THE LAST PICTURES OF JESUS [#2]

REVELATION 2:1-7           

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE LORD WHO KNOWS [2:1] THE ALL-KNOWING HEAD OF THE CHURCH

 

1. The Lord’s Authority [1:9-17a]

 

2. The Lord’s Position [1:17b-2:1]

 

3. The Lord’s Knowledge [2:1-2a]

 

II. THE LORD KNOWS OUR EFFORTS [v. 2-3]

 

1. Christ Knows the Deeds Done [v. 2]

 

2. Christ Knows the Energy Expended [v. 2] a large man burns more calories than a small man doing the exact same work

 

3. Christ Knows the Attitude Exemplified [v. 2-3, 6]

 

III. THE LORD KNOWS OUR SHORTCOMINGS [v. 4-7]

 

1. Motivation is Key [v. 4, 1 Cor. 13:1-3]

 

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

 

2. Correction is Essential [v. 5, Heb. 12:5-13]

 

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

 

3. Response is Reasonable [v. 7, 1 Jn. 1:6-10]

 

THE “IFS” OF 1 JOHN 1

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.