Jesus' Letters to 7 Groups (Pt. 3)

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 3:6-22

The final churches Christ addresses in John's vision are Philadelphia and Laodicea. While the former is encouraged, Laodicea is completely rebuked. Laodicea was content in the world, and they refused to be more than lukewarm towards God. This passage digs into the dangers of being like Laodicea, including the impact on ministry that can have.

Jesus' Letters to 7 Groups (Pt. 1)

Dennis McCallum

Revelation 2:1-11

In John's vision, Jesus begins to address seven churches in Asia. The first address (or letter) is to Ephesus, and it encourages them on their work, toil, endurance, lack of tolerance for evil, and the examination of claims they hear. Christ then admonishes them for leaving their first love, which would be the love the Ephesians had for each other. Christ then prescribes solutions for this problem, reminding believers that love is the most important act.\r\n\r\nChrist's second address is to Smyrna, and he encourages them in the suffering they are enduring by promising them the crown of life for their faithfulness.

Dealing with Failure

Conrad Hilario

1 Peter 5:2-4

God is the God of second chances. We see this play out in the life of Peter. As Jesus approaches Peter, after the crucifixion, He meets Peter where he is at in his failure and offers him compassionate discipline. Peter goes on to be foundational to the growth of the early church. Like Peter, God wants to use our failures to grow us into maturity and use us powerfully.

A Model Church

Doug Patch

Revelation 3:7-13

John's letter to the church of Philadelphia is one of encouragement and promise. Christ's recognizes their focus and faithfulness to His Word and their intent on sharing the gospel with others. Christ rewards their faith with four promises: 1) access to God and more opportunities to share their faith, 2) vindication from people who mock them, 3) protection in difficulties, and 4) "complete and lasting security" in His Kingdom! The dynamic between trust in God and His provisions is expanded upon, emphasizing the importance of meditating on Scripture.

A Letter of Restoration

Jeff Gordon

Revelation 2:1-7

John writes the first of the seven letters to the churches in Asia. Beginning with Ephesus, he encourages them on their hard work, endurance, examination of claims, and their willingness to suffer without quitting. After the encouragement, John reminds them, though, that they have forgotten their first love: Christ! Churches like the one in Ephesus may be performing well, but missing the reason they are serving in the first place.

The Helper

Dennis McCallum

John 14:1-31

Jesus is still with his disciples in the Upper Room as he begins to fill them in on what will happen after he leaves to be with the Father. Jesus tells the disciples that once he leaves, he will leave them with the Holy Spirit and highlights eight different ways the Holy Spirit will minister to believers: 1) empowering; 2) interceding; 3) transforming; 4) sealing; 5) indwelling; 6) regenerating; 7) baptizing; and 8) enlightening. Being led and understanding the role of the Holy Spirit is vital for Christians becoming effective in following God.

Hope and the End of History (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Many wonder what happens after death, where the future is heading, or when history might end. For a believer, hope for the future is rooted in the past reality of Christ's resurrection. All Christians have the promise that they will be caught up with Christ and live a transformed life with him forever. Those of us who have this hope should allow it to shape our priorities and guard our hearts, even as we encourage others.

Being Barnabas

Jim Leffel

Acts 11:19-26

Barnabas is sent to Antioch, where the followers of Christ eventually are first called Christians. He is greatly built up by what he finds and rejoices in God's goodness. True to his name, "Son of Encouragement" Barnabas builds up the church through the power of the Holy Spirit, and later recruits Paul to spend a year there with him teaching and encouraging the church. We can also build others up, being an advocate for them as we impart God's love and grace. \r\n\r\n

Hope in the Face of Death

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul writes to the Thessalonians describing how the Christian life provides real hope amidst death. The promise of a personal, embodied reunion with Jesus Christ gives Christians hope to see their loved ones in Christ who have passed away. This is based on Jesus overcoming death and will occur during the Rapture, where Jesus will return and call up all Christians to meet him up in the air. The implications of these truths are that people need to entrust themselves to Jesus Christ, and for those who are believers in Jesus, they should instruct others with these words.