The First Five Churches Reviewed

Seven Churches  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  43:19
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Introduction

Today we are continuing our studies into the Seven Churches in Revelation.
We’d looked at the various ways to examine these churches:
Historically
Practically
Chronologically
The best use for us today is looking at them in the practical sense. In that the characteristics of these churches can resemble those of churches today.
Tonight we’re going to be doing a review of sorts on the first Five Churches. But before we do, I want to take note of a few things:
The remaining two churches I believe are of special interest to us, because as we will see, one of the churches is the one that any God-fearing church desires to be. The other is where most God-fearing churches are.
Secondly, as we study the first five churches, one thing that we’ll notice is (by & large) the constant decline.
Thirdly, we can choose to be any of these churches. (Not just these, but the other two as well). What type of church we are or we become is dictated by the culture we cultivate.
That being said, let’s look at the first Five Churches, beginning with the Apostolic Church @ Ephesus

I. Ephesus: The Laboring but Loveless Church (2:1-7)

They were a Laboring Church
They Toiled (v2a;3)
They Took a Stand (v2b)
They Tried the Spirits (v2c)
They Carried (v3a)
One another’s burdens
The burdens of trials
They Exhibited Self-Control
They Continued (v3c)
They Challenged False Doctrine (v6)
They Left their First Love (v4)

II. Smyrna: The Suffering Sinless Church (2:8-11)

They were Willing to Suffer for Christ (v9a)
They were Willing to Starve for Christ (v9b)
God was Diligently Keeping Score (v9c)
God knew their true Substance - ‘but thou art rich
God knew their true Synagogue

III. Pergamos: The Compassed & Compromising Church (2:12-17)

Their Adversity was Recognized
They Adhere to the Christ & Acknowledged the Faith
Antipas is Remembered
But False Doctrine had Infiltrated the Church
The Doctrine of Balaam (v14)
The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans (v15)

IV. Thyatira: The Seduced & Sinful Servants (2:18-29)

They Labored
They Loved
They Demonstrated Faith
They Endured
But, They Surrendered the Pulpit (v20a)
They were Seduced (v20b)
They Sinned Against God (v20c)
Jezebel Spurned God’s Grace (v21)

V. Sardis: The Dead and Dying Church (3:1-6)

Only a Few Stayed Faithful
They Appeared Alive, but were Not (v1b)
They were not Alert (v2a)
They Allowed their Faith to Weaken (v2b)
Their Works were not Acceptable (v2c)

Conclusion

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