Whoa! Sweet & Sour Scroll
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Sweet and Sour:
Are you Sweet or Savory type of person?
Some people like Savory rather than sweet...
Some people even like sour or a bit of sweet and sour…but most people don’t like things that are sour in your stomach...
What’s the sweetest delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
What’s the sourest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Things that can even turn your stomach…but also some favorites.
STORY: Salsa eating contest as a teen…burned all the way down! It had an immediate impact on my body.
Eating in INDIA…one of the most delicious times of my life!
But eating late was hard on my stomach…heartburn...
STORY of bad stomach experience: PAN in India (sounds like bread in Spanish…but nothing like bread)
In fact, Jessy was saying we should try eating one where you eat it while it’s on fire…nope.
But, on his last trip Jessy DID eat FIRE PAN!
A whole new meaning to “FIRE shut up in my bones!”
Some things impact you right away, but everything that you eat impacts you!
You ARE what you eat…on a nutritional level but on a molecular level…there’s a transference of what you eat to what you are…your food becomes you…If you are eating good things it will impact WHAT you become…the makeup on a cellular level to your overall sense of wellbeing and strength…even heals you!
Today we’re looking at a very interesting break between the Trumpets where John is told to eat a scroll and it is sweet in his mouth but sour in his stomach...
(Have Terrique do the reading)...
1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Powerful Picture
Angel: Son of Man imagery (clothed with Clouds, shining like the sun), giant spiritual being in tradition of ancient writings, Pillars of fire imagery…standing on BOTH land and sea…authority.
Rainbow (Noah, Ark, new beginning, mercy, etc.)…this was a Moment of Mercy
Scroll: open on his hand…probably a different scroll.
Roar: like a lion…or at least that is what it sounded like...
Thunders: not the first time that God’s words would sound like Thunders: Repeatedly we see that the Voice of God is Powerful…like Thunder and Rushing Wind!
(Psalm 18:9-13, Psalm 29:3-9, Exodus 20:18, Hebrews 12:18-24)
He is told not to write it down…this message is connected to the Mystery that is about to be Revealed with the 7th Trumpet (related to the Ephesians the unification of Heaven & Earth)…the 7th trumpet is connected to the accomplishment of the mystery of God.
He is told to take the scroll and eat it...
Prophets Eating Scrolls? - Jeremiah said he ate the words from God (Jer 15:16) and Ezekiel is told to eat a scroll (Ezek 2:9–3:4)
He had to internalize the message...
Sweet in mouth and sour in stomach...
Word of the Lord is repeatedly called sweet and compared to Honey and choice food…
Why is it bitter in the stomach? Bitter because it is a painful message (it contained God’s judgments) or is it because he can’t share what he knows with others…Could be both…the next chapter illustrates two prophets who receive a hard word and their experience receiving and relaying that word...
+ The word that he was receiving was GOOD but it was going to be hard…
The message that he had received was about, and for, “many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
It wasn’t important to internalize the message for HIS good but also for the Good of those who would receive the message through this messenger who had internalized the message.
Sweet as Honey: The scroll is also sweet because it contains God’s words
(see Psalm 19:10; 119:103).
Eating the Scroll Means Internalizing the Message
It would be easier to only eat what we like, even if it’s not good for us...but God wants us to eat what is good for us, He even makes it sweet for those who hunger for it.
7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
If we only ate junk food we would be unhealthy and weak...our mouths would be happy but our bodies would be sad.
Sometimes we need to eat things that are good for us, even if they don’t taste good to use right away because our pallet has adjusted to the wrong things…
Garlic - even burns on the way down, but it’s good for you!
- People losing their sense of taste & smell...one of the problems that can happen is that people stop eating...they lose their appetite and don’t eat what their body needs to survive…that also happens if we eat too much junk food…we lose our appetite.
Proverbs 4:20-23 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
God’s Word REVEALS His Will (Desires, Designs, Decrees)
Reveals Jesus...Reveals God…Reveals Sin
Internalize the Word of God
1. The Living Word - John 1, Jesus is the Logos, John 6 calls us to take him internally, John 14-16 Lord’s Supper
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God, and the Word was with God…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14
Jesus, the Word, take and eat…
In Luke 22 Jesus invites the disciples to eat bread and says that HE is that bread…take Him into himself…in John He tells them to eat His flesh and blood!
Hebrews 4:12 Alive & Active and Sharper…
Ephesians 6:17 Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God
The Written Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - God-Breathed and Useful...
The Prophetic Word (2 Peter 1:3-4, 19-21; 1 Corinthians 14:24-29, 1 Timothy 1:18-20)
(Spirit inspired word)
2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
19-21 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 14:24-29) But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
(1 Timothy 1:18–20
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
When we Internalize God’s Word we receive His:
Plans & Purposes
His Direction for our lives...
Power & Promises
Protection & Provision
Presence & Peace
Purifying
Piercing and Penetrating!
The Power of Internalizing God’s Word
Ps 19:9-14; 119:9–16, 97-105, James 1:19-27, Hebrews 4:12-13
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Ps 119:97–105
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
James 1:19-27 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
- ESV = “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
- NLT = humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
- In Colossians 3:12 Paul wrote: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do…
- The Revealed Word of God is revealing!
- The WORD of God, in every sense, is piercing and penetrating!
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
God’s word is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword...piercing to the dividing…
None of that sounds pleasant!
Yet, it is GOOD!
It’s like medicine...Sometimes medicine doesn’t taste good...may make you burp, gas, sleepy...but it’s going to heal you!
They even make medicine that is sweet so that you’ll swallow it.
Take your medicine!
Sweet and Sour Words:
Some are very simple...Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy...
- Examples of Receiving a word of Correction or Direction personally...
Word to pray differently… “I believe help my unbelief” and “If it’s not this it would be something worse” and “This is better than the alternative.”
Kairos: “Obviously” and then corrected…so switched “apparently...”
- Examples of Receiving a Descriptive, Prescriptive, or Predictive word that was hard to carry for others...
Seeing sin in people’s lives…
Seeing pain in people’s lives..
1. Recognize the Word
There’s no one else like Jesus!
There’s no other written Word like what we have. Take the time to do some research and recognize the power of God’s written word!
Seek the word (Living and Written/Spoken) - listen for it. Discern it.
2. Receive the Word
- You can recognize who Jesus is and not Receive Him.
- You can try to Receive Him on your terms…but He doesn't come on our terms.
- You can expect Him to line up with your life...but HE is the Logos – we are called to align ourselves with HIM!
- Did you really recognize His place in your life?
- Receive with meekness the implanted word…
- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly!
- You can recognize what God is calling you to and not obey (Believe/Trust).
- You can recognize and not trust Him...so did you really recognize Him?
You can neglect the Treasure that you have of the Living Word, Written Word, and Prophetic Word because of being too full with other things...
3. Respond to the Word
Confess and Repent…Repent and Believe...
Confession, seems/feels bad, but the result is good…breaking from Fear, Pride, and Shame...
Our Response to The Loving Word is to LOVE the Word and to Love the WORLD
Our Love for The Word (Jesus) is seen when Recognize Him, Receive Him, and Respond to Him and others in Love.
We demonstrate our Love for the word (Scripture) by Studying it and Living It...Not just words but ACTION
As we do this our lives will look more like THE WORD: Loving Sacrifice
Invitation:
Recognize Jesus as Lord
Repent
Receive His Love…His WILL for you…to know Him!
Challenge:
Recognize the Power of His Word -
Receive His Word
Get a Journal
Memorize, Meditate
Do the Guidebooks
Get in a Discipleship Group to help you Recognize, Receive and Respond to what God is saying to you through His Word!
Respond to His Word:
Repent & Belive
Externalize the Word of God
Words - positive or negative? Life or death?
Works - Our Actions (works of our hands)
Witness - Our Attitudes, our whole life bringing glory to God and sharing Good News with others...
Worship: Our Attention, Affections & Allegiance
Time for Reflection and Repentance before Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23-32 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.