He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Person: Jesus is He who dwells with His churches as both ________ and ________.

Praise: Jesus is pleased when we stand firm in our faith and doctrine while ________ __________ attempt to infiltrate the church.

Problem: The love that God has for them in JEsus Christ has been __________, and therefore, they have lost their ________ for their fellow Christians.

Promise: To the one who overcomes, Jesus promises ________ ________ in paradise!

Scripture Readings
Zechariah 9:9-12
Revelation 2:1-7
Matthew 11:25-30

Take It With You!

During this series please consider reading through the first three chapters of Revelation daily with your family or on your own. After each sermon, questions will be provided to guide your reading and prayer time. God's blessings in your study!

1. In Revelation 2:1 Jesus, using symbolic language, proclaims that he is present with His church (see also Revelation 1:19-20). He is present to give His Gospel of forgiveness and to purge the sins away. Think about our church. Where do you think Christ would be pleased and where do you think he would call us to repent?

2. Jesus commends the Ephesian church for standing up against false teachers that had attempted to invade the church (2:2-3). Jesus referred to such people as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15-20). Where might we see this in the church today? (Hint: Ask yourself if a teacher teaches more about Jesus and the cross of about life-improvement. If it isn't about Jesus, it isn't necessarily Christian).

3. Jesus calls the Ephesian church back to its first love: the love of God in Christ. Without this love, we cannot love our neighbors as we ought. What are some ways we forsake God's gracious love? According to 2:5, what should our response to such lovelessness be?