Messages

Probably nothing in the whole Bible relates more to the modern American church than this letter that Jesus writes to the church in Laodicea.

Unlike the other letters we have read so far, Jesus doesn't start with anything positive for the church in Sardis. They look good on the outside, but they are dead on the inside.

Today we are doing a deep dive into the church of Thyatira, and the warning of the Jezebel spirit.

This weekend, we take a break from our series on the Seven Churches of Revelation to give everyone an update on the vision and direction of the Church. Pastor Jason returns from his sabbatical energized to preach the word and let the Spirit lead our congregation.

Today we are going to do a deep dive into the church of Pergamum, and the warning of synchronism in their (and our) culture.

Here is what we can conclude from Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna: Jesus isn’t promising to pull you out of what you’re facing, He’s promising to walk with you through it. To strengthen you in it. To give you a hope that even death can’t touch. So don’t quit. Don’t walk away. Don’t lose heart.

The Biblical account of the church of Ephesus ends with a letter Jesus wrote to this church in Revelation chapter 2. From this letter, we can see that they took seriously the expectation to get rid of the false teachers. Jesus commends them for doing so. However, in their eagerness to dispel false teachers, it seems they forgot the greatest command of all, to love God and love people.

Paul ends with a flurry of personal instructions and greetings. This is a reminder to us that Paul was a real person, who lived in a real time in a community with real people. Among the many names in this text, we find people who have helped Paul along the way and those who have hurt him. What is the hard thing God has called you to do? If you only have God with you to do it, is that enough?

Having reminded Timothy of the great gift and value of the Word of God, Paul ends this final letter to Timothy with one final charge: Preach the word!

While the false teachers are deceiving and being deceived, Paul reminds Timothy that it doesn’t have to be the case for him. Timothy was discipled by Paul himself and had a front row seat to witness Paul's life and ministry up close, both the good and the bad. Timothy got to see God at work in spectacular ways.