1. Ephesus 2. Smyrna 3. Pergamos 4. Thyatira 5. Sardis 6. Philadelphia 7. Laodicea Letters To The 7 Churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3)
Letters To Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3) Some were good (Smyrna, Philadelphia) Some were good / bad (Ephesus, Pergomas, Thyatira, Sardis) One was bad (Laodicea)
Letters To The Seven Churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3) Good Good/ Bad Good/ Bad Good/ Bad Good/ Bad Most of us would like to be in GOOD church (no condemnation) None of us would have anything to do with a BAD church (no commendation) Reality: may be in a church that is GOOD / BAD (Some commendation & Some condemnation)
What if Jesus composed a letter to this church? Rev. 2-3
The Radford church of Christ Established in 1958 16 elders 9 preachers Addition to building in 1997 94 members 118 AM 106 PM93 Wed.
1. Introduction of Speaker “And to the angel of the Church at Radford write: These things says He who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet are like fine brass.” Thyatira
2. Words of commendation “I know thy works, and thy determination to stand for the truth in this day of liberalism, and how thou hast emphasized the need for Bible study.”
Outreach Compassion Personal Evangelism
Mission Work Keith Kasarjian
Mission Work Thomas Lazardo – Philippines
Mission Work Churches of Christ Disaster Relief
Mission Work Cy Stafford - Tanzania, Africa
Mission Work David Paher Guyana, South America
Mission Work House to House
Mission Work Vladimir Paziy – Ukraine Floyd church of Christ Rich Creek church of Christ Training Preachers Women’s Resource Center Halls Harbor Rd. church of Christ - Outer Banks, NC Food Pantry
Liberalism Change Agents Tit. 1:9 Will not tolerate Church Organization
3. Complaint “Nevertheless I have a few things against thee, because you have some who have left their first love, some who have become worldly and covetous, a few who have fallen away, and some who would tolerate error.”
Left first love – Heb. 10:25 Worldly Worldly - 1 Jn. 2:15-17 Fallen Away 2 Thess. 3:6 Tolerate Error 3. Complaint
4. Words of Advice & Warning “Repent and do the first works, take a stand for what is right, or else I will remove your candlestick out of its place.”
Repent Come back to first love Turn from worldliness Give as we are prospered Get involved in work 4. Words of Advice & Warning
“To those who are not members of My church, yet you attend worship often. Why have you not obeyed Me?” 4. Words of Advice & Warning
"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38
5. Words of Praise “I do have some things about the church at Radford which are worthy of praise. You are a friendly, united congregation. You have a group of members who give liberally. You have several with great ability....
... Your worship services are in spirit and truth. You have faithful Bible class teachers. Your families are doing a good job rearing their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” 5. Words of Praise
Friendly, United – Ps. 133:1 Brotherly Love Liberal givers Worships in spirit & truth Bible class teachers Good families 5. Words of Praise
6. Promise “Those who overcome the problems of sin and remain faithful shall receive a crown of life.”
“He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
1-1 Father God, Just For Today Father God414
1-2 Father God, Just For Today Father God414
1c-1 Father God, Just For Today Father God414
1c-2 Father God, Just For Today Father God414
HearJohn 12:48HearJohn 12:48 BelieveJohn 8:24BelieveJohn 8:24 RepentLuke 13:3RepentLuke 13:3 ConfessMatt. 10:32-33ConfessMatt. 10:32-33 BaptizedMark 16:16BaptizedMark 16:16 FaithfulMatt. 24:13FaithfulMatt. 24:13