epiphany

You’ve Got Mail Message Series
Week 1 – Revelation 2: 1 – 7
Church of Ephesus
Loss of First Love
Upcoming Weeks
Week 2 – Smyrna – afflictions for Christ – be faithful
Week 3 – Pergamum – It’s bad when God syas “I know where you live”  It’s different when a punk says it versus God.
- not left the faith, but hold wrong teaching
Week 4 – Thyatira – love, faith, service and perserverance, but tolerate Jezebel
Week 5 – Sardis – You are dead (James 2) – Wake up!!  Some still in midst that are working (10% doing work for 100%)
Week 6 – Philadelphia – You have opportunity, because you have kept God’s word and have not denied Him
Week 7 – Laodicea – You are lukewarm – You have earthly wealth and have nothing.
Video clip - 
Connect Group this week – Dependence on the Holy Spirit.  Without the Holy Spirit none of us can serve as Jesus served.  The spirit is the power in a servant’s heart.  John 14: 15 - 27
Illustration
- first girl love
- McDonald’s smokin’
Fanning the Flame of Passion; Revelation 2:1-7.
Revelation 2: 1 – 7 (NAS)
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus R75 write: The One who holds the R76 seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among R77 F13 the seven golden lampstands, says this: 2 `I R78 know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, F14 and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put R79 to the test those who call themselves apostles, R80 and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance F15 and have endured for R81 My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 4 `But I have this against you, that you have left R82 your first love. 5 `Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent R83 and do R84 the deeds F16 you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand R85 out of its place--unless you repent. 6 `Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, R86 which I also hate. 7 `He R87 who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To R88 him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the R89 tree of life which is in the Paradise R90 of God.' 
I. The Commendation. Vs. 1-3. – Praised for its Orthodoxy, their beliefs were right on with the heart of Christian doctrine
Illustration:  You’ve got to believe correctly
Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans
Beans  = vegetable
Sugar is derived from either sugar cane or sugar BEETS.
Both of them are plants, in the vegetable category.  Thus, chocolate is a vegetable.
To go one step further, chocolate candy bars also contain milk, which is dairy.  So candy bars are a health food.
Chocolate-covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as may as you want.
Remember … “Stressed” spelled backward is “Desserts”
Although this sounds good, it not completely accurate.  In every inaccuracy, falsehood, or lie there is a little hint of truth or else no one would follow it.
The church at Ephesus was good at deciding correct belief from false belief.
1. v. 1 – John starts by reminding them about one of the most edifying truths there is about the church and individual
2. God is the One that hold the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
3. From 1: 20 we learn that and the stars are the prevailing leaders of the church, like the pastors and ruling elders and the lampstands are the churches.
4. Please note that Jesus is now “walking” among the lamp stands. Like a Commanding officer inspecting His troops before battle. He is active in His churches. He is in their midst and aware of their activities.
5. This is the fundamental theme of the Holiness Code, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” – Leviticus 26: 12
6. The prevailing leaders, such as pastors and ruling elders, are in his control.
7. If you have a hard time with this one, then you have issue with the sovereignty of God.
8. It is not our place to correct those above us, but to obey our leaders (Ephesians 5, 6)
9. v. 2 – Much of the church’s trouble, however, stemmed from people who tried to place themselves within the beleiveing community, but never acted as a minister.
10. These Christ labels “wicked men,” people who called themselves apostles but were found to be false.
11. Paul had told the Ephesian elders in his farewell, “After I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock” (Acts 20: 29), and the message to the Ephesian church in Revelation confirms the accuracy of his prediction.
12. Matthew 7: 20 – By their fruit you will recognize them
13. In the Didache the test for a true prophet is that “he have the behavior of the Lord”
14. Christ lists seven characteristics for which this church or any church would receive commendation.
1. I know your deeds.
2. I know your hard work. (Eph 2:10)
3. I know you perseverance, in the hard work.
4. I know your intolerance of wickedness.
5. I know of your testing the teachings.
6. I know of your perseverance and endurance in the hard times.
7. I know you have not grown weary. You have fought the good fight.
II. The Condemnation. Vs. 4. – “Every virtue carries within itself the seeds of it’s own destruction.”  R. Mounce – Chided for its Failure to Love
1. Missing Main ingredient
2. You have forsaken your first love.
a. You lose your passion for the Lord.
b. You lose your passion for the brethren.
c. You lose your passion for the lost.
3. The Ephesian church had forsaken its first love.
4. The expression includes both love of God and love of humanity at large, but here it seems to refer mainly to the love that the Ephesian converts had for one another (2 John 5)
5. A cooling of personal love for God inevitably results in the loss of harmonious relationships within the body of believers. (If you love the you are my disciples, John 13: 35)
6. Epiphany DNA – If we become a cold church, then we will not be a people that invest ourselves in the lives of others.
It is the dream of a place that effectively engages the generational gap most often overlooked by the modern day church by being culturally relevant, innovative, and authentic.  This place will be one of the leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation, divorce care, and minister / leadership training centers in northern middle Tennessee.
7. How can you as an individual invest in the life of another, if you are cold hearted?
8. Good works can become the barometer by which we measure our intimacy with the Lord. Yes, He wants our hands but first and foremost He wants our hearts. (Luke 10:38-41)
9. Our desire to have pure orthodox doctrine can build cold impenetrable walls around our hearts. We can become more concerned with being right than being receptive. 
10. Illustration:
11. Tom Wiles served a stint as university chaplain at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.  A few years ago he picked up a keynote speaker for a conference at the Phoenix airport in his new Ford pickup.  Since the speaker was mourning the trade in of his Dodge truck, they immediately bonded, sharing truck stories and laughing at the bumper – sticker truism: “Nothing is more beautiful than a man and his truck.”
12. As the speaker climbed into his 2002 Ranger for the ride back to the airport a day later, he noticed two big scrapes by the passenger door. “What happened here?” the speaker asked. “My neighbor’s basketball psot fell and left those dents and white scars,”  Tom replied with a downcast voice.  “You’re kidding! How awful,” the speaker commiserated. “This truck is so new I can smell it.”  “What’s even worse is my neighbor doesn’t feel responsible for the damage.”  Rising to speakers newfound friend’s defense, “I said, “Did you contact your insurance company? How are you going to get him to pay for it?”
13. “This has been a real spiritual journey for me,” Tom replied.  “After a lot of soul – searching and discussions with my wife about hiring an attorney, it came down to this:  I can either be in the right, or I can be in a relationship with my neighbor. Since my neighbor will probably be with me longer than this truck, I decided that I’d rather be in a relationship than be right.  Besides, trucks are meant to be banged up, so I got mine initiated into the real world a bit earlier that I expected.”
14. We are to be more concerned with winning souls than arguments. It is not that we want people to agree with the gospel, we want them to embrace the gospel. (1 Peter 3:15)
        "Love takes up where knowledge leaves off."   St. Thomas Aquinas quotes 15. 
3a. What we have in common is much greater than any differences we may have. “Not all doctrines are at the heart of the gospel, not all errors are properly labeled heresy and not all disagreements are worth fighting for.” C. Keener 
( 2 Tim 2:22-26)
16. When it comes to hating wickedness there is no compromise. However, it can never lead to hating the wicked!
People believe that Christianity is filled with a bunch “Thou shalt nots” or “I can’ts”
Can’t eat beef, … mad cow
Can’t eat chicken … bird flu
Can’t eat eggs … salmonella
Can’t eat pork … fears that bird flu will infect piggies
Can’t eat fish … heavy metals in the waters have poisoned their meat
Can’t eat fruits and veggies … insecticides and herbicides.
I believe that leaves chocolate!!!!
III. Counsel v. 5 – 7– Cures for a Cold Heart. – Challenged to repent and return to its original high ground
1. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Our passion for the Lord, our brethren and the lost is to be ever increasing never declining or maintaining. Can you remember what it was like the first time you met Jesus or you spouse?  The church is called upon to remember the earlier days in which love abounded in the congregation.  This love you once had overlooked all of the discrepancies.
2. Without love the congregation ceases to be a church.  Its lampstand is removed and the church sign bears the name Ichabod Baptist/Community Church, for the spirit of the Lord has departed.
3. Repent.  We must turn this thing around!!
4. The overcomers in Revelation are not those who have conquered an earthly foe by force, but those who have remained faithful to Christ to the very end.
        "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people."   Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes 5. 
15. Repeat  the things you did at first.
IV. Consequence.
1. Removal of the lampstand.
a. We cannot use the light of Christ to blind people. We must use it to illuminate the Way to salvation.
b. Without love there can be no church and no need for a lamp!
The difference between an object – based church and a relation – based church is the difference between a church that sells itself versus a church that brings people into a living, lifelong relationship with Christ and one another
Biblical truth is not a possession you wield, but a life you yield
Evangelism shifts from an attempt to indoctrinate a skeptic into a new belief system and makes the gospel proclamation a process of inviting others into a relationship with god.
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Quan Yin. “Follow the feminine.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Krishna. “Follow the Lotus and chant the Gita.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks New Agers. “Follow your bliss.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Buddha. “Follow mindfulness.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Prophet Muhammad. “Pray five times a day and follow the Quran.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Moses. “Follow the Torah.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Chief Seattle. “Follow nature.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Aristotle. “Follow my teachings.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Confucius. “Follow my koans.”
“Want to learn how to live?” asks Jesus. ”Follow me.”
You know, we need a lot more Christians in life that can say if you want to find Christ, then watch my example, that Christ set for us.
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world."   Immanuel Kant quotes

You’ve Got Mail
Week 2 – Smyrna
Revelation 2: 8 – 11 (NAS)
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 9 `I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 `Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'
I. Focus on your Godly riches (v. 9)
a. John writes that he knows that they have tribulation and have poverty, but yet says they are rich.
i. Is he self contradictory?
ii. To understand this we must first examine the source of the tribulation:
iii. Summarize:
1. Smyrna sustained a special relationship to Rome.  During the period when Rome was engaged in a struggle for supremacy against the Carthaginian empire (265 – 146 B. C.) Smyrna had placed itself squarely on the side of the Romans, and in 195 B.C it became the first city in the ancient world to build a temple in honor of Dea Roma.  Later, in 23 BC, Smyrna won permission (over ten other Asian cities) to build a temple to the emperor Tiberius.  This strong allegiance to Rome plus a large Jewish population that was actively hostile to the Christians made it exceptionally difficult to live as a Christian in Smyrna.  The most famous example of martyrdom of the early church fathers was that of the elderly Polycarp.
iv. In an antagonistic environment it would be difficult for the Christian to make a living, and thus many were economically destitute
1. They may also have been the victims of mob violence and looting (Heb. 10: 34)
2. Their poverty, however, was a material poverty not spiritual poverty.
b. John is not speaking of material riches, but spiritual riches
i. Philippians 4: 19
1. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2. God will supply your needs with riches in Christ
3. Riches of this world will not supply
4. The world’s view of riches and God’s view is different
a. John D. Rockefeller's three simple rules for anyone who wants to become rich: 1. Go to work early. 2. Stay at work late. 3. Find oil. 
5. God says you get rich through righteousness:
a. Proverbs 11: 28
i. He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the {green} leaf.
ii. Riches will fall
iii. People will do anything to become rich
What's the most outrageous thing you would do for $10,000 cash? That's the question posed recently by Chicago radio station WKOX, which attracted responses from more than 6,000 full-tilt crazies. 
The eventual winner: Jay Gwaltney of Zionsville, Indiana, who consumed an 11-foot birch sapling -- leaves, roots, bark and all. For the event, he donned a tux and dined at a table set elegantly with china, sterling, candles and a rose vase. Armed with pruning sheers, the Indiana State University sophomore began chomping from the top of the tree and worked his way, branch by branch, to the roots. His only condiment: French dressing for the massive birch-leaf salad. The culinary feat took 18 hours over a period of three days. 
When it was all over, Gwaltney complained of an upset stomach. Evidently the bark was worse than his bite.  
Campus Life, December 1980, p. 19. 
ii. Many of us want that get rich quick plan in our life, but listen to what proverbs has to say about that…
1. Proverbs 28: 20 (NAS) A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
iii. Does this mean that a Christian cannot be rich?
1. That is not the issue, but let us entertain.
2. King David was rich
3. Solomon was rich
4. Job was rich, twice
5. We are to be stewards of his money.
a. Either you are faithful with much of his money or a little of his money.
b. It is not you that is rich, it is God, when you are a true Christian steward.
iv. The Main point here in Revelation is found in James 2: 5
1. 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
2. God chose the poor of the world to confound the rich
II. Be aware, God knows their wrongs. (v. 9)
a. The Jews who blasphemed and slandered, were not real Jews.
i. According to Paul when he wrote Romans 2: 28 – 29, he says “a man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly … but … a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly.
ii. Their hostility was proof that they were not of God, but a synagogue of Satan.
iii. They had become bitterly opposed to the church and its message, a synagogue carrying out the activities of God’s supreme adversary, Satan.
b. "Therefore we Christians, in turn, are obliged not to tolerate their wanton and conscious blasphemy"
i.   Martin Luther quotes (German Priest and Scholar whose questioning of certain church practices led to the Protestant Reformation. 1483-1546)
c. Part of Epiphany DNA is not to accept slanders and blasphemies of God and God’s people.
i. Instead of tearing God and people down, it will be a place that will build them up.
ii. It is the dream of a place that cares so much about new families that it will go the distance. Families of all ages and sizes will connect with others that have been in their shoes.  It will be a place that offers relevant training to promote successful and joyful living in today's world.
iii. It doesn’t matter what this family looks like or what they have been through, they will find this to be a place where nobody stands alone.
d. What does the Bible say about people that do blasphemy and slander?
e. 2 Peter 3: 7 – the ungodly
i. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
ii. ungodly will be destroyed
f. 1 Corinthians 6: 9 – the unrighteous
i. 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
ii. unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for "religious" things. As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed by on their way to worship. October came and the farmer had his finest crop ever--the best in the entire county. When the harvest was complete, he placed an advertisement in the local paper which belittled the Christians for their faith in God. Near the end of his diatribe he wrote, "Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can prosper." The response from the Christians in the community was quiet and polite. In the next edition of the town paper, a small ad appeared. It read simply, "God doesn't always settle His accounts in October."  
William E. Brown in Making Sense of Your Faith. 
g. Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 – the unwise
i.  15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
ii. Do not be unwise, but understand God’s will
iii. The unwise doe not understand God’s will and purpose for their life.
h. Leviticus 4: 2 – the unintending
i. 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and commits any of them,
ii. Unintentional sins – offer sacrifices – needs atonement
i. "Truth is generally the best vindication against slander"
i.   Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65), who brought about the emancipation of the slaves. 1809-1865)
j. "Slander cannot destroy an honest man - when the flood recedes the rock is there"
i.   Chinese Proverbs quotes
III. Your job is not to fear (v. 10)
An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for
>  several years.
>
>            He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice; picnic
>  tables, horseshoe courts, and some apple and peach trees.
>
>            The pond was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming
>  when it was built.
>
>            One evening, the old farmer decided to go down to the
>  pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over.  He
>  grabbed a five gallon bucket to bring back some fruit.  As he neared
>  the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.  As he
>  came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in
>  his pond.  He made the women aware of his presence and they all went
>  to the deep end.
>
>              One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out
>  until you leave!"
>
>     The old man frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies
>  swim naked nor make you get out of the pond naked."
>
>  Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."
>
>
>     Moral: Old men can still think fast
a. Satan is still putting Christians is actual and symbolic prisons today.
i. This weeks connect group message is about being a bondslave.
1. We will see that we have a choice to be a slave to the world and Satan or we have a choice to be a slave to Christ and experience true freedom.
ii. Satan attempts to make us his slaves and many fall into his trap, but we need to understand what God’s word says about it.
1. Matthew 10:28 tells us that our Sovereign God is in control of all things. Even our afflictions.
2. The suffering for “ten days” indicates two great truths. One is that Satan’s power is limited and the second is that our suffering will be limited.
b. Suffer – b/c of Smyrna’s relationship to Rome they suffered
i. 1 Peter 2: 21
1. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
2. Christ also suffered
ii. 1 Peter 4: 13
1. 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
2. share sufferings with Christ
c. Fear
i. Psalm 27: 1 – 3
1. 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In {spite of} this I shall be confident.
2. Don’t fear, for God in on your side
ii. Isaiah 41: 10
1. 10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
2. Don’t fear, God is there
d. We see in verse 8
i. He is the First and Last, was dead and is now alive.
1. This is Christ
2. As he was victorious over death, so they, too, can face martyrdom knowing that faithfulness is rewarded with eternal life.
IV. Invitation
a. The last encouragement that he gives to Smyrna is that if you do not fear, but are faithful then you will overcome the second death.
b. How many of you are 100% that if you died right now that you will be in heaven, leaving this 2nd death behind?
John D. Rockefeller's three simple rules for anyone who wants to become rich: 1. Go to work early. 2. Stay at work late. 3. Find oil. 
Source Unknown. 
Contentment
He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave,
Because Thou savest such.
Fullness to such a burden is
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age.
John Bunyan.
Lottery winners fruit
Many people think money is security, but I Timothy 6:9 warns that it can be just the opposite. A few years ago, columnist Jim Bishop reported what happened to people who won the state lottery: Rosa Grayson of Washington won $400 a week for life. She hides in her apartment. For the first time in her life, she has "nerves." Everyone tries to put the touch on her. "People are so mean, " she said. "I hope you win the lottery and see what happens to you."  
When the McGugarts of New York won the Irish Sweepstakes, they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny, twenty-six, loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn't change their plans. A year later, the million wasn't gone; it was bent. The boys weren't speaking to Pop, or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her. Within two years, all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes. "It's the Devil's own money," Mom said. Both boys were studying hard to become alcoholics. All these people hoped and prayed for sudden wealth. All had their prayers answered. All were wrecked on a dollar sign.  
Chuck Rasmussen. 
Evil will not go unpunished
The prisoner doesn’t make the prison.  – There is evil in the world, and we are prisoners in this creation.  Just because there are evil people, does not mean that evil is going to triumph.
When we ask Negroes to abide by the law, let us also declare that the white man does not abide by law in the ghettos. Day in and day out he violates welfare laws to deprive the poor of their meager allotments; he flagrantly violates building codes and regulations; his police make a mockery of law; he violates laws on equal employment and education and the provisions of civil services. The slums are the handiwork of a vicious system of the white society; Negroes live in them, but they do not make them, any more than a prisoner makes a prison.
Martin Luther King, Jr., The Trumpet of Conscience, 1967.
Revelation of Jesus Christ, A Vision of Victory. Week 5. 
The Consequences of Faithfulness. Chapter 2:8-11
I. The Commendation:
1. I know your afflictions.
2. I know your poverty.
3. I know the slander.
A. I know your afflictions.
1. The Greek word used for afflictions is Thlipis. It is rendered sufferings, troubles, hardships etc. in the NT. “Anything which burdens the spirit.” Vines Exp. Dictionary. External pressures and forces.
2. The only way for us to understand and persevere the afflictions is to have a heavenly perspective.
3. When you begin to live for Christ with a passion or when you start to live you married life with a passion or run you home with a godly passion affliction will soon follow.
4. Some lesson from Romans 8:17-39
a. We must compare rightly.
b. We must conclude affirmatively.
c. We must conquer convincingly.
d. We must be convinced completely.
5. If we are going to live a godly life persecution will follow.
B. I know your poverty.
1. Economic hardships may come because of your refusal to compromise.
C. I know the slander.
1. The church at Ephesus had to deal with so called apostles and the church at Smyrna has to deal with so called Jews.
2. Jesus experienced the same slanderous treatment and the Jews partnered with Rome to kill him as well.
II. The Counsel
A. Do not be afraid.
1. Satan is still putting Christians is actual and symbolic prisons today.
2. Matthew 10:28 tells us that our Sovereign God is in control of all things. Even our afflictions.
3. The suffering for “ten days” indicates two great truths. One is that Satan’s power is limited and the second is that our suffering will be limited.

You’ve Got Mail
Week 3 – Pergamum
Opening Illustration:
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.  
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a jar of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a jar of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a jar of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a jar of good clean soil.
At the conclusion of the Message, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol - Dead.
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead.
The third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead.
The fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.
So the Minister asked the congregation - What can you learn from this demonstration?
A small child in the back quickly raised her hand and said,
"As long as you drink, smoke, and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"
The little girl missed the point of the minister’s illustration.  Missing the point of some central truth can lead us into believing, following or even trusting wrong ideas, philosophies or teachings.
The church at Pergamum was missing the point of being a church (First Love – which they didn’t necessarily miss, but also to believe/think  rightly); therefore it lead them to start entrusting and keeping wrong teachings.
Revelation 2: 12 – 17 (NAS)
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: 13 `I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 `But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. 15 `So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 `Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
I. Who it is (v. 12 – 13)
a. He holds the sword
i. John Gill
1. This title is used partly to show, that the only weapon this church, and the true ministers and members of it had, to defend themselves against the growing corruptions of antichrist, was the word of God, the Scriptures of truth.
ii. The Sharp Sword with two edges
1. Matthew Henry
a. The word of God is a sword; it is a weapon both offensive and defensive, it is, in the hand of God, able to slay both sin and sinners.
b. It is a sharp sword. No heart is so hard but it is able to cut it
c. It is a sword with two edges
i. the edge of the law against the transgressors of that dispensation
1. Albert Einstein  - "In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same."
a. Many people don’t want God to act justly when it pertains to them, but they are always looking for charity
2. Saint Augustine  - "Charity is no substitute for justice withheld." 
ii. the edge of the gospel against the despisers of that dispensation
iii. there is an edge to make a wound
iv. an edge to open a festered wound in order to its healing.
b. He knows our works (v. 13)
i. John Gill
1. I know thy works…Both good and bad, and which in that pure part of this church, which opposed the growing corruptions of antichrist, were for the most part good. And where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is].
2. Pergamos was a city very much given to idolatry, here Satan reigned while it was Pagan, and so was a fit emblem of the idolatrous church of Rome. Pausanias says F1, the country the Pergamenes inhabited was sacred to the Cabiri, the chief gods of the Heathens.
3. He knows where Pergamas sits and he knows where you sit.
II. The Problem – 2 fold  (v. 14 – 15)
a. Holding wrong teachings
i. John Gill
1. But I have a few things against thee…
The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a snare to others to join in their idolatry and superstition:
ii. It is not enough to do good, but we must think rightly.
1. We must be a people that believes:
a. We must believe that there is hope in the midst of darkness.
i. We believe the answer to drugs, a failing marriage, disobedient children, addiction to pornography, and other anxieties of this world is Jesus Christ.
b. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and eternal life and redemption for our sins.
c. He was born of a virgin, named Mary.
d. He came, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
e. He has a plan and purpose for everyone and everything created.
i. That plan is found in the Bible
f. We believe the Bible is inerrant, infallible, and inspired word of God.
b. They were complacent not to rise up against injustice
i. We could get complacent with who we have that we do not reach out anymore.
1. Softball forced themselves to have two teams so that they would continue to use softball as an outreach and not be complacent with who they have.
2. That hits at who we are
a. Epiphany DNA
i. It is the dream of a place that embraces the growth of the individual and the collective. This is a place that will intently reproduce 12 small groups per year and one church plant per year for the purpose of creating more stations of growth and relationships for the individual and the collective.
ii. By being complacent they were holding the doctrine of Balaam
1. "the teaching of Balaam," namely, that which he "taught Balak." Compare "the counsel of Balaam," Numbers 31:16. 
a. 31:16"Yet they are the ones who, at Balaam's advice, incited the Israelites to unfaithfulness against the Lord in the Peor incident, so that the plague came against the Lord's community.
iii. They were complacent saying things like, “That’s the way they think, it doesn’t effect me, OR it’s none of my business.”
1. It’s not until the wrong thought manifests.
iv.    > >       The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of
   > > how he was going to, after the worship service, ask
   > > the congregation to come up with more money than
   > > they were expecting for repairs to the church
   > > building. Therefore, h! e was annoyed to find that the
   > > regular organist was sick and a substitute had been
   > > brought in at the last minute.  The substitute
   > > wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the
   > > service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to
   > > think of something to play after I make the
   > > announcement about the finances."
   > >
   > >       During the service, the minister paused and
   > > said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great
   > > difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as
   > > we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who
   > > can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
   > >       At that moment, the substitute or! ganist played
   > > "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the
   > >       substitute became the regular organist!
>*The Haircut*
>
>A young man had just gotten his driving permit.  He asked his father, 
>who
>was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car.
>
>His father said to him, "I'll make a deal with you.  You bring your 
>grades
>up, study your bible a little, and get your hair cut, then we will talk 
>about it."
>
>A month later the young man came back and again asked his father if 
>they
>could discuss his use of the car.
>
>His father said, "Son, I'm real proud of you.  You have brought your 
>grades
>up, you've studied your bible diligently, but you didn't get a hair cut!"
>The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know dad, I've been
>thinking about that.  You know Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, 
>Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair."
>
>His father replied, "Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!"
Do Not Call It Sacrifice
A couple, visiting in Korea, saw a father and his son working in a rice
paddy. The old man guided the heavy plow as the boy pulled it.
"I guess they must be very poor," the man said to the missionary who was the
couple’s guide and interpreter.
"Yes," replied the missionary. "That’s the family of Chi Nevi. When the
church was built, they were eager to give something to it, but they had no
money. So they sold their ox and gave the money to the church. This spring
they are pulling the plow themselves."
After a long silence, the woman said, "That was a real sacrifice."
The missionary responded, "They do not call it a sacrifice. They are just
thankful they had an ox to sell."
Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course -- downhill. They draw false strength from looking back.  
Ronald Meredith, in his book Hurryin' Big For Little Reasons, describes one quiet night in early spring: Suddenly out of the night came the sound of wild geese flying. I ran to the house and breathlessly announced the excitement I felt. What is to compare with wild geese across the moon? It might have ended there except for the sight of our tame mallards on the pond. They heard the wild call they had once known. The honking out of the night sent little arrows of prompting deep into their wild yesterdays. Their wings fluttered a feeble response. The urge to fly--to take their place in the sky for which God made them-- was sounding in their feathered breasts, but they never raised from the water. The matter had been settled long ago. The corn of the barnyard was too tempting! Now their desire to fly only made them uncomfortable. Temptation is always enjoyed at the price of losing the capacity for flight. 
III. The Solution (V. 16 – 17)
a. Repent or He’s coming
i. John Gill
ii. Repent… Godly men Repent
1. This is said to those who were truly godly in those times, but still retained their communion with these corrupt men, and had not, as yet, separated from then; nor had they protested against these evil doctrines and practices, at least but very coldly, and had too much connived at them; and therefore are called upon to repent of their lukewarmness, negligence, and sinful compliances:
iii. God will not fight you.
1. And it is observable, that Christ does not say, "I will fight against thee"; the true members of his mystical body, though lax and supine, for Christ does not fight against his people, but for them
b.  Overcome and receive
i. The difference here will decide which type of person you will be
1. "Somebody has well said there are only two
   > > kinds of people in the world. There are those who
   > > wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning,
   > > Lord," and there are those who wake up in the
   > > morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."
2. If you overcome, then you will be excited to receive of the Lord’s blessings in another wonderful day.
3. If you do not overcome, then you will dread the crap you will have to travel yet another day.
ii. To him that overcometh; the Balaamites and Nicolaitans, and do not give in to the doctrines and practices of the one, or of the other, whatever persecution and trouble he meets with, and endures on that account:
iii. You will receive
1. Hidden Manna
a. will I give to eat of the hidden manna;
in opposition to eating things sacrificed to idols, refused by him.
2. Hidden
a. Psalm 105: 8
i. 105:40They asked, and He brought quail
and satisfied them with bread from heaven. 
b. John 6: 26 – 27
i. 6:26Jesus answered, "I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. 6:27Don't work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because on Him God the Father has set His seal of approval." 
3. Manna Hidden
a. JFB commentary - As the manna hidden in the sanctuary was by divine power preserved from corruption, so Christ in His incorruptible body has passed into the heavens, and is hidden there until the time of His appearing. Christ Himself is the manna "hidden" from the world, but revealed to the believer, so that he has already a foretaste of His preciousness.
4. White Stone and New Name
5. (16) Which is a sign and witness of forgiveness and remission of sins, of righteousness and true holiness, and of purity uncorrupted after the sin nature is destroyed. 
(17) A sign and testimony of newness of life in righteousness and true holiness, by putting on the new man, whom no one inwardly knows, but the spirit of man which is in him, which is not praised by men, but by God; (Romans 2:28).
IV. Invitation
a. To overcome we must ask God to illumine our hearts
i. Westminister Abbey Prayer
1. O God, who dost prefer before all temples the upright heart and pure, and who dost instruct us in all truth:  we know that if we walk with thee what in us is dark thou wilt illumine; what is low, raise and support; what is shallow, deepen; so that every chapter of our lives will witness to thy power, and justify the ways of God to men.
b. Invite FAITH learners up to get volunteer prayer partners.  2 are needed.

You’ve Got Mail
The Selfishness of Human Hearts
Alexander Fraser Tytler lived at the end of the eighteenth century, but his
book The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic sends a chilling warning
today. Tytler found that ancient democracies waned under the selfishness of
human hearts. He wrote: "The average age of the world's greatest
civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the
following sequence":
From bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;
from apathy to dependency;
from dependency back to bondage.
Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Moments Together for Couples, Ventura,
California: Regal Books, 1995.
Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
The Church of Thyatira
Revelation 2: 18 – 29 (NAS)
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 19 `I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20 `But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 `I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 `Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 `And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 `But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them--I place no other burden on you. 25 `Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26 `He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS ; 27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
I. Be strong and wise by following it
a. v. 18 – Who is speaking
b. Matthew Henry
i. his eyes are like a flame of fire
1. signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men (v. 23), and will make all the churches to know he does so.
2. There are only two kinds of men:  the righteous who believe they are sinners, the sinners who believe they are righteous – Blaise Pascal (French Mathematician, Philosopher and Pysicist, 1623 – 1662.
ii. his feet are like fine brass
1. the outgoings of his providence are steady, awful, and all pure and holy.
2. As he judges with perfect wisdom, so he acts with perfect strength and steadiness.
a. You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win.” – Zig Ziglar (American motivational speaker and author) 
3. Wesley Commentary
a. And feet like fine brass - Denoting his immense strength.
b. Job 42:2, "No thought is hidden from him, and he can do all things."
iii. Since we serve a God that has this type of wisdom and power, then we can be a place that offeres relevant training to new families in today’s world.  Training that will give them the right plan and strength to make it through, so we can be a place that cares about new families.  Epiphany DNA - It is the dream of a place that cares so much about new families that it will go the distance. Families of all ages and sizes will connect with others that have been in their shoes.  It will be a place that offers relevant training to promote successful and joyful living in today's world.
II. Check “ya” self before you wreck “ya”self
a. v. 19 – 23 – What are you doing
i. growing fruitfulness
1. Thyratira was in its hey day, but if it did not do something about the Jezebel, then they would not continue to be fruitful
ii. V. 19 realization: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
iii. Don’t become  Matthew 12:45
iv. Christ makes honourable mention
1. Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no religion where there is no charity.
2. Their service, their ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had laboured in the word and doctrine.
3. Their faith, which was the grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service.
4. Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet with that which will exercise their patience.
5. Their growing fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and best at last.
b. v. 20 – You are doing this wrong
i. You are allowing a Jezebel to exist in your midst.
1. They had increasing devotedness, but Jezebel was still allowed.
2. This was not the key to growth.
3. some people believe that to grow everyon must be tolerated.
4. A tree gorws when you prune it.
5. one church may not be perfectly fit for everyone.
ii. Who is Jezebel?
1. Jezebel, a self-styled prophetess, (1 Kings 16:31, was the great seducer to idolatry in Israel's later history.
2. a priestess and prophetess of Baal. Compare 2 Kings 9:22,30,
3. she, with her strong will, seduced the weak, manipulative, fruitless, and rebellious
iii. What is her tactic? (deceptive actions)
1. lured God's "servants" by pretended utterances of inspiration
2. false spiritualism these seducers led their victims into the grossest carnality
iv. What should our response be?
1. Thyratira’s response
a. them that commit adultery with her or  letting her alone(complacent and letting her do whatever), and so virtually encouraging her.
2. v. 21 – Matthew Henry - God gave them space for repentance, but they repented not. Observe, First, Repentance is necessary to prevent a sinner’s ruin. Secondly, Repentance requires time, a course of time, and time convenient; it is a great work, and a work of time. Thirdly, Where God gives space for repentance, he expects fruits meet for repentance. Fourthly, Where the space for repentance is lost, the sinner perishes with a double destruction.
v. What is her outcome and those that follow?
1. Fruitfulness – you will know them by their fruits.
2. v. 22 - a bed--The place of her sin shall be the place of her punishment.
3. bed of sickness and anguish.
c. We are called out to break away from such persons possessed by the devil.  We are called out to live free or die
i. Illustration:
1. Live Free or Die 
2. For many years the license plates of New Hampshire bore the slogan, made famous by Revolutionary War general John Stark – "live free or die." The irony is that those great words were printed onto the license plates by inmates in the state prison. They could not leave their prison, but many of us stay in our prisons when we have the power to leave. We want to live free, but we do not want to do what the gospel says we need to do to be truly free.
ii. Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. – C.S. Lewis
d. It is either really important to you or it is of no importance.  If it is important, then live a life adhereing to that belief.
1. Illustration:  Mr. Green’s points on the river.  We need points of morality in life to keep us in check.
III. God is screaming, “Hold On”
a. v. 24 – 29 – encouragement to hold on
b. v. 24 - the depths--These false prophets boasted peculiarly of their knowledge of mysteries and the deep things of God; pretensions subsequently expressed by their arrogant title, Gnostics ("full of knowledge").
i. False prophets exist
1. they boast of their own understanding of God’s mysteries.
2. They are mysteries, no one can understand.
3. With God there is a realm of deeper relational understanding and mysteries.
c. v. 26 – Reward to the faithful 
i. (20) The conclusion, in which Christ assures to his servants the communion of his kingdom and glory
1. and commands a holy attention in the last verse (Revelation 2:29). 
ii. (21) That is, I will make him a king, by communion with me, and my fellow heir, as it is promised; (Matthew 19:28,25:34) (Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:3; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:12).
d. Word of encouragement
i. V. 24
1. If you don’t hold to these false teachings then you will not be burdened.
ii. V. 25 – 28
1. if you overcome this wickedness, then you will have authority, rule and the direction (morning star).
2. We must hold on to these encouragements because when times get bleak we must be able to see the light.
IV. Invitation
a. Illustration:  The Cost of Freedom
i. On July 3, 1776, the day before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington wrote a letter to his wife, anticipating the hardships which would soon occur. Here in part are his words, "In a few days, you will see a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God. I am fully aware of the toil and blood and treasure what it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states; yes, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory."  Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, June 2005.
b. You may have some hardship to get through, before you get to the other side, but can you see the rays of ravishing light and glory?

Week 5 – Sardis – You looka like a church
Revelation 3: 1 – 6 (NAS)
1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: `I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 `Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 `So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 `But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 `He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
** pray
I. The observation – You’re alive but dead (3 thouhts)
a. Dead thought
i. this body would be treated as the world, not ecclesiastically as a corrupt assembly. (compare 1 Thess. 5)  – there are some in the church that are sleeping (v. 4)
ii. the members of the church are caught up in trespasses and sins, which will keep this church down from going anywhere. 
iii. 2 Timothy 3:5
iv. Titus 1:16
b. Alive thought
i. v. 1 – ‘that you have a name that you are alive’ – this church has a reputation for being a place that is known for spiritual positive living … for being a living church, not a dead church.  The truth of the matter is that they are actually dead. – Good rep but really dead.
ii. A fair reputation, a goodly outside appearance. But that Spirit seeth through all things, and every empty appearance vanishes before him. 
iii. Ephesians 2: 1, 5 – there is hope
c. Transition
i. If you don’t react to what Christ has observed then
ii. Come like a thief in the night
1. "The last day is hidden from us, that every day may be observed by us" [AUGUSTINE].
2. The Greek proverb was that "the feet of the avenging deities are shod with wool," expressing the noiseless approach of the divine judgments, and their possible nearness at the moment when they were supposed the farthest off [TRENCH].
iii. If they do not make things right, then His judgement will come swiftly – James 2: 13
II. The reaction
a. What are they to do? 
b. The Christians had lost their way and v. 2 – 3 is telling them how to get back.
i. V. 2 – 3 – the Lord tells this degenerate church / body a 4 – fold path back to the right path.
1. He advises them to be upon their watch.
a. They had let their guard down and sin crept in
i. The cause of their sinful deadness and declension was that they had let down their watch.
b. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground, and therefore must return to our watchfulness against sin, and Satan, and whatever is destructive to the life and power of godliness.
i. 1 Timothy 6:20 – avoid stupid stuff, guard what has been entrusted by doing Colossians 2: 6
2. strengthen the things that remain
a. What remains?
i. People that are good
1. there were some few who had retained their integrity, but they were in danger of declining with the rest.
ii. Good within those that are wrong still is good.
1. Example:  Luke Skywalker says that he still sees good in his father Darth Vader.
3. To recollect themselves, and remember how they have received and heard
a. what messages they had received from God
b. what tokens of his mercy and favour towards them
c. what sermons they had heard
d. but
e. how they had received and heard
f. what impressions the mercies of God had made upon their souls at first
g. what affections they felt working under their word and ordinances
h. the kindness of their youth
i. how welcome the gospel and the grace of God were to them when they first received them.
4. Hold fast what they had received
a. Jude 1: 18 – 23
i. Build yourself up on your most holy faith
1. Connect Groups are here to help you build up for the battles the world throws at you.
III. The reward
a. Epiphany DNA
i. As this church continues to focus on God
1. The reward will be a church campus in the greater Springfield area that will disciple, strenghthen and edify through love and grace 800+ mobilized ministering members to show a lost and dying world that Christ is the place where nobody stands alone.
b. The reward for Sardis
i. Great Reward promised to them who overcomes
1. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment. The purity of grace shall be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory.
2. This is your individual reward today if you repent of your wrong ways.
Put on program  JFB - v. 1 1. Sardis--the ancient capital of Lydia, the kingdom of wealthy Croesus, on the river Pactolus. The address to this Church is full of rebuke. It does not seem to have been in vain; for MELITO, bishop of Sardis in the second century, was eminent for piety and learning. He visited Palestine to assure himself and his flock as to the Old Testament canon and wrote an epistle on the subject [EUSEBIUS Ecclesiastical History, 4.26]; he also wrote a commentary on the Apocalypse [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 4.26; JEROME, On Illustrious Men, 24].

Week 6 – Philadelphia
Title: The dead end church with a door
Revelation 3: 7 – 13 (NAS)
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: 8 `I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 `Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 `Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 `I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 `He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 13 `He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' 
I. He opens and shuts doors (v. 7 – 10)
a. He reminds the Christians at Philadelphia who may have been excommunicated from the local synagogue (v. 9) that he has placed before them an open door into the eternal kingdom, and no one can shut it.
i. The conflict
1. The Jewish population was convinced that by national identity and religious heritage that they were the people of God.
2. Paul responds to this thought in Romans 2: 28 – 29
a. 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
b. The same Lord Jesus has the key of government and authority in and over the church.
i. He opens the door of opportunity to his churches; he opens the door of utterance to his ministers
c. He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who sleep away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquities.
d. Matthew 7: 21
e. Jude 4
f. The door is open for us to worship Him
i. I think I want to throw up … my hands to the Lord
II. Believer’s must always strive (v. 8)
a. They must never become satisfied in mission only in the Lord
b. Christ accepts a little strength, believers msut not rest satisfied in a little but strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God
c. Christ recognizes that although they have but little strength, they have faithfully kept his word and not denied his name.
d. This letter contains no note of diproval
i. They have remained faithful, and those who are not really Jews will be forced to come and acknowledge that God loves the Christian community
ii. We must always strive for better, but a lot of times we settle, trying to overlook things
iii. Illustration.
1. A kid going to the movie theatre.  Its got a little violence … scenes… language … His dad makes his favorite dessert, brownies.  It’s great.  It’s got a little poo in it.
III. To those who strive Christ will reward (v. 10, 12)
a. Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times, as the reward of past faithfulness (v. 10)
b. Christ promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer (v. 12)
c. 3 fold reward for faithfulness
i. vindication before their foes (v. 9)
ii. deliverance in the final period of testing (v. 10)
iii. security in the coming age (v. 11)
d. v. 10 – most would think that this passage would point to a pretribulation mentality.
i. That they would be saved before any real trial comes along.
ii. The church was faithful to Christ in the time of trial that he in turn will be faithful to them in the time of their great trial.
iii. It is preservation in the trial that is taught.
e. The reward
i. The promise to be made pillars in the temple of God
ii. Galatians 2: 9
1. 9 and recognizing the R70 grace that had been given to me, James R71 F21 and Cephas R72 and John, who were reputed R73 to be pillars, R74 gave to me and Barnabas R75 the right R76 hand F22 of fellowship, so that we might go R77 to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
iii. 1 Timothy 3: 15
1. 15 but in F34 case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one F35 ought to conduct himself in the R118 household of God, which is the church R119 of the R120 living God, the pillar R121 and support of the truth.
iv. It conveys the idea of stability and permanence.

Week 7 – Laodicea – The warm creamy milk church
Revelation 3: 14 - 22 (NAS)
14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 `I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 `So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 `Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 `Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 `Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 `He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also 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.' "
Monty python and the holy grail Ch. 4 (0:08:50 - 0:12:00)
I. Get passionate for Christ (v. 15 – 16)
a. get excited about something because you are lukewarm
b. I wish you were on one side of the fence or the other.
i. The antithesis to "hot," literally, "boiling" ("fervent," Acts 18:25, Romans 12:11; compare Solomon 8:6, Luke 24:32), requires that "cold" should here mean more than negatively cold; it is rather, positively icy cold: having never yet been warmed.
ii. It is not a safe place
1. most fatal when, as here, an abiding condition, for it is mistaken for a safe state (Revelation 3:17).
iii. Those without a call are lukewarm - Those with the call are hot and fervent
1. not yet warmed by the Gospel call; for, when called, they may become hot and fervent Christians
2. For example, Zaccheus and Matthew were once cold publicans, but gained the fire of the Lord
iv. These have enough religion to dull the conscience into false security, but not enough for salvation of their soul or others.
1. Example: Demas 2 Timothy 4: 10
2. You are like halters between two opinions
a. 1 Kings 18: 21
i. Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long {will} you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word.
Illustration:  Last night Jennifer was trying to scrap book flowers that she had for the past 10 years in the same vase with the same water.  The water smelled like crap. The vase was on the bed.  Our dog, Roscoe, was on the bed as well.  I was petting his stomach.  He stretched out and decided to smack the vase.  I saw it coming.  Instantly I thought, “This is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life.”  I didn’t say anything, I couldn’t.  I didn’t move.  I just watched.  AS the paw touched the vase and the vase tipped over.  Pouring that filthy water all over the bed and my wife leg.   The water poured all over her bed. I was neither hot nor cold in my actions.  I was just a spectator waiting for the next event.
b. If you do nothing in life and stay in the middle, then you will become nothing more than a loogie from God’s mouth.
i. Since you are not hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth
1. "I am about to," "I am ready to": I have it in my mind: implying graciously the possibility of the threat not being executed,
ii. Why is it that this sort of illustration is used?
1. Physicians used lukewarm water to cause vomiting.  
2. God is trying to tell us that if you are lukewarm then He will reject you with a righteous dislike.  Why is that?
a. As Martin Luther King Jr. put it “Lukewarm acceptance is more bewildering than outright rejection.”
iii. To be lukewarm toward God is insulting.
1. Cold and hot drinks were common at feasts, but never lukewarm.  Cold and hot drinks were enjoyable, but not lukewarm.
    
II. Depend on Christ and not yourself (v. 17 – 18)
a. You say you are rich, but you are not
b. Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state
i. When we are not complete reliant on the Lord, then we have the possibility of lukewarmness.
ii. That is why many Christians give above and beyond financially, so that they will be forced to be reliant on God.
c. Giving more of yourself gets you off of that pride ride
 "A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror."
  Kahlil Gibran quotes (Lebanese born American philosophical Essayist, Novelist and Poet. 1883-1931) 
i. He defines wealth as what a person does for the world and not pride.
ii. Small group message
iii. Get off the pride ride
iv. Pride ruins our relationship with God
1. How much interest do you have in worshipping God
2. What are you including in your prayers
3. How involved are you in ministry at your church?
Joe Theismann enjoyed an illustrious 12-year career as quarterback of the Washington Redskins. He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances--winning in 1983 before losing the following year. When a leg injury forced him out of football in 1985, he was entrenched in the record books as Washington's all-time leading passer. Still, the tail end of Theismann's career taught him a bitter lesson: I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn't care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything. 
Today I wear my two rings--the winner's ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser's ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best.  
Reader's Digest, January, 1992. 
d. The Lord alludes to Hosea 12:8.
i. And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which {would be} sin." 
e. Their (The church of Laodicea) spiritual self-sufficiency ("I have need of nothing") was much fostered by their worldly wealth.
i. Our hearts must always cry out for more of the Lord.
ii. When others ask, how are you, do you need anything … Yes I need more and more of God at this moment.
iii. Does you heart and mind thirst for God, or are you satisfied with your portion?
1. If you are satisfied, then you have a spiritual sickness of lukewarmeness, secret sin, self suffiency, etc.
iv. We have to desire more and more of God.
"Even the richest soil, if left uncultivated will produce the rankest weeds."
  Leonardo da Vinci quotes (Italian draftsman, Painter, Sculptor, Architect and Engineer whose genius epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. 1452-1519) 
f. God talks about obtaining more riches?
i. the source of "unsearchable riches"
1. Ephesians 3:8 - To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
ii. Obtain the gold refined by fire
1. faith tested by fiery trials.
iii. Obtain the white garments
1. Laodicea's wools were famous.
a. Christ offers infinitely whiter raiment.
2. "white raiment," signified Christ’s righteousness 
iv. Obtain the eye slave to anoint your eyes for sight
1. The eye is here the conscience or inner light of the mind.
2. The Holy Spirit first acts with conviction of sin, then offers healing 
3. Laodicea boasted of great insight into the divine
a. Because the eye salve is suggested, means that they didn’t have good insight, but were not blind either. 
III. Watch the Lord in Action (v. 19 – 20)
Hillbilly Birth
Deep in the back woods,of Letcher County Kentucky a hillbilly's wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and said, "Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am doing!."
Soon, a baby boy was brought into the world. "Whoa there", said the doctor, "Don't be in such a rush to put that lantern down I think theres another one coming."
Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. "Hold that lantern up, don't set it down there's another one!" Said the doctor.
Within a few minutes he had delivered a third baby. "No, don't be in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems theres yet another one coming!" cried the doctor.
The redneck scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, 
"You reckon it might be the light that's attractin' 'em?"
 Actions of the Lord V. 19 - 20
g. He loves
i. The Greek word here is "philo"
1. The love of unjustified affection - unearned affection - free affection - brotherly affection
Epiphany DNA
It is the dream of a place that embraces the growth of the individual and the collective. This is a place that will intently reproduce 12 small groups per year and one church plant per year for the purpose of creating more stations of growth and relationships for the individual and the collective.
h. He reproves and disciplines
i. Job 5: 17 - "Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
ii. Hebrews 12: 5, 6
1. 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
iii. be zealous --habitually. Present The opposite of "lukewarm."  
j. Knocks at the door (5 aspects)
i. Christ draws near to the sinner ready to make a kind visit
i. Christ is graciously pleased by his word and Spirit to come to the door of the heart of sinners; he draws near to them in a way of mercy, ready to make them a kind visit.
ii. The Heart of man by nature is shut against Christ
i. Shut by ignorance, unbelief, sinful prejudices
ii. He finds this door shut against him; the heart of man is by nature shut up against Christ by ignorance, unbelief, sinful prejudices.
iii. Christ sees the closed door and waits graciously
i. When he finds the heart shut, he does not immediately withdraw, but he waits to be gracious, even till his head be filled with the dew.
iv. He attempts to awaken the sinner, by calling from his word and knocking from the impulse of the Spirit on their conscience
i. He uses all proper means to awaken sinners, and to cause them to open to him: he calls by his word, he knocks by the impulses of his Spirit upon their conscience.
v. Those that awaken and open the door will enjoy his presence
i. Those who open to him shall enjoy his presence, to their great comfort and advantage. He will sup with them; he will accept of what is good in them; he will eat his pleasant fruit; and he will bring the best part of the entertainment with him. If what he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will make up the deficiency: he will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts, and thereby stir up fresh actings of faith, and love, and delight; and in all this Christ and his repenting people will enjoy pleasant communion with each other. Alas! what do careless obstinate sinners lose by refusing to open the door of the heart to Christ!
 
A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco, and started working east from there.
Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.  He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "$10,000 a minute." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to God.  The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.
As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Austin, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in Alabama. Upon entering a church in Tuscaloosa, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents." Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor.  "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"
---- I just love this part -----
The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in the South now....It's a local call."
These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced
in church services.
1) Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at
Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
2) PRAYER & FASTING Conference: The cost for attending the Fasting and
Prayer Conference includes meals.
3) The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water. The sermon
tonight: Searching for Jesus.
4) Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the
recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
5) Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of
those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your
husbands.
6) The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to
a conflict.
7) Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.
8) Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say Hell to someone who
doesn't care much about you.
10) Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
11) Miss Charlene Mason sang I will not pass this way again, giving
obvious pleasure to the congregation.
12) For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a
nursery downstairs.
13) Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the
help they can get.
14) Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more
transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of
Pastor Jack's sermons.
15) The Rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir
will sing: Break Forth Into Joy.
16) Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the
church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
17) A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall.
Music will follow.
18) At the eve! ning ser vice tonight, the sermon topic will be What Is
Hell? Come early and listen to our choir practice.
19) Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of
several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
20) Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be
recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
21) Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased
person you want remembered.
22) Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy
lunch.
23) The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment
and gracious hostility.
24) Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
25) The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They
may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
26) This evening at 7PM there will be a hymn sing in the park across
from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
27) Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10AM. All ladies
are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.
28) The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation
would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next
Sunday.
29) Low Self-esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7PM. Please use
the back door.
30) The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the
Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend
this tragedy.
31) Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Please use large double door at the side entrance.
32) The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign
slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."
We have to have the ambition of Christ
Ambition usually progresses through the following stages: to be like Dad...to be famous...to be a millionaire...to make enough to pay the bills...to hang on long enough to draw a pension.  
Bits & Pieces, September 1989. 
Aspiration
No man can ever rise above that at which he aims.  
A.A. Hedge. 
Joe Theismann enjoyed an illustrious 12-year career as quarterback of the Washington Redskins. He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances--winning in 1983 before losing the following year. When a leg injury forced him out of football in 1985, he was entrenched in the record books as Washington's all-time leading passer. Still, the tail end of Theismann's career taught him a bitter lesson: I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn't care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything. 
Today I wear my two rings--the winner's ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser's ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best.  
Reader's Digest, January, 1992. 
Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation's deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.  
Steve Goodier, Quote Magazine, in Reader's Digest, May, 1990. 
 "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." 
  Billy Graham quotes (American evangelist, b.1918)