False Impression; False Self-Estimation (Rev 3:1-6): To the Church in Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6; Key Verse: Rev 3:1b (Exodus 32:15-35)

"I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead."

When Jesus speaks to the seven churches in Asia Minor, he usually commends these struggling churches before giving them a word of rebuke. Not so with the church in Sardis. (The city of Sardis is located some 50 miles to the east of Smyrna and just to the north of Philadelphia.) This congregation receives only a stern rebuke. "Wake up" (Rev 3:2). Jesus warns them, or else he will suddenly come upon them in judgment (Rev 3:3). Although the church in Sardis thinks it is alive, in reality it is near death (Rev 3:1b). This congregation has stopped preaching the gospel in order to make peace with the world. It is no longer a faithful witness to God's saving mercy in Jesus Christ. Therefore, this church must wake up and repent, or else face the wrath of Jesus Christ who is the Lord of his church (Rev 3:1a).

Love Without Discernment (Rev 2:18-29): To the Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29; Key Verse: Rev 2:25, 28 (1 Kings 16:29-33)

"...hold on to what you have until I come." "I will also give the morning star."


Loving more but tolerating false teaching. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Jesus commends the Ephesians for persevering in sound doctrine (Rev 2:2-3). But Jesus also rebukes the Ephesian church for losing their first love (Rev 2:4)–their love for the brethren. The church in Thyatira has the opposite problem. Indeed, Jesus commends the congregation in Thyatira because their love for their fellow Christians has increased (Rev 2:19). But Jesus also rebukes this church for tolerating false teaching within their midst (Rev 2:20). Unlike Ephesus that shows discernment without love, the Christians of Thyatira are loving but not discerning.

Remaining True to Jesus Yet Compromising and Defiled (Rev 2:12-17): To the Church in Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-17; Key Verse: Rev 2:13a, 14a (See Num 25:1-9; 31:16)

"I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me...Nevertheless, I have a few things against you..."

Like the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum faces intense persecution from the God-hating Roman empire and their fellow Jews. But the church in Pergamum also faces an enemy from within, a seductress who entices God's people to commit spiritual adultery.

The Poverty of Riches (Rev 3:14-22): To the Church in Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22; Key Verse: Rev 3:16 (See Hosea 12:1-14)

"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

What a completely inaccurate self-assessment. The church in Laodicea thinks of itself as wealthy, very well-off, and without any apparent needs (Rev 3:17a). But the reality is far different. While this congregation may have an exalted opinion of itself, Jesus describes this church in completely different terms: "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Rev 3:17b). This church is lukewarm and is about to be spit out of Christ's mouth (Rev 3:16). This is the only church about which Jesus has nothing good to say. Sardis also received no word of praise, though they had a few undefiled Christians (Rev 3:4). To Laodicea Jesus must express his love in unmitigated reproof and discipline (Rev 3:19).

Keeping God's Word With Little Strength (Rev 3:7-13): To the Church in Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13; Key Verse: 3:8 (See also Isaiah 22:20-25)

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

After the prologue (Rev 1:1-8), the opening section concerns John's vision of the resurrected Christ who walks in the midst of his church (Rev 1:12-16). This first vision includes the 7 letters addressed by Christ to the 7 churches scattered throughout western Asia Minor. In each letter Jesus reveals an aspect of himself in his post-resurrection glory as described in the vision John saw (Rev 1:12-20). Jesus does this to reinforce the point that he is the head and Lord of his church who walks among them and is always with them. Next, Jesus speaks directly to the churches, promising blessing for faithfulness, protection from danger, and warns them of their need to repent when they are unfaithful. He commends 5 of them with 2 receiving no commendation (Sardis and Laodicea). He rebukes 5 of them with 2 receiving none (Smyrna and Philadelphia). Jesus commands Christians in these churches to repent lest they face immediate judgment. Yet, all 7 letters end with a promise from God to all those who are faithful and who overcome through faith in him. Despite the efforts of those who oppose the gospel and seek to harm them, Jesus promises all those who are his that they will overcome.

The Riches of Poverty (Rev 2:8-11): To the Church in Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11; Key Verse: Rev 2:10b (Zechariah 3:1-9)

"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown" (NIV, 2011). "I will give you the crown of life" (NIV, 1984).

Seven letters speaking to churches through out the church age. In Revelation chapters 2-3, Jesus addresses 7 letters to historical churches scattered throughout western Asia Minor.

Discernment Without Love (Rev 2:1-7): Letter to the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7; Key Verse: Rev 2:4 (Exodus 25:31-40)

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first" (NIV, 2011). "You have forsaken your first love" (NIV, 1984).

Last year (2012), while I was in Manila, I preached 3 sermons on Revelation:

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1-20).
• Christian, Listen Up! (Rev 2:1-3:22)
• What Is Heaven Like? (Rev 21:1-22:5)

Each message to a church is what the Spirit says to all churches.

Revelation 2:1-3:22 (Questions)

The Son of Man Speaks to His Churches (Rev 2:1-3:22)

Discernment Without Love: Have You Forsaken Your First Love?Revelation 2:1-7; Key Verse: Rev 2:4 (To the "Loveless" Church in Ephesus)

1. Who "holds the seven stars in His right hand" and "walks among the seven golden lampstands" (Rev 2:1)? What are the seven stars and seven golden lampstands (Rev 1:20)?
2. What did the church in Ephesus have going for it (Rev 2:2-3)? What did Jesus have against them (Rev 2:4)? What does this mean? Is it hard to keep your first love for God? What causes you to lose it? What was it like in the early days of your relationship with Jesus?
(When were you most excited about Jesus? What influences contributed to you living a life on fire for Christ? What decisions did you make then? How does a couple's first love for one another relate to our first love for Christ? Why does the "first love" tend to grow cold? Are you still doing the things you did in the early days or your courtship? Do feelings follow actions or the other way around? How do we stay on fire for Christ? Help each other stay on fire for Christ?)

The Words Moses Spoke (Deuteronomy 1:1-46)

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Key Verse: Deut 1:1

"These are the words Moses spoke..."

What is Deuteronomy about? Moses speaking/preaching/teaching God's word to his people for the last time. Deuteronomy consists primarily of speeches/"sermons" (three of them) that Moses gave to the Israelites shortly before he handed over the leadership to Joshua. Like a senior pastor after having led his congregation for 40 years and who is about to pass on the baton, Moses gave his prophetic farewell sermon for the last time as their senior pastor and leader. It is his last will and testament given to all Israel east of the Jordan on the plains of Moab (Deut 1:5), just before their entrance into the Promised Land. Moses' aim in his final speeches is to ensure that the people will remain faithful to God; his speeches would prepare them to conquer Canaan and then live faithful lives in their new land. (A few key verses are Deut 6:5; 10:12-13; 30:19-20.)

Shepherds (Christian Leaders) Are Not To Lord Over Others (Mt 20:25-28)

Matthew 20:21, 25-28 (Mark 10:37, 42-45; Luke 22:24-27)
Key Verse: Mt 20:25-26 (Mk 10:42-43; Lk 22:25-26)

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."

"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that."

Theme: What is Christ-like Christian leadership like? It is interesting that Jesus' answer begins with a resounding negation.

The God Who Becomes A Human Being (John 1:1-18)

John 1:1-18; Key Verse: Jn 1:14a, 18

"The Word became flesh..." "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." (NIV 2011) ("No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." [NIV 1984])

What is God like? Who is God? How can I know God?

Jesus' Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17)

If the Scriptures are thought of as the Temple of God, then John 13-17 would be the Holy of Holies. John 13-17 are known as Jesus' upper room discourse, where Jesus lays his heart bare before his disciples and speaks his most intimate thoughts to them just before his crucifixion. In effect, these were his last words, for within hours he would be hanging on the cross.

In his discourse he taught the very nature of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that he is not a helpless victim of evil and betrayal, but that God, who is in sovereign control, is fulfilling His plan all along from eternity past to bring about his plan of world redemption and restoration.