WEBVTT 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.480 Welcome to the Church of the Lakes Kingdom Conversations podcast. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:14.960 At Church of the Lakes, our mission is connecting all to Christ to become healthy in God and courageous in love. 00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:24.879 In 2026, we're emphasizing a kingdom mindset in all of our ministries and missions by being more like Jesus and countercultural in our living. 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:31.839 Today's podcast launches our newest sermon series, Overcomers, a study of the Book of Revelation. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:40.560 Join Pastor Jared and Pastor Robbie as they talk about the overreaching themes of this study and how the book of Revelation explains how Jesus has overcome. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:44.079 And in him, we too are able to overcome. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:45.439 Be blessed. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:47.679 Welcome to another Kingdom Conversation. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:53.759 I'm Pastor Robbie Strock, and today we are launching our next sermon series called Overcomers. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:58.960 And in this series, we're going to take a look at the book of Revelation. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:01.439 You notice I didn't have an S on there. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:09.680 But this book of Revelation from the uh uh our Lord to the Apostle John is giving and really communicating a godly vision. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:24.640 And as we study Revelation over the next couple of weeks in our small groups, in our sermon series, uh, we're not going to get really into the weeds, as they say, and some of the apocalyptic writing, but instead we're going to primarily focus on guess what? 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:30.000 Jesus Christ is king, which has really been our whole entire theme of this year in 2026. 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:42.000 Not only is Jesus is king, but we're citizens in this kingdom of God and how we can break that citizenship and build the kingdom in our current standings and situations. 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:49.680 And to help us unravel some of the scripture from the book of Revelation, the theology, the application points is my friend Pastor Jared. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:50.560 How's it going, Jared? 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:51.359 Going well. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:51.680 Thank you. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:55.439 Well, you excited to get and dig in on the book of Revelation, huh? 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:56.640 I am excited. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:01:59.680 I I hope we can bring some clarity to the letter. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:01.359 Uh John writes to the early church. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:06.319 And uh, like you said, not get too caught up in the weeds, uh, but preach some of the prevailing themes. 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:18.560 And I'm excited because uh, you know, the Gospel of John, uh, which we credit to the Apostle John uh as in its authorship, uh, I must admit it's one of the hardest gospels for me to work through. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:22.639 It's really helpful as someone like myself who's very analytical. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:27.759 Uh that's why I like Luke, because he goes boom, boom, boom, boom, boom in chronological order and all the good things. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:34.159 But uh, John's gospel is written in such a way that it's very uh poetic and illustrative of a larger theme. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:42.719 And and uh I'm excited to study through this book as well and kind of uh learn from your guidance and learn from uh Matt Chandler. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:49.439 We're using his resources uh, of course, in our small groups and a little bit on Sunday mornings and his series called uh Overcomers. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:58.159 If you're interested, we'd love to be able to give those resources to you to follow along and to get some more wisdom from uh God's holy word first and foremost. 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:02.719 But uh all right, Jared, let's dig in a little bit on this uh really exciting series. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:13.199 Um the first question I had for you today, you know, when most people hear the word revelation, I think their mind immediately goes into the weeds. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:24.479 And uh you mentioned things in your sermon, which you can hear right here on this podcast feed, uh things like the Antichrist or numbers like 666 or beast and end times. 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:33.120 You know, why is it so important that we begin this series by recognizing that revelation is ultimately about Jesus being king over all? 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:34.800 It's a great question. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:43.599 Uh where I would go with that is because if we start with the beasts or with 666 or with the Antichrist, uh we are gonna read Revelation through the lens of fear. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.879 Uh however, if we start with Jesus, we'll read Revelation through the lens of faith. 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:54.560 Uh, you know, it starts out with those first five words, the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:04:05.599 So before John wants to talk about dragons or beasts or Babylon or judgment or Armageddon, what he does is he shows us Jesus, uh shows us what Jesus is doing. 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:07.680 Uh and I mentioned this in the sermon. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:14.000 You know, Jesus is not panicking, uh, he's not scrambling, he's not wondering how history is going to turn out. 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:18.319 What he's doing is he's reigning, he's ruling from a throne. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:23.279 And I think that changes everything by the in regards to the way we actually read Revelation. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:32.560 Uh Revelation is really pulling back the curtain in God telling us, okay, you see what's happening around you, but let me show you what ultimate reality is. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:39.600 Uh, empires are gonna rise and fall, culture is gonna shift, evil is gonna appear powerful for a moment. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:41.439 Uh, Christians, guess what? 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.399 We're gonna suffer. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:44.240 I mean, Jesus promises that in the gospel. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:45.120 Yes, he does. 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:48.879 Uh, but behind everything, we see a throne. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:54.160 And Jesus, like I said, the Christ is King sitting on that throne. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:59.360 So the question of revelation isn't primarily how do we figure out what's gonna happen next. 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:06.480 Uh again, Jesus in Matthew's gospel says he not even he knows the hour or the day of the end of time. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:15.279 Uh the question we really need to ask is uh ask ourselves is will we remain faithful to the king regardless of what happens next? 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:18.800 So that that's how kind of how I would approach Revelation. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:27.680 Okay, well, that's that's a totally different framework from many of the people in our culture when they hear uh about the book of Revelation. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:30.720 Because do you think the book of Revelation is culturally relevant? 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:40.879 Like people would, if you were on the street and you came up to someone uh as you're going into your favorite restaurant and you asked them about um you know the gospel, they'd give you one message. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:46.800 But if you ask them about the book of Revelation, what do you think would be prevalent in their in their thoughts and and in their mind? 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:51.199 I I think for a lot and a lot of Christians I've talked to, it it it uh it elicits fear. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:53.600 And I I really well, hold on a second. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:59.279 There's actually more hymns in Revelation than a lot of any other book in the Bible outside of the Psalms, right? 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:05.519 I have to admit, when we were reading uh in our study, uh Revelation 1, 2, and 3 is our first subsection. 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:06.319 Correct, yeah. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:08.720 But Revelation 1 is what you kind of unravel. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:10.160 First eight verses, yeah. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:20.079 And uh we already heard there uh the infamous Revelation song from the newsboys, uh, which many people, if you go and Google it, you will recognize that we sing in worship, do we not? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:22.319 Uh um, you know, it's a little bit older, right? 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:23.600 Early 2000s, but yeah. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:25.839 Maybe late 90s, I can't remember. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:26.319 Yeah. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:28.079 We're dating ourselves, Jared. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:37.360 You know, whenever I think of Revelation, it gets me just laughing about people that are convinced that they have decoded revelations and they know when everything's gonna end. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:41.120 And I go back to the Y2K scare, you know. 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:45.360 Uh I I worked at a factory that summer, uh, hated the job, really did. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.959 But there was a guy there who was, you know, sincere man of God. 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:50.480 His name was Doug. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:07:05.199 But for months leading up to Y2K, you know, when '99 the calendar turned from 1999 to 2000, he had boxes upon boxes upon boxes of food in storage, just in case. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.360 You know, because you know, the the apocalypse was gonna happen or whatever. 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:12.879 And why he thought he would be left if that actually happened, I don't know. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:17.680 But uh, but it was it's just uh, you know, all the people that try to become end timed experts. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:19.839 It's not what this book's about. 00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:20.560 It's not. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:22.480 Well, that's what I'm excited about. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:34.160 You unraveling right from the get-go, uh, when we launched this series, because it's not the book given to us from our Lord is not so that we can construct timelines, right? 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:45.199 Um, but instead you helped us shift the focus to developing courage in the face of fear, this fear that you said is so prevalent when you hear about the book of Revelation. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:48.959 So help us unravel that a little bit more and a little bit deeper this morning, Jared. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:54.319 What kind of courage did John really want the Christians to have? 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:56.639 And why do we need that same courage today? 00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:07.519 It's a great question, and where I would go with that is I I I would say that the courage John is trying to evoke in us has to do with faithful allegiance in the face of adversity. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:11.439 Uh we got to remember John's original audience 2,000 years ago. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:15.279 Uh again, these churches were living under the shadow of the Roman Empire. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:33.039 Uh Caesar looked powerful, Rome looked permanent, follows followers of Jesus were um suffering a cost socially, economically, sometimes physically, as they were being martyred, uh sometimes by the droves. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:39.840 And Revelation says don't confuse what looks powerful with what is ultimately powerful. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:40.799 Hey, that's a message. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:41.679 The Lamb wins. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:44.080 Yeah, that's a message I think that's relevant today. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:44.639 Wow. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:52.080 Um well, John, if I can go on, John is calling Christians to have the courage to worship. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:52.480 Okay. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:58.000 Uh Jesus to worship Jesus when everybody else bows before something else or someone else. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:03.120 When compromise would be easier. 00:09:03.279 --> 00:09:05.519 Do you see where these themes are relevant even to today? 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:05.919 Yeah. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:10.799 The courage to to witness when silence would be safer, right? 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:14.320 The courage to endure suffering without abandoning Jesus. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.559 We talked about that multiple times this year. 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:17.039 Yeah. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:29.039 Um the need uh we need that courage because every generation, even our generation, faces the temptations to give allegiance to someone or something other than Jesus. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:38.080 Uh our idols may look a little different than little, you know, um wooden or stone things you put on your your shelf at your home. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:44.480 But they're no less um we're not through we're we're throwing just as much time and energy and money into them as people do. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:50.159 And the question is when it comes to to idols or or what do you worship who gets your worship? 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:50.960 Right? 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:55.440 Who who gets your worship, who gets your allegiance, who gets the final word over your life? 00:09:55.759 --> 00:10:14.720 Revelation is trying to to create a a uh ideology where Christians can look at whatever's happening around them, uh whatever thing is trying to tempt them to give them worship and allegiance and and say, listen, Jesus is still King, so I need to still remain faithful. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:17.120 So can I can I poke a little bit, Jared? 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:26.960 You know, it's a big phrase that uh you've used and Pastor Brian has used over the years about our time, our talents, and our treasures. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:35.759 Would you say that what we idle today are often the things that take up the most of our time, talents, and treasures? 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:40.799 Yeah, that's a good way of putting it because those are the things that that we hold so dearly. 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:56.399 So uh for instance, to to have the courage to um put your faith fully in the Lord and your allegiance in King Jesus, does that mean your time, talents, and treasures are primarily set aside towards the Lord in today's year? 00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:04.159 Yeah, I I and we're always there's always competing voices to to use the time, treasures, and talents for other things. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:04.480 Okay. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.919 And I would say lesser things. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:09.279 Um I I I know Pastor Brian loves to pick on traveling sports. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:09.919 Yeah, sure. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:13.279 And and I think there's there's a degree of legitimacy there. 00:11:13.519 --> 00:11:25.360 I you know, we we don't need to be sending our kids to sports on on the Lord's Day, uh on days where we c corporally gather to bring worship to the Lord. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.960 Now, can worship be on Saturday? 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:29.120 Sure, if you you you do sports on Sunday. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:44.080 But if if you're part of a congregation that consistently worships on Sunday, but you're never there because your kids are in in in sports and you think they're gonna be the next I'm gonna date myself, Pele or Michael Jordan, or or whatever, you know, Randy Johnson. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:51.759 Yeah, I I just I I know we're starting to probably touch some toes, uh push up, push back on some of those that are listening right now. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:55.039 But you know, Brian says that 666 is is not the market. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:58.080 What do he says the market is traveling sports, right? 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:01.759 Like um so so that's just an example of maybe with our time. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:06.320 You know, our kids are very involved in sports, but we don't let them play sports on Sundays. 00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:14.399 They're not in teams where they are devoting the entire morning to going somewhere in this state or in this country to compete. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:14.879 Yeah. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:35.840 I do find it interesting, and I and this is the reason why I wanted to ask it, Jared, was that oftentimes uh when we think of what our um dedication is of our time, talents, and treasures, uh, you legitimately lay out there for some of the youngest people in our congregation, our confirmants specifically, that uh you're gonna have to make some sacrifices if you want to go through confirmation. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:42.799 And I find it ironic that uh at the end of confirmation, uh there's oftentimes people feel like they get some of that time back. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.919 But really, it's supposed to be the launch of a further commitment. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:58.080 And and oftentimes as adults, we get so caught up, once again, in the weeds of uh I would encourage everyone to reflect on their giving of their time, their talent, and their treasures. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:01.200 And really, is the Lord the first thing in all of those areas? 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:06.639 Another way you could look at that honestly is is we like the word my or mine in our culture. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:07.279 Oh, okay. 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:10.159 It's my time, my treasures, my talents. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:12.799 Actually, no, God has given you those. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:15.919 He has endowed those to you to steward wealth. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:16.399 Yeah. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:28.159 Um, and and you know, we need to make sure we're steering what God has entrusted to us in ways that bring him glory, extend good to other people, and continue to expand the boundaries of his kingdom here on earth. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:37.360 So even when it comes to like uh time treasures, uh your money, uh everything I have I I am given is is from the Lord. 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:47.039 All he asks of me is to give him a tithe, you know, a a tithe that that shows my devotion and my faithfulness and my commitment to him. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:54.559 Uh a willingness to sacrifice just one out of ten apples, you know, even though he's the one who gave me all those apples in the first place. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.840 And to give it first and foremost. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.799 They're not mine, it's not my or mine, it's the Lord's. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.600 All of it's the Lord's. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:00.799 It changes your perspective. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:05.360 But people have to have, as we've kind of alluded to this question, the courage to be able to do that, right? 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:05.600 Yeah. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:12.240 And I love the way that you put it, the courage to worship, the courage to give, the courage to serve, so on and so forth. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:18.639 Some people may not think of those areas as uh times that they need to give courage, but certainly that's the case. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:30.720 Um well, within this whole entire series, one of the big ideas you also laid out in the opening sermon that we launched the series with is a phrase that you took from uh Matt Chandler. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.200 Yeah. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:33.840 These are our days. 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:47.279 Jared, can you first just initially walk us through um why you emphasize this phrase and particularly how you see in our cultural moment as this being so relevant in the here and now? 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:52.720 Yeah, you know, I I do love that phrase from from Pastor Matt Chandler out there in in Texas. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:59.759 Uh to me, that phrase is empowering, but it also evokes with it a sense of responsibility. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.440 I was gonna say sense of duty, yeah. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.000 Yeah. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:06.480 So I I I think we have to stop wishing we lived in somebody else's moment. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.679 What do you mean by that? 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.759 You know, I you know, I you know, it's so funny. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:13.279 You ask if you could live at any time in all of history, what time would you want to live? 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.240 The 1980s. 00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.679 They had the best movies and junk films. 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.559 Oh my gosh, they did. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.840 Yeah, amen to that. 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.480 Um things were just simpler then, right? 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:24.480 I you know, people always talk about going back to the good old glory days or whatever. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:25.759 The glory days. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.960 The days when things were easier. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:32.559 I I don't know if there's there's ever been a generation since the fall of humankind that's been the good old days, right? 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:36.720 Like it's probably predates the fall of humankind as being the good old days. 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.120 Yes. 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:40.000 So we gotta stop wishing we lived in somebody else else's moment. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:49.120 I think again, it's easy for Christians to look backwards, to romanticize another generation, like the 80s, and look around and complain about the current one. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:51.840 Uh, but again, as Matt says, these are our days. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:56.240 We not are not accidentally or inadvertently put in this moment by God. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:16:08.080 Like God knew exactly when we would live, uh, where we would live, who our neighbors would be, what challenges a church is going to face, and what opportunities would exist for the gospel. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:12.480 And uh that doesn't mean God approves everything that's happening in our culture. 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:14.080 Let's throw that disclaimer out there right now. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:14.960 Absolutely. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:19.679 But it does mean our cultural moment doesn't surprise God. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:24.399 So instead of maybe asking, why couldn't we have lived in easier days? 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:26.639 Again, I don't think there's ever been easier days. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.360 Agreed. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:36.320 Uh, but we need to start asking Jesus, why have you placed your church here and now in our context, 21st century America? 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:46.320 Um, maybe these aren't and I comment uh another comment I made yesterday or uh in my sermon was uh maybe these are not unfortunate days, they're appointed days. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.679 Okay, what do you mean by that? 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.960 Um well maybe these days are not merely difficult days, they're they're missionary days. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:57.440 They're days that God has again, we were made, I love another phrase from Matt. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.679 We were made for the day, and the day was made for us. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:13.359 And again, it's another empowering statement that that God has willed that, that God has ordained this, that God is sovereign, He is in control, even when life feels like it's spinning out of control for us or the world in which we live, it's not for God. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:20.160 God is not anxious, uh, God is not overwhelmed, God has never surrendered his throne to another person. 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:25.599 Um and so uh with all that said, um, these are our days. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:30.000 Our families, our churches need to be faithful Christians now. 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:34.559 Uh our workplaces need to be need kingdom people now. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:41.519 Our schools need Christian students now, our neighbors need the hope of Jesus now. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:47.599 Uh God did not call us to be nostalgic about yesterday or terrified about tomorrow. 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:50.559 Instead, he called us to be faithful today. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:56.079 You know what that reminds me of, Jared, is um uh it makes me think of my grandmother. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:00.160 Um my uh paternal grandmother's name is Esther. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:04.720 Oh and as a kid, I always wondered that's such an unusual name. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:13.119 I didn't really I've never met anybody with the name of Esther until I opened my Bible when I was a kid and found my grandma's name. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:16.319 And and what you're saying is is a moment is the it's from Esther. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.559 It's what Mordecai says to us Esther. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:20.559 Um such a time as this. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.000 Yes, for such a time as this. 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:24.559 Maybe you were put in this moment for such a time as this. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:28.480 Esther put her life on the line for God's people. 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:32.640 And if we could take that a step further in that story, because it's a beautiful story. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:32.960 It is. 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:38.160 Mordecai goes to say, look, if you want to be silent, be silent, but salvation will rise from somewhere else. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.559 Yeah. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:48.559 But like God has a sovereign will, uh, he's providential, he's pushing history to a certain conclusion, and he has given us the opportunity to partner with him in that. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.839 Ah, that's an interesting thing. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.359 We don't want to partner with him in it. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:51.920 Guess what? 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.960 Opportunity. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.519 Right? 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.680 Yeah, he'll pick somebody else. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.319 Yeah. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:56.880 Yeah. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:59.039 He doesn't need us, right? 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.839 He wants us. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.720 He wants us. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.119 Yeah. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:04.720 Um, which truly shows us the nature of our God as well. 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:07.359 Um, so okay, let's gracious. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:09.039 Let's take a step back. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.240 All right. 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:16.000 This year we focused specifically on being kingdom builders in the here and now. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:18.559 Like you had said, these are our days. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:25.680 I mean, a beautiful, like you said, uh uh Pastor Matt Chandler, what a fantastic line that we're going to use over and over again. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:31.759 So, Jared, how does this series fit in to the overarching theme? 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:37.680 Why are we doing this series on the book of Revelation in a year that's all about kingdom building? 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:45.519 I think Revelation uh gives us a theological foundation of everything we've been talking about this whole year. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.000 Okay. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:51.759 So we've been asking the question what does it mean to be killed kingdom builders within our circles of influence? 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:55.920 Uh Revelation answers that question underneath the question. 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.319 Okay. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.400 Why should we be kingdom builders? 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.559 Well, because the king wins. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:05.200 So we aren't building something that might not ultimately succeed. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:10.240 We're participating in something that Jesus has already promised will prevail. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:14.079 So revelation really ends with God dwelling with his people. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:17.119 Uh I I love Revelation 21 and 22. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:24.559 God dwelling with his people, creation's fully restored, death is defeated, tears wiped away, Jesus is reigning. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.960 So that's where history's heading. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:33.759 So kingdom building means we begin living according to that future right now. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.039 Right? 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:38.079 So that that's w what will be soon the future. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:40.240 So let's start living in that future now. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:42.240 Uh, what does that mean practically? 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:45.119 Where there's loneliness, we build community. 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:45.680 Okay. 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:48.319 Uh where there's brokenness, we bring healing. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:51.200 Where there's injustice, we pursue righteousness. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.960 Uh, where there's hopelessness, we proclaim hope. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:59.359 Uh where people are far from God, we tell them all about Jesus. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:08.400 So we're in a sense saying uh because we know where history is going, we're going to start living like the kingdom is already breaking in. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.119 Okay. 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.079 Okay, because it is. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:14.640 And that to me is what kingdom building is all about and why revelation fits so well theologically into it. 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.559 So can I make a crummy illustration? 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:19.119 Because all illustrations fall short. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.720 At some point, yeah. 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:26.559 I am not as well versed as Pastor Brian, so I won't I won't say it like that. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:30.319 But if we had a history person on staff, it'd be Pastor Brian, would it not? 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:35.519 He loves history, whether it's uh world history, American history, church history, so on and so forth. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:40.240 Have you ever watched a movie that's based on a true event where you know how it historically ends? 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:40.559 Yeah. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:45.119 Does it change how you view the movie? 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:47.119 You know where it's going, don't you? 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.599 Yeah. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:51.519 Does it change how you enjoy the moment or live in the moment? 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:53.039 Or I'm so curious. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.799 That's a great illustration. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:59.599 Uh, you're making me think of uh somebody that I knew from years past who. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:04.960 Got just so triggered and nervous watching Bill's football. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.680 Oh, yeah. 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:09.920 And so his wife said, You can no longer watch the games, but I will record them for you. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.400 Ah. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.839 So he knew the end results. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:15.839 Only watched the games where the Buffalo Bills ended up winning in the end. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:24.720 And which helped him live in the moment of watching that game with a lot more ease and without anxiety because he knew how it was going to end. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:34.240 And so going back to you know your your illustration of the movie of a historical event, I think it would probably be more exciting for me because I'd already know the ending. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:38.319 I okay, this maybe it's I don't know, Luke Skywalker. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.960 I I don't know. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:41.119 Well, we we know they win, right? 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:49.519 And so we like to watch the battle scenes or the character development, but we're not anxious about what might or might not happen because we know how it ends. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:53.279 Well, I love the word uh anxious because it is so true. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:23:00.079 Like we live in the reality of the kingdom of God, but the not yet part also in that, right? 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.039 It's that tension. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:06.079 And and some people get really anxious about that. 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:09.839 Uh they don't feel the assurance, the peace of the Lord. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:17.839 Um, and uh, you know, it's it makes me think back to also our time earlier this year when we talked about the Sermon on the Mount, consider the lilies. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.240 Yeah. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:23.839 Uh, you know, uh how beautifully splendid does God clothe the lilies of the field? 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:27.759 Why should you worry with the anxiety of what's to come and tomorrow? 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:32.640 Well, I also, if I can step in again, um, I love that you brought up your paternal grandmother. 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:34.319 I'm thinking of my own mother in this moment. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:38.400 Because she died of pancreatic cancer just a little over seven years ago. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.440 Wow, seven years. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:42.000 And uh it's crazy how long it's been. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:50.640 But the months leading up to from diagnosis to death, her rally cry to us every day was, but fear not, for I know to whom I belong. 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:57.519 Like, I mean, I'm certain that you know, because she's human, there were moments where she grieved that she wouldn't see her grandchildren grow up. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:02.480 But she lived with this resounding battle cry because she knew how her story was gonna end. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:04.400 But fear not, for I know to whom I belong. 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.519 And that's revelation. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.880 Friends, fear not. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:09.839 We we know to whom we belong, we know how this story ends. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:14.559 Why are we so anxious and angry all the time, particularly in our culture? 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:34.720 Well, and uh, you know, thank you for helping us frame the launch of this series because I think if people continue on in this eight-week study with this as the framing point, uh, they will discover what the Lord is trying to truly unveil here, specifically in our kingdom building theme of 2026. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:41.359 Um, you know, as we begin this journey though, um let's talk a little bit more application, Jared. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:25:03.519 Yeah you know, what would it look like for our faith family here at Church or Lakes to not just individually, but maybe collectively to uh live out this mission, to love like it, serve like it, witness it with the courage that you have kind of uh brought us to um while Jesus is king overall, for all. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:10.160 Um what do you think it's something more of an application point that we could follow as a collective whole, perhaps? 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:12.319 Yeah, I again I love that question. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:17.759 Like if we really believe Jesus is on the throne, what would you know, what should be different about us? 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:27.920 Um we should again live like it, as you just said, like with whole holiness, with courage, with generosity, with joy rather than fear. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.599 We should love like it. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:34.960 Because the Lamb who conquered did so by laying down his life. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:39.200 So so kingdom people shouldn't be known primarily for what we're angry at. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:43.359 We should be known for the radical, sacrificial way we love one another. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:54.160 Uh we should serve like it because if Jesus is our King, not only our King, but the King, then no act is done in His name is ever wasted. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:26:04.480 Uh feeding somebody, fostering a child, discipling a teenager, visiting the sick, serving a neighbor, caring for the vulnerable, all that matters in his kingdom. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:07.680 They're all declarations that the kingdom of God is here. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:10.640 Uh and finally, I think we should, like you said, witness like it. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:18.799 If Jesus again is king and he is, if salvation is really found in him and it is, we cannot keep that news to ourselves. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.440 Amen. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:30.480 You know, we you know, I I love the phrase, uh, it's not Jared's original phrase, and you know, Charlie Kirk phrase, it was a uh contemporary Christian band, I think they wrote a song, Make Heaven Crowded. 00:26:30.640 --> 00:26:33.839 Like that is our job as a church is to make heaven crowded. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:40.559 You know, by by by witnessing to the truth that Jesus is who Jesus says he is, and salvation is found in none other but him. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:45.440 And to be present in that in our time and in our own circles of influence, right? 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.759 You've been big on that proclamation this year. 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.240 Yeah. 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:56.400 That uh regardless of the context of where you find yourself in your life, there are people in your orbit that you can witness to, right? 00:26:57.839 --> 00:27:00.000 And if there aren't any, then you gotta make more friends. 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:03.039 You know, you you gotta put yourself out there more. 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:12.240 Uh we we all should have somebody that we're trying to to bring into to the faith, the Christian faith. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:16.000 Your uh phrase that you've used in the past is find your one. 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.960 Find your one. 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:38.240 And we talked about uh you know, proudly how some people within our own faith family, I'm thinking of your wife specifically, who has made people the one and and helped them get to the point where they're opening up the Bibles for the first time or coming to worship for the first time, maybe not fully understanding yet head, body, mind, and soul, right? 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:47.519 You know, all the the you know uh and she she just recently started a um with with two as soccer players at Walsh University, a small group for the team. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:50.880 And the team consists of people from all walks of life. 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.440 Sure. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.920 As as sports different faith or no faith. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:56.240 Sports have the power to bring people together, don't they? 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.519 They do incredible ways. 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:01.920 And she said there was over 20 of the players at the first gathering. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:03.279 Oh my goodness, that's incredible. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:07.920 One of which was an atheist who she she they they're going through Alpha by Nikki Gumble. 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.480 Sure. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:14.720 And this atheist who started off in the back of the room with this computer opening, not really listening, but just being present. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:22.000 By the time he the the session was over, the computer was down and he was listening very closely to what people were saying. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:28.559 And so I know that that's gonna be one of her ones in this new season is praying this kid into the kingdom, you know. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.799 Um yeah, so that's just awesome. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:38.880 Another thing that Matt Chandler uh shared in a sermon years ago that I I kind of picked up on, uh I like to be out in the community a lot. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:42.799 And I like to frequent the same places to build relationships, say with servers. 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:49.279 And you know, the way I engage conversation with people, new people, is I'll start with like surface level discussion. 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:49.519 Yeah. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.559 How's the weather? 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.319 Think what what do you think about the Browns or the Greenwich? 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.359 We talk about sports, yeah. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.640 It's a big hook for you and I. 00:28:54.880 --> 00:29:00.960 And once we've done that surface left level conversation, we move into more significant conversation. 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.160 Tell me a little bit about your family. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.119 What do you do for a living? 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:05.920 You know, uh, is there anything way I can pray for you? 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:17.359 And then after we've established that level of relationship, I'll move into spiritual conversation where I'm really trying to get into the meat of the gospel and tell them and really explain to them who Jesus is. 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.039 And uh it's worked well. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:27.359 I I love that, you know, surface to significant to spiritual, you know, levels in conversation with people within your circles of influence. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:29.039 But the goal is always the same. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:38.799 It's to it's to make heaven crowded, it's to to to to to love, to serve, to witness, to pray for people, uh praying into the kingdom. 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:46.480 You know, people may roll their eyes when you and I start talking about running or or sports, but it's always with a deeper purpose and intent. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.759 It is always. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.759 Uh it's ne it's never the real reason. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:55.759 I mean, I love Buffalo Bills football, but honestly, I don't You don't worship at the throne of Josh Allen, right? 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.240 I don't. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:30:00.880 Like last year I didn't even watch a game because I I don't get I'm not gonna pay for cable. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.200 Yeah. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:03.039 You know, and then and that that's fine. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:08.079 I but I love talking about I'll go to ESPN and I'll get some of the highlights and be able to talk to people about that. 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:10.240 But you know, my allegiance is to Jesus. 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:16.960 And if if if it takes Buffalo Bills conversation to get me to talking about Jesus with people, I'll start with Buffalo Bills conversation. 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.279 Absolutely. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:30.799 Um going back to Revelation, you know, I would love at the end of these eight weeks that we become a church that is less afraid of the world and more convinced of the greatness of Jesus. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:39.680 I would love it if we could be a church that's less obsessed with predicting what happens next and more committed to being faithful to Jesus right now. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:44.079 Because ultimately revelation gives us this incredible picture, right? 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:47.839 Kingdoms rise, kingdoms fall, beasts come, beasts go. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:52.079