1. State of the Congregation Year PastPresent NeedsFuture Plans Valuable (Revelation 2,3) Evaluation of these churches contains some warnings for us.

2. Warning #1 What We Think of Ourselves is Not What Counts Verse 17 “…you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’… Church in Laodicea Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-18) “and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—” “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

3. Warning #2 What Our Friends Think of Us is Not What Counts. Church in Sardis Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) 3:1 “…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive…” BUT YOU ARE DEAD! “I have not found your works perfect before God. ” Complete

4. Warning #3 What Our Enemies Think of Us is Not What Counts. Church in Smyrna Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) 2:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.

5. Warning #4 The Amount of Strength We Have is Not What Counts. Church in Philadelphia Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) 3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, “you have …kept My word” (Verse 8) 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial…”

6. Warning #5 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide False Teachers. Church in Pergamos Church in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

7. Warning #5 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide False Teachers. Church in Pergamos Church in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

8. Warning #5 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide False Teachers. Church in Pergamos Church in Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

9. Warning #6 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide Immoral Members. Church in Thyatira Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

10. Warning #6 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide Immoral Members. Church in Thyatira Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

11. Warning #6 Being in a Good Church Does Not Hide Immoral Members. Church in Thyatira Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

12. Warning #7 Doing Everything Just Right is Not Enough. Church in Ephesus Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

13. Warning #7 Doing Everything Just Right is Not Enough. Church in Ephesus Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

14. How Can We Be Right? As a Congregation As a Congregation -- We must “keep Christ’s word” as Philadelphia. -- Not tolerate false teaching and immorality. As Individuals We Must: As Individuals We Must: -- “Overcome” (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) -- “Be faithful unto death” (2:10) -- “Hold fast what you have” (2:25) -- Be motivated in it all by love (2:5)