Reviving Passion: Lessons from the Seven Churches

Devotional

Day 1: Don’t Let Anything Take Away Your Passion for Jesus

It is possible to do many good things for God and still lose the passionate love that once defined your relationship with Jesus. Over time, busyness, distractions, or even well-intentioned commitments can crowd out the intimacy and devotion you once had. Jesus calls His people to remember the height from which they have fallen, to repent, and to return to the things they did at first—rekindling that first love. Nothing should ever take the place of a vibrant, wholehearted pursuit of Christ. Guard your heart against anything that would dull your affection for Him, and make it your aim to keep your relationship with Jesus at the center of your life. [28:02]

Revelation 2:2-5 (NIV)
"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally rekindle your passion for Jesus this week—perhaps by returning to a spiritual habit or act of devotion you once practiced with joy?

Day 2: Expect Persecution if You Live for Jesus

Following Jesus faithfully often brings opposition and hardship. From the earliest days of the church, believers have faced suffering, rejection, and even persecution for their faith. Jesus does not promise a life free from trials, but He does promise His presence and a reward for those who remain faithful, even in the face of suffering. Rather than being surprised or discouraged by opposition, let it remind you that you are walking in the footsteps of countless believers who have gone before you. Stand firm, knowing that your endurance matters to God and that He sees every sacrifice made for His name. [31:10]

Revelation 2:10-11 (NIV)
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death."

Reflection: When you face opposition or discomfort because of your faith, how can you respond with courage and faithfulness rather than fear or compromise?

Day 3: Don’t Let Comfort Lull You into Complacency

Seasons of comfort and blessing can be just as spiritually dangerous as times of hardship. When life is easy, it is tempting to settle into routines, lose your sense of urgency, and become spiritually complacent. Jesus warns against allowing comfort to dull your spiritual edge or distract you from your calling. True growth often happens in the midst of discomfort, and God may use challenges to stretch and mature you. Instead of seeking only what is comfortable, be willing to step out in faith, embrace challenges, and pursue growth—even when it is uncomfortable. [35:31]

Revelation 2:12-14 (NIV)
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality."

Reflection: Where in your life have you grown comfortable or complacent, and what is one step you can take this week to move out of your comfort zone for the sake of spiritual growth?

Day 4: Continued Compromise Leads to a Loss of Reverence for God

Small compromises may seem harmless at first, but over time they erode your reverence for God and His authority in your life. When you repeatedly choose convenience or cultural acceptance over obedience, you gradually place yourself in the seat of authority, deciding what is right and wrong apart from God’s Word. This loss of the fear of God leads to spiritual dullness and a lack of distinction between the church and the world. Instead, cultivate a holy reverence for God by honoring His Word and refusing to let compromise take root in your heart. [39:45]

Revelation 2:18-20 (NIV)
"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols."

Reflection: Is there an area where you have been compromising your convictions? What would it look like to honor God fully in that area starting today?

Day 5: Strengthen What Was Started—Don’t Settle for Past Blessings

It is not enough to rest on the achievements or blessings of the past; every generation and every believer is called to continue the work God has begun. Without ongoing intentionality, what was once vibrant and alive can become stagnant or even die. Jesus calls His people to “strengthen what remains,” to keep focusing on the gospel, making disciples, and reaching the next generation. Rather than becoming complacent in seasons of blessing, let gratitude fuel your commitment to God’s mission, ensuring that what He has started continues to flourish. [42:41]

Revelation 3:1-3 (NIV)
"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you."

Reflection: What is one area of your faith, ministry, or service that needs to be strengthened or renewed so that it does not fade or die?

Sermon Summary

The journey through the seven churches of Revelation reveals not only the heart of Jesus for His people, but also a sweeping view of church history and a timely challenge for us today. Each church—real congregations in first-century Asia Minor—received words of encouragement, correction, and warning from Jesus. These messages transcend their original context, offering insight into the spiritual health of churches across the ages and calling us to examine our own community and commitment.

Ephesus, the first church, was commended for its hard work and perseverance, yet rebuked for losing its first love. This serves as a reminder that passion for Jesus must remain central, no matter how active or doctrinally sound a church may be. Smyrna, facing persecution, was encouraged to remain faithful even unto death, illustrating that suffering for Christ is not an anomaly but a mark of genuine discipleship. Pergamum, a church surrounded by comfort and wealth, was warned against complacency—a danger that arises when comfort replaces dependence on God.

Thyatira’s story is a sobering lesson on the dangers of compromise. Small concessions, especially when they conflict with God’s truth, can erode reverence for Him and lead to spiritual decay. Sardis, a church with a reputation for life but marked by spiritual death, highlights the necessity of continually strengthening what God has started. Without ongoing renewal and focus on the gospel, even the most vibrant communities can wither.

Philadelphia stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that perseverance in faith brings reward. This church’s endurance through trials and commitment to the mission of God led to seasons of revival and global impact. In contrast, Laodicea’s lukewarmness—marked by self-sufficiency and spiritual apathy—serves as a warning against using the name of Jesus without truly pursuing Him.

Looking at these churches as stages in church history, we see cycles of zeal, persecution, comfort, compromise, reformation, revival, and betrayal. Yet, even now, both the evangelistic and betraying church exist side by side. The call is clear: God is not finished with His people. There is still opportunity for revival, for churches to be marked by gospel passion, holiness, and a hunger for God’s Spirit. The best days may yet be ahead if we seek Him wholeheartedly and refuse to settle for complacency.

Key Takeaways

1. Passion for Jesus Must Remain Central No amount of good works, doctrinal purity, or church activity can substitute for a genuine, passionate relationship with Jesus. When love for Christ fades, everything else becomes hollow. The enemy will use busyness, relationships, and even ministry itself to distract us from our first love, but nothing should take precedence over intimacy with Christ. [28:02]
2. Persecution and Comfort Each Bring Unique Challenges Faithfulness to Jesus will inevitably bring opposition, but seasons of comfort can be just as spiritually dangerous. While persecution tests our resolve, comfort can lull us into complacency, making us forget our dependence on God. True growth often comes through discomfort, and we must be wary of letting ease replace spiritual vigilance. [33:39]
3. Compromise Erodes Reverence and Authority Small, repeated compromises—especially those that conflict with God’s truth—gradually shift authority from God to ourselves. Over time, this leads to a loss of the fear of God and a diminished sense of His holiness. When the church or individual believers become the final authority, spiritual decay is inevitable, and the distinctiveness of God’s people is lost. [39:45]
4. Ongoing Renewal is Essential for Spiritual Vitality A church or believer cannot rely on past achievements or spiritual momentum. Without continually strengthening what God has started—through gospel focus, discipleship, and reaching the next generation—spiritual life will wither. Every church, no matter how vibrant, is always one generation away from decline if it ceases to pursue its mission with intentionality. [42:41]
5. The Opportunity for Revival Remains Despite the prevalence of lukewarmness and spiritual compromise in the modern church, God is still seeking people and communities who will seek His face and long for His Spirit. The greatest revivals may yet be ahead, and God desires to pour out His Spirit on those who are hungry for Him. The choice between complacency and passionate pursuit is before us, and the future of the church depends on which path we choose. [57:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Introduction to the Seven Churches
[05:12] - Foundational Points for Understanding Revelation
[10:30] - Ephesus: The Apostolic Church and Losing First Love
[15:45] - Smyrna: The Persecuted Church and Faithfulness in Suffering
[20:50] - Pergamum: The State Church and the Danger of Comfort
[27:00] - Thyatira: The Compromised Church and Loss of Reverence
[33:00] - Sardis: The Reformed Church and Spiritual Death
[39:00] - Philadelphia: The Evangelistic Church and Perseverance
[44:30] - Laodicea: The Betraying Church and Lukewarmness
[50:00] - The Present Age: Two Churches Side by Side
[52:30] - The Call to Choose: Complacency or Revival
[55:30] - Hope for the Future and the Next Generation
[59:00] - Prayer for God’s Spirit and Closing Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 2:1-7 (Ephesus) — > “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:8-11 (Smyrna) — > “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Revelation 3:14-22 (Laodicea) — > “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Observation Questions

What did Jesus commend the church in Ephesus for, and what did He hold against them? (Revelation 2:2-4)
According to the message to Smyrna, what kind of suffering were they about to face, and what was Jesus’ encouragement to them? (Revelation 2:10)
What does Jesus say about the spiritual condition of the church in Laodicea, and what warning does He give them? (Revelation 3:15-17)
In the sermon, what are some modern examples given of things that can distract us from our “first love” for Jesus? [28:02]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus place such a high value on “first love” and passion for Him, even above good works and doctrinal purity? What does this reveal about what He desires most from His people? (Revelation 2:4) [28:02]
The sermon mentions that both persecution and comfort bring unique challenges to the church. How might comfort be just as spiritually dangerous as persecution? [33:39]
What are some ways that small compromises can lead to a loss of reverence for God, both for individuals and for churches? [39:45]
The message to Laodicea warns against being “lukewarm.” What does it look like for a church or a believer to be lukewarm today? [49:33]

Application Questions

The church in Ephesus was busy and doctrinally sound, but had lost its passion for Jesus. Are there areas in your life or in our church where activity or “doing the right things” has replaced genuine love for Christ? What would it look like to return to your “first love”? [28:02]
The sermon says that comfort can lull us into complacency. Is there a place in your life where comfort or routine has made you less dependent on God? What is one step you could take to move out of your comfort zone for the sake of your faith? [33:39]
Think about a time when you made a small compromise in your faith. Did it lead to more compromises? How can you recognize and stop this pattern before it leads to spiritual decay? [39:45]
Jesus tells the church in Sardis to “strengthen what remains.” What is something God has started in your life or in our church that needs to be strengthened or renewed? How can you be part of that renewal? [42:41]
The message to Philadelphia highlights perseverance and faithfulness. When have you felt like giving up in your faith, and what helped you keep going? How can we encourage each other to persevere? [48:36]
The sermon challenges us to seek revival and not settle for complacency. What would it look like for you personally to seek God’s Spirit and hunger for more of Him? Is there a specific way you want to pursue this in the coming week? [57:38]
The pastor said that God is still looking for people and churches who will seek Him wholeheartedly. What is one practical way you can help our church be marked by gospel passion, holiness, and a hunger for God’s Spirit? [59:39]

Sermon Clips

Don't let anything take away your passion for your relationship with Jesus. Don't let anything take your first love. And the enemy will try to do anything he can in your life to rob you of your passion for Jesus. And he'll use anything. Sometimes the things aren't even that bad. I mean, sometimes we can just get so busy that we lose our passion for Jesus. It's hard to be passionate for Jesus when you're exhausted. Sometimes I see people who are single. They get in a dating relationship. And it's not that the person's a terrible person. It's just that that person doesn't have the same priority of a relationship with Jesus in their life. And over time, that relationship begins to rob the Christ follower of his or her passion for Jesus. And at the end of the day, church, nothing can ever take the place of a passionate relationship and pursuit of Jesus Christ. And we have to make sure that we do not lose that first love. [00:26:48] (56 seconds) #PassionOverPriority

Expect persecution if you live for Jesus. It started from the very beginning of the church, and it's been a common thread throughout 2,000 years of church history, that if you're going to live for Jesus in this world, you're going to face persecution. [00:29:48] (16 seconds) #PersecutionIsPartOfFaith

Don't let your comfort loil you into complacency. So let's just think about this for a second. On one hand, you've got the persecuted church. There's lots of problems that go with that. But if you swing the pendulum too far to the other side, you've got the church that becomes so comfortable that it becomes complacent. And that's really what was happening here. [00:33:01] (21 seconds) #ComfortBreedsComplacency

At some point, you can't really observe any differences between those who are Christ followers and those who are not. And that's what's happening in Thyatira. So Jesus has some words for them, continuing in chapter two. These are the words of the son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love, your faith, your service, and your perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. So again, some good things there. However, here's the negative. Nevertheless, I have this against you. You tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophet. This is a character from the Old Testament. This is a reference to the Old Testament. And anytime you see the spirit of Jezebel mentioned in God's word, it's contrary to the spirit of God. [00:37:49] (47 seconds) #CompromiseErodesReverence

If we don't keep strengthening what was started, it will die. Jesus says, strengthen what was started. And church, if we don't keep strengthening what was started, it will die. Church started in Acts chapter two. Unfortunately, the history of the church, the big C church, is that little C, local congregations, at some point, if they stop strengthening what was started, it eventually dies. All seven of these churches in Revelation that were literally places at one point, local congregations, none of them exist today. They all died. At some point, they stopped strengthening what had been started. [00:42:34] (45 seconds) #BlessingShouldNotBreedComplacency

The idea that you can experience salvation by grace through faith alone, that there's nothing you have to do to earn it. I preach that up here all the time, that you can receive the free gift of salvation. That is what scripture teaches, which is why I preach it, because it's in the Bible. But you have to recognize that thought was not clarified in church history until 1517 and beyond. It's in the first century. It's how the church was growing, and then that message got lost. It got hijacked. Men were using their centralized authority to control people. So this idea that you can just be saved by grace through faith alone, okay? We can't overstate how bringing that back for people to understand how significant that is. [00:46:38] (46 seconds) #ScriptureIsSupremeAuthority

Only scripture, that God's word is the authority in your life. Man-made laws are not on par with God's scripture. And now the Bible's available in your language. That wasn't the case until the 15, 1600s. Remarkable. And then the priesthood of every believer. You don't have to go through another person to talk to God. You don't have to bring your sins to me, and then me take your sins to God. That's not how this works. You have direct access to God because of what Jesus did for you on the cross. [00:47:23] (29 seconds) #PerseveranceEarnsReward

There is a reward for continuing to persevere in your faith. Jesus tells them that, that you're going to receive a crown. We find that in other places in Scripture, that when we persevere in our faith, that we receive a crown. There is a reward. And I think that that's something that we need to be reminded of from time to time. [00:49:27] (18 seconds) #PursueJesusNotJustHisName

He's sickened by those who use his name without pursuing his name. They use his name without pursuing his name. And that's a lot of what was happening in Laodicea. And unfortunately, it's a lot of what happens in the world today. Using the name of Jesus is a pretty big industry, y'all. And there's a lot of folks that are doing that, and they're not pursuing Jesus's name at all. [00:52:06] (27 seconds) #AwaitingGodsGreatOutpouring

I think there will be a day where people once again will fast during their lunch hour and go to local churches and pray like they've done before. I think there will be a day again where arenas will be filled as people respond to the preaching of the good news of the gospel message. I think there will be a day where revivals will be breaking out just not on one or two, but on multiple college campuses all across our country. I do believe there will be a day where in communities, churches are known not for what they're against, but for what they're for. And there'll be a light in their communities. And I actually think for such a time as this church, we're living in those days right now. [00:57:50] (44 seconds) #GodIsSeekingUs

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What are the seven stages of church history?

How does complacency threaten spiritual growth?

What is the significance of the first love?