ATTACKING APATHY

How to Have a Better Life

Revelation 3:14-22

ATTACKING APATHY

LUKEWARM LAODICEA

Revelation 3:14-22

 

THREE DANGER ZONES

1.  Wealth

Matthew 13:22     1 Timothy 6:9-10     Proverbs 18:11

2.  Success

Proverbs 27:21     Deuteronomy 8:10-18

3.  A strong spiritual heritage.

Ezekiel 18:1-24

 

FOUR WAYS TO AVOID A FAITH GONE FLAT

James 1:22-25     Hebrews 10:24-25     Deuteronomy 8:10-18

 

KNOCK, KNOCK…

 

 

 

OPEN DOORS

How To Have A Better Life

OPEN DOORS

Revelation 3:7-13

 

PHILADELPHIA’S OPEN DOOR

             Revelation 3:7-13

 

  

WHEN GOD OPENS A DOOR IN OUR LIFE:

John 17:15      1 Corinthians 16:8-9    2 Corinthians 12:9-10    Colossians 3:17      1 Peter 2:9-12

 

  

  1. Adversity won’t go away—it may even increase!

  

 

  1. Character is more important than strength.

 

  

  1. Faithfulness in little things brings opportunity for bigger things.

 

  

  1. There’s always a kingdom component.

 

ALIVE, AWAKE, AND ALERT

How To Have A Better Life

ALIVE, AWAKE, AND ALERT

Revelation 3:1-6

 

SARDIS: When Expectation Exceeds Reality

             Revelation 3:1-6             Matthew 23:27-28

 

 

–  An interesting city.

 

 

–  A dead church.

 

  

IF WE REALLY BELIEVED WHAT JESUS IS SAYING:

Colossians 1:28-29

 

  1. There would be no more funeral assurances.

  

  1. We’d focus as much on adults as children.

  

  1. We’d be as interested in disciples as we are in decisions.

 

UNCOMPROMISED

How to Have a Better Life

UNCOMPROMISED

Revelation 2:12-17

 

PERGAMUM

             Revelation 2:12-17             Numbers 22-25

 

 

 

THE DISASTER OF A COMPROMISED FAITH

Matthew 6:24             Revelation 2:16 & 19:11-16

 

 

 

SATAN’S STRATEGIES

1 Peter 5:8                 John 8:44             Genesis 3:1-5

 

  1. Big lies and half-truths…leading us to doubt.

 

 

  1. Hardship and persecution…leading us to fear.

 

 

  1. Infiltration and “blessing”…leading us to over confidence.

 

 

 

GOD’S PROMISE FOR THE UNCOMPROMISED

Revelation 2:17

 

FAITHFUL & FEARLESS

FAITHFUL & FEARLESS

Revelation 2:8-11

 

WELCOME TO SMYRNA!

Revelation 2:8-11

 

THREE CHALLENGES

Revelation 2:9      1 Peter 3:18      Hebrews 2:14-18      2 Corinthians 6:10      2 Corinthians 8:9      Matthew 5:11

 

” I know about your suffering.”

Question: Have you been crushed lately for your faith?

 

” I know about your poverty.”

Question: Where do you keep your treasures?

 

” I know the slander.”

Question: What are people saying about you because you are following Jesus?

 

THE PROMISE

Revelation 2:10-11     James 1:12      Revelation 20: 4-6

” I will give the crown of life.”

 

RESTORE YOUR LOVE

How to Have a Better Life

RESTORE YOUR LOVE

Revelation 2:1-7

 

 

THE PASSAGE

             Revelation 2:1-7

 

  

HOW TO GET BETTER

 

  1. Identify what it means to lose your “first love”.

 

Philippians 2:2-9      1 Corinthians 13:4-8      John 13:1-17 & 34-35       Matthew 22:36-40

 

 

  1. Understand how you drifted away.

Hebrews 2:1       2 Corinthians 13:5

 

 

  1. Repent

 

Revelation 2:5