Takeaways from Jesus’ Letters to His Churches
Takeaways from Jesus’ Letters to His Churches
Key Bible Verses
Revelation Chapters 2 and 3
Digging Deeper
In the letters to the churches, Jesus admonishes each church with the statement, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22). Jesus repeats this phrase seven times, emphasizing the importance of hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches so that fruit will be produced that will endure until the end. However, while the church must have ears that hear what the Spirit is saying, it is also important that we individually take the time to listen with our ears and have an open heart to what Jesus is sharing with each of us, so that we are assured that we are saved and producing the right kind of fruit.
How do I hear from God so that I will produce fruit that will endure until the end?
Find a quiet, peaceful place with few distractions, and be determined to spend time with God.
Pray for a receptive heart open to hearing from God and that any barriers to hearing from God will be removed.
Read the Bible, as God speaks through His word, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth and wisdom.
Express gratitude and praise to God, thanking Him for all He has done and His blessings.
Ask God to reveal His will to be done in your life, surrender your desires and plans to Him, and listen to God’s guidance and direction.
Be obedient as God asks you to act on what He reveals.
Write down any thoughts or impressions that will help you remember and reflect on what God is saying to you.
Trust in God’s love and faithfulness. Remember that God loves you and will speak if you listen patiently.
Let us be grateful to God for all the blessings in our lives and be positive and open to receiving His message for us and our church, so that we will be faithful and endure until the end.
What Not To Miss
The 10 Takeaways, Principles, and Points From this Series
1. Churches (Christians) are created, called, and commissioned by Jesus to be His REVOLUTIONARY WITNESSES in Babylon (i.e., Rome/United States/World).
Jesus gave birth to God’s people and sent them into the world.
To partner with the world for their well-being—for the common good—for Shalom.
To preserve the world.
To proclaim to the world that Jesus is Lord, Jesus is King, Jesus is God.
2. The pressures of living in Babylon (i.e., Rome/United States/World) are persistent.
Now that we are part of a new kingdom with a new King, we have enemies.
The devil prowls around like a roaring lion to seek whom he can devour.
The world delivers pressures daily.
The flesh, which is the former sin nature, used to control us.
3. Churches can DO GOOD and still BE BAD; if they don’t address their BAD, it won’t be GOOD!
There should be a “holistic” focus on our life, and the health of our life.
Therefore, we need to be aware of, in tune with, and open to the Spirit's guidance about what areas need strengthening.
4. Jesus IS NOT TOLERANT of His church’s sins and failures but is PATIENT in their sanctification process.
Throughout Jesus’ letters to His church, He isn’t tolerant of their failings.
Although Jesus is intolerant of sin and failure in a believer’s and a church’s life, He is patient in their sanctification process. (Sanctification is the process of becoming more conformed and shaped to the image and likeness of Jesus.)
It is important to live in a state and posture of REPENTANCE because you want to please, honor, and obey Jesus.
5. Churches that TOLERATE what JESUS is INTOLERANT of will eventually become irrelevant, useless, and non-existent to Jesus and the world.
If left unaddressed, it will lead the person or the church further away from the source of Jesus, and they will adjust and acclimate to the larger cultural temperature—or a subcultural temperature that isn’t aligned with the heart of Jesus.
When we wander from the source of life we change the purpose of our existence.
6. Jesus’ letter to the churches of Asia Minor is the CHURCH EQUIVALENCE of what Jesus taught individuals in Matthew 13.
In every letter to every church, you will find the phrase, “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus also used this phrase in Matthew 13:3-9 as he taught who was saved and who was not saved. The one who is saved is the one who endures to the very end—who produces useful fruit for the Lord.
7. The churches in Revelation fell on a spectrum between “REVILING” and “REVOLUTIONARY,” as well as “FAILING” to “FLOURISHING.”
Five churches got complaints and corrections, and if they don’t repent, there are consequences.
Two churches were commended and were flourishing and conquering.
Jesus to the one who overcomes I will give them victory.
8. Where is Northland on the plotline?
Northland is in the middle of the plotline.
9. Here is the hypothetical letter from Jesus to Northland.
To the angel of the church at Northland, write: These are the words of the Cosmic King of Glory, the ONE who is faithful and true, the ONE who sees all and knows all, and the ONE who is the key to life and life everlasting. I know your history and your deeds.
I know your rise and fall, mountaintops and valleys, highs and lows. I know your victories and wins that came from your love and service. But I also know you experienced hurts and losses from confusion and division. I know that you have endured many transitions over the years.
But I have graciously preserved you for such a time as this. I see you are coming back to life. You are rightly focusing on the glory of God and the centrality of Christ and His word. You seek to be filled with the Spirit of God as you participate in my Father’s worldwide mission. You also continue to grow in service and deeds as you connect with God and one another, cultivate disciples and leaders, care for people and resources and are commissioned to neighbors and nations.
Nevertheless, I still have this against you. You still have a residue of pride, not learning from the past, and failing to be open to the new thing I want to do in and through you. You still let petty differences and personal preferences divide you. You allow the larger culture of consumerism and inconsistency of commitment due to busyness to influence your engagement, or lack thereof, with my church and her mission.
I am calling you to repent! Otherwise, you will not taste and see the Holy Spirit’s unfathomable and historical turnaround I want to do in and through you for the glory of My name!
To the one who conquers, I will share with them the immeasurably more of Christ that surpasses what one would ask for or what one could dare imagine.
He who has ears, let them hear with the Spirit says to His church.
10. How do churches move on the plotline from REVILING to REVOLUTIONARY and from FAILING/FUNCTIONING to FLOURISHING?
Throughout these letters, Jesus also used the phrase, “To the one who is victorious.” Jesus wants His churches to be filled with His followers, His people, and His disciples who are victorious and living out their victory in Jesus.
Seven secrets of VICTORY.
The one who LOVES Jesus is victorious. (Ephesus)
The one who ENDURES to the end is victorious. (Smyrna)
The one who ALIGNS theologically with Jesus is victorious. (Pergamum)
The one who is FAITHFUL to the Word, not the World, is victorious. (Thyatira)
The one who is FILLED with the Spirit is victorious. (Sardis)
The one who HOLDS ON to Jesus is victorious. (Philadelphia)
The one who REMAINS connected to Jesus is victorious. (Laodicea)
What will happen over the next 20–30 years if we can embrace the messages of Jesus that He gave His churches almost 2000 years ago today?
Life Application
This week, pray about the hypotetical letter that Jesus might write to Northland that is outlined in the What Not to Miss section of this study. Listen and hear ways that God reveals Himself to you as you consider what Jesus is teaching through the letters to His churches and ways that He is calling you to repent as a part of His church body at Northland. Take time to dream and reflect on what God puts in your heart about the wonderful future of Northland Church in the days ahead and how you can be a part of this awesome movement of God.
Small Group Discussion Questions
Describe a favorite letter or card that you have received.
What are examples of fruit should we produce that will endure until the end?
How can we live and demonstrate victorious lives as we follow Jesus?
Why is it important to live in a state and posture of repentance?
How can we adjust so we are faithful and follow God’s plan?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Hearing-Isaiah 30:21; Revelation 3:20; Romans 10:17
Day 2: Understanding-Jeremiah 33:3; James 1:19; Philippians 4:7
Day 3: Obedience-Psalm 85:8; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:15
Day 4: Faithfulness-John 5:14; John 5:30; Psalm 5:3
Day 5: Love-Isaiah 41:13; 1 Peter 4:8; Deuteronomy 7:9
Prayer
Lord, I come to you asking for your help. I want to open my ears so I can hear your voice and what you are saying to me and to the church today. I know you are constantly speaking to me, but distractions and the world's noise often affect how I hear from you. I desire that my heart would be willing to repent and be responsive as I humbly want to hear your voice clearly and above all others. Lead me, and let me be bold as I faithfully follow the path you have set for me according to your will. I am thankful that You guide and direct me, and I trust in your perfect plan. Give me the assurance that no matter what, You will always love me and are sanctifying me, and as I submit myself to your will in obedience, I will be victorious and reflect your glory to neighbors and nations.
