Jesus, Who Is He?

Jesus, Who Is He?

Topical Identification of Jesus

Intro:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

I pray that God will give us ears to hear…

What is the spirit saying to the church today? What is the Spirit saying to you personally?

Can you hear him? Can you hear him or is your hearing fading?

Open up your Bible to Revelation chapter 2…

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

This is repeated 7 times in chapters 2 & 3.

Jesus address to John for each of the churches starts out with very specific issues for each of the individual churches but closes with a broad application to all the churches.

To the church of… is singular. While … says to the churches is plural.

This shows us that the same warnings and rebukes presented here are still valid for the church today.

Let’s first look at what Jesus is saying to the church of Ephesus in Chapter 2 and to the church in Laodicea in chapter 3:

Rev. 2:1-7 (NIV)

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: [2] I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. [6] But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

[7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Ephesus was a major metropolitan: Supreme Metropolis of Asia - "free" city, i.e., self-governed - "The Vanity Fair of the Ancient World"

The church in Ephesus had lost it’s first love. They had forgotten where they had come from and what Christ had done for them.

Religious – Doing the right things but not out of love

Have you lost your first love?

Do something nice for someone?

Rev. 3:14-22 (NIV)

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. [15] I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! [16] So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. [17] You say, ’I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

[19] Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. [20] 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 him, and he with me.

[21] To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. [22] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Exp: City of Laodicea – Wealthy - earthquake of A.D. 17 – refused imperial help and paid for everything themselves.

Despite it all – Bad Water – Luke warm

Either hot or cold? This is a reference to their uselessness.

The Laodicean church can still be found today sitting on the church pews out of religious obligation not doing anything useful for the Kingdom of God.

The church in Laodicea had lost it’s passion. In fact, both Ephesus and Laodicea had lost their passion.

How? They had been lulled to sleep. Have we lost our passion or usefulness?

The church in America has!!

The church in America has totally lost their mind. Look at the political climate of America. It is a sad day when people who claim to serve a living God would put into office a Muslim, just because he is running on their team’s ticket. Our senate and congress have Muslims in them.