The Overcoming Life . . . 7 Churches - John 16:33

" . . . TO HIM THAT . . . OVERCOMES . . ."

1. The Church at Ephesus . . . The Loveless Church - Revelation 2:1-7
   1. COMMENDATION:  You reject evil . . . You persevere . . .You have patience
   2. CRITICISM:  Your love for Christ is no longer fervent
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Do the works you did at first
   4. PROMISE:  The Tree of Life
2. The Church at Smyrna . . .The Persecuted Church - Revelation 2:8-11
   1. COMMENDATION:  You gracefully endure suffering
   2. CRITICISM:  None!
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Be faithful until death
   4. PROMISE:  The Crown of Life
3. The Church at Pergamos . . . The Compromising Church - Revelation 2:12-17
   1. COMMENDATION:  Keeps the Faith of Christ
   2. CRITICISM:  Tolerates Immorality . . . idolatry . . . heresies
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Repent
   4. PROMISE:  Hidden manna . . . And a stone with a new name
4. The Church at Thatira . . . The Corrupt Church - Revelation 2:18-29
   1. COMMENDATION:  Your Love . . . Service . . .Your patience is greater than at the first
   2. CRITICISM:  Tolerates cult of idolatry & immorality . . .
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Judgement coming . . . Keep the faith
   4. PROMISE:  You will rule over nations and receive the morning star
5. The Church at Sardis . . . The Dead Church - Revelation 3:1-6
   1. COMMENDATION:  Some have kept the faith
   2. CRITICISM:  A dead church
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Repent . . . Strengthen what remains
   4. PROMISE:  The faithful honored and clothed in white
6. The Church at Philadelphia . . . The Faithful Church - Revelation 3:7-13
   1. COMMENDATION:  Perseveres in the faith
   2. CRITICISM:  None
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Keep the faith
   4. PROMISE:  A place of God's presence, a new name, and the New Jerusalem
7. The Church at Laodicea . . . The Lukewarm Church - Revelation 3:14-22
   1. COMMENDATION:  None!
   2. CRITICISM:  Indifferent
   3. INSTRUCTION:  Be zealous and repent

NO CRITICISM: 2 CHURCHES

SMYRNA: Suffering/Poverty - Promise: The Crown of Life

PHILADELPHIA:  Perseverance - Promise: A Place in God's presence, A new name, and the New Jerusalem

CRITICISM: 5 CHURCHES

EPHESUS:  Love for Christ is no longer fervent

PERGAMOS/ THYATIRA:  Tolerates Immorality, Idolatry, Heresis

SARDIS:  A Dead Church

LAODICEA:  Indifferent

NO COMMENDATION IN LAODICEA:  CRITICISM:  Indifferent (Lukewarm) INSTRUCTION: Be zealous & repent

THE LORD'S TABLE . . . 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

As we come to the Lord's Table . . . Let's confess our faults and repent of our wrong fellowship with the world . . .