Messages to the Church – Pt 8
Revelation 3:14-22 (NLT)
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Jesus is the Amen – the final word of every spoken promise of God.
Colossians 1:15-18 (NLT)
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.
JESUS REVEALS GOD’S KINGDOM:
1. The door is the invitation to God’s Kingdom.
Luke 17:20-21 (NLT)
20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come? Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”
2. The table provides friendship with Jesus.
3. The throne aligns your purpose with kingdom opportunities.
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Jesus confronts a lukewarm church as spiritually useless but gives the opportunity to repent and enter the kingdom of God.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Revelation 3:14-22. What does this passage reveal about Jesus?
▶ Jesus is the final word on every prayer, every hope, and every promise of God. When you say Amen, let it be a statement of aligning your life with His authority and His kingdom. When you say ‘Amen,’ have you ever thought about how your prayers are part of aligning your life with Jesus?
▶ Read 1 Peter 1:6-7 and Revelation 3:19. Have you ever walked through a trial that has tested your faith?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Revelation 3:20 says Behold (attention please), I stand at the door and knock. Jesus wants to be with us. He invites us to his table to enjoy our company. How will you spend time with Jesus this week? What will that look like for you?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Father, we are thankful that you pursue us, that you stand at the door and knock, waiting for us to choose to be with you. Help us not to be lukewarm, to be trustworthy. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.