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[Pastor Charles]

Life Group lesson
December 29, 2007
Pat Graham, Associate Pastor

In studying for this lesson I have to admit that there was a lot of struggle as to what to put into this lesson. The book of Revelation is a fascinating book with more symbolism and confusing passages than perhaps any other book in the New Testament. However, the book is chalked full of practical life lessons that we can apply to our lives today. So let’s take a look at the churches that the letter was written to originally and see what we can learn from them.

The seven churches that are addressed in chapters 2 and 3 were literal existing churches when John wrote this letter. While not precisely duplicated, they also represent the types of churches that are generally present throughout the entire church age. Most messages to the churches follow the general order of first describing Jesus the speaker with terms taken from the glorious appearance of Christ in chapter 1. Then the message includes a word of commendation or praise, rebuke, warning and then concluding with a promise. The church of Laodicea received no praise and the church at Philadelphia received no rebuke.
This lesson will be a little different in that it will be a “choose your own study” type of lesson. I will provide you with information on all seven churches of Revelation. But as a life group you decide which ones you will study based on your life group’s personal circumstances and life phase. You can choose to look at just one or all seven or anything in between. The main thing is to allow the truths presented to these churches penetrate the heart of your life group to allow life change.

Ephesus: The church that allowed their love to grow cold.

Read Rev. 2:1-7

The church in Ephesus was a very important church. It is believed that it was through this church that all of the other churches mentioned in Revelation was begun. Jesus commended them for their hard work and perseverance. They also did not tolerate evil people. They also possessed a lot of spiritual discernment. They were able to identify false teachings and did not tolerate it in their church.

However, despite all they were doing right Jesus tells them that they have left their first love. They had sunk to a place where they were carrying out their Christian responsibilities with diminishing love for God and for others.

Jesus then goes on and gives them the prescription for their sins.
1. Remember, 2. Repent, 3. Demonstrate their repentance with acts of good deeds as they first did.
1. If Jesus were to write a letter to our church, what do you think He’d say?
2. If Jesus were to write you a personal letter, for what would He commend you, and in what ways would He correct you?
3. What can cause us to lose our love for God?
4. How can we keep our commitment to Christ from waning over time?
5. In what concrete ways can you show today that Jesus Christ is your first love?
6. What is one step you can take this week to build the quality of perseverance in your faith

Smyrna: The Suffering Church

Not much is known about the church in Smyrna other then it was probably started during Paul’s Ephesus ministry and that it endured a great deal of suffering. It was also a noted center for science and medicine. It exists today as the Turkish city of Izmir.

Read Revelation 2:8-11

Nothing escapes God’s vision. He knows the suffering of His churches. He also understands the pain and tribulation of those under His care. The Smyrna church was suffering because of their faithfulness to the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. They refused to worship Roman emporers as gods and refused to worship the myriad of Greek gods. They also were confronted by the Jews who did not accept Jesus as Messiah.

After commending them for their faithfulness and enduring persecution Jesus warns them that more was coming. He then closes the letter with some encouraging words. The tests would be coming and it would be severe but brief. Those enduring until the end would identify themselves as Christians by their faithfulness.

The persecuted, suffering, yet faithful church at Smyrna stands for all time as an example of those who 15 … represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. Luke 8:15

Because they faithfully confessed Him before men, Jesus will confess them before the Father. (See Matthew 10:32)

1. What is the most hurtful thing anyone has ever done to you because of something you stood for?
2. What kinds of persecution do Christians face today?
3. What kinds of persecution do you think would most tempt you to deny Christ?
4. How can the eternal promises of God give us courage and strength in the face of attacks on our stand for Christ?
5. What steps can you take today to build your courage against persecution?
6. How can you show faithfulness to Christ in the week ahead

Pergamum: The Worldly Church

Read Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamum was located about 100 miles north of Ephesus with Smyrna about halfway in between. It exists today as the Turkish city of Bergama. Pergamum was known for being the capital of Asia minor and for its huge library second only to that in Alexandria, Egypt. It was also an important center of worship for 4 of the ancient gods (Athena, Asklepios, Dionysos, and Zeus). All had large temples in Pergamum.
Despite the difficult circumstances in which they found themselves, the Pergamum Christians courageously maintained their faith in Jesus Christ. He commended them for holding fast even though they were where Satan’s throne was. They remained faithful even during the time of great persecution and martyrdom.

The problem came when there were those who were associated with the church that didn’t hold on to right doctrine. They believed in false teachings. And then they failed to practice church discipline concerning these people.

Jesus goes on to say that the only remedy for any sinful behavior is to repent. This is to say that there is a changing of the mind that leads to a change in behavior.

1. What do you consider to be the most evil or sinful place on earth? Why?
2. What should it mean to us that Jesus doesn’t overlook sin, even if we are doing lots of good deeds?
3. In what ways could it be said that Satan lives in your city?
4. What "little" sins do we tend to allow into our life-style and habits?
5. What is the best way to deal with Christians (whether real or false) who circulate unbiblical ideas?
6. What are some potential problems for churches that discipline members publicly? In what way can you include repentance in your daily devotions this week?

Thyatira: The Church that Tolerated Sin

Read Revelation 2:18-29

Thyatira was about 40 miles southeast of Pergamum. It was located in a valley with relatively flat terrain. Thyatira was noted for its numerous guilds (roughly the equivalent of today’s labor unions). Their main industry was the production of wool and dyed goods, especially purple dyes. (Lydia was from Thyatira) The pressure faced by the
Christians in Thyatira came from the guilds. To hold a job or own a business, it was necessary to be a member of a guild. Each guild had its patron deity, in whose honor feasts were held – complete with meat sacrifices and air immorality. Christians faced the dilemma of attending those feasts or possibly losing their livelihood. How some in the Thyatira church were handling the situation caused the Lord Jesus Christ great concern.

The commendation was that the church was showing love for God and one another. He also commended them for their faith. From faith and love come service and perseverance. They were growing in grace, maturing in their faith and advancing the cause of Christ.

But…there was a problem with internal compromise. Jezabel (probably not her real name) was leading the church to commit acts of immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. Judgement must begin with the household of God (see I Peter 4:17). But Christ’s judgement will fairly reflect each person’s works. This is a truth that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but bring comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

1. What are the three best habits you have?
2. What sins do we tend to tolerate in our own lives or in the lives of our Christian friends when we should not?
3. When we are misled by others, what can we do to correct our mistakes? How?
4. When should we take responsibility for the errors of others in the church? How?
5. What have you been tolerating in your life that you need to reject and change?
6. What can you do this week to grow and add to your service for Christ?
7. What specific steps can you take this week to monitor what you take into your thoughts?

Sardis: The Dead Church

Read Revelation 3:1-6

Sardis was located about 30 miles south of Thyatira in the fertile valley of the Hermus River. It was built on a 1500 foot hill with smooth flat sides on three sides and a steep difficult terrain on the fourth. It was almost impenetrable for purposes of war. It was this overconfident attitude that lead to the problems in the Sardis church. It was a dead church. It had lost its vitality.

Because this church was a dead church Christ skipped the usual commendations for this church and went straight to the problems. Although this church had a rich history of service and faithfulness in the past, that reputation could not redeem the fact that it was now a dead church accomplishing nothing. They were going through the motions but were not being recognized by God. So the church at Sardis, once spiritually alive and strong, was not blind and weak, not realizing that God had long since departed.

However even in the midst of this dead church there were some who remained alive and faithful. God had His remnant even in the dead church at Sardis. It is to this remnant that Christ addresses is command to. They needed life and they needed it right away and to get this he points out five things. 1. They needed to wake up. There was no time for indifference. 2. They needed to strengthen the things that remain. They needed to fan into flames the dying embers of what was left of this dying church. 3. They needed to go back to the truths of God’s word remembering the gospel and the teachings of the apostles. 4. Once back to the truth they need to stay strong and firm in those truths. 5. Finally they needed to repent as mentioned in the other churches.

1. What is the difference between character and reputation?
2. Which do you think is worse—wrongfully having a bad reputation, or wrongfully having a good reputation? Why?
3. What do you think is your reputation among your coworkers? Neighbors? People at church?
4. How can a church appear to be alive and thriving and yet be dead?
5. What advice would you give to a young Christian who asked, "How can I keep from sinning?"
6. What can you do today to enhance your reputation in the world and in heaven?
7. What can you do to improve your acts of Christian devotion (prayer, Bible reading, etc.)?

Philadelphia: The Faithful Church

Read Revelation 3:7-13

The city of Philadelphia was located about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. Philadelphia benefited from its location at the junction of several important trade routes.

Finding nothing in their deeds that caused Him concern, Jesus moved on to commending them several things that characterized this church. He commended them for first of all having “little strength”. This would seem a negative thing at first. But rather this is a commendation of their strength. Philadelphia was a small church but it had a powerful impact on the city. The church is also noted for their obedience. They kept the word of God. They were also commended for not denying Christ. And finally they were able to persevere.

One unique characteristic about this church is that because of their faithfulness they were made some remarkable promises. They were promised the security of their salvation in vs. 8. This also symbolizes the opportunity for continued service to their Lord. In verse 9 Jesus promises that those of the synagogue of satan will come and bow at their feet. And then finally in verse 10 Christ promises that they would be spared of the ultimate test because of their faithfulness. This promise is also carried down to all faithful churches thus providing support for a view for a pretribulation rapture of the church.

This church was challenged to hold on to what they had because of the imminent return of Christ for His bride.

1. What groups would you cite as the biggest present-day enemies of the church?
2. How can we obey Christ and keep standing up for Him even when we are physically exhausted?
3. How might you persuade a friend that Christ is the ultimate power in the universe?
4. What can we do to prepare for Christ’s return?
5. Why are some Christians seemingly more able or better equipped to "endure patiently"?
6. What advice would you give to a Christian friend who expressed physical exhaustion and a lack of spiritual strength?
7. In what areas of your life do you need to turn away from wrong attitudes?
8. Where can you go for the encouragement you need to keep walking with Christ in a hostile world?

Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

Read Revelation 3:14-22

Located about one hundred miles east of Ephesus and 40 miles from Philadelphia Laodicea was the Southeastern most city of the seven. Laodicea was an important commercial city located on two important trade routes. It was famous for being a strategic banking center. It was a very wealthy city, at least financially. It was also know for the soft black wool that it produced. It was also known for its medicine centers.

There was nothing to commend this church for so Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter. He accuses them of being lukewarm and not hot or cold. This lukewarmness was compounded by their self-deception. Their wealth gave them a false sense of security as they imagined their spiritual wealth was mirrored by their city’s material wealth. They were rich in spiritual pride but bankrupt in saving grace.

Jesus could have instantly destroyed this church filled with unsaved hypocrites. Instead he offered them genuine salvation. He advised them to buy three things from Him which all symbolize true redemption. 1. Gold. They needed gold that was free of impurities representing the priceless riches of true salvation. 2. White garments, which stood in direct contrast to the black wool they took so much pride in, which represented righteous deeds which always accompany genuine saving faith. And 3. Eye ointment. Laodiceans desperately needed Christ to “open their eyes” so they could see spiritually. But before any of this could take place they needed to repent.

1. What are some foods or drinks that taste better cold or hot than at room temperature?
2. What is a hot Christian, a cold Christian, or a lukewarm Christian?
3. What does a lukewarm Christian act like?
4. In what ways can a person be religious yet indifferent to what God wants?
5. What can we learn about the Lord’s character based on His strong words to the Laodicean church?
6. Which of the seven churches described in Revelation 2:1-3:22 are you most like? Why?
7. What steps can you take this week to keep from being indifferent to what God wants?
8. Into what specific areas of your life do you want to invite Christ today?