This final week will talk about the glorious unity of the church at the end of human history that does not diminish the visible uniqueness of “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” How does this vision shape our unity now and encourage us toward unity then?
SERMON OUTLINE
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
Humanity Divided (Genesis 11:1-9)
- Human assertion against God
- God’s confusion upon humanity
Humanity United (Revelation 7:9-10)
- The gathering of the saints in the new heaven and the new earth
- The contrast with Babel’s division centered on humanity
- Here true unity is centered on God
- The Great Multitude Before God
- Unified before God: standing together, adorned similarly, crying out as one
- Identifiable difference: every nation, tribe, people, and language
Moving Toward a Unified Arrival (Colossians 3:1-17)
- Our focus on Christ and things above (3:1-4)
- Take off the old self (3:5-11)
- Put on the new self (3:12-17)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What does your perfect day look like?
- We conclude our series on unity, “One: The Being of God in the Life of the Church,” by looking at the final state of God’s unified people from Revelation 7:9-10. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word.
- Read Genesis 11:1-9 aloud. While there are many things we could discuss from this passage, what does it tell you about how humanity asserts itself against God? How does this resemble Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve sin against God?
- Why do you think God had to intervene with this situation to scatter humanity and confuse their language?
- Now read Revelation 7:9-17. What catches your attention about God and this great multitude in verses 9-10?
- Why do you think the distinctiveness of the people gathered here is evident in the heavenly vision?
- What does John hear about this great multitude in verses 13-17? What have they faced and what will they experience in God?
- If we’re going to live toward the Revelation 7:9-10 vision, we will need to grow toward it now. Next read Colossians 3:1-17. What does Paul say we should “take off ” as the “old self,” whether as individuals or as a community?
- What does Paul say we should “put on” instead?
- What part of Colossians 3 do you find most challenging to live out?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Jesus’ prayer for unity for God’s people? If you’re on your own, write that down and pray over that this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Revelation 7:9-10 or Colossians 3:12-14
- Read Genesis 11:1-9 – the story of the Tower of Babel – and consider what was going on here. What do you think was at work within the hearts of humanity in this story? How does this story echo the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3?
- If you want to dive deeper into Revelation 7:9-10, consider listening to or watching another preaching series from Eastbrook Church called “Becoming 7”.