08-24-14 There was a door standing open in heaven

Scripture    Revelation 4 & 5

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.  Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.  Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?"  But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

            Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.  And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

08-17-14 Jesus’ letters to the churches part 2

Scripture   Revelation 2 & 3

Actual announcements taken from church letters (bulletins).

1.    Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

2.    The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: “I Upped My Pledge-Up Yours.”

3.    A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

4.    At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What is Hell?”  Come early and listen to our choir practice.

5.    Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and the deterioration of some older ones.

6.    The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.

7.    Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please enter on the East side through the large double doors.

 

Last week we learned that Jesus has a special relationship with each church individually and saw in these letters to 7 churches how he described himself differently to each, related to his unique relationship with them.

          Today, we are going to dig a little further and see that 1) “I know this about you”  Jesus knows our church.  He knows our deeds. This can be a frightening thing, however, all but church 7, Jesus starts with something positive.  2) I have this against you: - Jesus will let us know where we are failing.  3) To him who overcomes - Jesus ends with a positive for those who are victorious over the things they need to change.  And once again - the reward - like the relationship itself is unique to each church.

          Notice that Jesus has given us a model for correction in love - This is what is good, this is what needs corrected, once corrected, you will be amazing.

I know this about you:

Ephesus 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. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  God calls us to be faithful as He is faithful. And he aides us: 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Smyrna I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich!

Turn that around - Robin Williams was financially wealthy and had a family, yet his depression obviously made him feel poor in some area of life. There are people who live in poverty that are the richest people in the world.  The world’s wealth is external - the Lord’s wealth is internal and eternal.

Pergamum I know where you live — where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city — where Satan lives.

More than Ephesus - you live in the house of Satan where my follower Antipas was murdered for his faith - yet you remain faithful.  Oh, how many leave the church when times get tough???

Thyatira I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.  This is a church that works for the Lord and grows in their service - it doesn’t cut back as so many do today.  Neh 4:16-18

The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.

Sardis I know your deeds; you have a few people who have not soiled their clothes.

Only a few…God does amazing things with the remnant. Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal

Philadelphia I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

          David had NO STRENGTH against Goliath but he has the Lord’s strength.

Laodicea I know your deeds, (and has NOTHING GOOD to say)

          There are churches that nothing good can be said about them.

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If Jesus were telling us the virtues of his church that gathers at 9^th and Shoshone what good things would he say?  (maybe have people write it down and say it.)

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Jesus knows our church.  He knows our deeds. This can be a frightening thing.  It can be frightening because no church gets it all right.

I have this against you:

Ephesus Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

Spend time, want to be with, etc.

Smyrna I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Have you heard someone say, yes I am a Christian - but no fruit shows?

Pergamum I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Balaam taught wrong things and Nicolaitans teach wrong things.

Thyatira I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  Similar issues to Pergamum.

Sardis Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  My pet peeve - people who start something but don’t finish.

Philadelphia I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars — I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  Because you have remained faithful to my word in this wicked place.

Laodicea I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 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.  The biggest spiritual danger that exists is comfort. We get lazy and feel secure in our apathy.

 

What are the things Jesus might say about us that needs work?  We have lost our commitment to the church as a whole and consideration for the church future. 

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Jesus knows our church.  He knows our deeds. This can be an exciting and frightening thing.  BUT, because it is His church, he ends with a promise to a possible better day ahead.

To him who overcomes:

Ephesus To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. His original intent for us.

Smyrna He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Rev 20:14-15

The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Pergamum To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. The depths and hidden mysteries of God.

Thyatira To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'-just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.  Co-ruler with the Creator and King.

Sardis He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.   Guaranteed salvation

Philadelphia Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. Anna who worshipped day and night and never left the temple.

Laodicea 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. Stop being luke warm - get hot for Jesus and you will sit WITH Him on His throne!

Scene 1: Letter to the Passionless Church: Ephesus (2:1-7)

Scene 2: Letter to the Persecuted Church: Smyrna (2:8-11)

Scene 3: Letter to the Tolerant Church: Pergamum (2:12-17)

Scene 4: Letter to the Compromising Church: Thyatira (2:18-29)

Scene 5: Letter to the Dead Church: Sardis (3:1-6)

Scene 6: Letter to the Missionary Church: Philadelphia (3:7-13)

Scene 7: Letter to the Arrogant Church: Laodicea (3:14-22)

How does Jesus see you FirstB?  What is good?  What needs work?  Will you be part of overcoming, or will you be stuck, living in Laodicea?

08-10-14 Jesus’ letters to the church

Scripture     Revelation 2 & 3

A church bulletin is not a letter to the church but it kind of is. It is written on paper to inform everyone what is happening at the church this week.  It is like a letter and each church has one unique to their church.

          Here are some: Actual announcements Taken from Church Bulletins

1.    Don’t let worry kill you. Let the Church help.

2.    Thursday night – Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

3.    Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

4.    For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

5.    The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Reverend and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

6.    This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mr. Vassilas to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

7.    This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

8.    Musically, the service will close with “Little Drops of Water”. One of the ladies will start (quietly) and the rest of the congregation will join in.

How does it feel to get a personal letter in the mail?

REVIEW: (John and a presense) Prologue, stage setting, seven candles and son of man.

Rev 1:19-20

Jesus to John: “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

ACT 1 - 7 scenes - each takes place in a different church as the letter is read to that church.  Each letter begins the same:

Each letter begins “To the angel of the church in _______ write”

SEVEN LETTERS ON VIDEO

The author describes how He is related to each church individually and personally:

Ephesus was a city on the western coast of Asia Minor, near the mouth of the Cayster River. The city was famous for its temple of Diana, and pilgrims came to Ephesus from all over the Mediterranean world to worship the goddess.

Ephesus These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Smyrna was a large, important city on the western coast of Asia Minor, famed for its schools of medicine and science.

Smyrna These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

 

Pergamum, was a beautiful art-filled city in the province of Asia built along two tributaries of the Caicus River. A center for the worship of Dionysus, Zeus, and other pagan gods.
Pergamum These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

 

Thyatira was a wealthy town on the Lycus River in the Roman province of Asia.

Thyatira These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

 

Sardis was one of the oldest and best defended cities in the region and the wealthy capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia.

Sardis These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

 

Philadelphia was a city on the Imperial Post Road, an important trade route.

Philadelphia These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

 

Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley.
Laodicea These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.

Jesus love letter to the church:

I come to you for this reason today. I have loved you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

I am not looking for perfect people. Just as a doctor comes for the sick, I come for the broken, the imperfect, the searching heart. Matthew 9:9-13

I long for you. As a shepherd searches for his lost sheep, I will not be content until you are safe in my arms. Luke 15:1-7

When life lets you down, come to Me. I will give you a new hope, a new start, a new promise. Luke 5:1-11

If you open your heart to Me, you become a child of God. John 1:12

If you are thirsty for a better life, come to Me and drink, and rivers of new life will spring up inside of you. John 7:37-39

I will give you abundant life, and I will care for you as a loving shepherd. John 10:10-11

I will give you rest, peace, and joy. Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, John 16:16-24

I will always be with you. Matthew 28:20

I am the way, the truth, and the life; you can come to the Father through Me. John 14:6

I am the only door between Heaven and earth. John 10:9

I did not come to condemn you, but to rescue you. John 3:17

I came to set you free. John 8:31-32

I died for you, the innocent for the guilty, that you might be declared innocent. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21

I am the sacrificial Lamb who takes away your sin. John 1:29

Come to Me, and I will wash you. I will make you clean. John 13:8

If you trust in Me, eternal life is yours today. John 3:16

I will be the vine, and you will be My branches, full of life, bearing rich fruit. John 15:1-8

I love you – I choose you – come and live every day in My love. John 15:9,16

I am knocking at the door of your heart; if you open your heart to Me, I will come in. Revelation 3:20-21

Follow Me, and I will give you a new life, a new purpose, a new destiny. Matthew 4:19

Even now, I am preparing a place for you in Heaven. John 14:1-3

Love, Jesus

 

Scene 1: Letter to the Passionless Church: Ephesus (2:1-7)

Scene 2: Letter to the Persecuted Church: Smyrna (2:8-11)

Scene 3: Letter to the Tolerant Church: Pergamum (2:12-17)

Scene 4: Letter to the Compromising Church: Thyatira (2:18-29)

Scene 5: Letter to the Dead Church: Sardis (3:1-6)

Scene 6: Letter to the Missionary Church: Philadelphia (3:7-13)

Scene 7: Letter to the Arrogant Church: Laodicea (3:14-22)