Revelation 2-3 Jesus wants churches to be: (page 1) Obedient to His word Energetic in His work Enduring against opposition Sound in His doctrine Not tolerant of error Courageous in the face of death Loving in disposition Tireless in labor

Revelation 2 & 3 Jesus wants churches to be: (page 2) Confident, trusting, and serving God Growing spiritually and numerically Penitent and pure Disciplining unfaithful members Stable, zealous, and self-evaluating Welcoming to Him

Revelation 2 & 3 Some lessons we can learn: (page 1) Being “almost right” is not enough A little error is too much The sins of other congregations do not excuse our own shortcomings We cannot rest on past accomplishments Starting a project is not equal to finishing it Every congregation has responsibilities

Revelation 2 & 3 Some lessons we can learn: (page 2) Every congregation is to be a pillar of truth The only people who can fix a problem are the members in that congregation Any sin can be overcome The right doctrine and the right spirit must both be present Simply attending is not enough

Revelation 2 rewards Verse 7 – Eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God Verses – Be given the crown of life and will not be hurt by the second death Verse 17 – Be given hidden manna, a white stone, and a new name no one knows Verses 23, – Be given according to works, authority, and the morning star

Revelation 3 rewards Verses 4-5 – Will walk with Jesus in white, be clothed in white garments, name will not blotted out of the Book of Life, and names will be confessed before the Father and His angels Verses 9-10, 12 – Make the hypocrites worship, be kept from the hour of trial, be made a pillar, and write a new name on Verse 21 – Will be granted the right to sit with Jesus on His throne

Revelation 2 & 3 What about you? Do you want the rewards promised to the Christians in Revelation? You simply need to do what the Lord has commanded.

Revelation 2 & 3 Jesus says “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 3:6, 13, 22) How we hear is important (Luke 8:15, 18)

HOW ARE YOU HEARING THIS MORNING?

Revelation 2 & 3 Notice the phrase “He who overcomes” in Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, and 21. We might ask, “Overcome what?”

Revelation 2 & 3 The scriptures teach we are to overcome temptation, sin, & death (Heb. 4:15, James 1:12-15, 1 John 1:5-2:6). Jesus overcame these for us! WITH HIS HELP YOU AND I CAN ALSO OVERCOME!