November 13, 2012

REPORT CARD

Revelation 3

Julie Kvasic
Tuesday's Devo

November 13, 2012

Tuesday's Devo

November 13, 2012

Central Truth

God's standards are rigorous, but He provides the strength to meet them.

Key Verse | Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)

Revelation 3

To the Church in Sardis

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

To the Church in Philadelphia

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

To the Church in Laodicea

14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

15 ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Dive Deeper | Revelation 3

Today's chapter is a continuation of Jesus' report card for seven churches in early church history. Then and now, Jesus is always well aware of the condition of His flocks; the deeds of all men are laid bare before His x-ray inspection. In this chapter, we are exposed to a buffet of problems concerning the way we follow Christ corporately or individually.

The first church up for review is Sardis. Sardis falls prey to looking good outwardly, but being dead spiritually, in need of repentance. Next is Philadelphia. This church is given accolades for its endurance and a great promise for those who continue in faithfulness and overcome the world. Finally, and arguably the worst yet, is Laodicea. Laodicea's population is rich and satisfied, much like we are today. So satisfied are they that they are blind to their true spiritual condition. In fact, Jesus is so appalled by their indifferent, "lukewarm" hearts that He threatens to spit them out of His mouth.

As I read this chapter, my heart is pierced. Often, I am unconcerned when my feelings for the Lord wane or when my actions do not meet God's standard. It is so easy to get distracted with the many blessings we enjoy or to get comfortable in our Christian routines, so much so that we slowly drift from Him. "Wake up, soul!" this passage screams. The stakes are too high in the game of life to go forth with anything but a diligent pursuit of Christ and His holiness.

What is the remedy for the wandering of our hearts? Repent! Go to the Lord, offer your contrite heart to Him, and beg for His mercy. He will hear your cry and will transform your heart, if you will let Him. He promises! The key to successfully following His commands is to abide in Him.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think it means to be "lukewarm"?

2. What is distracting your heart from the Lord today?

3. Are there any doors of your heart that you need to invite Him into today?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

November 12-16 (Revelation 2-6)

Parents: Go to the following link (http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com/page_/3913). Print the chart titled "The Role of the Church." Read over it and make sure that you have a good grasp on it. Then create a blank chart to read through Revelation 2-3 with your kids and fill in the chart together. It might be fun to read the passages addressed to the different churches from two versions of the Bible to see the differences.

While you are reading, talk about the different ways the churches were affirmed and how those traits might look in our lives today. Then, talk about what they were not doing well and how those things might be seen in our lives today. In the end, talk about what the charges were to the churches and how we at Watermark are doing in living out the exhortation to follow God wholeheartedly. What could we be doing better?

Take time to pray for the leaders at Watermark, including your small group leaders. Pray, too, for the Church around the world to be strong in following Jesus and for our government to be men and women who fear the Lord.