The Unveiling

Bible Text: Revelation 1:9-11 | Presenter: Pastor Joel Jocelyn | Series: Christ’s Heart for His Church | —
“Christ’s Heart for His Church”
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“The Unveiling”
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[[Revelation 1:9-11]]
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Meet those who:
_“Love Jesus but not the church”_
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89% of those who self-identify as Christians haven’t attended church in the last six months
(Barna Research, March 30, 2017)
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The church is in crisis!
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[[Ecclesiastes 1:9]]
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Meet the new church, same as the old one!
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John: _The disciple that Jesus loved_
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Characteristics John shared with all true believers:
++Suffering: because of their faithfulness to Christ as Lord
++Kingdom Focus: they live under the power and rule of Jesus and expect to reign with Him
++Patient Endurance: The spiritual alchemy that transmutes suffering into royal dignity
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The identity of the author.
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He is:
++The Alpha and Omega
_He builds and destroys_
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[[Matthew 16:18]]
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[[Revelation 1:7]]
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[[Revelation 7:12-17]]
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He is:
++The beginning and the end
_He sees everything through_
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Five Churches – Condemned
++Ephesus: the rule following but loveless church
++Pergamum: the loyal but compromising church
++Thyatira: the loving and persevering but corrupt church
++Sardis: the prominent but dead church
++Laodicea: the wealthy but vomit-worthy church
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Two Churches – Commended
++Smyrna: the persecuted and poor but rich church
++Philadelphia: the “unimportant” but blessed church
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