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CHRIST AND THE CHURCHES: REVELATION 1-3:22
JOHN HAD A VISION ON THE ISLE OF PATMOS IN WHICH A LOUD VOICE TOLD HIM TO WRITE IN A BOOK AND SEND THE MESSAGE TO THE SEVEN (7) CHURCHES OF ASIA (REV. 1:9-11). THERE WERE MORE THAN SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE NUMBER SEVEN WAS USED BECAUSE IT IS A SYMBOL OF PERFECTION OR WHOLENESS, AND IN THAT WAY IT REFERS TO THE ENTIRE CHURCH OF ASIA. 1. THE THREE (3)
CENTRAL POINTS EMPHASIZED TO EACH OF THE SEVEN (7) CHURCHES: A. Jesus knows your situation, your works, your sufferings -Heb. 4:12-13 B. There's a promise for the victors ( those that remain faithful) -Heb. 12:2 C. The church should listen to what the spirit says -Heb. 4:2 II. THE CHURCH
IN EPHESUS- REVELATION 2:1-7 A. POSITIVE ASPECTS: Perseverance: They could not bear evil men nor false Apostles - Rev. 2:4; cf NEGATIVE ASPECTS: They had abandoned the love they had at the beginning - Rev. 2:4 B. They hated the works of the Nicolaitans - Rev. 2:6 C. Application: A congregation can be strong in refuting false doctrine but weak and spiritually lost without love. In such cases it must repent. Rev. 2:5 III. THE CHURCH
IN SMYRNA- REVELATION 2:8-11 A. POSITIVE ASPECTS: They suffered and were poor - Rev. 2:9 NEGATIVE ASPECTS : None B. Application: The Christians of Smyrna were persecuted and suffered. The Lord told them they were going to suffer even more, but He also told them, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." There will be great blessings for the triumphant throughout the ages. IV. THE CHURCH
IN PERGAMUM-REVELATION 2:12-17
A. POSITIVE ASPECTS: They were faithful to the Lord -Even in the face of persecution - Rev. 2:13 NEGATIVE ASPECTS: They tolerated those that held to the teachings of Balaam (promoting the eating of food sacrificed to the idols and immorality) as well as those that accepted the teachings of the Nicolaitans. B. Application: Those of Pergamum were "faithful", but they permitted the practice of immorality. The Lord's reaction shows us that immorality among the church is not acceptable under any circumstances. V. THE CHURCH
IN THYATIRA- REVELATION 2:18-29 A. POSTITIVE ASPECTS: Her works, Love, faith, service, and patient endurance were notable - Rev. 2:19 NEGATIVE ASPECTS: They were a church like that of Pergamum: They permitted the practice of Immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. B. They were doing even more than they had at the beginning - Rev 2:19 C. Application: Nothing justifies the practice of immorality by Christians. It does not matter how many good works one does, they are of not value without holiness in One's life. VI. THE CHURCH
IN SARDIS- REVELATION 3:1-6 A. POSTIVE ASPECTS: There were a few members that had not soiled their clothes (with sin) - Rev. 3:4 NEGATIVE ASPECTS: The church was dead in spite of its fame for being alive (Rev. 3:1); It was considered to be dead because it had left the teaching it had received, thereby soiling its clothes - Rev. 3:3-4 B. Application: A church can become famous: maybe due to a new or extra large building, due its program, due to a dynamic preacher, or maybe due to an especially emotional or uplifting period of worship, but it can still belong to the world. A church must put into practice the teachings of the Lord: Loving one another, helping the poor, Etc. If it doesn't, it will be dead like the church in Sardis. VII. THE CHURCH IN
PHILADELPHIA- REVELATION 3:7-13 A. POSITIVE ASPECTS: It had kept the word of the Lord in spite of being weak- Rev.3:8 NEGATIVE ASPECTS: NONE B. It had not denied his name-Rev. 3:8, 10 C. Application: A congregation does not need to possess worldly power in order to spend eternity with God. On the contrary, what is necessary is to remain faithful to the Lord. VIII. THE
CHURCH IN LAODICEA-REVELATION 3:14-22 A. POSITIVE ASPECTS: NONE NEGATIVE ASPECTS: They were lukewarm B. Spiritually they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. C. Application: Laodicea was apparently a Church composed of those materially rich. (Rev. 3:17), but spiritually it was in great need (Rev. 3:17). The same situation is possible in today's church. CONCLUSION: THE SINS OF THE CHURCHES 1. THEIR TOLERANCE OF FALSE DOCTRINE AND IMMORALITY 2. THEY HAD FAME WITHOUT HAVING ANY SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 3. PRIDE OVER BEING MATERIALLY RICH 4. THEY HAD ABANDONED THE FUNDAMENTAL TEACHINGS OF JESUS WHAT PLEASED GOD 1. THEY PUT FALSE TEACHERS TO THE TEST (REV. 2:2) 2. THEY ENDURED (WERE CONSTANT IN SPITE OF SUFFERINGS (REV.2:3) 3. THEY WERE FAITHFUL TO THE NAME OF JESUS (REV. 2:13; 3:8) 4. THEIR FAITH, LOVE, AND SERVICE (REV. 2:19)
THEY WERE DOING EVEN MORE THAN IN THE PAST (REV. 2:19) THE
PROMISE FOR THE CONQUERORS
1. THEY WOULD EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE - REV 2:7 2. THEY WOULD NOT BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH - REV 2:11 3. THEY WOULD EAT THE HIDDEN MANNA -REV 2:17 4. THEY WOULD RECEIVE A WHITE STONE WITH A NEW NAME - REV 2:17 5. THEY WOULD HAVE AUTHORITY (POWER) OVER THE NATIONS- REV2:26 6. THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE MORNING STAR - REV 2:28 7. THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR NAME CONFESSED BEFORE THE FATHER AND HIS ANGELS - REV 3:5 8. THEY WOULD BE MADE PILLARS IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND HAVE THE NAME OF GOD, THE NAME OF THE CITY OF GOD, AND THE LORD'S OWN NEW NAME WRITTEN ON THEM. - REV 3:12 9. THEY WOULD SIT WITH THE LORD ON HIS THRONE - REV 3:21 HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS
TO THE CHURCHES!! Memory Verses- Revelation 3:15-16 QUESTIONS
1. What is the application made to the church in Ephesus? 2. What can we learn from God's message to the church in Smyrna? 3. What were three sins among the church? |