This week, Pastor Chris began a new sermon series entitled The Seven, exploring the seven churches of Revelation. The messages to these churches reveal that this book is first and foremost a revelation of Jesus Christ—His glory, His authority, and His heart for His people. As the risen King who is coming again, Jesus walks among His churches, calling them to hear His voice, remain faithful, reject compromise, and prepare for His return. Through these seven churches of Revelation, we are challenged to ask not only what Jesus said to them, but what the Holy Spirit is saying to His church—and to each of us—today.

Jesus is the Center of the Book

Revelation 1:1 (ESV)

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Revelation 1:2–3 (ESV)

2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:4a (ESV)

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Revelation 1:4–6 (ESV)

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

  1. The Spirit of the Lord: The fundamental presence and anointing of God.
  2. The Spirit of Wisdom: The ability to discern and make godly choices.
  3. The Spirit of Understanding: The capacity to grasp truth and perceive situations with clarity.
  4. The Spirit of Counsel: The divine guidance to give and receive direction.
  5. The Spirit of Might: The power, strength, and fortitude to accomplish God’s will.
  6. The Spirit of Knowledge: The revelation and deep understanding of God’s nature.
  7. The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord: A deep, reverent awe, submission, and respect for God

Jesus is Coming Again

Revelation 1:7–8 (ESV)

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:9–11 (ESV)

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

The Big Question ~ “What is Jesus saying to His church today?”

Revelation 1:12–16 (ESV)

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Seven Aspects of Jesus’ Ministry to His Church

  1. Empowers
  2. intercedes for
  3. Purifies
  4. Speaks authoritatively to
  5. Controls
  6. Protects
  7. Reflects His glory through His church

Jesus is Calling the Church to Prepare

Revelation 1:17–20 (ESV)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 19:7 (ESV)

7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

Key Theme Verse

Revelation 2:7a (ESV)

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…

Major Lessons from the Seven Churches of Revelation

  1. Jesus knows His churches intimately – “I know your works” appears repeatedly (Rev. 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19; 3:1, 3:8, 3:15).
  2. Sound doctrine alone is not enough (Ephesus). Strong doctrine but diminished love.
  3. Suffering does not mean spiritual failure (Smyrna). Faithfulness amid suffering.
  4. Compromise is always dangerous (Pergamum). Compromise with worldly influences.
  5. Compromise and tolerance of false teaching (Thyatira).
  6. Reputation can hide spiritual decline (Sardis). Reputation without spiritual vitality.
  7. Faithfulness matters more than strength (Philadelphia). Persevering faithfulness.
  8. Comfort and self-sufficiency can produce spiritual lukewarmness (Laodicea). Spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency.
  9. Every church receives the same invitation: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7).

Questions to Ask…

  • Am I like Ephesus—busy but lacking love?
  • Am I like Smyrna—suffering but faithful?
  • Am I compromising like Pergamos?
  • Am I tolerating sin like Thyatira?
  • Am I spiritually asleep like Sardis?
  • Am I faithful like Philadelphia?
  • Am I lukewarm like Laodicea?

Discussion Questions:

  1. In Revelation 1, Jesus is pictured walking among the seven lampstands, representing His churches. What does this tell us about Jesus’ relationship with His church today?
  2. What does it practically look like to live in preparation for Christ’s return?
  3. What are some ways we can intentionally listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice today?

Application Question:

  1. If Jesus were writing a letter to you today, what encouragement might He give?
    1. What loving correction might He offer?
    1. What is one step of obedience you can take this week in response to what you’ve heard?