Sumday 23rd April 2023 AM
Bible Reading - Revelation 1:1-20
Full Service on YouTube - Link
Powerpoint
1) Introduction
Revelation 1:1-20
1. The Postman
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” (Rev 1:10-11)
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (verse 9)
2. The Pattern
Church
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: (Rev 2:1)
Description
‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. (Rev 2:1)
Encouragement
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, (Rev 2:2)
Fault
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (Rev 2:4)
Goal
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ (Rev 2:7)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14)
3. The Principal
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ (Eph 4:15)
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. (Rev 1:12-13)