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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 2

Revelation 2:1-7 Ephesus

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today.

Just like the rest of our bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be.

Our series is specifically focused on Jesus words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we begin with the Church in Ephesus, found in Revelation 2:1-7

Revelation 2:1-7

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Already in our teaching we have said that revelation is a Jesus focused letter. As we begin chapter 2, we are reminded that these words are from Jesus, for his church.

The imagery we read in verse 1 takes us back to the vision that John gave us in Chapter 1. This is the revealing, the revelation of Jesus. Don’t lose focus on him.

With verse 2, his message begins.

Revelation 2:2-3

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Ephesus was one of the most influential cities in the Roman world. It was a melting pot of cultural and religious influences.

The Apostle Paul had founded the church some 40 years earlier, spending a significant amount of time there. And late in the first century, the resurrected Jesus commends them on how they have held firm.

Revelation 2:4

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

Here we are faced with perhaps the hardest question of this text: What does it mean that they have forsaken the love they had at first?

For our understanding of this warning, it’s really the pivotal matter. As with so many things in revelation we are left without the details we would like to have.

First, I want us to notice- they did not lose their first love- they left it. The word here is to give up or abandon.

They didn’t lose their first love haphazardly- they left it.

Next, and perhaps most challenging for us today is that New Testament Scholars disagree on what is meant by “First love”- there is not a universal view on this text.

Generally, two thoughts are regarded as the best possibilities for interpreting the text.

First- The love that they have forsaken is their love for God.

The church had done all these great things FOR God, but they had lost sight of their love and connection with God the Father.

They were helping others, doing the bible studies, the work of the church to keep it going- but it was all empty of true love for God.

The other popular view is that the church had lost their love for others.

Perhaps in their fervency to keep correct doctrines, to keep things in order and comfortable in the church- they had lost the passionate heart of Jesus for the lost.

Their passion had shifted to preservation rather than mission

While these two views are a little different, I think the exhortation of Jesus brings resolution to both. (And don’t forget this message is just as much about our church in 2023 as it was for the church at Ephesus in the year 95).

Revelation 2:5-7

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Whatever is happening in the church- it’s no light matter to Jesus.

What was required was no small course correction- this was a radical re-direction back to the love they held in the past.

Revelation at its core is a Jesus letter- and in that there is great hope. To those who will head his voice and obey- there is the promise of new creation, of eternity ahead in paradise.

This exhortation began with Jesus, and it ends in hope for those who live in relationship with him, a good reminder that Revelation is a book of hope!

Even in our short study of this book, it is easy to tell that it is no easy task. There are so many questions, so many images, so many details we would love to have.

For us today- I want us to commit to holding our view with humility. With an openness and charity to those who see it differently than we do.

Today i am leaving it open to your interpretation with the Holy Spirit-

Whether it’s a lost love of God they are called back to, or a lost love of neighbor and the mission to reach others for Christ.

Will you return to your first love?

Will you seek the heart of God passionately and allow your love to thrive through relationship with him?

There is a great hope and promise ahead for those who are victorious in Christ!

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Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Revelation Chapter 1

Today we begin our new summer teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today.

Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

It would be a mistake if we believe that this was only about something back then- 2000 years ago.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be.

What we know about Revelation:

-This entire book is a vision, given by God to the apostle John.

-John is in exile on the Isle of Patmos. He has been exiled to Patmos to try to keep him from preaching the Gospel in the Roman Empire.

-John’s banishment is a form of ‘the death penalty’. They sent him away to die.

-While in exile, the Lord chose that experience to reveal world-changing truths to John. And He writes them down here, in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:1-20

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The focus of the letter comes immediately: Revelation is a Jesus letter.

Consider some of the ways Jesus is described here:

-“him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” (verse 4)

-“the faithful witness” (verse 5)

-“the firstborn from the dead” (verse 5)

-“the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Verse 5)

-“who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (verse 5)

-“has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father” (verse 6)

-“I am the Alpha and the Omega” (verse 8)

-“who is, and who was, and who is to come” (verse 8)

-“the Almighty” (verse 8)

1. These words are relevant today

Our tendency is to take anything complicated, thought-provoking, or potentially challenging and excuse it or minimize it. The temptation may be to make these words only applicable to the churches in Asia Minor 2,000 years ago. But these words are relevant today.

2. These words are for you

One of the biggest dangers we can make in reading Scripture is applying it to everyone else, and not ourselves. In the coming weeks, as we journey through Revelation, believe that there will be specific wisdom that you need right now, encouragement for the season you are in right now, a challenge for you that may not be easy but a challenge from the Lord that you need. These words are for you.

3. Jesus is your past, your present, your future

We see it from the very beginning: Revelation is a Jesus book. Jesus has been there since the beginning. He’s right here in the beginning of Revelation and He’s been there, seated at the right hand of the Father, long before this moment. No matter what you face today, the picture we see of Jesus, the picture John writes down so vividly, is the picture of Jesus for you, right now.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Revelation Chapter 1

Today we begin our new summer teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today.

Just like the rest of our bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

It would be a mistake if we believe that this was only about something back then- 2000 years ago.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be.

Who’s the author of this letter?

Verse 1 records that the author’s name is John. Historically the church as assumed this to be The Apostle John.

The dating of this letter is debated- but many believe it to be written late in the first century around 90AD

Verse 19 of chapter 1 records the instructions he was given.

1:19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”

“What you have seen” – The vision of Jesus Himself in Chapter 1. The only detailed biblical description of how Jesus now appears.

“What is now” – The message to the seven churches in Asia Minor in AD90

“What will take place later”- Represented in the rest of the book of Revelation. Things that will take place in the future, into our time and beyond.

So, John is told to write down what he sees and what he hears relating to the churches in his time, as well as events yet to happen in the future.

Revelation 1:1-3

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

So what’s the message? What was he told to write down?

That’s what we call the book of Revelation and you don’t have to look far for the main theme.

The word Revelation means an unveiling, uncovering, or to make things known.

Notice, it’s the unveiling, or uncovering from Jesus Christ- to make things known.

There is a very real sense that Jesus is the one doing the revealing, the making things known, sharing a message to the churches.

Here in our text, In revealing himself and his message, Jesus also reveals the urgency of his message.

Revelation 1:4-8

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

As we enter the body of the letter, the recipients, those whom it is written are identified as the 7 churches of Asia.

And the theme, the focus of the letter comes immediately: Revelation is a Jesus letter.

Listen to some of the way’s he’s described here”

“him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” (verse 4)

the faithful witness, (verse 5)

the firstborn from the dead, (verse 5)

the ruler of the kings of the earth. (Verse 5)

“who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (verse 5)

“has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (verse 6)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” verse 8

“who is, and who was, and who is to come,” (verse 8)

“the Almighty” (verse 8)

Revelation 1:9-16

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

John first heard the voice of the Lord, now he has turned and sees Jesus

Here we first encounter one of the more challenging aspects of the book of Revelation, and that’s it’s extensive use of imagery.

What a reader in the first century, familiar with the Old Testament, would have heard would have been themes like:

Jesus as a person of great dignity and authority

wisdom and purity

Themes of glory and splendor.

Revelation 1:17-18

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Jesus response to John- Don’t be afraid.

“It begins and ends with me”

“I was dead- John you were there you saw it, but now look, I am alive forever. And I have the power and authority over death and hell. Do not be afraid- The victory is mine, and so are you.”

This is the revealing of Jesus Christ.

In our interaction and study of this letter we want to see Jesus through this book.

From the very beginning to the very end- it’s Jesus.

We believe that He will return, the dead shall be raised to life, there will be a final judgement where sin and evil are dealt with once and for all, Christ will be victorious, and those who profess Him as Lord will spend eternity with him in New Creation.

And friends that’s a message of hope if you are in Christ.

That’s the message these churches heard, and Christians throughout the church age have heard.

And we cannot miss the invitation of Revelation to Join that hope.

For all the prophetic messages it contains, it’s also an invitation letter to join Christ in His kingdom and that is to Come to him.

Revelation 21:16-17

The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.

Throughout our study, let us commit together to see Jesus, and to respond to his invitation.

Come!

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Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Living The Jesus Life: Part 9

Living The Jesus Life, Conclusion

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 4:10-20

Paul wants us to know that knowing Jesus is a deeply transformational experience.

Philippians 4:10-11

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

1. Contentment isn’t happiness.

2. Contentment is learned.

Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Matthew 6:26-33

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The nature of God’s care for us is not that we have everything we want, it is an attitude of complete trust no matter what we have.

Philippians 4:19-20

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Living The Jesus Life: Part 9

Philippians 4:10-20

Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That’s why we’ve entitled the series, ‘Living the Jesus Life’.

Today’s focus is Philippians 4:10-20

Last week as we came into the home stretch of the letter, we heard Paul’s final parting thoughts as he is bringing this to a close.

– First a reminder to rejoice in the Lord.

– He encourages them to be gentle and gracious in their relationships with one another.

– And finally, he shares his decisive teaching about worry-

True to form, although Paul’s parting to-do list is complete, he isn’t done bringing the encouragement.

Philippians 4:10-11

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

You may recall that Paul began his letter expressing his thanks and gratitude for the Philippians partnership in the gospel.

As we get to the end of the letter, Paul returns to share his thankfulness for their generosity and friendship. And he wants them to know that their friendship and love has made this gift so special.

As we have come to the end of our study and I have been reflecting on our journey, I have been really amazed by something Paul didn’t say. For all of the great things Paul has said about living the Jesus life- what he hasn’t said has easily made just as much of an impact.

Not once do we find him ranting about the stupid government and how they are doing him dirty by keeping him locked up. No cries of injustice.

Not one word about how aggravating it is to be chained to another human being.

No complaints about living conditions

Not one word.

He’s in a first century Roman prison. Dirty, dark, no air conditioning, no running water, or indoor plumbing.

All because he is telling people about Jesus. He doesn’t know how the future will go- if he will be released from prison.

Yet he says “I’m good guys- I’ve learned to be content no matter what”

To be content is to be self-sufficient or self-satisfied, to be satisfied, to be at peace internally- regardless of circumstances.

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The secret to living the Jesus life content- is to live in the strength of Christ.

Through the ups and downs, Paul had learned to find his peace and satisfaction in the person of Christ, regardless of what was happening around him.

For Paul, so many things were stripped away- he couldn’t lean on possessions or comforts- he had to learn to be content in Christ. To be satisfied knowing the presence of God was with him.

And this all-star, hall-of-fame Christian, the Apostle Paul, had to LEARN this in his life. It wasn’t automatic. It wasn’t easy. It didn’t happen on the first time, every time. He wrestled with it, he failed at it, he got it some and missed it some.

But over the years, he has learned to find peace in the midst of any circumstance. That’s living the Jesus life, learning to be content in Christ, no matter what comes our way.

Philippians 4:18-20

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Through all of Paul’s ups and downs, shipwrecks and beatings- he had learned the faithfulness of God. Not to always give him what he wanted, but to provide what he needed.

And it’s that faithfulness that Paul assures his readers will be there’s living the Jesus life- God will meet your needs.

Throughout this letter Paul has shown us by example what it means to live the Jesus life.

As he brings things to a close- he makes sure to share his secret of life.

Living life focused on knowing Christ, no matter what.

To have deep peace and satisfaction, regardless of what’s happening around him.

And it’s Christ who gives the strength to live like that.

Will you commit to learning with Paul- Learn to live the Jesus life content?

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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