Lessons From The Seven Churches of Asia

Lessons from the Seven Churches of Asia

(Revelation 2-3)

Logan Peters

Introduction:

1. In many workplaces, there are regularly scheduled performance reviews for employees.

2. Normally, there is a form of commendation for the things that employee does well, but there are also areas that are discussed for improvement.

3. This common practice among companies allows for the progress of employees to be tracked and can help pinpoint areas that may require extra training.

4. In Revelation chapters two and three, there are letters written to seven churches (or congregations) in Asia–Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

5. These letters contain commendations, corrections, and warnings about the conduct of each church.

6. While these were written many years ago, there are timeless truths that we can study and implement in the church as a whole today.

7. We will examine three different groupings of these churches and notice applications in remaining faithful, correcting compromise, and revitalizing zeal.

Discussion:

I. Remaining Faithful (Rev. 2:4, 10; Rev 3:8).

A. Ephesus left its first love (Rev. 2:4-5).

1. While continuing to labor and endure, Ephesus was not working to the degree of love it formerly had.

a. Their hearts and attitudes began to change for the worse, and their love for Christ dwindled.

b. Their labor was no longer something they did out of love, but out of obligation.

2. In our service to the community and our brothers and sisters in Christ, have we allowed our love to dwindle?

a. Do we have feelings of contention when asked to participate in a service project?

b. When we allow our love for Christ and His work to decrease, our love for our brethren and soul-winning decreases as well.

c. We need to remain faithful in our labor for God because it is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

B. Smyrna was charged to be faithful in the face of death (Rev. 2:10).

1. Smyrna was encouraged by Christ to continue in faith in the face of all the things the Christians in that congregation would suffer.

a. Even in the face of death, these brethren were being encouraged to remain faithful.

b. Many physical harms might come their way, and possibly even death.

c. If they did not waver in faith, they would be rewarded for their martyrdom.

2. We often use this verse to encourage brethren to be faithful until death, but the verse is an encouragement to be faithful in the face of death.

a. What would we do if our lives were threatened because of our faith?

b. Would we take the same position as Paul (Phil. 1:21)?

C. Philadelphia was commended for continuing to keep the word of Christ and proclaim His name (Rev. 3:8).

1. One cannot help but think of the achievement this would be to have Christ commend a congregation for their steadfastness in faith.

a. Jesus opened a door for them to be able to serve because of their faithfulness.

b. Christ was confident in their ability to serve and to remain faithful in times of trial.

2. What does our work ethic look like as the church as a whole?

a. Would Christ tell us that He is opening doors for us because of our faithfulness?

b. If we had an employee review with Christ, could He say that we are giving our all to Him?

D. We must remain faithful to Christ in love, in work, and in the face of death.

II. Correcting Compromise (Rev. 2:14-15, 20-21; Rev 3:1-2)

A. Pergamum compromised with idol worshippers and the Nicolaitans; Thyatira was allowing the teachings of a prophetess into their midst (Rev. 2:14-15; Rev 2:20-21).

1. Christ made the churches at Pergamum and Thyatira aware of the sin of compromise.

a. Amid the congregation were those who cast stumbling blocks of eating things used in sacrifice to idols and were involved in fornication.

b. Christ would go on to explain how some were holding the doctrine of the Nicolaitans and that he hated it.

2. How easily are we to compromise on the truth?

a. We are not discussing the color of the carpet in the church building, but compromising Scripture.

b. Do we compromise instrumental music, dancing, fornication, and other sins that we should be speaking out against?

c. The sin of compromise will cause many to lose their souls.

B. Sardis was dead to Christ (Rev 3:1-5).

1. Just because there is activity in the church does not mean the church is alive.

a. Being smug with righteousness, Sardis was reminded to be pure, sincere, faithful, and obedient.

b. There is no compromise of obedience to God.

c. Compromising obedience leads to unfaithfulness.

2. Is obedience something to be compromised?

a. If we allow for obedience to be a choice in the congregation, Christ will see us as dead: dead servants, dead Christians, and dead in eternity.

b. What would the Lord say about us? Would we be considered obedient and pure or dead and compromisers of truth?

c. We can be alive in activity, but dead in devotion.

III. Revitalizing Zeal (Rev. 3:15-17, 21).

A. Laodicea is not committed to Christ (Rev.3:15-17, 21).

1. They are neither cold nor hot.

a. To be lukewarm means that the Laodiceans are neither on fire for the Lord nor cold and uncaring.

b. It is as if they are unsure of what they desire to be and are simply going through the motions.

c. Because of this lukewarmness, Christ is not going to tolerate or be on board with their lackadaisical efforts.

2. They were trying to serve two masters (Matt. 6:24).

a. The issue with this is that being lukewarm means that the individual might be lost and not even realize it, or might not care.

b. So, instead of wholly committing to God, the Laodiceans were trying to ride the fence line without choosing which side to be on.

c. At least the one who is cold might have the chance of a softened heart.

B. We must choose whether we will dedicate our lives to Christ or not.

1. Counting the cost of Christianity is an aspect that is rarely spoken about.

2. Once we choose to be a Christian, there is no going back without consequences.

3. We must contain a zeal for serving God and others throughout our lives, and cannot turn into those lukewarm Christians.

4. Let us have an eagerness that drives us to serve, teach, and proclaim the gospel of our Savior.

Conclusion:

1. The seven churches of Asia provide so many lessons that we can learn as the church of Christ.

2. While we did not have the opportunity to study every aspect of these congregations, we can truly appreciate the work of some, and we can have reason for concern from those that needed correction.

3. We are imperfect people, but we serve a perfect God.

4. The world needs faithful members of the church of Christ to teach, admonish, and seek the lost.

5. If we can take these examples and make ourselves better servants, we will be helping the kingdom to grow.

6. Let us always take a personal inventory of ourselves and our congregations to improve and create more opportunities to preach to the world.

7. Let us continue in the faith of Christ, not afraid to face the dangers and pains of this world.

8. We must never allow compromise of Scripture to enter our midst.

9. We must revitalize our zeal for the Lord and do His will with eagerness.