Vinings Lake Church

This is our final teaching in the book of Revelation. In this final section, John extends an invitation into the new city to all those who are thirsty. Who does John see inside this city? Who is left out? The gates remain open. This is the ultimate ending with a picture of universal restoration.

In the final chapter of Revelation, John takes us back to Genesis 3 with an image of the tree of life. People in the new city are recovering their original goodness. The leaves on this tree are for the healing of the nations. In this new city, John sees no more pain and hurt but healing of all the harms that have been done and received.

When John describes a new city of Jerusalem, it is important to remember that the old city of Jerusalem has been largely leveled and burned some years before. This vision he gives us is deeply personal and the details inside that city matter to him. One of those details is a city with no temple and bright lights. Revelation 22 today.

John moves from pulling back the curtain on the “Eternal City” of Rome and gives us an image of what could be with the “Holy City” of the New Jerusalem. This week we look at the images and words John uses to describe what could be.

At exactly the moment these first century Jesus followers were feeling utterly powerless to change their fate, John shows them a realm where wholeness, harmony, health, bliss, peace, joy, justice, healing, and universal flourishing become a reality. The old Eternal City of Rome has ended to give room to the new Holy City of Jerusalem that is emerging.

The image of a throne is explicitly political in Revelation. It reflects the Roman Imperial Court. The first century Jesus followers knew something about standing before this throne for not participating in emperor worship. John subverts the image and reverses the roles. He portrays a judgment without partiality. This time it is all about actions.

All Empires will come to an end. Rome is no exception. We come to the place where the Roman empire collapses. This collapse of the old way of arranging the world gives room for the rise of a new way of arranging the world. Something has to end for something new to begin.

This week we get all the way into the depths of the weird, gory, and violent wrath of God as John portrays it through the seven bowls of judgement. Is Armageddon coming? Is Jesus coming back on a white horse to kill all those who rejected him? Let's get into it.

How about another week on the second beast? This week, we will explore a brief history of the church as it relates to the merging of empire + religion. We look at Constantine and his use of Christianity in (306-337). What can we learn from our history and how John understood the repercussions of the Jesus movement intertwining with the empire?

This week we look at the second beast, or the beast of the land. John describes this beast as one that has the appearance of a lamb but the actions of the dragon. From the first century world to our American world, we will examine the rise of Christian Nationalism to see if there are any parallels.

Is The Anti-Christ coming? Is he already here? Is the mark of the beast coming? Is it already here? These questions have been speculated for thousands of years. Today, we look at Revelation 13, the primary source for much of these speculations. How would the first audience have understood this story?

Hail, fire, blood, scorched earth, scorpions, locusts with lions teeth, two-hundred million troops, plagues, serpents, falling stars, bottomless pit, mountains thrown into sea, Wormwood, eagles, fire breathing horses like lions, China, Russia, and India. We are into the thick of Revelation and it is NOT a prediction about what is to come.

As John breaks the seven seals, what He uncovers might surprise you. The empire is not as secure and stable as it might appear. John is intentionally shaking the foundation of our security. He is not trying to induce anxiety but he is inviting us to trust in the salvation of something greater.

The creative artist John sets up the reader with an expectation of a fierce, violent, and ferocious lion coming to save the day. Just when you think the warrior is arriving, John surprises us with an image of a slaughtered lamb coming to save the day. This is about deconstructing notions of power.

Let's talk about the rapture. A word or concept found nowhere in the Bible. Yet, many believe and wait for the moment when all christians will be caught up in the air to meet Jesus and leave behind all non-Christians. Which leads us to some questions, where did the concept come from? Does Revelation even hint at it? And who cares if people believe in a rapture? Why does it even matter?

This week we visit the spiritual collective @ Laodicea. You know the one? They are lukewarm and getting spewed out of God's mouth. Does that ring a bell? It is a strong image. But what is behind it? Turns out John is serious about those who have gotten too comfortable inside the empire. John calls them to open their blind eyes to the reality of the empire.

John begins his specific address to the seven spiritual collectives in Asia Minor. The collective at Ephesus is praised for their willingness to accept the cost of calling out those who have willingly aligned with the empire. But he also pleads with them to make sure their work of justice is centered and grounded in love.

To know what the text means you have to first know what the text meant. Let's go deep into the historical context of Revelation. Then let's go deep into the literary context John is using. What do we discover? Not simply history but our own stories inside of this first century story.   

Today we begin our series on Revelation with a simple yet profound truth.  Revelation is not a prediction about the end of the world. Revelation is about the uncovering of things that were hidden. Revelation is not written to us in 2025. Revelation was written to people in the first century living under the boot of the Roman Empire. It is in this context, we discover EVERYTHING REVEALED.  

In Romans, Paul arms us with weapons of peace. He invites us to consider overcoming evil with good. The result? We will “heap burning coals on their heads.” What does that mean? I believe the answer can best be summed up in what Dr. King called, “A Double Victory.”

The Book of Romans has become a domesticated letter about individualistic salvation and personal righteousness. But Paul isn't writing systematic theology here. Romans is indeed about salvation, but it is salvation from real forces of evil. Paul outlines very tangible ways that his community can be a peacemaker in the face of evil. What are we supposed to do with all this evil? What do I do when treated unjustly? How to behave in the face of injustice? How do we overcome evil?

Can conflict be healthy? Can conflict be a doorway to transformation? Today, we explore how the collective at Ephesus found themselves in some serious conflict which leads to a major disruption. But it's in the midst of the conflict and disruption that something is birthed. The author calls it, ONE NEW HUMANITY.

Central to the human experience is pain and suffering. Last week we explored the question of WHY THIS? This week we will explore the question, WHAT NOW? What do you do when you are inside the pain? Is there a distinction between pain and suffering? Is suffering inevitable? How can we go through pain without being overcome by it?

Why? That is the question. Why is there pain and suffering in the world? Where is the Divine? And what about all those clutches like “God is still on the throne” “God is in control” “Everything happens for a reason” and “His ways are not our ways.” Today we talk about pain and suffering. 

There are 8.2 billion humans in the world. There are 345 million humans in the United States. That is a lot of diversity, beliefs, prejudices, convictions, worldviews, values, and agendas. How are we ever going to live together? How will we ever organize ourselves? Today, we talk about politics, tension, and a new way to be human.

Dr Susan David said, “We don't experience emotions about things we don't care about.” If this is true, then it leads to a question, what could our emotions be communicating to us? Could that answer tell us something about our purpose and meaning in the world? Today, we will explore emotions as a language of the soul.

Are feelings reliable? Do they always tell the truth? Can our emotions be trusted? Can we experience emotions without being controlled by them? Perhaps so, IF we recognize the space between who we are and what we feel. Today, we talk about emotional maturity.

We don't have to be afraid to feel. We do not have to ignore emotions. We do not have to bottle emotions. We do not have to numb emotions. We do not have to minimize emotions. We do not have to deny emotions. We don't have to apologize for our emotions. To feel is to be human. 

If I am not what I have, what I do, or what I think, then the question remains, Who am I? To get at this question, we must ask ourselves who is asking the question. Because whoever is asking, might very well be the answer to the question. Today, we will explore what has been called the true self, awareness, consciousness, the DEEP I, soul, pure being, essence, or the eternal you. This awareness has been overlooked not because it is inaccessible but because it is so intimate we hardly recognize it.

There is a monumental shift taking place in our time in regard to what it means to be human. This Copernicus like shift has the potential to move the human species into new levels of consciousness. What is that shift? It is an awareness and awakening to the “I” behind the question, Who am I? Because it turns out, I am not who I THINK I am.

This is the first time being you, first time being me, and our first time being human. If that isn't confusing enough, we arrived here with no manual to be human. Which leads to some questions? How do we know how to be human? What does it mean to be human? As we begin this new series, today we start with a simple yet profound and largely forgotten truth; it is good to be human.

Our experience of LOVE, as amazing as it is, is incomplete. But soon, we will experience perfect love fully. Eugene Peterson writes it this way, “We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines brightly.” Until that day, Paul implores this collective to pursue love.

Love is eternal. It was the energy present at the Big bang, it is the source and sustainer of all that is, and it will be present when everything else fades. This is why, in the end, what matters most will be love. We will never regret choosing the path of love. So the question is, what are we giving our energies to? In the end, love will be all that remains.   

Paul comes to his crescendo in 1 Corinthians 13 by using a rhythm, flow, and words with punch and power. Paul wants to set the house on fire with a closing description about love. What does he say? Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things! Paul wants this collective to know, the love he is writing about is tenacious. This love is strong.   

In 1943, an American psychologist named Abraham Maslow published a paper in an academic journal that attempted to describe the universal pattern of human motivations. He essentially ranked the most fundamental human needs and ordered them into a pyramid that has become famously known as “Maslow's hierarchy of needs.” Maslow observed that the human need for belonging ranked third, just under survival and safety. What does it mean to belong? And  what does it look like for spiritual collectives to become a place of belonging?   

Ever heard this phrase? “I'm just speaking the truth in love.” How about this one? “Love without truth affirms us but denies our flaws. Truth without love has no compassion for the person's flaws.” Today, we talk about the relationship between truth + love. Is there a difference? Is love opposed to truth? Is love an enemy to truth? What if there is no tension between truth and love? What if love is the highest form of truth?   

Do you know someone who every time a name is mentioned it is followed by what wrongs that person did? Imagine being reminded of your worst moment again and again and again. Why do we do this? Many reasons, but one reason might be because we are operating in a wounded framework. Paul reminds us, love doesn't keep score. Love is not playing that game. You don't have to either. Liberation awaits.  

Love does not insist on its own way. These words are what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 about his experience with love. In context, this “insisting on its own way” has to do with a specific issue in the Corinth collective. While some insisted their way was the only way, Paul reminds them, love is not selfish, but is concerned about the wellbeing and flourishing of others. Perhaps the question for us is, how much of our lives do we spend working for the flourishing and wellbeing of others?

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul uses fifteen verbs to describe LOVE. Of those fifteen, seven are used to describe what love is not. Today, we explore how love is not envious, arrogant, boastful, or rude. These behaviors are the opposite of what love is. They also happen to be the characteristics of this Corinthian community. What do we do when our actions are not displaying love? Perhaps the answer is in fact, LOVE.   

In an age when vitriol, slander, and meanness are the standard for what it means to be human, we must ask, where is the kindness? And why does it seem those who profess to be the most spiritual, are often the most unkind? Today, we look at another profound descriptor Paul gives to love; love is kind. This kindness is present even in our unkindness. This kindness embraces us exactly as we are. This kindness slowly transforms our unkindness and shows us a new path forward that can lead to universal human flourishing.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes LOVE with 15 verbs. Some are positive and others are negative. Today we will look at his first descriptor; Love is patient. In a culture where we are conditioned to be hurried, frantic, and anxious about life, love beckons us to a new dimension that is outside of the space time continuum. A place of peace and presence. Love is never rushed. Love is never late. Love is present with us always.   

How do you define love? Most people define love in the traditional ways they have experienced love. Love is understood to be an emotion, infatuation, or an intense feeling of deep affection. These understandings are all transformative in and of themselves. But what if there was a LOVE behind these experiences of love? What if these experiences of love emanate from a deep source of LOVE. Today, we will take a step closer to the Love behind the Love.   

What does spiritual health and maturity look like? How can you measure your own spiritual depth? Is it by how often we attend a spiritual collective? How often do we read the Bible, pray, or discuss our beliefs? Today, we began our walk through 1 Corinthians 13. Paul opens this profound chapter by giving us a new metric. The essence of a healthy and mature spirituality is how well we love.  

John 14:6 has become a prooftext for many to exclude any religion that isn't Christianity. Is Jesus the only way to God? What does that mean? Can other religions lead to the Divine? What did Jesus mean when he said, I am the way? Last week we set the context. This week we get into the words.   

Can one know the way, the truth, and the life apart from Jesus? Are there many ways to God? Can other religions lead to the Divine? Is Jesus the only way? And the way to what? John 14:6 is the answer to all these questions for many. Today, we will get into this infamous verse. Could this prooftext for exclusivity, actually be about inclusivity?   

Matthew 28 has become known as the impetus for the expansion of Christianity. But what did Matthew have in mind when he was writing this? This week, we will walk through these final words of Jesus and explore what they could mean for us. What if the Great Commission is not about expanding Christianity? What if power, domination, and proselytizing is not what Jesus had in mind? What if we have been reading this commission through the lens of the empire? What if the Great commission is about resistance to the Empire?  

In 2018, American evangelical Christian missionary, John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally traveling to their isolated island to convert this indigenous group to Christianity. Chau, like many evangelicals, received his missionary calling from what has been called, the Great Commission, in Matthew 28. But is this what Jesus had in mind? Is this what Matthew had in mind? Is the Great Commission a call to colonization? What is the difference? Let's talk about it.

Bar Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, and funerals all mark a significant stage in someone's life. But what about Baptism? This ancient rite of passage has been given many meanings over the years. This week, we will look at some of those meanings. Can baptism still be a meaningful ritual for us today? What might it mean for us today?

If you grew up evangelical, you know about, “The Sinner's Prayer.” Romans 9:10-11 is usually the prooftext for this prayer. Today, we are exploring this passage in its larger context of Paul's extended riff (9-11). It turns out, the very thing Paul is arguing for, salvation by faith not works, is the very thing the sinners prayer has become, a work. The good news is that there are no requirements to be a child of God. To emphasize this full inclusion, Paul closes his argument with a hymn of euphoric praise, “For from him and through him and to him are ALL things.”

Today we take a deep dive into one of the prooftext for original sin, Genesis 3. This story is typically described as a falling down but perhaps it can be better understood as a waking up. Just as the eyes of Adam and Eve are opened, so our eyes will be opened to the good news that lies at the heart of this story.

Central to the evangelical notion of salvation is original sin. The belief that humans are born broken, flawed, and separated from God. One prooftext is Genesis 3. Turns out, just as Adam and Eve were lied to in the story, we were lied to about the story. Original sin is nowhere to be found. What can be found? The fundamental truth that the core of our being is not opposed to God but made in the image of God.