1. Letter to Cades? Jesus wrote letters to churches What if He wrote a letter to Cades? What would He say to us?

2. Revelation 2 & 3 Jesus addressed letters to each of the seven churches in Asia Minor John is on a prison island – Patmos Jesus is giving him a message to be recorded Revelation 1:1-2 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

3. 7 Sections of the letters (1)Greetings (2)Descriptive title for Jesus (3)Insights into the life of the church (4)Criticisms as necessary for individual churches (5)Warnings and instructions (6)Final exhortations (7)Promises and assurance

4. Messages to 7 churches Ephesus – Jesus holds the 7 candles / 7 stars Smyrna – Jesus is the first and last Pergamum – Jesus has a sharp sword Thyatira – Jesus has eyes of fire Sardis – Jesus has the 7 spirits of God Philadelphia – Jesus is holy and true Laodicea – Jesus is the Amen, Faithful witness

5. Insights to the churches Ephesus – Know your deeds, perseverance, not grown weary Smyrna – Know your afflictions and poverty, but rich in faith and spirit Pergamum – Live at Satan's throne, you remain true to Jesus

6. Criticisms of the churches Ephesus – Left your first love, drifted over time Pergamum – Hold to false teaching, ate food offered to idols, adultery, putting material things above the spiritual Laodicea – Exaggerated opinion of your importance, you are not close to being the church you think you are

7. Warnings of the churches Same to all churches (except Philadelphia) Ephesus – It is time to repent, get back where you once were Sardis – time to wake up to reality Laodicea – time to repent Without repentance – the church will cease to be the church of Christ.

8. Promises to the churches To each church there is a promise to those who overcome Overcome the weakness of faith Overcome the drifting away Overcome the false teachers Overcome the suffering and persecution Overcome the immorality Overcome the opinion that all is OK

9. If Jesus wrote to Cades? What do you think He would say? Which of these letters would apply to us? THE REAL ISSUE: What would you do in response to the letter from Jesus? What changes would you make?