The Expression Of The Heavenly Vision In The Church
In this message, Lucio begins by leading a prayer for a deeper revelation of Jesus and a time set apart for God's glory. He then delves into Matthew 16, discussing Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ and the foundation of the church. He parallels this with Pentecost, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role in revealing Jesus and uniting believers as one body in Christ.
Lucio underscores the importance of experiencing Christ, not just knowing about Him. He emphasizes that the church's purpose is to express Christ's person and work, not its own. Drawing from Acts, he highlights how God sovereignly advances His work despite opposition, comparing it to a tempest of hell's outbreak ridden by the Lord's sovereignty.
He further examines Peter's rebuke for prioritizing man's interests over God's, explaining that the church cannot be built on natural life but on Christ's nature. This, he argues, is crucial for expressing the heavenly vision as natural life opposes God's Lordship. He contrasts this with the early church in Acts, where the Holy Spirit's sovereignty enabled them to overcome natural tendencies and express Christ.
Transitioning to Revelation 2-3, Lucio points out the decline in the church's spiritual condition, characterized by lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and blindness. Laodicea's church, he teaches, represents the end-times church's condition.
However, Lucio emphasizes God's provision for restoration through overcomers who heed the Holy Spirit, making Christ Lord in reality. He compares them to first fruits, leading the way for the whole church's recovery. Lucio cautions against discouragement and urges listeners to fix their eyes on Christ's love and grace, reminding them that their calling is to be united with Him. He concludes by praying for a fresh revelation of Christ and for the Holy Spirit to make His work real in their lives.
Outline
Introduction: Prayer for revelation and God's glory
Peter's Confession and the Heavenly Vision
Matthew 16: Peter's confession of Jesus as Christ
Parallels with Pentecost: Revelation of Jesus, unity of believers
Importance of experiencing Christ, not just knowing Him
The church's purpose: Expressing Christ, not self
God's Sovereignty and the Church's Growth
Acts: God's work advancing despite opposition
God's sovereignty riding on the tempest of hell's outbreak
Examples: Lame man healed, Stephen's martyrdom, James' death, Paul's imprisonment
The Hindrance of Natural Life
Peter's rebuke: Prioritizing man's interests over God's
The church cannot be built on natural life
The venom of Satanic nature in humanity
Romans 8: The flesh being hostile to God
The importance of Christ's Lordship in the believer's experience
The Holy Spirit's Sovereignty in Acts
Contrast with Peter's natural tendencies
The Holy Spirit's leading and the believers' obedience
Examples: Philip in Samaria, Peter's vision, the Jerusalem council
The Church's Decline in Revelation 2-3
The seven churches representing the church as a whole
The lukewarm, self-sufficient, and blind condition of the churches
Laodicea: Representing the end-times church
The need to heed the Spirit's voice
Restoration through Overcomers
God's provision for the church's recovery
Overcomers: Those who heed the Holy Spirit and make Christ Lord
The importance of not being discouraged by circumstances
Fixing our eyes on Christ's love and grace
Conclusion: Prayer for a fresh revelation of Christ and the Spirit's work
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
