About the seven letters

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2 About the seven letters Over the next month, we ll be exploring the last three of the seven letters sent to seven churches found in Revelation 2:1-3:22. In this second part of this series, we will be looking at the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. While exiled on the island of Patmos, the apostle John received a revelation from Jesus Christ which we now call the book of Revelation. In this vision, Jesus gave John these seven messages for these seven churches. The letters resemble the biblical format of oracles and they were specifically to God s people dispersed in these seven cities. As you read the seven letters, you ll see some common threads throughout. Jesus starts each letter with, These are the words of and gives a one phrase description of himself. He then reviews the churches and depending on the church, Jesus will affirm, commend, warn, scold, or correct them. His goal is to keep them on the target, or get them on target to fulfil his mission to reach the world. The letters to the seven churches are prophetic letters that provide direct significance to the life of the church even today. There s so much we can learn! Session 5 - Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) Session 6 - Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) Session 7 - Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)

3 Sardis- Revelation 3:1-6 CONVERSATION STARTER What is one activity that really gives you life? DIGGING DEEPER We continue our series Seven by exploring the letter written to the church in Sardis. This was the fifth letter of seven written to the churches found in Revelation. The church in Sardis resembled a dead church and was only alive in its name. There were a few who had not soiled their clothes and were found worthy in their walk with Jesus. Jesus knew about their rebellious ways, but even so, he wanted them to become strong in him again. Jesus commands the rest of them to Wake up! and strengthen what was left of their church. Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:1-6. Jesus begins his letter to the church with a criticism and said I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you

4 are dead. The church was probably full of people who call themselves Christians but don t actually practice or follow Jesus. How important is a good reputation to you? How would you feel if people had the wrong idea of who you are because of your reputation? What are your initial impressions of the church in Sardis? The church in Sardis is described as having a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. What are the qualities of a church that is alive? What about the qualities of a dead church? What is the contrast between their reputation and the reality? In what ways are we similar to Sardis? What is the only hope for the survival of the church in Sardis? Read James 1: How does the term nominal Christian illustrate James point in verses 22-24? On the contrary, what does the life of someone in verse 25 look like? What does it mean for you to Do what it says as stated in verse 22? How do these verses apply to your life? What will you do about it? What is Jesus calling you to do today? Take time to pray, asking God to help you walk in genuine faith and passion. If Jesus addressed this Wake up! call to you, what would He want you to strengthen?

5 Jesus promises that whoever overcomes that He will never blot their name out of the book of life. There is hope for those who follow Jesus and do what He says. He promises eternal life for those that repent and submit to Him. PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other s prayer requests and share what God is doing in your life.

6 Philadelphia- Revelation 3:7-13 CONVERSATION STARTER When have you been locked out of your home? Vehicle? What happened? DIGGING DEEPER We continue our series Seven by exploring the letter written to the church in Philadelphia. This was the sixth letter of seven written to the churches found in Revelation. The church in Philadelphia was facing major persecution all around them. A large portion of the persecution came from the Jewish population in the city. The Jewish opposition was so intense that they Christ refers to them as a synagogue of Satan. They claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars. As you can imagine, the fierce persecution probably tempted those in the church to withdrawal themselves, to keep their faith private. The church in Philadelphia is one of only two in Revelation that receives no rebuke or correction (the other is Smyrna). Instead,

7 in the midst of severe persecution and opposition, Jesus offers comfort to the church. Jesus encourages them by saying, Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:7-13. Even today, we find ourselves in difficult situations where compromise is the easy way out. As followers of Jesus, we have to decide how we re going to react in a post-christian culture as persecution grows. What are your initial impressions of the church in Philadelphia? What are the good characteristics of this church? In what ways are we like the Christians in Philadelphia? Unlike them? Why? Have you ever seen someone keep their faith even in hard times? Are you, or have you been worn out and in need of encouragement and hope? What is Jesus saying to you today? How do you find hope in the fact that even though your strength seems gone? Jesus will see that whatever injustices we suffer will be made right. Read Revelation 7:15-17 and Isaiah 61:1-8. Does these verses bring you comfort? How so? How do these verses apply to your life? What will you do about it? The trials and difficulties of life are opportunities for Christ to shine through us.

8 What does it look like to trust God and live our lives like He is in control? What situations in your life are currently challenge this? What steps do you need to take to move toward trusting and living like God is in control? Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus, the one who holds the key? A consistent theme in Jesus letters to these churches is, This world isn t all there is. I have so much more for you. For those who overcome and remain faithful, Jesus has promised incredible rewards. As we journey through life, let us remember that He is faithful and He will never leave us or forsake us. PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other s prayer requests and share what God is doing in your life.

9 Laodicea- Revelation 3:14-22 CONVERSATION STARTER What is your favourite cold cereal? Hot cereal? Your favourite cold drink? Hot drink? DIGGING DEEPER We finish our series Seven by exploring the letter written to the church in Laodicea. This was the final letter of seven written to the churches found in Revelation. Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities, but the city always had a problem with its water supply. They constructed a system to bring water in from the hot springs, but by the time the water reached the city it was neither hot or cool only lukewarm. The church in Laodicea was lacking in every way. Yes, they were a church, but they lacked having Jesus in the centre. Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:14-22.

10 The Laodiceans were rich, but their riches were worldly, not spiritual. They needed spiritual wealth which can only comes through Jesus Christ. Why can it be difficult to have wealth and follow Jesus? What does it look like for someone who is wealthy to follow Jesus? What are your initial impressions of the church in Laodicea? What are the good characteristics of this church? What s lacking? How do the church s strengths and weaknesses relate to each other? In what ways are we similar to Laodicea? What strengths do we have, and what warnings would God give us? Jesus goes on to call them wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Theses are some of the worst things for a person in the ancient world to be called. Jesus was not doing this just out of anger; He was labeling them as they were. Yet even in His anger, Jesus was calling them back to Him. Even when we think we ve gone to far, Jesus is always reaching out to us. He wants to be in relationship with us. Read Matthew 23: How does Jesus challenge here compare to the church in Laodicea? In what ways can we be similar to the Pharisees? Where do you think you are stuck? What steps do you need to take to get unstuck? The reality is that the only solution for Laodicea s problem with being lukewarm and our own is Jesus Himself. Jesus offers a word of counsel for spiritually compromised in verse 19 and he says: Therefore be earnest and repent.

11 What does it mean to be earnest and repent as followers of Jesus? What might it look like to totally rely on Jesus on a daily basis? God loves us too much to leave us the way we are. He desires for all to be in relationship with him. He s waiting and ready for us to move. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Read the entire verse several times, stopping after each word or phrase. Which words or phrases stand our most prominently to you? Share your thoughts. How do you need Jesus to work in your life today? Pray for one another. PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other s prayer requests and share what God is doing in your life.

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