Jesus' Letter to the Church at Ephesus
Unfortunately, no audio recording is available of Danny's message for today, November 5, 2008. But here's the outline:
WE'VE GOT MAIL
A Letter to Wandering Hearts
Revelation 2:1-7
Commendation (2:2-3)
• Strong in doctrine
• Worked hard in ministry
• Refused to compromise their moral or doctrinal purity
Rebuke (2:4)
• "You have forsaken your first love."
Correction and Warning (2:5-6)
• Remember
• Repent: "A total change of thought and behavior."
• Redo
- Spend time worshipping the Lord
- Maximize time with godly people
- Repent from the pride of busyness
Promise (2:7)
TAKE AWAY: An overcomer is a Christ-follower who doesn't lose devotion to Jesus while carrying out duty for Jesus.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
Consider you work of ministry over the last 6 months. Now read the following verses: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. With your works being tested against your love for Jesus how much of what you have done will survive?
Loving Jesus is a lifestyle which sometimes requires as lifestyle change. Thinking about making life-altering changes can seem overwhelming. So would you be willing to take a smaller bite at a lifestyle change by committing for the duration of this series to the three recommendations under the Redo portion of the sermon?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Smyrna
Letter to the Suffering Church
Revelation 2:8-11
• 82% of all those killed in the last year for religious beliefs were Christians.
• Of the worlds 2 billion Christians, 200 million in 60 countries live under daily threat of death, imprisonment or torture while another 400 million face discrimination and restrictions for their beliefs.
• Last year 167,000 Christians were beheaded, shot, tortured to death or forcibly starved simply for their belief in Christ.
• The Open Door Ministry’s annual “Hall of Shame” lists Saudi Arabia as the greatest persecutor of Christians.
What does Jesus know about the church at Smyrna?
• He knows their afflictions (physical persecution)
• He knows their poverty (social persecution)
Why are followers of Christ persecuted?
John 15:18-25 gives us three reasons:
1. Because of a different value system: “chosen out of the world” (vv. 18-19)
2. Because of the association with Jesus: “they will treat you this way because of my name…” (v. 21a)
3. Because of ignorance: “They do not know the One who sent me” (v. 21b)
Jesus gives the church two exhortations:
1. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer”
2. “Be faithful, even to the point of death…”
Jesus gives the church two promises:
1. They will be rewarded with the “crown of life”
2. They will never face the torment of the “second death”
“Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”—Psalm 119:49-50
What do you say to the suffering?
• The Lord knows all about suffering (v.8)
• The Lord knows all about your suffering
• The Lord provides the grace for you to be faithful because he is faithful
• The Lord promises a wonderful future (John 14:1-4)
TAKE AWAY: The present sufferings do not continue forever but the blessings that are ours in Christ go on for eternity.
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
Would you be spiritually prepared if today you were visited by some form of suffering? Why or why not?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Pergamum
No audio recording is available of this message (November 23, 2008).
Revelation 2:12-17
Picture of Christ
"Out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword."—Revelation 1:16b
"These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword."—Revelation 2:12
"Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations." Revelation 19:15
Picture of Pergamum (2:13)
• It is heavily influenced by Satan…"where Satan has his throne."
• It is a place of comfort for Satan…"where Satan lives."
Commendation (2:13)
• They really know who Christ is…"Yet you remain true to my name."
• They are courageous in their loyalty to Christ…"You did not renounce your faith in me."
Rebuke and Warning (2:14-16)
• They were overly tolerant of sinful teachings and actions.
o The Doctrine of Balaam…"You have people who hold to the teaching of Balaam."
o The teaching of the Nicolaitans.
• If they didn't repent Jesus would go to war with them…"I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
The Three Cylinders of the World System
1. Lust of the Flesh: Over-indulgence of self
2. Lust of the Eyes: Drive to increase my stuff
3. Pride of Life: Living to impress and be impressed by others
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you."—I Corinthians 5:12-13
Promises to Overcomers (2:17)
• Christ will remain a faithful sustainer…"I will give some of the hidden manna."
• Christ will reward us in accordance with his love…"I will also give him a white stone…"
• Our identity will be based on righteous integrity…"a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."
TAKE AWAY: The challenge for Christ-followers is to CONNECT with the culture without CONFORMING to the culture.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
1. Have you erected an idol in your life that has distracted you from real worship? How do you think it has stunted your love toward the Lord?
2. If God were to change your name this morning to best represent your spiritual character what would that name be? What do you desire that name to be?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Thyatira
Hear Danny's message of November 30, 2008.
WE'VE GOT MAIL
Thyatira: Letter to the Church of Situational Ethics
Revelation 2:18-29 Picture of Christ (2:18)
• "Son of God": Speaks to his absolute authority and sovereignty
• "Eyes a flame of fire": Has the ability to see into the secret places of our hearts
• "Feet are like burnished bronze": He will pursue evil and stomp it out
"I know your deeds..."
• "Love"
• "Faith"
• "Service"
• "Perseverance"
Rebuke and Warning (2:20-23)
• "You tolerate that woman Jezebel"
• "I will repay each of you according to your deeds"
Romans 1: "God gave them over...
"in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another." (1:24)
"to shameful lusts" (1:26)
"to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done" (1:28)
1. Beware of the drifting influence of "cultural holiness."
2. Beware of misinterpreting God's silence for God's approval or apathy
3. Beware of a "spiritual power leak."
Encouragement and Promises (2:24-29)
• "I will not impose any other burden...just hold on"
• Overcomers will be given "authority over the nations"
TAKE AWAY: Every generation of Christ-followers must determine the value of the culture's standards through the grid of scripture.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."-Philippians 4:8
QUESTIONS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION
1. Consider the 4 commendations Thyatira received from Jesus, (Love, faith, service and perseverance). On a scale of 1-10 how would you evaluate yourself in these areas?
2. Is there someone playing the role of a Jezebel in your life? How will you determine to overcome that influence?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Sardis
Hear Danny's message of December 7, 2008.
Sardis: Letter to a Spiritually Dead Church
Revelation 3:1-6 - PICTURE OF CHRIST
“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”
• There is the receiving of God’s word but no response to God’s word.
• There is service but no sacrifice.
• There are programs but no progress.
• There are challenges but an unwillingness to change.
• "Wake up!”
• "Strengthen what remains”
• "Remember”
• "Obey it”
• "Repent”
ENCOURAGEMENT AND PROMISE (3:4-6)
• There is a promise of eternal security (5)
o Whatever it means it cannot contradict other scripture passages that give us clarity on the issue
o This verse doesn’t say anything about those who don’t overcome but re-confirms that the believer’s names are supremely secure in His book of life.
o What about those who professed Christianity but then denounced their faith and walked away?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Philadelphia
Hear Danny's message of December 14, 2008.
WE'VE GOT MAIL
Philadelphia: Letter to Those Who Hang-Tough
Revelation 3:7-13
PICTURE OF CHRIST (3:7)
- Against the moral backdrop of our culture he is the "holy One"
- Against the theological backdrop of our culture he is the "true One"
- He is the one with the authority ("the key of David") to open and shut (Isaiah 22)
PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA
- Philadelphia, "Brotherly Love"
- Matthew 5:16, "In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
COMMENDATIONS (3:8)
- "Kept my word"
- "Not denied my name"
PROMISES (3:9-10, 12)
- Door of opportunity for success will remain open. "Placed before you an open door"
- The efforts of enemies will be subdued. "I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you."
- They will not have to endure the tribulation. "I will keep you from the hour of trial."
- A permanent position of honor and responsibility. "I will make a pillar in the temple of my God"
- Three new names of prominence as a reward. "I will write on him the name of my God...the name of the city of my God...my new name.
EXHORTATION (3:11)
- Be careful not to be spiritually careless. "Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown."
TAKE AWAY: When Christ-followers are intentional about doing good to others the church's light glimmers brightly and it becomes most difficult to deny God's power.
QUESTIONS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION:
1. What open doors has God placed before you? How have you responded to these opportunities?
2. Are you aware of opportunities for doing good deed in our community? Do you or your small group have a plan to address those needs?
Jesus' Letter to the Church at Laodicea
No audio recording is available of this message (December 28, 2008).
WE'VE GOT MAIL
Laodicea: Letter to the Lukewarm
Revelation 3:14-22
PICTURE OF CHRIST (3:14)
"The Amen", He is the last word on everything; so be it
"Faithful and true witness", He knows what the truth is and he is faithful to it
"Ruler of God's creation", Absolute authority
CONDEMNATION (3:15-17)
What causes "lukewarm" living?
1. Self-satisfaction
a. "I am rich", an over abundance of material stuff that gives a false sense of security and happiness
b. "I have become wealthy", the primary priority is remaining in this comfortable material state and gaining more
c. "need nothing" (literally "no one"), they didn't need help from man or God
2. Self-deception
a. "Wretched", (distressed)
b. "Miserable", (pitiful)
c. "Poor", (beggarly)
d. "Blind", (without spiritual insight or discernment)
e. "Naked", (humiliation and embarrassment because of foolishness)
EXHORTATION (3:18-19)
What is the cure for "lukewarm" living?
"Gain or acquire" three things from Jesus:
1. "gold refined by fire" that purifies our lives
2. "white garments" to clothe ourselves in the righteousness and joy of Jesus
3. "eye salve" in order to see spiritual realities
PROMISES (3:20-21)
Intimate fellowship (v.20)
Authority and recognition (v.21)
TAKE AWAY: The greatest fear for our church should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don't really matter.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
* Are you lukewarm, hot, or cold in your relationship with the Lord today?
* What do you think is required of someone to move from lukewarm to hot or cold? Have you, or are you willing to do this? Why or why not?
Printer Friendly Format