Revelation 2:1-11

MPS

Intro:

Hello

BBQ

LS Conference

Rev- Between Two Worlds

P1: 7 letters, 7 churches, 7 struggles, 7 encouragements, 7 exhortations, 7 promises, 1 Hope

From John on Patmos

Patmos is an island off the coast of Turkey

(map)

to seven churches

literal churches in Asia Minor or modern day Turkey

7 signifying the universality of all God’s churches through all times and places

Written to them

Written for us

Letters follow a unique pattern:

letter Intro:

To the Angel of the church in _____ Write..

God puts local pastors and ministers in his church

But Jesus is the Lead Pastor the High Priest, There is only 1 head, and he is it.

Yet he entrusts his

The words of…

Image of Jesus connected to Ch 1

ie: 7 Lampstands, 7 Stars (1)

First and last, died and came to life (8)

Who has the sharp two-edged sword (12)

who has eyes like a flame of fire (18)

Seven Spirits and Seven stars (3:1)

The Key (3:7)

The faithful and true witness (3:14)

Body:

“I know” statement of encouragement and compassion

works, suffering, patient endurance, etc

“I see you”

“But…”/ “Yet…” Exhortation

you have lost the love you first had

You will suffer more

etc

Call to Action

Closing:

He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

“The one who Conquers” Statement

Receive Gospel blessing

1 hope

P2: Exhortation of Ephesus

[READ “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’]

Who was the church in Ephesus?

Located in Asia minor

Paul taught daily there for 2 years! (Acts 19)

We have the letter Paul wrote the the Ephesian church along with 1st and 2nd Timothy, in which Timothy sits as the local pastor of the church in Ephesus, continuing to care for them and teach them as Paul sits in chains

The culture of the city was much like any american city today:

a melting pot of people

There were over 50 roman gods that the people of Ephesus worshipped devoutly, with Artemis being at the top. It was a breeding ground for religious expression- and with that, false teachers were all around- both pagan and “christian” sects of worship.

One of the false christian sects were the Nicolaitans

According to church history, led by one of the original 7 deacons of the church (Acts 6:5)

The temptation to compromise, synchronize or modify your belief system to fit your desires or the culture around you was tough.

“I Know” your works

Jesus mentions ‘works’ 3 times

twice about the ephesians

once about the nicolaitans

The christians in Ephesus were doing a good job hold fast to the christian faith, love and witness

good works include:

endurance, patience, not growing weary

“Bearing up for my name’s sake” (Witnessing, telling others about Jesus),

Opposing false teachers (good theology)

But the most important work is the 1st commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.

but do you still love me?

Religion is easy, relationship is tough

good structure and strategies- thanks to the years of coaching and resourcing and belonging to the LS family

good tithing as a church- thanks to the generosity of our members

good bible studies throughout the week thanks to the people who open their homes, serve meals and lead others in reading and praying together

good music thanks to Gabe and the whole band

good production thanks to sound, slides, hospitality, hosts and set-up team

good LS kids thanks to the many lovely teachers and helpers who sacrifice their time

good preaching and theology thanks to Mat and I and the many people who have poured into us

good friendships thanks to each and every one of you

Good missional engagement- thanks to our prayer team, our communications team, our BBQ’s, events in the city and each of you living as a light to your coworkers, neighbors and friends

But….

God’s main concern

God wants us to love him and know his love for him

all of this is a sand castle if we are not in relationship with Jesus

Kings K - “They don't get it, I don't get it We're committed to sticks and stones”

Religion is easy, relationship is real

going through the motions and mechanics is easy

God does not want Robots, but Children

What kind of progress should we be focussed on?

Remember

“the works you did at first”

What works did we do at first?

When we first started relationship with God?

I had no works. you? I was begging Jesus to erase my works and forget about them

The greatest work is love.

I had empty hands, and I was content with empty hands. If Jesus could free me from my shackles, that would be enough

I was on my knees

Repent

Paul Trip “Dangerous Calling”

“The fact of the matter is that many pastors become awe numb or awe confused, or they get awe kidnapped. Many pastors look at glory and don't seek glory anymore. Many pastors are just cranking out because they don't know what else to do. Many pastors preach a boring, uninspiring gospel that makes you wonder why people aren't sleeping their way through it. Many pastors are better at arguing fine points of doctrine than stimulating divine wonder. Many pastors see more stimulated by the next ministry, vision of the next step in strategic planning than by the stunning glory of the grand intervention of grace into sin broken hearts. The glories of being right, successful, in control, esteemed, and secure often become more influential in the way that ministry is done than the awesome realities of the presence, sovereignty, power, and love of God.”

Good work isn’t good enough

Only God’s son is enough

[App]

not once, not every few years or months or weeks

Daily need

Daily grace

be fueled and fed by God’s love for you on a daily basis

Remove

“I will remove your lampstand from its place”

Restore

v7b

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Conquer through Christ

How do we face tribulation? How do we fight back?

delight, desire, satisfaction

For all eternity we will delight in the son of God, who is the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the first fruits of the tree of life

P3: Exhortation of Smyrna

[READ 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’]

Then:

Who was the church in Smyrna?

Paul and his companions likely brought the Gospel to Smyrna on one of their missionary journeys

Smyrna had a large population of the Jewish diaspora

(around this time, 6 million Jews left Israel because of Roman occupation) a lot were living in cities like Smyrna

Eager to avoid further persecution, they volunteered the Christians (to be the lowest on the social ladder.

seen as a troublesome cult following by many jews who rejected Jesus

Israelites who reject the promised Messiah- savior and king

Who is the true Israel?

Paul says in Romans 2 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Ro 2:28–29.

The true people of God are those who have been redeemed to him by Jesus and Restored to righteousness through his Spirit

“Synagogue of Satan”

not God’s people. People using God’s name.

“The worst evil is done in the name of God”

false- the worst evils are done in the name of good.

The key to doing great evil, is believing you are doing good

“They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Jn 16:2.

Slander

The Jews accused them of treachery and treason. Slander

The Romans accused Christians of being atheists because they did not participate in the worship of the “god-emperor”, Caesar. Slander

not nearly as religious as Ephesus yet in some ways, much more. Smyrna was home-base to the Political Cult of the Emperor.

meaning, In order to belong, have rights or do commerce in the city, you had to bow down before a Roman Official and say the words, “Caesar is Lord”

Christians were forced to confess faith in man made systems, governments and officials or God’s son, His kingdom and God-given truths

Resulting in Poverty, prison and even death for many christians

Prison

“Tested” not a pop quiz, a structural test of a building

A structural test of your faith to demonstrate its strength

10 days

The number 10, in the Bible, is used 242 times. The designation "10th" is used 79 times. Ten is also viewed as a complete and perfect numeral, as is 3, 7 and 12. It is made up of 4, which represents the physical creation, and 6, which symbolizes man. As such, the meaning of 10 is one of testimony, law, responsibility and the completeness of order.

Genesis 1, the phrase "God said" 10 times,

testimony of His creative power.

God gave the Ten Commandments to man.

Ten therefore represents man's responsibility to keep the commandments.

A tithe is a 10th of our earnings and

is a testimony of our faith in the Lord.

The Passover lamb was selected on day 10 of the 1st month (Exodus 12:3),

as was Jesus, the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world (John 12:28 - 29; 1Corinthians 5:7).

Day 10 of the 7th month is also the Holy Day known as the Day of Atonement.

This unique day of fasting pictures the removal of Satan, the author of sin, before the millennial reign of Jesus begins (Revelation 20:1 - 2).

Satan will be thrown into prison and death for 1000 years

Death

“Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ, and I will set you free.” “86 years have I have served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

11. More Attempts to Make Him Submit

“I have wild animals here,” the Proconsul said. “I will throw you to them if you do not repent.” “Call them,” Polycarp replied. “It is unthinkable for me to repent from what is good to turn to what is evil. I will be glad though to be changed from evil to righteousness.” “If you despise the animals, I will have you burned.” “You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and is then extinguished, but you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. Why are you waiting? Bring on whatever you want.”

Problems now:

“I know” your tribulation says Jesus

he knows about - seen

He knows personally - Experienced

Jesus was arrested, imprisoned, beaten, and ultimately killed because the Jews saw him as a threat to their righteousness and because the Romans saw him as a threat to their wealth and power.

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As Christians let us suffer for righteousness sake

not for wickedness, not for power, but for what is good, right and true

witness, test

Gospel Hope:

The First and the Last

Who died and came to life

Gospel Answer