Seven Letters: The Spirit’s Message To The Church
To stand against the cultural tide can feel impossible. In our day, we face increasing (and at times overwhelming) pressure to affirm what our world affirms. While this might feel particularly true in our day, this is not particularly new. At the end of the 1st century, Jesus wrote seven letters to seven churches facing these same cultural/spiritual pressures, only worse. In this series, we'll explore how Jesus's words to these ancient churches might provide a way forward for us to overcome the world without becoming like the world.
Week 1: Dear Ephesus, You Cannot Love the Bible and Hate People. Revelation 2:1-7
At the end of the first century, the churches faced immense cultural pressure to conform to the world's values and ways. Some churches held firm to the teachings and way of Jesus... and were hated, rejected, & persecuted. Other churches compromised with the world... and lost their reason for existing. So, Jesus wrote them (& us) letters to help us overcome the world without becoming like the world. This week, we'll look at His letter to the church of Ephesus, a church that held tightly to the truths that Jesus taught but somehow lost their love for people
Week 2: Smyrna, Do Not Fear Suffering. Revelation 2:8-11
In His letter to the church at Smyrna, Jesus writes: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.” He writes this as the Roman government is getting ready to hunt them down & kill some of them. It’s a bit jarring. In this message, we'll explore how Jesus gave these early Christians courage, peace, and even joy in the face of unthinkable suffering... and how He wants to do this for us too.
Week 3: Pergamum, Watch for the Second Attack. Revelation 2:12-17
If you had to choose: "Renounce Jesus or die." Would you die for Jesus? In that moment, many of us would choose to die.... or, at least, we hope we would. But what if the test you face is less about dying for Jesus and more about living a life of dying to your own desires… for the sake of Jesus? In His letter to Pergamum, Jesus warns them (and us) against thinking that if Satan isn't trying to kill us, then we're safe. If he cannot destroy you, he’ll try to make you self-destruct. If he cannot defeat you, he’ll seduce you.
Week 4: Thyatira, It’s Not Loving to Affirm Sin. Revelation 2:18-29
If the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) was full of fundamentalists who loved God's Word but hated people, this church would be just the opposite. They were super loving, affirming, and active in the community. Really, really nice people. But they also tolerated some things that seemed to directly contradict the Word of God... and Jesus wants to talk to them (& us) about this.
Week 5: Sardis, When Life Is Most Comfortable, We Are Most Tempted Revelation 3:1-6
In ancient Sardis, history has a way of repeating itself. They seem stuck in a cycle of getting comfortable... too comfortable. Eventually, they get so distracted and so busy that they forget to guard against their enemies and their city falls. In Revelation 3, it sounds like history is about to repeat itself again. Except this time, it's not the city of Sardis that's about to fall. It's the church.
Week 6: Philadelphia. Small But Powerful. Revelation 3:7-13
"Never judge a book by its cover" is a modern-day saying, but over 2,000 years ago, the apostle John said essentially the same thing. The small, run-down, persecuted ancient church of Philadelphia was filled with Nike Christians (really!) who were faithful pillars in their community. Despite external appearances, this tiny and faithful church had the keys to God's kingdom, while other larger churches with more earthly status were judged as faithless, compromised and even dead!
Summary: Be Nike Christians like the Church in Philadelphia. Just do it! Win the prize for your faith under trials.
Week 7: Laodicea, You Cannot See Yourself Clearly Without Help. Revelation 3:14-22
The church of Laodicea is full of highly capable people who are confident that they can succeed in life without help from anyone... even Jesus. Their success has blinded them to their true spiritual condition. Their lives have drifted away from Jesus - He's not even invited to their church services anymore - and no one seems to have noticed. In this letter, Jesus forces them (& us) to face the reality that we cannot see ourselves clearly without help.