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)