{SEVEN LETTERS} The Church that makes Jesus sick_ Revelation 3:14-22 The Christian faith is just one generation away from disappearing. One generation may be deeply in love with Jesus and solidly committed to carrying out his mission in the world, but if their sons and daughters try to coast along on their parent’s spiritual achievements, if they never make their parent’s faith their own, the church becomes a social club and genuine faith fades. .. [Group discussion starter] Are you a first-generation Christian, or do you have a Christian heritage? Tell the group the story of how you pers onally came to faith in Jesus. The city of Hierapolis, located six miles from Laodicea, was well-known for its hot springs. People came from the entire region to soak in the healing wat er. In the other direction, the city of Colossae was known for the purity and tasteful quality of its water – cold...
{SEVEN LETTERS} Find Us Faithful_ Revelation 3:7-13 “The letter to Philadelphia is a letter of undiluted praise.” That’s how biblical scholar, William Barclay, summarises it. There is no condemnation of the church found in the letter. Philadelphia represents the faithful church and the faithful Christian. As Jesus speaks to these believers, he com mends them and encourages them, but not once does he have to rebuke them. The command “repent ”, that appears over and over in these seven letters, is absent from this one. This is a church weak in itself but mighty in the Spirit. It is a church Christ loves... [Discussion starter question] How do we usually measure success in a church? How do you think Jesus measures success? The city of Philadelphia (the one in Asia Minor [ Turkey ] not in Pennsylvania, USA!) gained its reputatio n a...