## What Kind of Church?

## Revelation 2:1-3:22

The letters to the pastors (angels) of the seven churches of Asia are among the most important passages to be found in the Scriptures. Here we have seven letters dictated by the Lord Jesus Christ to His churches.

Geographically: these seven churches were located in a circle, adjacent to the sea and easily accessible.

Historically: each had specific, yet represent-ative disorders which needed correction.

Spiritually: all churches throughout the ages have had, and will continue to have similar needs which are common to all generations.

It is of the utmost importance that we learn from these letters and heed the instructions given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Tonight, let us look back to past to prepare for the future.

I. To the Church at Ephesus. 2:1-7

A. Commendation. v2-3

1. The church was energetic.

2. The church was patient.

3. The church was doctrinally sound.

B. Condemnation. v4

1. They had left their first love.

2. They had grown cold toward God (their first love).

C. Exhortation. v5

1. Remember where they had been.

2. Repent.

3. Return to the beginning.

II. To the Church at Smyrna. 2:8-11

A. Condition. v8-9

1. They were under great stress and pressure.

2. They were in deep poverty (by the world’s standards)

3. They were under abuse from the local religious groups.

B. Encouragement. v10

1. Stop being afraid.

2. Keep on being faithful.

III. To the church at Pergamos. 2:12-17

A. Commendation. v13

1. They had staying power.

2. They had not denied the faith.

B. Criticism. v14-15

1. They tolerated false doctrine.

2. They tolerated compromising behavior.

C. Correction. v16

1. Repent or else....

2. They had begun to drift from Biblical truth.

3. Now they needed to return.

IV. To the church at Thyatira. 2:18-29

A. Their strengths. v19

1. They were known for their love, service, faith, and patience.

2. They had increased in these more than at the first.

B. Their weaknesses. v20-21

1. They were tolerant of a very wicked individual.

2. She was a ‘Jezebel-like’ woman.

3. She rejected repentance.

4. She was a false teacher and the church was not doing anything about it.

C. Their warning. v22-29

1. If they failed to take action against her, then God would take action against them.

2. He called for repentance and warned of judgment if they did not.

V. To the church at Sardis. 3:1-6

A. The condition is diagnosed. v1

1. On the outside it appeared to be alive, but...

2. In reality, it was a dead church.

3. However, even in a dead church there are a few faithful ones!

B. Commands that lead to correction. v2-4

1. Wake up!

2. Strengthen the things that remain.

3. Remember what you have received and what you have heard and hold on to them.

4. Repent!

VI. To the church at Philadelphia. 3:7-13

A. Conditions are described. v7-8

1. They were a church of little power...not a super-church. v8

2. They were faithful to the Word.

3. They had a good reputation.

B. Promises are given. v9-13

1. Their enemies would be humiliated.

2. They would be protected from the hour of testing.

VII. To the church of Laodicea. 3:14-20

A. Conditions that prevail.

1. Lukewarm: neither hot nor cold.

2. They were self-righteous.

3. They were proud and self-satisfied.

4. They were worldly: blinded to their spiritual needs.

B. Corrections.

1. Repent!

2. Allow Christ to enter in. v20

What can we learn?

- Ephesus: don’t leave out the pure and simple love for God. - Smyrna: don’t despair when trouble comes. - Pergamos: don’t compromise on our doctrine. - Thyatira: don’t allow sin to go undisciplined. - Sardis: don’t allow the church to become dead and formal. - Philadelphia: don’t forget that we have a great opportunity. - Laodicea: don’t forget that the One we need most is Jesus.