Sermon Central
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Letters To The Seven Churches Of Asia
Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015 (message contributor)
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1. The Letter To The Ephesian Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
The danger of being dutiful and pure without love for Christ Jesus.
Verse 1 - The message is sent by the One Who walks among the congregations and Who supports and holds accountable the leadership of the congregations. Verse 2 - Jesus begins with the statement "I know". Because He walks among the congregations, He knows everything about each congregation. Jesus ...read more
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2. Letter To The Smyrna Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
Persecution is to be expected by the godly and enduring persecution can bring great spiritual good.
Verse 8 – Jesus introduces Himself as being “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and has come to life.” The importance of this particular self-designation to the Smyrna Church of Christ will be seen when we have studied the challenges facing this congregation. Verse 9 ...read more
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3. Letter To The Pergamum Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
Compromising in holiness is far more dangerous than severe persecution of a congregation and individual Christian.
Verse 12 - Jesus introduces Himself as having a two-edged sword. The significance of that will be plainly understood later in this letter. Verse 13 - Jesus first tells the congregation that He knows that one of the greatest challenges they must deal with is dwelling where they do - Pergamum - ...read more
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4. Letter To The Thyatira Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
Both Christ and the Apostle Paul warned that the leaven of sin can destroy a congregation. The leadership at Thyatira are chastened for not practicing congregational discipline.
Verse 18 – Jesus introduces Himself to the leadership and, secondarily, to the congregation at Thyatira as “the Son of God, Who has eyes like a flame of fire.” The significance of this designation in relationship with the Thyatiran brethren is twofold: (1) This city's god and ...read more
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5. Letter To The Sardis Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
Congregational leaders need to keep themselves and their members alive and zealously active by invoking and cooperating with the life-reviving Holy Spirit.
Verse 1 - In each of the seven letters, Jesus introduces Himself differently to each church congregation. He does this because, in each case, the way He introduces Himself is relevant to the situations of each church congregation and the message they need to heed. Jesus introduces Himself ...read more
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6. Letter To The Philadelphia Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
Due to their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost their position as being God's Chosen. The Church, composed of the believing Jewish Remnant and Gentiles, is now God's Chosen. Christians, alone, have access to the throne of God.
Verse 7 – Again, we see that this letter is sent to the angel of the church; that is, to the leadership of the congregation in Philadelphia. In the other Letters to the six other congregations, Jesus introduced Himself by taking phrases from the vision of Christ in Chapter 1. This is ...read more
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7. Letter To The Laodicea Congregation
Contributed on May 24, 2015
A congregation that is not actively benefitting and transforming the culture in which it finds itself, it is sickening to Jesus, the Head of the Church. Jesus condemns the Laodicean 'Health & Wealth Gospel' which is promoted by modern-day televangelists.
Verse 14 – Jesus introduces Himself to the congregation at Laodicea by three titles: (1) “The Amen” which is a reminder that the Lord – by His death on the Cross – is the living confirmation of the New Covenant with its promises. 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, ...read more