FACE
TO FACE WITH JESUS
Revelation 1:9-18
Introduction: What you do with Jesus will determine if you will have real joy and peace and the strength and stamina to face these uncertain days. John the revelator came face to face with Jesus, and beloved that is what we must do on a daily basis. In Him is found all that we need. What are we then to do with Jesus?
I. FOLLOW JESUS (VV.9-11)
Walking daily face to face with Jesus involves several things.
A. It Involves Adversity (v.9)
(Illus. I wish I could take away and keep away the trials you are facing…but the adversity you’re facing may be what the Lord will use to make you into the believer you ought to be…Blacksmith making springs for wagon).
“Tribulation” = pressure; it came to mean the pressure of life. Understand this:
 | You are not alone in adversity. “Companion in tribulation” – The word “patience” = not being passive, but rising to meet. The way to deal with adversity is to rise to meet it! Trouble is a part of life, but we don’t have to be victims, we can be victors through Jesus! |
| Obeying God can bring adversity. “For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” If you follow Jesus with all your heart, the devil is going to try to take the wind out of your sails and kick your teeth out! |
B.
It
To some Church is obsolete. To still others the Church is an option.
| “The first day of the week” – “The Lord’s Day” is Sunday. Saturday, the Sabbath celebrates God’s rest at the completion of creation. Sunday, the first day of the week celebrates the resurrection. We worship on the “Lords Day” a risen Savior on the first day (resurrection day) of the week! |
| “In
the Spirit” – How do you get in the Spirit? First the Spirit
has to be in you. There was no church on |
C.
It Involves The Bible
(v.11)
God has chosen to speak to His people in these last days through His Book (Heb.1:1-2). We hold in our hands the very things that John saw when he was is the Spirit!
II. WORSHIP JESUS (VV.12-16)
| Worship is acknowledging the presence of the Lord, appreciating the presence of the Lord, and adoring the presence of the Lord. |
| Worship is ascribing worth to the Lord (How much do you think the Lord’s worth?) He is my High Priest (v.13). He is the Ageless One and the Holy (pure) One (v.14) with piercing, penetrating, eyes; the all knowing One. We cannot hide anything from Jesus, so we had better be honest in our worship. |
| Worship
is getting the vision of Jesus after |
| Worship is understanding Who is in charge (v.16) |
III. TRUST JESUS (VV.17-18)
When you get a glimpse of this vision of Jesus (face to face with Jesus) who is almighty, it ought to take all the fear out of your heart. Where will you overcome worry?
| When you position yourself at the feet of Jesus. |
| When you allow Him to touch you. |
| When you hear Him say “Fear Not!” |
When we come away from a face to face encounter with Jesus there will be no need to worry. When you come into His presence and feel His strong hand on your shoulder and hear Him say “Fear Not” you’ll leave the presence of God knowing you are a star in His hand; that no weapon formed against you shall prosper; that you are an over comer in Jesus Christ who reigns in majesty on high; who’s not coming back riding on a donkey, He’s coming back riding on a stallion; He’s not coming back wearing a crown of thorns, He’s coming back wearing a crown of GOLD! When He says, “Fear Not” there is nothing to fear! But, you are going to worry yourself crazy until you start spending time with God every day! Trust Him! He has defeated death (v.18). He has the keys (authority) and in Him is all that you need.
Conclusion: (Ills. The people on Washington who are said to have the most power are those who have the most “face time” with the president…) If you want to walk in victory and joy and be all that God wants you to be you are going to have to get in the presence of God every single day face to face with Jesus!