Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Truth for Today
Occasionally I (the devo author, John MacArthur) am asked by young men seeking to pastor a church if I know of a church without any problems. My response to them is, "If I did, I wouldn't tell you; you'd go there and spoil it." The point is that there are no perfect churches. Churches struggle because all are made up of imperfect sinning people. The church is not a place for people with no weaknesses; it is a fellowship of those who are aware of their weaknesses and long for the strength and grace of God to fill their lives. It is a kind of hospital for those who know they are sick and needy.
Reflecting on the Text
1. Regarding the letter to the church at Laodicea, John R. W. Stott has written: "Perhaps none of the seven letters is more appropriate to the twentieth-century church than this. It describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin-deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion." How would you describe your spiritual temperature - hot, cold, or lukewarm? Why?
2. The church at Sardis had a reputation for being spiritually alive and vibrant, but in reality it was dead. Can you think of any ways in which your spiritual reputation exceeds your true spiritual situation? How is God calling you to change?
3. The church at Philadelphia was commended for keeping Christ's word and for persevering in the face of trouble and hardship. What qualities do you think Christ might affirm in your life?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Message to the Churches, Part 2 - Part 5 - Devo for 01/16/2009
Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Going Deeper
Heresy about Christ had invaded the church at Laodicea. For more insight into who Christ is, read Colossians 1:15-20.
Exploring the Meaning
1. List all the ways this passage affirms that Jesus is more than a created being.
2. Why is Jesus worthy to be the head of the church?
3. Read Daniel 12:1. What is the meaning of the phrase the "Book of Life" (see Revelation 3:5)?
(Verses to consider: Exodus 32:31-33; Psalms 69:28; 139:16; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3)
4. Read John 14:1-3. What promises did Christ give His followers concerning the time of tribulation and wrath to come?
Revelation 3:1-22
Going Deeper
Heresy about Christ had invaded the church at Laodicea. For more insight into who Christ is, read Colossians 1:15-20.
Exploring the Meaning
1. List all the ways this passage affirms that Jesus is more than a created being.
2. Why is Jesus worthy to be the head of the church?
3. Read Daniel 12:1. What is the meaning of the phrase the "Book of Life" (see Revelation 3:5)?
(Verses to consider: Exodus 32:31-33; Psalms 69:28; 139:16; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3)
4. Read John 14:1-3. What promises did Christ give His followers concerning the time of tribulation and wrath to come?
Message to the Churches, Part 2 - Part 4 - Devo for 01/15/2009
Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Questions
1. What is revealed here about the church at Laodicea? What was its heresy?
(Verses to consider: John 1:3)
2. How does Jesus describe Himself in these messages? What do these things teach you about Him?
3. What rewards were promised to those who "overcome"?
Revelation 3:1-22
Questions
1. What is revealed here about the church at Laodicea? What was its heresy?
(Verses to consider: John 1:3)
2. How does Jesus describe Himself in these messages? What do these things teach you about Him?
3. What rewards were promised to those who "overcome"?
Friday, January 9, 2009
Message to the Churches, Part 2 - Part 3 - Devo for 01/14/2009
Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Questions
1. What was the gist of Christ's message to the church at Sardis?
2. According to this passage, what was true about the church at Philadelphia?
3. What is the significance of the crown mentioned in 3:11?
(Verses to consider: 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10)
Revelation 3:1-22
Questions
1. What was the gist of Christ's message to the church at Sardis?
2. According to this passage, what was true about the church at Philadelphia?
3. What is the significance of the crown mentioned in 3:11?
(Verses to consider: 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10)
Message to the Churches, Part 2 - Part 2 - Devo for 01/13/2009
Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Keys to the Text
Book of Life: This is the first mention of this divine journal. This book records the names of all those whom God has chosen to save and who, therefore, are to possess eternal life (13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Under no circumstances will God erase those names, as city officials often did of undesirable people on their rolls.
Jesus Christ: Revelation makes it clear that Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega," the "Beginning and the End." He is the "Beginning" (literally "beginner, originator, initiator") of creation and the "firstborn of creation;" that is, the most preeminent, supreme person ever born (Colossians 1:15). As a man, he had a beginning, but as God, He was the beginning. Sadly, in Laodicea the heresy that Christ was just a created being had produced an unregenerate church.
1. How does a person get their name in the Book of Life?
2. Why is it important to understand that Jesus Christ was 100% God, 100% man?
Revelation 3:1-22
Keys to the Text
Book of Life: This is the first mention of this divine journal. This book records the names of all those whom God has chosen to save and who, therefore, are to possess eternal life (13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Under no circumstances will God erase those names, as city officials often did of undesirable people on their rolls.
Jesus Christ: Revelation makes it clear that Jesus is the "Alpha and Omega," the "Beginning and the End." He is the "Beginning" (literally "beginner, originator, initiator") of creation and the "firstborn of creation;" that is, the most preeminent, supreme person ever born (Colossians 1:15). As a man, he had a beginning, but as God, He was the beginning. Sadly, in Laodicea the heresy that Christ was just a created being had produced an unregenerate church.
1. How does a person get their name in the Book of Life?
2. Why is it important to understand that Jesus Christ was 100% God, 100% man?
Message to the Churches, Part 2 - Part 1 - Devo for 01/12/2009
Reading
Revelation 3:1-22
Drawing Near
Jesus challenged these seven churches to stay faithful. What have you learned thus far about what is essential for a vibrant, healthy church?
The Context
This passage continues the series of Jesus' messages to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The church at Sardis was an existing church in John's day but spiritually it had no life. It stands as a symbol of all dead churches.
The church in Philadelphia had its imperfections, yet the Lord commended its members for their faithfulness and loyalty. In spite of their fleshly struggles, the Christians at Philadelphia were faithful and obedient, serving and worshipping the Lord. They provide a good model of a loyal church.
The last church addressed by Jesus was at Laodicea, and it represents all the apostate churches that have existed throughout history. Laodicea has the grim distinction of being the only one of the seven for whom Christ has no positive word of commendation. Due to the drastic nature of the situation at Laodicea, this is also the most threatening of the seven letters.
Revelation 3:1-22
Drawing Near
Jesus challenged these seven churches to stay faithful. What have you learned thus far about what is essential for a vibrant, healthy church?
The Context
This passage continues the series of Jesus' messages to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The church at Sardis was an existing church in John's day but spiritually it had no life. It stands as a symbol of all dead churches.
The church in Philadelphia had its imperfections, yet the Lord commended its members for their faithfulness and loyalty. In spite of their fleshly struggles, the Christians at Philadelphia were faithful and obedient, serving and worshipping the Lord. They provide a good model of a loyal church.
The last church addressed by Jesus was at Laodicea, and it represents all the apostate churches that have existed throughout history. Laodicea has the grim distinction of being the only one of the seven for whom Christ has no positive word of commendation. Due to the drastic nature of the situation at Laodicea, this is also the most threatening of the seven letters.
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