The Seven Churches of Revelation (Part Four)
The Seven Churches of Revelation (Part Four)
The Church at Sardis: The Dead Church This letter has a different tone than the previous letters we have looked at so far. For the Church of Smyrna, Jesus had nothing but words of praise. For the other churches He had a mixture of praise and criticism. For the Church at Sardis, Jesus had nothing praiseworthy to say to them. What are the signs of a dead or dying church? A. The past is better than the present—vs. 1 B. You are no longer growing in your walk with God — vs. 1 Steps to Renewal with God A. Wake up! - vs. 2 (Honest awareness that something is wrong) B. Strengthen -vs. 2 (Work to improve your situation) C. Remember - v. 2 (You know better! Return to what you used to do.) The Stimulus for Faithfulness A. “Dressed in white” - speaks of our righteousness before God that Jesus makes Possible. B. “I will never blot out his name from the book of life” - this speaks of our security. C. “I will acknowledge his name before my Father” - Jesus will stand up for you when it matters most!
The Church at Philadelphia: The Obedient Church Philadelphia is the serving church. It was described as the church of the “open door.” If you and I were living in that day it is the kind of church that we would have wanted to be a member of! Three important aspects of Christ’s character are revealed to Philadelphia—vs. 7 A. “Holy” - underscores His character. B. “True” - underscores His integrity. C. “He holds the key of David” - underscores his authority. The Commendation - vs. 8 A. The church had an incredible God-given opportunity - vs. 8a B. The church had a great devotion to God - vs. 8b C. The church had a great promise - vss. 9-10 The Counsel - vs. 11 The Challenge - vs. 12
Additional Notes
Continued from Pg. 1 The Church at Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church Lukewarm implies that something was once hot, but now has cooled off. That was the condition of the last church mentioned in the Bible. Many think that it is the kind of church that will be in existence when Christ returns. Important note: The temperature of your heart matters to God! The Condemnation A. They were sickeningly lukewarm - vss 15-16 This is the only time that the word “lukewarm” appears in the NT. The word implies that the church was indifferent, and complacent. B. They were deceived about themselves - vs. 17
The Counsel A. Stop putting your trust in your finances, your business, and your medicines. Jesus said, “Put your trust in ME.” - vs. 18 B. Be earnest and repent! - vs. 19 C. Jesus waits for our response - vs. 20
The Challenge - vss. 21-22
Additional Notes
The Church at Sardis: The Dead Church This letter has a different tone than the previous letters we have looked at so far. For the Church of Smyrna, Jesus had nothing but words of praise. For the other churches He had a mixture of praise and criticism. For the Church at Sardis, Jesus had nothing praiseworthy to say to them. What are the signs of a dead or dying church? A. The past is better than the present—vs. 1 B. You are no longer growing in your walk with God — vs. 1 Steps to Renewal with God A. Wake up! - vs. 2 (Honest awareness that something is wrong) B. Strengthen -vs. 2 (Work to improve your situation) C. Remember - v. 2 (You know better! Return to what you used to do.) The Stimulus for Faithfulness A. “Dressed in white” - speaks of our righteousness before God that Jesus makes Possible. B. “I will never blot out his name from the book of life” - this speaks of our security. C. “I will acknowledge his name before my Father” - Jesus will stand up for you when it matters most!
The Church at Philadelphia: The Obedient Church Philadelphia is the serving church. It was described as the church of the “open door.” If you and I were living in that day it is the kind of church that we would have wanted to be a member of! Three important aspects of Christ’s character are revealed to Philadelphia—vs. 7 A. “Holy” - underscores His character. B. “True” - underscores His integrity. C. “He holds the key of David” - underscores his authority. The Commendation - vs. 8 A. The church had an incredible God-given opportunity - vs. 8a B. The church had a great devotion to God - vs. 8b C. The church had a great promise - vss. 9-10 The Counsel - vs. 11 The Challenge - vs. 12
Additional Notes
Continued from Pg. 1 The Church at Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church Lukewarm implies that something was once hot, but now has cooled off. That was the condition of the last church mentioned in the Bible. Many think that it is the kind of church that will be in existence when Christ returns. Important note: The temperature of your heart matters to God! The Condemnation A. They were sickeningly lukewarm - vss 15-16 This is the only time that the word “lukewarm” appears in the NT. The word implies that the church was indifferent, and complacent. B. They were deceived about themselves - vs. 17
The Counsel A. Stop putting your trust in your finances, your business, and your medicines. Jesus said, “Put your trust in ME.” - vs. 18 B. Be earnest and repent! - vs. 19 C. Jesus waits for our response - vs. 20
The Challenge - vss. 21-22
Additional Notes
