(Colossians 1:9-12)…..9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who …
In Smyrna, the people were very active in the worship of idols. The city built a temple to the goddess Roma in 195 B.C.. There were also temples dedicated to Zeus, Cybele, Asklepios, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite and others. In fact, there was a street paved with gold that ran from the temple of Zeus to the temple of Diana. Cesar (emperor) worship was popular and accepted as the city that was intensely loyal to Rome. The Jews had a synagogue here as well, of which they teamed up with …
Notice in (Revelation 2:10) that Jesus tells them that there is more trouble ahead, they will face more persecution. That is certainly not what anyone would want to hear from the Lord, but whatever meant by these ten days is not clear, but it does imply their persecution was severe but brief. Prison in that day was nothing like it is today. When people went to prison under the Roman system they did not receive a college education, learn a skill, or spend their days writing books and watching …
Smyrna was located 35 miles from Ephesus – a port city – called “The Crown City” or the “Crown of Asia” because it was surrounded by hills that resembled a crown. When the city chose a motto to be imprinted on their coinage, they stamped it, “The Flower Of Asia.” They chose this phrase because Smyrna was considered “First in Size and Beauty.” Smyrna was a planned city most cities of that day just sprang up without design, but its streets were planned down to the last detail. Considered …
(Luke 18:1-8)…..1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,’Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself,’Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge …
(Philippians 3:10-12)…..that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Never choose to be a worker! What are you saying Pastor Dan? Never choose to be a worker; but when God …
(Revelation 2:8-11)…..8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may …
(Revelation 2:1-7)…..“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have …
What makes a church grow? Is it the role of church leadership to put on a show every Sunday, and water down the Scriptures, just to get a church (the body and bride of Christ) to grow? That might be what it takes for the tares (unbelievers), but that is not what it takes for the real believers. When we study the early church we can see that from its inception it was a mighty entity that burst forth from God’s working, God’s will (Acts 2:41) (Acts 4:4) (Acts 5:14) …
(Revelation 2:2-3)…..“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. The church in Ephesus was commended from the Lord for several things, things that would make any church body happy if they were to hear these same things from the LORD. I wonder …
