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LETTERS TO THREE CHURCHES I. COMPLIMENTARY TEXTS 1. Ephesians 5:27 - Jesus wants a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. 2. Colossians 3:23-25 - We should do whatever we do heartily, enthusiastically. 3. Matthew 7:24-27 - It is wise to hear and do the words of Jesus. 4. Hebrews 9:27-28 - We should expect the coming of Jesus. II. MAIN THEME: Revelation 3 - The members are warned to hear the message of
the Spirit to the churches: some rebukes, some commendations, some admonitions, and some
promises 1. Textual Discussion of Revelation 3 and related passages from Revelation. 1). The church in Sardis - verses 1-6 a. Your works do not measure up to the name you have - verses 1-2; 2:4-5; 2:14. b. Some are clothed in white, cleansed by the
blood of Jesus - Rev 5:9; 14:4-5; 19:7-8.
c. Those who overcome will be preserved eternally - verse 5; 2:17, 26; 3:12, 21; 21:7. 2). The church in Philadelphia - verses 7-13 a. You have kept the word of Jesus and not denied His name - verse 8, 10; 14:5. b. So hold fast to Jesus - verse 11; 2:10; 22:14. c. He will make the false teachers bow down to the faithful - verse 9; 5:10; 2:25-26. 3). The church in Laodicea - verses 14-22. a. Your works are lukewarm and repulsive - verses 15-16; 2:4-5. b. You are trusting in yourself - verse 17. c. You need to get true riches from Jesus Christ - verse 18, 20; 22:17. d. Rebuke is proof of Jesus’ love, so repent - verse 19, 21; 21:5-8. 2. Related Topics: 1). What causes our works to measure up to our name? a. A faith that trusts in God’s power - John 14:12-15; Phillipians 3:8-11; Titus 3:5-8. b. A commitment to service - Mark 9:35; 10:44; John 13:12-17; 2 Timothy 2:24-26 c. A continuing devotion - 1 Corinthians 15:58; Col 1:23; Heb 3:14; 1 Pet 5:9-10 2). How do we keep the words of Jesus? a. By knowing his words - John 8:31-32; Acts 2:42; 14:24-26; 2 Tim 2:2; 4:2-5 b. By loving Him - Matt 22:37-39; John 13:34; 14:15, 23; 21:15-17; 1 Pet 22-25; c. By doing what He says - Matt 7:19-21; 1 John 2:5-6; 3). How do we hold fast to Jesus? a. By holding fast to his teachings - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Tim 1:13; II Th 2:15 b. By holding fast to our commitment - Heb 4:14; 10:23; Rev 3:11; 1Thes 5:21 c. By loving each other - Romans 12; 13:8-10; Phil 2:2-4; 1Thes 3:12-13; 1 Pet 1:22; 3:8-9; I Jn 3:11-14; 4:10-12; 20-21 II. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. We need to bring honor to the name
of Jesus - Ephesians 4:23-32; 5:27; Philippians 2:5-16. a. By sharing His message with the world - Ephesians 3:6-11; Romans 1:16. b. By showing His influence in our lives - 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; Phil 3:17; 1 Cor 11:1. c. By loving each other - 1 John 3 and 4. 2. We need to be faithful to the teaching of Jesus. a. By honoring it as the teaching of God - John 7:16-17; 8:31; 12:48-50; 14:24-26; Acts 4:31; Col 1:5-6 b. By obeying His teaching - Matt 7:24-27; 1 Tim 4:16; Titus 2:7-10; 2 John 1:9 3. We need to be enthusiastic in our service to God a. God is pleased with enthusiastic service - Col 3:23-25; Titus 2:14; Romans 12:11-13; Heb 6:12 b. He rejects half-hearted service - Rev 3:15-16 4. Trusting our own abilities can hinder our trust in God. a. This was the problem with Laodicia - Rev 3:17 b. Paul learned this lesson in Asia - 2 Cor 1:8-11; Phil 3:8-11 5. We need to expect Jesus’ coming at any time a. Because no one knows the time of his coming - Rev 3:3, 11; 16:15; Matt 24:36; 1 Thes 5:2-5; 2 Pet 3:10-12 b. Because our own lives are uncertain - James 4:13-16; Heb 9:27; 10:35-39 IV. MEMORY VERSES - REVELATION 3:15 and 3:20 |