What is Jesus Saying to the Church?
To say that the church is going through a rough patch these days is an understatement: Constant spiritual attack on its members and leaders, history and relationship with indigenous peoples, gender identity and sexual practices, biblical illiteracy, false teachings, consumerism/idolatry, overt persecution, response to environmental concerns, complacency…and we haven’t even mentioned Covid yet (!). Christmas has reminded us again that God wants to be in relationship with us. Thus Jesus has a word for us, a message that speaks into being his church, and living in the world as his body. Amazingly, the word Jesus had for the seven churches in Revelation in the first century still speak today. May we have ears and hearts to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church in the 21st century.
January 9: Revelation 2.1-7. Ephesus: First Love
January 23: Revelation 2.8-11. Smyrna: Wealthy Warriors
January 30: Revelation 2.18-29. Thyatira: Love and Service
February 13: Revelation 3.1-6. Sardis: Stay Awake!
February 20: Revelation 3.7-13. Philadelphia: Patient Endurance
February 27: Revelation 3.14-22. Laodicea: The Greatest Invitation