Tried, Tested, and True (Revelation 2:8-11)

Sparta Evangelical Free Church

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Tried, Tested, and True (Revelation 2:8-11)

July 9, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 2:8–11

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The Church of Smyrna: “Tried, Tested, and True”

July 9, 2023

Revelation 2:8-11

Study Questions

1. Read Revelation 2:8-11. What does the Lord Jesus inform the church that He knows about their present condition?

2. What is the church about to face in the imminent future – specifically, from those on the outside and those from within the church body.

3. What is the purpose of this trying time for believers? What trials do you hear of / see today that are a result of a person or people choosing to live out their faith in Jesus?

4. In light of this, what command does the Lord Jesus give His church? What does that mean to you?

5. What promise does the Lord Jesus give true believers? Does this encourage you? Why/why not?

6. How does the fact that Jesus knows your struggles as a believer help you persevere in times of trials and confusion?

7. Look up the following passages and discuss how they bring comfort and strength as you follow the Lord Jesus: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Proverbs 3:4-6; Philippians 4:12-13; Proverbs 24:10; 1 Peter 5:10; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:1-6; Romans 8:28; Joshua 1:9-10. Which passages do you turn to for comfort and strength?

More from Dear Church: A Study on Revelation 2-3

The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22)

August 20, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:14–22

Dear Church / The Lukewarm Church August 20, 2023 Revelation 3:14-22 Study Questions 1. Reviewing the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3, what is distinctive about this letter to Laodicea? 2. What does the Lord Jesus emphasize by the description of Himself given in verse 14? (See also Revelation 1:5; Isaiah 65:16; Colossians 1:18.) 3. When do you want a hot drink? When do you want a cold drink? When do you want a lukewarm drink? Read Revelation 3:15-16. Given the understanding of Laodicea’s lack of hot or cold water (compared to the hot springs of Hierapolis and the cold springs of Colossae), what message was the Lord Jesus communicating to the church? Give examples of what a ‘lukewarm’ church looks like? Describe a ‘lukewarm Christian’? 4. According to Revelation 3:17, identify the three things which the Laodiceans thought they had no need of. What things today in our culture give us as Christians a false sense of security? What might Jesus say we need from Him today? 5. Read Revelation 3:18. What is the significance of the gold, white garments, and eye salve that Jesus offers to those who follow Him? (See also 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 7:14; Ephesians 1:18.) 6. The Lord Jesus said, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline…” (verse 19). What does loving discipline look like in the church, and in the life of a Christ-follower? What is its purpose? (See John 15:2-4; Hebrews 12:10-11.) 7. Read verse 20 of Revelation 3 and identify the promises Jesus makes to this church. Is there comfort in these words for us? What is that comfort? 8. In studying the messages to the seven churches of Revelation, what one truth has stood out to you the most? What will you take away and practice or treasure in your personal life?

The Faithful Church (Revelation 3:7-13)

August 13, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:7–13

Dear Church / The Faithful Church August 13, 2023 Revelation 3:7-13 Study Questions 1. What word(s) would you use to describe ‘church’? Define, in your own words, what makes up a healthy church? Why? See also: Acts 2:41-47. 2. Read Revelation 3:7-8. Describe the attributes given the Lord Jesus. What is their significance? How do these attributes impact your trust in Him? 3. Read Revelation 3:8-9. How did the Lord Jesus express His relationship with the church in Philadelphia? What did they do that honored the Lord Jesus? 4. Read Revelation 3:10-11. What is the ‘hour of testing’? What did the Lord Jesus promise His church? How is this comforting to you? See also: 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 3:3-4,10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;5:1-11; Luke 21:36. 5. According to Revelation 3:12-13, what promise(s) does the Lord Jesus make to His church? Why? What hope do you find in these promises? 6. From this study, describe what you think a healthy member looked like in the church in Philadelphia? How are these qualities evident in your participation in your church? What areas/issues do you need to surrender over to the Lord Jesus in order to be a healthy and faithful member of His church?

The Dead Church (Revelation 3:1-6)

August 6, 2023 • Pastor Doug Thuen • Revelation 3:1–6

Dear Church / “The Dead Church” August 6, 2023 Revelation 3:1-6 Study Questions According to verse 1 of Revelation 3, what is the significance of the seven Spirits of God? (See also Zechariah 4:6-10; Isaiah 11:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:25-26.) Jesus addressed the church in Sardis with a warning. How does a church appear to be, or have a reputation of, being alive when actually it is dying or dead? Why? What are some warning signs that a person is beginning to wither spiritually? Have you experienced these? If so, what was it like? How did you wake up from a season of faith apathy? Read Revelation 3:2-3. What are the three things that Jesus calls the church to do? What do these look like in your life? Read Revelation 3:4-6. What encouragement do you find from Jesus’ words to the faithful remnant in the church? What does it mean that they did not ‘soil their garments’? Why is that so important to the Lord? What promises do you find in this message to the church of Sardis? What do they mean to you?