What Jesus Thinks about Religion

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #7, Part 2

April 3, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:14–22

The irony used by Jesus here is thick. The Laodiceans had a medical college that specialized in ophthalmology. So Jesus says they need, "salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." If we understand the background information, it shows us the real impact. We get to the application for ourselves through understanding it's original intention.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #7, Part 1

April 2, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:14–22

This last letter in Revelation is the most potent and powerful. The lukewarm church at Laodicea parallels us when we keep God at arm's length. There is so much resonance here for us today.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #6, Part 2

April 1, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:7–13

Jesus is saying that this spiritual, principled commitment to the Word works, in practice. The church in Philadelphia had held on to the Word, and he was going to hold onto them. We've got to center our lives on God and his Word rather than reaching for what we think is most pragmatic.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #6, Part 1

March 29, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:7–13

The church in Philadelphia looked successful but was lacking beauty and meaning and higher connection. We need to have a better way of assessing ministry than simply whether it makes money and gets more people in the door.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #5, Part 2

March 28, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:1–6

The trouble with the church at Sardis was that they were resting on their works. They thought these works were enough and they were proud of them. In the letter, Jesus tells them what the real problem is and how to fix it. It's a deep and powerful passage.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #5, Part 1

March 27, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 3:1–6

Jesus tells the church in Sardis to "Wake up!" We need this too—whether it's a sleepy Sunday morning or the way we're drifting through life. The message to Sardis resonates with us today. Now is the time, let's get going and make the most of our life with Jesus; let's wake up!

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #4, Part 2

March 26, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:18–29

Jesus' discipline toward us is an expression of his love, just as a father disciplines his child for his good. God shapes us and refines us to make us more the person he wants us to be. Discipline isn't pleasant, but it is for our good, and anything we want to become good at requires discipline.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #4, Part 1

March 25, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:18–29

Church is not just an institution, a routine, or a religious ritual. We are in the presence of Christ; we are the body of Christ. The sovereign power of Jesus is at work in church, as shown in the letter to Thyatira.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #3, Part 2

March 22, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:12–17

To repent is not to do penance or beat yourself with whips and chains, either physically or emotionally. You can cry and feel really bad, but if you do nothing about it, you still haven't repented. The whole point is changing your mind and going in the other direction.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #3, Part 1

March 21, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:12–17

The church at Pergamum had held fast to Jesus' name and did not deny the faith. How had this church, faithful even unto death, become so compromised?

What Jesus Thinks About Religion #2, Part 2

March 20, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:8–11

The poverty mentioned here is of an extreme kind. The Romans could plunder their property and leave them destitute and having to beg. Nonetheless, Jesus tells them, you're still rich!

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #2, Part 1

March 19, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:8–11

The letter to Smyrna is telling us what real religion must do—provide an answer to suffering and death. Jesus tells them not to be frightened of the difficult things coming their way. Today people are frightened about what is going to happen in our society, so this letter is relevant for us.

What Jesus Thinks about Religion #1

March 18, 2024 • Dr. Josh Moody • Revelation 2:1–7

As we begin our study of the book of Revelation, we find seven letters to the churches of Asia. Jesus writes a letter to each of them, and he has a different message for each of them. They are of great relevance to the contemporary church today.

God Centered Life Ministries

March 18 - April 3, 2024