Thyatira – 7 Churches - Revelation 2:18-29

Lamb at the Throne - Revelation 5

“Satan cannot rob you of Heaven or God’s promises but he will try to steal your joy!” Have you ever been by yourself to a place so beautiful that it was sad not to be able to share the moment with someone? John is witness in Heaven as the Angels sought anyone worthy to open the book sealed by the Father – and found none!  John wept for the loneliness of Heaven – then a growing chorus of voices brought in the only candidate qualified in the universe! Expecting the Lion of Judah – a man above men – greater than the angels – emperor of all creation – He was merely a little lamb.  This lamb was in fact already bearing the marks of a slain lamb – an offering at the altar.  Yet it was this Lamb who is worthy – redeemer of men – restorer of creation.  What a celebration!  I hope you will join us for Revelation 5 – it is truly exciting and a bit bizarre but God is good!  Most of my outside thoughts come from my favorite book on Heaven by Randy Alcorn – see you Sunday. Pastor Mike   PS tell your kids I also have a great quote from “The Sword in the Stone”

First Stop – Throne Room - Revelation 4

This is the first stop before we leap past the edge of time into the future!  God is about to show some amazing things – things that are ‘inexpressible’ as Paul was “was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.” 2 Cor 12:4 Sunday I want to take us as witnesses to a conversation of Heaven itself – God takes 2 chapters to demonstrate that what He is foretelling He has the power and right to accomplish.  God makes no unwarranted promises and issues no unfunded mandates – HE is able!  I hope that you will allow me the inadequacy of human speech as I try my best to take us before the very Throne of God and we eavesdrop Jehovah showing His credentials to judge the Earth. The second thing I hope to teach is the clear distinction between unimaginable and unbelievable.   Nothing God has said is unbelievable but much is unimaginable! “What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9 Many things in the chapters to come are unimaginable but none are unbelievable because of who has promised them.  See you Sunday as we begin this fantastic journey together. Pastor Mike

Laodicea – 7 Churches - Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:19 (ESV): “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”   We have arrived at the final church in our study of the seven churches: Laodicea, the lukewarm church. Before we move to the throne room of heaven in Revelation 4, we pause to hear Jesus’ loving but serious words to His church. In this passage, we will see His faithfulness, His authority, and His gracious call to repent and return to Him sincerely. Together, we will consider the danger of spiritual lukewarmness while also admiring the deep love Christ has for His people and His desire for true fellowship with us. “Christ says, ‘Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you.’” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.   Your prayers are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you there.   Pastor Denis Garijo

Philadelphia – 7 Churches - Revelation 3:7-13

“Christianity is not devotion to work, or to a cause, or a doctrine, but devotion to a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Oswald Chambers 5/2 This is the little Church with little power – and yet … great opportunity! The sixth Church on our Turkey tour is Philadelphia – the Church of the Open Door. We find a Church family with little resource and little power yet lots of opportunity – ‘an open door’ with the Key turned by Jesus Himself. They had opposition as did Smyrna with the ‘synagogue of Satan’ in their town. Sunday we will visit Philadelphia and hear about the Key of David and Jesus who uses this Key. We will listen to real faithfulness by the little family of little power – yet does great things for God. How did they do it? How can we do the same? Crowns come up again and another new name – what a great week! I know it is Memorial weekend but don’t miss our visit to Philadelphia – it is a lot of a little bit – see you Sunday, Pastor Mike “When walking on water – don’t look at the water!”

Sardis – 7 Churches - Revelation 3:1-6

Dead or Alive?   Can something look alive but be dead?  Sardis was a Church of contrasts – rich but broke – secure but vulnerable – alive but dead!  This city of disparities was the 5th in Revelation – a city of hypocrisy and worldliness.  This was not a typical barrel of good apples with a few bad – this was mostly bad with just a few being faithful.  This city is the warning not to live on a reputation but showing us it is vital to continue in faith!  What does not grow is dead.  James talks about faith that tries to survive without service – it dies. Jesus calls on Sardis to find those few who are still alive and return to their ways. Jeremiah 6:16:  “The Lord said: My people, when you stood at the crossroads, I told you, “Follow the road your ancestors took, and you will find peace.” Sunday we will all go to that crossroad – we will look down the lanes of time – we will be encouraged to seek the familiar path – the path shown by those who have gone before us.  See you Sunay at the crossroads! Pastor Mike