In a letter that could be written to much of the Western church today, Jesus addresses a congregation that has measured its standing before God by their experience of material blessing, safety, and acceptance by the world. Like all the letters, Jesus offers mercy and grace before judgment for all churches (and people) who “have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Outline:

· The Glorious Son Speaks

· A Disgusted Assessment

· Amazing Grace

We arrive at the letter to the church in Philadelphia, a church for which Jesus offers only words of encouragement and comfort. His rebuke is reserved for and directed toward those who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior. The message to the first century Christians is the same as the message to us: rest in the glorious promise of salvation and eternal life by holding fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints; and share the gospel and pray that all will turn to Jesus in true saving faith.

Outline:

· The Omnipotent Key Holder

· Ignore the Opposition

· Our Refuge and Strength

· Wonderful Promises

Verses Read or Referenced inSermon:

· Introduction

o Acts 14:22

o 2 Timothy 1:12

· The Omnipotent Key Holder

o Job 6:10

o Isaiah 6:3; 43:15

o Mark 1:24

o John 6:69

o 1 Peter 1:15

o 2 Corinthians 1:20

o Isaiah 22:22

o Luke 24:47

o John 10:9; 14:6

o Matthew 25:11-12

o 2 Corinthians 6:2

o John 3:36; 1:12

o Galatians 3:28-29

o John 8:39-44

o Isaiah 46:11

o Job 23:12

o 1 John 1:9

o Revelation 14:12

· Ignore the Opposition

o Romans11:4-5

o Philippians2:10-11

o Romans2:28-29; 10:1-2

o Isaiah49:23; 60:14; 45:14

· Our Refuge and Strength

o Psalm46:1-2, 7

o John17:15

o Romans5:3-5

Wonderful Promises

o Revelation14:1; 13:17-18

o 1Corinthians 6:19-20

o Philippians3:20-21

o Revelation19:6

Lulled to spiritual complacency by an appearance of vibrancy and peace, the church at Sardis presents us with the grave dangers of Nominal Christianity. Jesus provides warnings and the remedy, which are as applicable to the church today as they were almost 2,000 years ago.

Outline:

· An Encouraging Introduction

· The Walking Dead

· Reviving a Dead Church

· Comforting Truth

The issues Jesus addressed in his messages to the first centurychurches are no different than the issues faced by the Christian church today. We only pray for ears to hear “what the Spirit says to the churches.” The church at Thyatira was inviting and had much to commend; however, Jesus gave very direct warnings about its choice to permit a false teacher and to embrace sin as a cultural accommodation. In doing so, Jesus also provides us a model to follow in how issues within the church family should be approached.

Outline:

· A Significant Church

· The Divine Judge

· Great Works

· The Condemning Issue

· The Glorious Promise

Jesus addresses his bride, calling her to faithful application of Scripture as believers assemble to worship Christ and provide a witness of his power and grace to the unbelieving world. He offers no quarter to false teachers or those who choose to sit under and follow their teaching; rather, he generously offers grace to those who will repent and the promise of a new andeternal life.

Outline:

· A Difficult Place

· The Judge Speaks

· The Real Threat

· Assurance of Victory

The message to the church at Smyrna challenges the concept of faith so often taught and loosely practiced in the West. To these Christians suffering for their faith, Jesus promised eternal glory but commanded them to be faithful, even if it resulted in death.

Outline:

· The Speaking Sovereign Lord

· The Church and the City

· The Persecuted Church

· The Command and the Promise

If your love of Jesus, his church, or fellow believers has grown cold, Jesus provides a strong warning and a loving remedy in the message given to the church at Ephesus. The letter to the church reminds us that while we must strive for holiness, stand for truth, and be uncompromising when it comes to biblical fidelity, we must never forget our first love and blessed hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Outline:

· The Church and the City

· Meeting the Challenge

· The Primacy of Love

· The Promise

As Jesus closed his High Priestly Prayer, his words are a cause for every believer's hope and the great assurance of Christ's never-ending love for those who belong to him by faith.

Outline:

• The Glorious Reunion
• The Grand Invitation
• The Mark of His People