"Quiet Strength in a Noisy World - Psalms 46:1-3, 10-11; Mark 6:30-32

"Finance-Driven Church" - Revelation 3:14-22 | Revelation 2-3: Testing Salt, Measuring Light

Identifies as the “Amen,” Jesus speaks to this church as the indisputable witness of their condition. His glory is not at all reflected in this congregation, and He is disgusted by their pride. Yet, even now, He offers hope.1. Problem: Spiritual Lethargy (vv.14-16) 2. Product: Self-Sufficiency (vv.17, 18) 3. Promise: Divine Discipline (vv.19-22)

"Bible-Grounded Church" - Revelation 3:7-13 | Revelation 2-3: Testing Salt, Measuring Light

With perfect judgment, Jesus evaluates the church in Philadelphia and finds no complaint there. This congregation of saints provides a solid model of a healthy church. Divine praises for the present always come with divine promises for the future.

"Tradition-Driven Church" - Revelation 3:1-6 | Revelation 2-3: Testing Salt, Measuring Light

The downward spiral beginning with the Ephesian church’s loss of its first love for Jesus and continuing with Pergamum’s worldliness and Thyatira’s toleration of sin, reaches a new low at Sardis. Christ here declares the hope and plan for revival to a dying church.

"Pleasure-Driven Church" - Revelation 2:18-29 | Revelation 2-3: Testing Salt, Measuring Light

This letter is the longest of the seven, though addressed to the church in the smallest of the seven cities. It has an important message for today: false doctrine and sin are not to be allowed—even under the banner of love, toleration, and unity.

"Culture-Driven Church" - Revelation 2:12-17 | Revelation 2-3: Testing Salt, Measuring Light

Worldliness is the preoccupation with or interest in things of no eternal value. Cultural compromise is the next downward spiral for a church that loses its first love. Authentic Jesus-followers understand that they do not belong to this world, so they must not act like this world.