Called to Revelation

Communion and Honest Self-Examination

Dr. Charles Redwine began by reflecting on the importance of examining ourselves before the Lord. He connected the act of taking communion with honest self-reflection, not as a formality but as an invitation to look inward and bring our real lives before God.

"We need to look in and say, 'Lord, is there any wrong spirit in me? Is there anything that if I have a grudge against somebody, have been mad all week, have been mistreated people this week? Examine yourself because we're going to do some of that today in this sermon.'"

He explained that what God is saying to each of us is deeply personal, that "it's not about me coming up and preaching and you getting something from me. I give what God gives me and He's because He's dealing with you. I don't know what God's saying to you. I don't know what God's speaking to you. I don't know what God's trying to get you to see or hear. That's between you and God."

The Missionary Story and a Call to Surrender

Dr. Redwine told the remembered story of five missionaries in Ecuador, Jim Elliot and four others, who were killed as they sought to reach an unreached tribe. This story shaped his own call to mission and surrender:

He recalled wrestling with what it meant to truly be willing to die for Christ, praying for six months before he could honestly say, "Lord, here I am. Use me. If you want, Lord, for me to die, I'm willing to do it." Even after surrendering his own life, he realized new depths of trust were needed when his family’s safety was threatened: "I realized I hadn't never given my kids to God. I had said it was okay for them to die. I said it was okay for me to die."

Through fear, danger, and even miracles seen through his daughter’s eyes, he reminded the church how deeply rooted faith shapes generations, and children sometimes see Jesus more clearly than adults.

Rooted Faith in a Mocking World: Jude and Revelation

Moving into the text, he read from Jude 17-25, reminding us of the warnings from the apostles: that in the last days there would be mockers, those who "cause divisions, worldly minded, devoid of the spirit." But the call is to be different:

"Your faith is holy. Build upon it. What did Pastor Scott say? Get rooted in your faith. Why? Because the time is coming. It's going to be tested. We got to pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love. Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

He asked the church to look closely at their lives: "How much time did you spend in the word, in prayer, or in outreach or service to God in some way? If it all totaled up, how much time would it be? More time than you watch TV, more time than you spend on your phone?" He challenged everyone not to treat faith as a Sunday ritual, but as the daily reality of a life changed by grace.

Imagining What Jesus Sees in Us

With both challenge and hope, Dr. Redwine brought us to Revelation 1, 3, describing not the warnings, but the riches of Christ’s promises and the glory of the risen Jesus:

"If your image of Jesus is that He's still in a robe walking around with long hair on the earth as you see in the chosen, you're missing something, folks. He's not that Jesus anymore."

He lingered on the apocalyptic vision in Revelation 1:12-18, the lampstands, the One like a Son of Man, eyes of fire, voice like many waters, holding the keys of death and Hades. He stressed both the power and the tenderness:

"Remember when Jesus laid His hand upon you? Remember when you were touched by the Lord? He laid His hand upon me. Said, 'Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead and behold, I'm alive forever more.'"

The Rewards and Marks of Those Who Overcome

Turning to what Jesus holds for those who overcome, Dr. Redwine walked through a series of promises in Revelation 2, 3:

• A place in paradise and from the tree of life (Rev 2:7)
• Freedom from the second death (Rev 2:11)
• A white stone with a new name, a name given by God that only you and He know (Rev 2:17)
• Authority, participation in God’s own reign and judgment (Rev 2:26-28)
• Clothed in white, name in the book of life, named by Jesus Himself before the Father and angels (Rev 3:5)
• Kept from the hour of testing, made a pillar in God’s temple, wearing a crown, Christ’s new name written on us (Rev 3:10-12)

He returned again and again to the question: "How much is your salvation worth? What in your life reflects the level of salvation given you? Is your faith like a 1963 pick them up truck with rusted out fender wells? ...No, folks, we are wealthy in Jesus. Amen. Then our life has reflect what He has done, what He has given us."

"I will confess his name before my father and before his angels... Could you imagine having your name declared in heaven?"

He noted the deep mystery of God’s personal love, how Jesus, in His overcoming, calls us to overcome and welcomes us to share in His reign, His identity, His own name.

Called to Zeal and Repentance: Living What We’ve Been Given

Dr. Redwine then turned to Jesus' rebuke to the churches:

"To those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore, be zealous and repent."

He stressed the importance of both elements, not just remorse, but a passionate, energetic faith.

"Are you driving around your 64 pickup all rusted out with an engine knocking? That doesn't show that you're taking care of the temple. You're taking care of what God has given you. That you're being a light to the world."

He reminded us Jesus is still knocking, calling believers deeper to dine with Him and to be part of His own celebration and reign: "He is inviting you in to dine with Him to sit at His table. I thought that get some shouting. I'll grant him to sit with me on my throne. Oh my god. I will grant you to sit with me on my throne."

Ultimately, Dr. Redwine called the church to action: not simply to listen to his preaching, but to "go deeper," to be moved by God’s invitation, and to reflect that hope and glory in our own outreach and dedication, even as we wait for the final vision, the "new Jerusalem," unveiled in the weeks to come.

Living It Out: Repent, Be Zealous, Overcome

We are called to examine ourselves, to hold nothing back from Christ, and to remember the incredible promises given for those who overcome. As we live in a world that often mocks faith or calls it foolish, we remember Jesus’ resurrection power, his personal welcome, and the riches poured out, new name, new home, new authority, and his own presence.

Let’s go into our week remembering the cost of our salvation and the full hope of what we’re becoming. Repent and be zealous, not as a burden, but as the true reflection of what we have received.

Discussion Questions

1. Where have you seen the Holy Spirit inviting you to “go deeper” in your faith, especially where fear or comfort hold you back?
2. What does it mean to you to have a “new name” and an honored place in God’s presence, how might that change how you see yourself and others?
3. Where might “zeal” need to be rekindled in your life, and what small step could you take this week to reflect the hope you’ve received?