Lessons from Revelation: Endurance, Repentance, and Love

Devotional

Day 1: Endure with Patience

In times of hardship, it is crucial to remain patient and steadfast. The Church of Philadelphia was praised for its perseverance despite opposition. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and trust His timing, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Patience is not just about waiting but about maintaining faith and hope in Jesus through trials. [56:32]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively practice patience and trust in Jesus during this time?

Day 2: Stand Firm Against Evil

The churches of Ephesus and Pergamum were commended for their loyalty but rebuked for tolerating false teachings and losing their first love. As believers, we must stand firm against evil and not compromise the truth of God's Word. This involves being vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our actions and beliefs align with Scripture. [01:06:43]

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV): "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be compromising on God's truth. What steps can you take today to stand firm against this compromise?

Day 3: Repent and Trust in Jesus

Repentance is more than just saying sorry; it involves a genuine turning away from sin and turning towards Jesus. The churches were called to repent and return to their original devotion. We must continually examine our lives, repent of our sins, and place our trust in Jesus, knowing that He is faithful to forgive and restore us. [01:21:27]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific sin or habit you need to turn away from. How can you take a concrete step today to repent and place your trust in Jesus?

Day 4: Stay True to the Core Mission

Our core mission as believers is to love God and make Him known to others. The Apostles' Creed serves as a powerful reminder of our faith and mission. We must evaluate our actions and beliefs regularly to ensure they align with Christ's calling, not our own desires or societal pressures. [01:29:25]

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Reflection: Consider how you can share God's love with someone today. What is one practical way you can make Him known in your daily interactions?

Day 5: Offer Correction in Love

Just as Jesus corrected the churches with love, we must also offer correction in a spirit of love and focus on positive outcomes. This involves celebrating strengths, addressing weaknesses, and encouraging growth. Correction should be done with the aim of restoration and building up, not tearing down. [01:32:09]

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of someone who may need gentle correction. How can you approach them in a loving and constructive way that encourages growth and restoration?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Church of the Harvest family. Today, we continued our series on the end times, focusing on what we can learn from the book of Revelation and how we can apply these lessons to our lives as Christ followers. We are not here to debate theological positions like pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib, but rather to understand our responsibilities as believers in these uncertain times. Last week, Pastor Rob laid the foundation by emphasizing that in the midst of uncertainty, our hope is in Jesus, and we should live each day as if it could be our last.

Today, we delved into the messages to the seven churches in Revelation, focusing on five of them. These churches were commended for their strengths but also corrected for their weaknesses. We learned that as believers, we must endure with patience, stand firm against evil, repent and place our trust in Jesus, stay true to our core mission, offer correction in love, and remain committed to Christ even in the face of challenges.

The Church of Philadelphia was praised for its obedience and perseverance despite opposition. The Church of Ephesus was commended for its perseverance but rebuked for losing its first love. The Church of Pergamum was loyal to Jesus but tolerated false teachings. The Church of Thyatira was growing in love and service but tolerated idolatry and sexual immorality. Each of these churches had specific strengths and weaknesses that we can learn from.

We also discussed the importance of repentance, not just as a verbal apology but as a genuine turning away from sin and turning towards Jesus. We must stay true to our core mission, which is to love God and make Him known to others. This involves offering correction in love, focusing on positive outcomes rather than just negative behaviors. Finally, we must remain committed to Christ, understanding that our life here on earth is a marathon, not a sprint, and that Jesus is with us every step of the way.

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Key Takeaways

1. Endure with Patience: In times of hardship, it is crucial to remain patient and steadfast. The Church of Philadelphia was praised for its perseverance despite opposition. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and trust His timing, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Patience is not just about waiting but about maintaining faith and hope in Jesus through trials. [56:32]
2. Stand Firm Against Evil: The churches of Ephesus and Pergamum were commended for their loyalty but rebuked for tolerating false teachings and losing their first love. As believers, we must stand firm against evil and not compromise the truth of God's Word. This involves being vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our actions and beliefs align with Scripture. [66:43]
3. Repent and Trust in Jesus: Repentance is more than just saying sorry; it involves a genuine turning away from sin and turning towards Jesus. The churches were called to repent and return to their original devotion. We must continually examine our lives, repent of our sins, and place our trust in Jesus, knowing that He is faithful to forgive and restore us. [81:27]
4. Stay True to the Core Mission: Our core mission as believers is to love God and make Him known to others. The Apostles' Creed serves as a powerful reminder of our faith and mission. We must evaluate our actions and beliefs regularly to ensure they align with Christ's calling, not our own desires or societal pressures. [89:25]
5. Offer Correction in Love: Just as Jesus corrected the churches with love, we must also offer correction in a spirit of love and focus on positive outcomes. This involves celebrating strengths, addressing weaknesses, and encouraging growth. Correction should be done with the aim of restoration and building up, not tearing down. [01:32:09]
### [92:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:37] - Night of Hope Announcement
[47:29] - Adult Game Night
[48:02] - Class 101: Discovering Church Family
[49:45] - Introduction to End Times Series
[50:25] - Our Responsibility as Believers
[51:40] - Living with Hope and Urgency
[52:27] - Introduction to the Seven Churches
[53:38] - The Book of Revelation Overview
[55:07] - John's Experience on Patmos
[56:32] - Endure with Patience
[66:43] - Stand Firm Against Evil
[81:27] - Repent and Trust in Jesus
[89:25] - Stay True to the Core Mission
[92:09] - Offer Correction in Love
[97:24] - Remain Committed to Christ
[110:05] - Closing and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What strengths and weaknesses did Jesus highlight in the Church of Ephesus? (Revelation 2:2-5)
How did the Church of Philadelphia demonstrate obedience and perseverance? (Revelation 3:7-10)
What false teachings did the Church of Pergamum tolerate, and how did Jesus address this? (Revelation 2:13-14)
According to the sermon, what is the significance of enduring with patience in times of hardship? [56:32]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for believers to stand firm against evil, and how can this be practically applied in today's context? [01:06:43]
How does genuine repentance differ from merely saying sorry, and why is this distinction crucial for Christ followers? [01:21:27]
What does it mean to stay true to our core mission as believers, and how can the Apostles' Creed serve as a reminder of this mission? [01:29:25]
How can offering correction in love lead to positive outcomes, and what are some effective ways to approach this? [01:32:09]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How did you practice patience, and what can you do to keep your eyes on Jesus during future trials? [56:32]
Identify a situation where you had to stand firm against evil or false teachings. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to align more closely with Scripture? [01:06:43]
Think about an area in your life where you need to repent and turn towards Jesus. What steps can you take this week to genuinely change your actions and thoughts? [01:21:27]
Evaluate your current actions and beliefs. Do they align with Christ's calling or societal pressures? What adjustments can you make to stay true to your core mission as a believer? [01:29:25]
Recall a time when you had to offer correction to someone. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome? How can you ensure that future corrections are done in a spirit of love and focus on positive outcomes? [01:32:09]
How can you remain committed to Christ even when facing challenges? Share a specific strategy or practice that helps you stay focused on Jesus during difficult times. [01:37:24]
Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope we have in Jesus? How can you share your faith with them this week in a loving and impactful way? [01:42:47]

Sermon Clips

1. "In the midst of uncertainty, we have a hope that is certain. And what is that hope? Who is that hope? It's Jesus. All right, guys. We know that there is going to be an end times. But what we know is that there is hope because of Jesus. And because of our relationship with him, we have a hope in him. No matter what is happening around us, our hope is grounded in who? In Jesus. It is grounded in him." [50:25] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We don't want to miss an opportunity to love the way that he did, to love on him, and to share the message of Christ with others. And so we need to be vigilant. We need to be faithful. We need to be prepared knowing that Christ could return at any moment. And so these points that he gave kind of set the tone for this. And they challenge us to live both with a hope, but also with an urgency." [51:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus wanted us to know that something is coming, right? He wanted us to be prepared. And that's what this book is all about. And so we're going to see in these letters that Jesus highlights some strengths and even some weaknesses of the churches. And something else I think that is important is even though we may not understand everything completely about this book, I think it's important to say, okay, what did it mean to the believers then? And therefore, what did it mean to them? And therefore, what does it mean to me as a believer today?" [54:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Guys, as Christ followers in the end. Many times we can't say this is just too hard and throw in the towel. All right. We have a responsibility to endure with patience. Let's read in Revelation 2, 2 and 3 right here. It says, I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say that they are apostles but aren't. And you have discerned. You have discovered that they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting." [57:10] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "No matter what your struggle, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what opposition you feel is coming against you, instead of giving in to that and every emotion and feeling that comes with it of defeat, anxiety, fill in the blank, depression, fear, take a moment and pause and pray. Lord, what are you saying to me in this situation? Will you please lead, guide, and direct me? Lord, you've never let me down before, and I'm going to keep my eyes on you, and I'm going to trust through this hardship, through this pain, through this suffering, even if I'm all by myself and there's nobody else, God, you've got me." [01:05:00] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Repent says Jesus and do the works you did at the beginning and love in the early Christian sense is something that you do giving hospitality and practical help to those in need, particularly to other Christians. Who are poor sick or hungry. That was the chief Mark of the early church. No other non-ethnic group had ever behaved like this love of this kind reflecting what they would have said. God's own self-giving love for them was both the expression of and the best advertisement for faith in God." [01:23:56] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We cannot ignore sin. We cannot ignore. Issues as a believer we have a responsibility to speak the truth in love and I think the in love part is the important part has anybody ever been corrected in such a way that you were just humiliated knocked out devastated that it was even hard to pick yourself up I don't believe that that's generally the heart of the father and I know we look at the book of Revelation right here that we see that Jesus often in these letters used a pattern of celebration correction and celebration." [01:32:09] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Our life here on earth is an opportunity to learn how to follow Jesus think about it that way we all make mistakes the moment we accept Jesus is our Lord and Savior are we perfect no our spirit man is made perfect but we still have this thing our soul our mind our wills and our emotions and we have to the rest of our life here on earth to work that out and to become more like him and hopefully to learn from our lessons his desires that we will learn from our lessons that we won't repeat the same things over and over and over and over." [01:38:53] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "As the end times are coming, as the times get darker, we have to stand against the enemy. We can't let him take us out and we cannot compromise. The truth of his word. All right. So number three, I want to talk about is that we must repent and place our trust in him. And so while Jesus celebrates these churches for their faithfulness, he also calls them to repent and turn to their original devotion." [01:17:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "The end times is real. We're in the end times. And Christ has set us up to succeed. It's not a time to be fearful of. It's not a time to be afraid of. It's a time to lean into him. It's a time to focus on him. And so I wanna invite all of you for a moment out there, and even those of you that are watching online, wherever you're at, will you just close your eyes for a moment? And if you feel comfortable, will you kind of just lift your hands in like a receiving posture and say something like this? Holy Spirit, reveal to me what you're speaking to me today." [01:41:17] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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