Look At The Sympton: Can Others See Your Passion?

LOOK AT THE SYMPTONS? IS YOUR PASSION SHOWING?

ARE WE SEARCHING FOR A PASTTIME? OR A GREAT PASSION?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

INTRODUCTION: Why are many talking about a young boy named TIM TEBOW?

Tim has a great passion...

I. CAN WE HEAR THE CRY OF THE WORLD?

DOES THE CRY OF THE CHURCH DIFFER VERY MUCH FROM THE CRY OF THE WORLD?

A. HEAR THE CRY TO AMUSEMENT?

WE WANT TO PLAY GAMES? We want to have fun...

B. FREE OR CHEAP ENTERTAINMENT?

KJV

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,

walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are

accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

NIV

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.

[9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout

the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

PEOPLE are looking for a way of amusement, a PASS TIME? ENTERTAINMENT?

Amuse: TO DIVERT ATTENTION, to occupy, to entertain in a light, playful, pleasant matter.

To appeal to the sense of humor or pleasure.

II. THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS HAS SOME VERY IMPORTANT LESSONS TO STUDY...

THE LESSONS OF THE 7 CHURCHES IS POWERFUL... 6 CHURCHES HAVE SOME GOOD

POINTS... THE 7TH CHURCH DOES NOT... EACH OF THE SEVEN HAVE SPIRITUAL SYMPTOMS...

1. The church of EPHESUS was an ACTIVE church, she was sound in DOCTRINE...

but the church of EPHESUS was LACKING IN LOVE... Rev. 2:1

2. The church of SMYRNA was filled with poor people, but God saw her as a RICH CHURCH.

Rev. 2:8-11

3. The church at PERGAMOS was full of FALSE DOCTRINE and DISAVOWED TRUTH.

Rev. 2:12

4. The church at THYATIRA was so hungry for spiritual things and signs, the church

fell for false dreams, lying messages, itching ears, the swallowed fish line and sinker

for THE PROPHETESS SPIRITS. Rev. 2:18-27

5. The church at SARDIS was so sad, it was a dying church bond by traditions, formalism...

HALF-HEARTEDNESS. Rev. 3:1-6

6. The church of PHILADELPHIA... THE LOYAL CHURCH... She loved Jesus Christ, tried

to stay pure, ... Rev. 3: 7-13

7. THEN WE COME TO THE 7TH CHURCH, THE CHURCH OF THE LAST DAYS...

THE LAODICEANS... the no zeal, no passion, back slidden, SELF-SATISFIED,

LUKE-WARM... (Rev. 3: 14-17)

III. 2 OF THE 7 CHURCHES REALLY SPEAK OF THE LAST DAYS...

BOTH CHURCHES OCCUR IN THE LAST DAYS AGE FRAME...

A. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF THREE KINDS OF LOVE:

1. EROS: pleasure, eye appeal, desire, 5 senses...

2. PHILEO: brotherly, family, kindness

3. AGAPEO: deep, everlasting, wide open,

B. Church #6 is PHILADELPHIA...

Rev. 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he

that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth,

and no man openeth;

[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou

hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Rev. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour

of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

III. PASS TIME OR PASSION CHURCH...

THE LAST CHURCH OF THE AGE IS THE WORSE CHURCH, NOTHING GOOD IS

SAID ABOUT THE LAODICEAN CHURCH... IT IS COLD, INDIFFERENT AND FULL

OF SPIRITUAL APATHY... GOD CALLS THEM TO RETURN TO ZEAL...

A. THE I HAVE IT ALL AGE: master Card, Visa, American Express.

B. 3 Bedrooms and 2 baths, nice car...

C. THE NORM IN THE CHURCH WILL BE LUKEWARM

Rev. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the

faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and