Posts tagged World Events
THERE'S PEACE IN THE THRONE ROOM.

It can seem difficult to find peace in our current cultural landscape (let alone our global one). Maybe you can relate. Our hearts break as we read headlines and scroll through social media feeds – and even these glimpses convey only a fraction of the turmoil present in human experience. The following meditation is shared with us by FBC’s Production Director, Josh Roberts. It’s a collection of his thoughts shaped by a recent experience in prayer while gathered with other believers. Our prayer is that you’re able to slow down and let this reality profoundly comfort you: “There’s Peace in the Throne Room.”

 

Revelation 4: The King of the Throne Room

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures… And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
 who was and is and is to come!”

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

 

Hebrews 4: Access to the Throne Room

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Philippians 4: Peace in the Throne Room

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 


“Throne Room.”
Merriam-Webster says it’s “a formal audience room containing the throne of a sovereign”.
For us, it’s the presence of God.
It’s a place of honor.
In the Old Testament, it was the Holy of Holies.
Only the High Priest could enter in, once a year.
In the New Testament, Christ became our perfect High Priest,
tearing the veil so that we could enter in -
so that we could confidently
“draw near to the throne of grace”,
and “find grace to help in time of need”.


Because of Christ,
There’s not only reverance in the throne room;
there’s peace in the throne room.

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’re not an intruder.
You’ve been welcomed in.
You have an audience with the King.
You’re not just venting to someone over coffee;
you’re speaking with the King of the Universe,
the One who alone is in control,
the One who can affect change.
(John 10:9, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 6:19-20)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the King is also your Father.
There’s peace because, even though storms rage outside,
Dad’s at home. He knows what to do.
You are safe with Him.
(Isaiah 43:1-2, Mark 4:39, Psalm 62:7-8, Isaiah 41:10)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
peace is not dependent on the outcome.
Even when the answer is “no”,
He is looking out for you.
He knows what’s best.
He’s going to do what brings Him glory.
He’s going to work in your best interest.
(Philippians 4:11-13, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-8, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 145:17)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
whether or not your circumstances are shifted,
your perspective is.
Your eyes are fixed on the One in the seat of honor and holiness.
Your problems shrink smaller in comparison to Him.
(Psalm 27:4-5, Psalm 46:1-3)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room becomes a place where your worries can go to die.
It’s a place where you concentrate the same energies
that you did in anxiety or fear,
on making your requests known to God.
It’s dwelling there.
It’s lingering there.
And somewhere in that communion,
peace comes to life in the space where worry had been before.
(Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 26:3)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’ve been invited to cast your cares upon Another.
You’ve been invited to trade a heavy burden for an easy yoke.
You’ve been invited to let your Shepherd share your load.
You’re not carrying it alone.
(Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-29)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room is always available to you.
And entering isn’t limited to spoken prayer.
Communion is a frame of mind.
(John 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

There’s peace because, in Christ,
we have been invited into relationship with the Sovereign King
who alone is in control, and who works all things out for the good of those who love Him.
(Romans 5:2, Romans 8:28-29)

 
 

JOSH ROBERTS | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Josh Roberts is FBC’s Production Director. His passion at FBC is to lead his team in developing dynamic, creative environments where God is magnified, where people meet with Him, and where The Gospel is communicated without distraction. He would tell you that although he loves the technical world, at the end of the day, Production ministry is all about loving people by helping them encounter our truly glorious God.  

When he’s not in the booth mixing audio, you can find him scouting out the best barbeque around, hiking, disc golfing, or drinking coffee with his wife.

 
"WHAT IN THE WORLD!?" STARTER PACK

In January 2022, we jumped into a brand new series: “What In The World!?” The Convergence of Biblical Prophecy & World Events”. As a supplemental resource, Pastor Phil wanted to provide a “starter pack” of helpful information from our series introduction, as well as a list of the resources he has personally found beneficial while leading us through this critical - and complex - topic.

SOME FACTS & FIGURES ON BIBLICAL PROPHECY:

  • There are 8,000 prophetic verses in the Bible.

  • One out of every 30 verses in the N.T. contains prophecy.

  • 23 out of 27 N.T. books mention the second coming of Jesus.

  • For every time the first coming of Jesus is mentioned, the second coming is mentioned 8 times!

  • The first prophecy concerning Jesus is in Genesis 3:15 (thousands of years before His arrival)!

  • There are 333 prophecies about Jesus…Only 109 have been fulfilled through His first coming…There are still 224 prophecies yet to be fulfilled!

Every single prophecy will be fulfilled;
the Bible is batting 1000.

BIBLICAL PROPHECY & ISRAEL

  • The dispersement of the Jewish people in AD 70

  • Their mistreatment and preservation

  • The desolation of their homeland

  • The return of the Jewish people

  • The rebirth of Israel as a literal nation

  • The ensuing attacks from border nations

  • The growing financial and military strength of Modern Israel

  • The global obsession with this tiny nation

  • The exact geographical configuration of the Middle East today

  • Over the past 120 years, more than 3.5 million Jews have changed their citizenship and have immigrated back to Israel.

…All of these are foretold in great detail through various prophecies that were written thousands of years ago!

PASTOR PHIL’S RESOURCES

The path that Pastor Phil chose to walk on through this study comes from Dr. David Jeremiah’s book, “Where Do We Go From Here?”. This resource is referenced often throughout this sermon series. If you would like to dive into deeper study on your own, Pastor Phil invites you to use this resource, as well as 3 more he has selected:

 
 

“Where Do We Go From Here?”
Dr. David Jeremiah

Description:
Today’s headlines shout of modern plagues, social tensions, economic crises, and rampant depression. Many are asking, what day is it on God’s prophetic calendar? Trusted Bible teacher and Pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah opens up the Word of God to reveal what it has to say about the days we are living in.

 
 
 

“The Prophecy Pros’ Illustrated Guide to tough questions about the end times”
Jeff Kinley & Todd Hampson

Description:
In a field often clouded by confusion and sensationalism, keeping track of what the Bible says about the end times can be challenging even for seasoned believers. That’s why the bestselling authors behind the Prophecy Pros Podcast are here to bring you a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to the most need-to-know facts about what is to come.

 
 
 

“Fault lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe”
Voddie T.Baucham Jr.

Description:
In this powerful book, Voddie Baucham, a preacher, professor, and cultural apologist, explains the sinister worldview behind the social justice movement and Critical Race Theory—revealing how it already has infiltrated some seminaries, leading to internal denominational conflict, canceled careers, and lost livelihoods. Like a fault line, it threatens American culture in general—and the evangelical church in particular.

 
 
 

“Understanding the times: The collision of Today’s Competing Worldviews”
David A. Noebel

Description:
This book is a landmark guide to understanding the ideas and forces that are shaping our times. From Christianity to Islam to Humanism to Marxism to the New Age to Postmodernism, Understanding the Times provides Christians with a readable, comprehensive treatment of the most significant religious worldviews operating in Western Civilization.

REMEMBER THIS…

God knew all of this would happen…
God told us all of this would happen…
God has a plan for you and me in the fulfillment of it all!

Here are a few lock screens to download to your phone and use as a reminder this week!