The Lord’s Report Card
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Series: The Seven Churches of Revelation
Title: The Lord's Report Card: How Jesus Sees His Church
1. The Vision of Christ
1. The Vision of Christ
Good morning, Branches Church family! We're kicking off a brand-new series today on "The Seven Churches of Revelation." This isn't just a history lesson; it's a message from Jesus Christ Himself, sent to seven specific churches in the first century, but with a powerful, timeless message for us today. The text we'll be focusing on is Revelation chapter 1, where the Apostle John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos, has a profound encounter with the glorified Christ.
Let's read from the New King James Version:
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
John's location: The Isle of Patmos.
John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day.
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.
John sees Jesus walking among seven golden lampstands, which represent the seven churches.
The seven stars in His hand represent the angels (pastors) of the seven churches.
This vision sets the stage for the entire book. We see the seven churches of Asia, located in a horseshoe-shaped area in modern-day Turkey.
While there were other churches, Jesus specifically chose these seven to represent a full spectrum of strengths and weaknesses that are still found in churches and individuals today. The messages aren't just for a specific time or place. Bible scholars see a three-fold application:
Practical: Specific instructions for those first-century churches.
Prophetical: Principles for the Church in every age.
Personal: A spiritual check-up for each of us as individual Christians.
2. I Know Your Works
2. I Know Your Works
A common thread that runs through every message to these seven churches is this: Jesus says, "I know your works." This is a profound statement.
We aren't saved by our works—that's a foundational truth of our faith—but our works are the evidence of our faith.
They are the fruit that proves the tree is alive. We will all stand before Christ, and our works will be tested.
Consider Paul's words to the Corinthians:
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:8-15: Our works will be tested by fire.
Our works matter! We must be careful to maintain good works as Titus 3:8 says.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Titus 3:8: We must be careful to maintain good works.
And as James so powerfully puts it, faith without works is dead.
James 2:26 (ESV): For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
It's like a body without a spirit—it's lifeless. You can't separate them.
Discussion Questions:
What's the difference between being saved by works and being saved for works?
Based on James 2, how can we tell if our faith is real and not just "head knowledge"?
3. He Who Has an Ear
3. He Who Has an Ear
Another crucial phrase that Jesus speaks to every church is, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Notice the singular "he" and "him." While the message is for the whole church (the plural "churches"), the call is for the individual.
This phrase is addressed to the individual, not just the group.
You can't hide in the crowd. God's Spirit is speaking, and it's on each of us to take it to heart and act upon it. The word "hear" here doesn't just mean to listen; it means to obey.
"Hear" means to take to heart and act upon.
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25 illustrates this perfectly. All ten were waiting for the bridegroom, but only five were prepared. Your relationship with God is personal and individual. It's a "me and Jesus" thing.
Matthew 25:1-13: The parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins shows the importance of personal preparation.
God is constantly speaking to us. He’s speaking to you today. Perhaps through a sermon, a prayer, a word from a spiritual leader, or even a friend. God is saying to you, "Get ready! Jesus is coming soon!"
The signs of the times are all around us. The events of the last days are unfolding. I'm not here to scare you, but to implore you to be ready. If Jesus were to return right now, are you ready to meet Him?
If you can't say "yes" with confidence, don't leave this place today until you've made your calling and election sure. Jesus is calling you to be an overcomer, to make Him the Lord of EVERYTHING in your life. Will you answer His call?
Self-Reflection: If everyone in Branches Church was just like me, what kind of church would this church be?
Challenge: What is God speaking to you today? What is one specific thing you can do this week to get ready for Jesus' return?
A Final Thought: The messages to the seven churches are not just for them, but for us. Jesus sees us, knows our works, and calls us to be overcomers. Is it well with your soul?
