Worship 6:00PM. Worship 6:00PM. Worship 6:00PM. Worship 6:00PM

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Branden Blankenship
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Sunday 26 Monday Bible Study Tuesday 27 Wednesday 28 29 4 5 Dinner & Outreach 5 PM Thursday Friday Saturday 30 31 1 6 7 8 13 14 6:00PM VBS/VBX 9am to Noon Kinder through 5th Grades 2 Bible Study

9 Bible Study 3 HAPPY Y DA BIRTH JESSIE 10 11 Dinner & 12 Outreach 5 PM FAQ Luncheon Magnolia Room No Charge for Lunch 16 Bible Study Dinner & Outreach 5 PM 18 19 Dinner & Outreach 5 PM 20 HAPPY Y DA

1 Sunday 26 Monday Bible Study Tuesday 27 Wednesday Dinner & Outreach 5 PM Thursday Friday Saturday :00PM VBS/VBX 9am to Noon Kinder through 5th Grades 2 Bible Study CELEBRATE AUGUST BIRTHDAYS! 9 Bible Study 3 HAPPY Y DA BIRTH JESSIE Dinner & 12 Outreach 5 PM FAQ Luncheon Magnolia Room No Charge for Lunch 16 Bible Study Dinner & Outreach 5 PM Dinner & Outreach 5 PM 20 HAPPY Y DA BIRTH ANN THIRD SUNDAY Monthly Class Lunch Bunch Second Mission Trips Haiti ~ Sept 5-12 India ~ Sept Colombia ~ Oct :00PM HAPPY DAY BIRTH LYNN HAPPY DAY BIRTH E BRUC 17 6:00PM MAYBERRY LESSONS 6:30PM Jane s Grill THRU Aug 19 Weekly :00PM HAPPY Y DA BIRTH RUTH Wed., Sept. 23rd Biblical Contradictions Fri Evening and Sat Morning October 2nd and 3rd Dr. Peter Williams Cambridge, England 6:30pm Sanctuary FOL Class Fall Retreat WHAT CAN RUIN MY DAY? A Study of Anger~Fear~Sadness Woodway Village, Room 113 Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 23-25th A Lifelong Love A Marriage Enrichment Event Gary Thomas, Author $60/couple~$30/individual 1 2 The First Chapter of Revelation (written approximately 96 AD) is mostly a vision of Jesus, an unveiling of Who He really is. 3

The PERSON of Jesus prepares us for eternity in Heaven.

.. 4 Revelation 1:10-11 ~ I was in the Spirit on the Lord s day, and I

.. Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches:

2 The PERSON of Jesus prepares us for eternity in Heaven... The Principles of Jesus prepare us for life on this earth... 4 Revelation 1:10-11 ~ I was in the Spirit on the Lord s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet... Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and Thyatira and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea. 5 Patmos 6

https://grahamprouty.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/a3-7-churches-matrix.jpg 7 Seven Churches represent an era in history: 1. Ephesus The Apostolic Church AD 33-100 2. Smyrna 3.

Laodicea The Persecuted Church under ten Caesars The Church/State Union The Church of the Middle Ages Protestant Reformation Era Era of Revival/Great Awakening AD 100-312 AD 312-590 AD

3 7 Seven Churches represent an era in history: 1. Ephesus The Apostolic Church AD Smyrna 3. Pergamum 4. Thyatira 5. Sardis 6. Philadelphia 7. Laodicea The Persecuted Church under ten Caesars The Church/State Union The Church of the Middle Ages Protestant Reformation Era Era of Revival/Great Awakening AD AD AD AD AD Era of Higher AD Criticism / Liberalism Tribulation In grave danger In excellent shape Just mediocre Just mediocre Just mediocre In excellent shape In grave danger Dr. Charles Wisdom, Teaching Pastor, Second Baptist Church 8 Chapter 2 Verses 7, 11, 17, Chapter 3 Verses 5, 12, 21 9

4 When spiritual matters are brought up many put their fingers in their ears! Each one of the letters Jesus directed to be written to the seven churches of Revelation ended with a directive... I F Y O U H AV E A N E A R, YOU B ET T E R U S E I T! 10 LETTERS WITH STRUCTURE... Sender Compliment Complaint Command Promise 11 The Church at Ephesus 12

13 EPHESUS CITY FAQS ~ ~ TRADITION: John was Bishop for many years in Ephesus ~ John returned to Ephesus after being released from Patmos ~ John after his release spent the rest of his

5 13 EPHESUS CITY FAQS ~ ~ TRADITION: John was Bishop for many years in Ephesus ~ John returned to Ephesus after being released from Patmos ~ John after his release spent the rest of his life in Ephesus ~ Ephesus had an estimated population of 400,000 ~ Ephesus, a port city, was at the crossroads of trading caravans 14 EPHESUS CHURCH FAQS ~ A great but loveless church body 15

6 LETTER TO THE EPHESUS CHURCH ~ SENDER Chapter 2, Verse 1 This is the message from the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and Who walks among the seven gold lamp-stands. 16 COMPLIMENT FOR THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 2-3 I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My Name s sake, and have not grown weary. 17 COMPLIMENT FOR THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 2-3 I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles... Acts 20:28-31 ~ Paul s Farewell to Ephesus ~ 62-70AD(?) Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 18

7 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. What is the first love to which Jesus refers? Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. 19 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. What are symptoms of the Ephesus Syndrome which is a diminishing First Love? Preoccupation with ~ church processes/policy ~ themes ~ goals ~ arguments over fine doctrinal points ~ anything that causes a drifting away from the life changing experience that first brought us to the right place... A FERVENT LOVE FOR GOD AND JESUS, PEOPLE, LEARNING, SERVING AND FULFILLING GOD S WILL. 20 COMMAND TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp-stand out of its place unless you repent. REMEMBER ~ what I had and how far I have fallen from what I once had... the peace and joy that comes only from God. REPENT ~ The church must REMEMBER / REPENT / RETURN WARNING OF CONSEQUENCES The church at Ephesus died by the end of the Second Century because it was a loveless church... 21

The people who overcome by remembering, repenting and returning are praised... 2.

8 COMMITMENT FROM THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Chapter 2, Verse 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. Three elements of the COMMITMENT: 1. The people who overcome by remembering, repenting and returning are praised The people who have an ear to hear will listen to the Spirit The people will accept the message as the one that comes from the Spirit and given to the church and individuals. 22 The Church at Laodicea 23 24

9 LAODICEA CITY FAQS ~ ~ 100 miles due east of Ephesus ~ Important Roman road from Ephesus through Laodicea ~ Active and important center of trade and communication important banking and financial center clothing and textile manufacturing center medical center with a medical school ~ Water supplied by aqueducts from Colossae and Hierapolis (6 and 8 miles distance) 25 LAODICEA CHURCH FAQS ~ Great church as to material wealth in a community known for wealthy people but lukewarm as to its spiritual commitments with the community and God LETTER TO THE LAODICEA CHURCH ~ SENDER Chapter 3, Verse 14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: That which is certain Jesus, reliable and the perfect witness Jesus, with God from the beginning of the world 27

COMPLIMENT FOR THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3 NONE! 28 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses 15-17.

10 COMPLIMENT FOR THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3 NONE! 28 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Being lukewarm is a serious condition reflecting... ~ indifference ~ apathy ~ focused on self ahead of others and God ~ unusable ~ barren 30

11 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Being neither cold nor hot, the church at Laodicea is subject to being spit out of Jesus mouth... totally discarded by Jesus... Jesus is clearly repulsed with the Laodiceans! 31 COMPLAINT TOWARD THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked... Jesus told this church they are wretched and miserable/pitiful because they are spiritually poor in a city famous for its gold and great wealth 2. spiritually blind in a city famous for eye medicine 3. spiritually naked in a city famous for textile production 32 COMMAND TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and [I] will dine with him, and he with Me. 33

12 COMMAND TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.... buy from Me gold... ~ Jesus offers true wealth with all the promises of wealth buy from Me white garments... ~ righteousness that covers the shame of spiritual nakedness buy from Me eye salve to anoint your eyes... ~ Jesus is the source of true life insight 34 COMMAND TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Love is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus even as He reproves and disciplines... us reprove and discipline... calls for: being zealous ~ turn from apathy by allowing Jesus total control by making Him Lord of my life... repenting ~ turning attitude and behavior around COMMAND TO THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verses Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and [I] will dine with him, and he with Me. Jesus Extended an Invitation to Life... Jesus is always seeking entrance into our hearts... The Laodiceans played church and could very well have been only joiners of an organization missing the opportunity to have an authentic life giving heart connection with Jesus or were prodigals who wandered far from Jesus. 36

13 COMMITMENT FROM THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Chapter 3, Verse 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Those who hear AND conquer have a great reward promised by Jesus... Jesus reigns now (Revelation 15) and one day He promises we too shall be given places of service in His kingdom!!! A repeated theme in the New Testament is the hope (confident expectation) of ruling and reigning with Christ throughout eternity!!! 37 A FINAL WORD Chapter 3, Verse 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The first lesson from Jesus plea is that believers and those who do not believe can choose to either listen to the Holy Spirit or reject His calls... This strong plea from Jesus puts everyone on notice that the overriding question in Jesus teaching is, What does this message have to say to me and me alone... The old spiritual message in song is appropriate... It s me, it s me, Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. It s me, it s me, Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Not my mother, not my brother, but it s me, Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer! 38 A FINAL WORD THE EPHESUS EXPERIENCE TEACHES US THREE LESSONS ABOUT HOW TO STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD Becoming too satisfied/comfortable in where we are in our relationship with Jesus can cause us to relax our determination to expand our relationship with God by faithfully and intentionally studying His Word and prayer Being extremely active in church activities is a great contribution to the kingdom as long as we do not let our busyness pull us away from our First Love. 3. Repentance must be in the front of our thinking as Christ Followers as we grow as individual Christians, as a corporate Bible Study Class or a church body... 39

A FINAL WORD THE LAODICEA EXPERIENCE TEACHES US THREE WAYS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST A POOR-RICH CHURCH... 1.

Jesus will supply every need a church may have if that church will listen to and follow His counsel... 3.

14 A FINAL WORD THE LAODICEA EXPERIENCE TEACHES US THREE WAYS TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST A POOR-RICH CHURCH Do not allow the most dangerous attitude a church can have which is that the church belongs to the people, and it exists for their benefit Jesus will supply every need a church may have if that church will listen to and follow His counsel Jesus stands at the door of the heart of every unsaved person. It is our task to tell the unsaved with our lives and words clearly and often that He is there if they will open the door to their hearts for Jesus to enter. 40 EEK W T NEX REVELATION Glimpse of the Throne C hapt er 4 Ve rs e s

Session I Honest Evaluation

Session I Honest Evaluation Introduction Complete Workbook (page 11) 1 Movie Clip Lukewarm Coffee Spiritually Lukewarm What does it mean to be spiritually lukewarm? 2 Spiritually Lukewarm "You will recognize