear and rest in God’s Word?

Jesus perfectly heard and obeyed, but took the curse of our spiritual deafness on the cross (he “freed us from our sins by his blood” [Revelation 1:5]). How does knowing he has already secured your blessed status change the way you approach God’s Word?

What is one practical way you can dampen the noise of culture and heart this week and create space to hear God’s voice? When and where will you do that?

Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Revelation 1:4–8, addressing three questions: Where do you live? How big is... your God? And why does that matter?

Christianity is not merely a philosophy. It is fundamentally a story, the true story of what God has done, is doing, and will do in the world. A philosophy... can give you a perspective, or even some direction in life, but only God’s story can give you what you need the most: a savior. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on Revelation 1:7, examining this one verse with four points: the coming of Christ is the great hope of the Christian. The coming of Christ is a great terror to the guilty conscience. Christ came to bear our guilt, that he might come again to save the guilty. Set your mind on the coming of Christ to face the trials of this age.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

Why is it hard to believe that Christ is reigning right now and will return bodily one day as our king? What are some ways we dismiss, forget, or explain away that reality? Why do we do that?

How does the truth that Jesus was “pierced” for our transgressions provide you with the freedom to be honest about your own failures this week and hope in his return on the last day?

What would shift in your perspective tomorrow morning if you viewed your current trials in light of the fact that a just and loving Judge is on his way to make all things new?

If you were explaining the “True Story” of Christianity to someone who viewed it only as a philosophy or a set of rules, how would this passage help you describe what God is actually doing in the world?

Whether we know it or not, all people long for the coming of the Kingdom. For a world rightly ordered under God. A world of justice..., righteousness, and peace. The good news is that God is the King. He comes bringing justice. He comes to fight for his people. And every cry for justice, every longing to be filled is ultimately answered by the coming of God’s Kingdom. In this sermon on Revelation 1:9–20, in which the apostle John sees a glorious vision of Christ in heaven, Pastor Luke Herche helps us rest in Jesus’ present reign and hope in his coming return as he talks about the people of the kingdom, the presence of the kingdom, and the glory of the King.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

How do you experience the tension between the kingdom and tribulation today? How does this shape the way you view the accounts of injustice we see in the news?

When you look at the brokenness of the world or your own heart, are you more tempted to give in to despair (expecting too little of the kingdom) or to demand that heaven appear fully right now (expecting too much of the “overlap of the ages”)? How does the already and not-yet of the kingdom shape what you mean when you pray “your kingdom come”?

If you began tomorrow morning truly believing that you are part of a kingdom where the old divisions no longer matter, how might that change the way you interact with those who are different from you in your workplace or community or world?

What can you do to proclaim and manifest the coming of the kingdom in its present form today (i.e. to proclaim Jesus and be his hands and feet in the world)?

In Revelation 1:9–20 the apostle John sees a glorious vision of Christ in heaven. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage..., helping us to better understand the glory of Jesus, the fear of Jesus, the grace of Jesus, and our service to Jesus.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

When you imagine the scene John describes, which specific image feels the most overwhelming or weighty to you?

We often prefer a “plastic Jesus” who is manageable and safe. How does John’s encounter with the cosmic Christ challenge the version of Jesus we typically carry around in our day-to-day lives?

The One who holds the stars in his hand is the same One who reaches out to touch a terrified man. What does this reveal to you about how Jesus uses his immense power toward those who are broken or afraid?

In what ways does beholding the majestic, cosmic glory of Christ actually provide more stability for your soul than a “safer,” smaller version of him?

What would change in your Monday morning routine—your stress, your interactions, or your inner monologue—if you truly believed the cosmic King was standing right there with his right hand on your shoulder?

In Revelation 2:1–7 we learn from Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus that this once thriving church had one major problem: they... had abandoned their first love. Listen as Pastor Josué Pernillo preaches on this passage, addressing three questions: What is the diagnosis? What is the prescription? And what is the encouragement?

We live in a world that is consumed with appearances. We measure our lives by our stuff, our entertainment, our purchasing power..., our sexual freedom, and when hardships come our immediate instinct is to escape it by any means as quickly as possible. In Revelation 2:8–11 we find that the church in Smyrna is experiencing social rejection, poverty, and pressures, but into this moment Christ speaks a message that turns everything on its head. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage, showing us that real life is not as it appears; life in the present is a life of fear; Jesus faced death to find life; and resting in Jesus’ life frees us to face death and find true life.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

Jesus tells a church facing poverty that they are actually rich. How does this challenge the way we usually measure success or security? Why is our being rich not a fiction and mere sentiment?

When you feel the poverty of your circumstances (social rejection, financial stress, or personal loss), what earthly comforts are you most tempted to scramble after to find a sense of security?

How does Jesus’ victory over the second death free you from having to earn a life of comfort or approval today and offer you a sense of fearless hope when you think about your future or your greatest fears?

If we truly believed that things are often not as they appear—that our spiritual reality in Christ is more solid than our physical circumstances—how might that change the way we face a specific anxiety or fiery trial this week?