Point of Grace Worship 3.7.21 Sermon Notes – Letters from Jesus – Lent 2021

The encouragements and admonishments build on one another throughout the seven letters with “forsaking your first love” at the foundation of all sin and human self-destruction.

The answer is always “Repent!” – Surrender to the truth as revealed by Jesus and “love your first love first…”

In the second and third letters Jesus reveals the downward progression that flows from “forsaking your first love”!

To Smyrna He warns of the “fear” that then comes tempting one to “give up” faith and faithfulness to Jesus!

Then He warns Pergamum of what inevitably follows … “giving in” to compromise the truth revealed by Jesus!

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8 “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. 9 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. 10 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. 11 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.

- Jesus refers to Himself as the rescue for the battle with “fear” they are facing!

- He knows … with compassion … but rescues His way! Does He know what He is doing?

- Focus on the promises … so you don’t “give up” faith and faithfulness to Jesus.

 

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 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.

14 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. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

- How does Jesus present Himself?

- Jesus is keenly aware that all of the struggle is really a battle with Satan!

- Jesus warns against “holding to the teaching of Balaam” and the teaching of the Nicolaitans!

 

When distanced from Him and filled with fear, “giving in” to c___________________ of truth will seem like the best alternative and relatively harmless - Jesus disagrees!

Jesus always, always, always presents a doable path back to Him …… Repent!

This Week’s Prayer Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today! You alone are Life and You have become my Life, My Hope, My Peace and My Love. I renounce all other gods and idols and ask You to take Your rightful place as the One and Only Lord of my life. Thank you for coming to rescue me from my sin, from my self, from the world and the devil. You are my Warrior King, the First and the Last, the One who died and came back to life. You are the source of all Truth! I surrender to You! I give You my “fear and fears” today! (Name and describe any fear you are dealing with.) I call forth the reign of Jesus over all my fear and trust that even if I were to lose all, including my life You still have victory in store for me – a crown of Life! I rejoice in the Life you have given me that nothing and no one can take away! Jesus, I turn to You in this moment and renounce any ways I have given in to compromise with regards to You, Your truth, our relationship and Your calling on my life. Lead me into a true and deep repentance trusting in Your forgiveness. Show me how you are working in my life and lead me into all truth especially where I am vulnerable to fear and compromise – to try to do it my way!

I will follow You today – with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. You are my victorious Savior and I am Yours!

Amen.

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Revelation 2:8-11 Tue – Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39 Wed – Revelation 2:12-17 Thu – Matthew 5:7-12 Fri – 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Sat - Psalm 23:1-6

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge