Book of Life | Citizens of Heaven | Permanent Registry by Rev. Nicholas Sybrowsky

 

Service Invocation:

Opening Prayer:  Serenity Prayer.

Opening Word & Reading for Worship:

Opening Word & Reading for Worship.  (Carole).

The Bible provides us the Bread of Life and Living Water that by God’s design our souls deeply need to thrive.  There is another “Book of Life” that the Bible points to as well.  Jesus, The Word, himself is quoted by Luke in chapter 10:20 in The Return of the Seventy-Two disciples he had sent ahead of him two by two into every town and place where he himself was about to go in Lk 10:1.

[17] The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" [18] And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.[19] Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  [20] Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

" [Luk 10:17-20 ESV] (Verse 20 Emphasis by me)

📝 Note to Readers This post currently serves as a sermon manuscript and a resource for deeper study. It reflects the heart of the message as it was preached, along with some theological insights for reflection. I plan to return and refine the layout and reader experience soon—making it more accessible, engaging, and visually enriched. Thank you for your grace and curiosity as this work continues to grow.

Baptism

We are hosting a water Baptism August 31, 2025.  As needed upon request.  To coordinate this event, sign up with me directly.  Anyone considering baptism will be expected to attend the Water Baptism class for one hour Thursday the 28^th or at 9am on the 31^st.

Song Service

“When I Get Up to Heaven” by James Otis Harrell © 1951 Arrangement by Mabel Harrel Ready.  Page 280 of Melodies of Praise.

Tithes & Offering

Lead the reception (Kevin).

Announcements

Lead any pertinent for the day, the week, the 2 weeks or other major events.  Brevity, Brevity! (Dagan).

Sermon

One Thesis, two descriptions.  One more right-handed thinking; objective & the other more left-handed thinking; subjective:

Every believer must examine whether they are truly registered in the Book of Life—because citizenship in heaven begins with spiritual inscription, not just earthly affiliation.

Registration in the Book of Life is not earned by effort or heritage—it is received through surrender, sealed by grace, and lived through transformation.

True citizenship in heaven begins not with earthly affiliation or inherited faith—but with spiritual inscription: received through surrender, sealed by grace, and revealed in transformation.

Through the lens of God this may sound like:

“I have written your name not by merit or lineage, but by surrender to My Son.  For true citizenship in heaven begins not with your hands or heritage, but with My inscription on your soul.”

Intro:

The Christian has been delivered, sanctified, and commissioned to live out and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  True maturity in faith means surrendering fully to God’s will and living for His glory—this is a conviction worthy of our deepest commitment, even unto death.  The blood of Jesus is considered imputed righteousness that positionally sets us up for registry.  Permanent registry in the “Book of Life”.

Because more than a week has elapsed please let me recap the previous two sermons.

“Are You Registered in Heaven?”  According to scripture, God writes our names in His book.  We see this emphasized in Ps. 87:6, which reads, “When the LORD registers the nations, he will say, "They have all become citizens of Jerusalem."

Psa 87:6 (NLT).  The psalmist uses the word, “register” which is inference to the phrase, “book of life”.  “The Book of Life is not just a metaphor but a divine reality that calls [each] of us to examine our spiritual standing.  Are we truly registered in heaven?”  In the second homily/sermon, “Registered for Heaven”, we examined Philippians 4:3 when Paul authored, “Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.  (ESV)  From this we observe that, “teamwork in reconciliation prevents erasure from the book of life.”  According to this letter from Paul, we observe another allusion or inference to, “The names of Christians are in the ‘book of life’.” 

Reconcile, reaffirm, respond and reflect on that shared.  Today we observe and reflect on another allusion or rather a hint at the “book of life.”

The seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.  There is very much to garnish from each of these locally based churches.  In each we can discover a few apparent patterns.  Such as, “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”  Another is, “the one who conquers…overcomes…is victorious…is overcoming.  Each of these seven churches is recognized as “Christian” yet each has a reproof, a correction of their current bearing.  Each has a navigational bearing that is leading them away from registrar and leading them to eternal punishment.  Even the church in Smyrna who appears to have little to zero corrective needs gets direction and preventative corrective spurs of love from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who is the “One” that is referred to by John.  Smyrna is warned of the obstacle of self-pity driven through persecution by the adversary.  These congregants are encouraged to “…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life…”in Rev. 2:11.

Our spotlight for today will be on the church in Sardis and the church in Dolores County.  Smyrna is number five of seven churches that the Apostle John was instructed to “write” (Rev. 3:1) during his time on the island of Patmos.

Main Text/Topic

Textually we are visiting various texts throughout the series, but our main address today will be Rev. 3:5, keep this address marker open.  Topically I continue to deeply examine the phrase, “in the book of life.”

Revelation 3:5 NLT — All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

“He that overcometh…(KJV)”

“He who overcomes…(NKJV)”

“All who are victorious…(NLT)”

“The one who is victorious will…(NIV)”

“The one who conquers…(ESV)”

“He who is overcoming—this one--…(YLT)”

Revelation 3:1-22 English Standard Version

{1} "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. {2} Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. {3} Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. {4} Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. {5} The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. {6} He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' {7} "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. {8} "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. {9} Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. {10} Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. {11} I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. {12} The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. {13} He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' {14} "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. {15} "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! {16} So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. {17} For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. {18} I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. {19} Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. {20} Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. {21} The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. {22} He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (Rev 3:1-22 ESV)

Sermon Summary & Conclusion:

1.      Our names cannot be removed from the book of life.

Jesus has the authority to blot our names from the book of life.  “God writes our names in His book.”  “The names of Christians are in the ‘book of life’.”  Are you, “Christian”?  Then your name is written in the book of life through the blood of Jesus Christ.  This means, you can have conviction! 

Sermon Exhortation:

Protagonistic Spurs of Love them on (Heb. 10:24, GOAD, , chastisement/reproof Rev. 3:19)! 

Do you believe this to be true for yourself?  Do you believe this to be true for your family & friends?  I am reminded of the word “conviction”.  I was recently asked by a friend about his word.

Sermon Altar Call to Action:

Build up your commitment in faith and grow in your sense of conviction!

 The Blue Letter Bible (BLB¹) Lexicon is helpful to get to the root of this English word translated from the Greek.  Strong’s Number G5287 leads us to the following scripture addresses:  2Co 9:4; 2Co 11:17; Heb 1:3; Heb 3:14 and Heb 11:1.

ὑπόστασις

Transliteration

hypostasis (Key)

Pronunciation

hoop-os'-tas-is

Another helpful online reference in this word is from BiblePortal.com.

🧠 Lexical & Linguistic Deep Dive: Hypostasis (ὑπόστασις)

The Greek word often translated as conviction or confidence in Hebrews 11:1 is hypostasis (Strong’s G5287). Its etymology:

• Hypo (ὑπό) = under
• Stasis (στάσις) = standing

So literally, hypostasis means “a standing under”—a foundation, a substructure, or essence. It’s used in Greek philosophy (especially Aristotle) to denote substance or real being, and in business documents as a title deed, implying legal ownership or guarantee^2,3.

Biblical Usage

Verse	Translation	Greek Word	English Renderings
Hebrews 11:1	“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”	ὑπόστασις	conviction, assurance, substance
Hebrews 3:14	“Hold our original conviction firmly to the end.”	ὑπόστασις	assurance, confidence
2 Corinthians 9:4	“Ashamed of having been so confident.”	ὑπόστασις	confidence
Hebrews 1:3	“Exact representation of His nature.”	ὑπόστασις	essence, being

🧭 Conviction vs. Confidence: Linguistic & Emotional Nuance

A linguistic comparison reveals:

• Confidence: belief in oneself or one’s abilities; often tied to self-assurance.
• Conviction: firm belief or moral certainty; often tied to values, truth, or spiritual persuasion.

Attribute	Confidence	Conviction
Origin	Latin confidentia (trust)	Latin convictio (proof, persuasion)
Tone	Self-assured, optimistic	Resolute, moral, spiritual
Expression	Body language, demeanor	Words, actions, sacrifice
Risk	Can become arrogance	Can become dogmatism
Biblical Echo	Peter walking on water	Paul before Agrippa

(See Note 4 Below for deeper study)

Conviction (ὑπόστασις): A Foundation of Faith

In Hebrews 11:1, the word translated “conviction” is hypostasis—a term rich in philosophical and theological meaning. It denotes not mere confidence, but a foundational reality, a “title deed” to what is hoped for. Unlike confidence, which may waver with circumstance, conviction is rooted in spiritual substance. It is the assurance that what is unseen is more real than what is seen. This conviction is not self-generated but Spirit-imparted, anchoring the believer in eternal truth.

Synonyms: assurance, certainty, persuasion, steadfastness Antonyms: doubt, wavering, skepticism, indecision

Sermon Prayer & song: 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word and the promise of eternal life.  Help us to live as citizens of Your Kingdom, reflecting Your love and truth.  Guide us in our struggles and strengthen us in our faith.  We surrender our lives to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Suggested song: “Blessed Assurance” (Hymnal Page 44; Melodies 155; Melodies 280).  (Extra options:   “I’ll Fly Away” (for its heavenly citizenship imagery)

  “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” (direct reference to heavenly registration)

Service Benediction:

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, inscribe our names afresh—not on paper, but upon our hearts.  May we hunger for Your Word, thirst for Your Spirit, and walk boldly as citizens of Your Kingdom.  Teach us to carry the message of recovery and redemption to those still wandering.  Amen.

Next Mesage:

Missing From the Registry:  God’s Wrath | Singspiration at Dolores Outlook!  Wear some sturdy shoes for the picnic trail.

 

Sources, Credits, Citations & Notes:

 

1. Blue Letter Bible help G5287 - hypostasis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv)
2. Lexical & Linguistic Deep Dive: Hypostasis (ὑπόστασις) Read & Study the Bible Online | BiblePortal.com | Nature (5287) hupostasis &
3.  Sermons & Devotionals by Greek Word Studies
4. NOTE Assisted by Copilot.

📚 Online Lessons & Commentary

Here are some standout resources for your study:

• BiblePortal’s Greek Word Study on Hypostasis: Offers theological and philosophical commentary, including the “title deed” metaphor and its use in Hebrews.
• Blue Letter Bible Lexicon Entry for G5287: Provides Thayer’s and Strong’s definitions, with scriptural cross-references and historical usage.
• Hebrews 11 Commentary: Explores how hypostasis can mean “reality” or “assurance,” depending on context—bridging subjective faith and objective truth.
• Heidelblog’s Reflection on Hebrews 11:1: Brief but insightful note on hypostasis as “substance,” not blind faith.

✍️ Suggested Note for Your Study

Here’s a draft you might refine for your outreach materials or personal study:

Conviction (ὑπόστασις): A Foundation of Faith

In Hebrews 11:1, the word translated “conviction” is hypostasis—a term rich in philosophical and theological meaning. It denotes not mere confidence, but a foundational reality, a “title deed” to what is hoped for. Unlike confidence, which may waver with circumstance, conviction is rooted in spiritual substance. It is the assurance that what is unseen is more real than what is seen. This conviction is not self-generated but Spirit-imparted, anchoring the believer in eternal truth.

Synonyms: assurance, certainty, persuasion, steadfastness Antonyms: doubt, wavering, skepticism, indecision

 

Soli Deo Gloria | “Glory to God Alone”