Sermons and Outlines

Rev. 2:1-7 THE CURE FOR THE COMMAN COLD

Intro: The letters to the seven churches can be interpreted 3 different ways:

Prophetically, (Church history - Pentecost to 100 A.D.); Practically, (to a literal

church, and to individual churches throughout history); Personally, (To every

believer.) These seven message should speak to each individually as well as to the

neds of this church here. But, do not forget, that this letter went to a real, active

church. Ill. Ephesus, "the Vanity Fair Of Asia", "The Supreme Metropolis of

Asia.". Famous 3 ways: 1. Religion: The temple of Diana; 7th wonder of world;

bank; art; sin; 2. Comercially: Port city; Military city, industrial city; 3.

Politically: A free city, self rule. It was here that Paul founded the church in

Ephesus, Acts 18. He spent 3 years here preaching and training the people; Apollos

preached here, Acquila and Priscilla ministered here; pastored by Timothy and later

by John. A church greatly blessed by much spiritual light. Yet, they were a church

with a problem. Jesus came to them and diagnosed them as cold and fallen. Verse

1 identifies the speaker as Jesus. he is walking in His church seeing and judging.

We are reminded that He is in full control. Let's listen in as Jesus gives them the

cure for the common cold.

I. v.1-3 THE FAITHFUL WORKS OF THE CHURCH

A. v.1-2a THEY WERE STANDING UP TO THE TASK - (Ill. A busy

church!) (Ill. Works - what they should be!) (Ill. Labour - Work to the point of pain -

involved personal sacrifice) (Patience - edurance. Opposition did not phase

them.) (Ill. Announcements!)

B. v.2b THEY WERE STANDING UP FOR THE TRUTH - (Ill.

Fundamental)

1. They hated moral evil - Practiced seperation - Ro. 16:17; 2Thes. 3:6.

(Ill. Corinth - 1 Cor. 5:11-13)

2. They hated ministerial evil - Put preachers to the test! (Ill. 12 apostles - Ill.

authenticating miracles - tongues, healing, etc.) (Ill. V. 6 - Nicolaitians -

2 Views: 1. A priestly sect 2. Followers of Nicolas - who taught that to

know what sin was about, you had to experience it - a Gnostic cult.

C. v.3 THEY WERE STANDING IN THE TEST - They persevered in the face

of opposition. Gal. 6:9 Obedient and active on the surface, but internally,

they were a sick people. They were afflicted by THE COMMON COLD. Notice:

II. v.4-5a THE FATAL WEAKNESS OF THE CHURCH

A. v.4 THE VITALITY OF THEIR PASSION WAS GONE - They were a

saved and a serving people, but their motives for service were wrong. (Ill.

Prestige, position, reputation, duty, fear) Love is the only worthwhile motive!

1. They had lost the honeymoon love - (Ill. 2Cor. 11:2) (Ill. Remember salvation?) The excitement?

Where is it?

2. Like Martha, they were so busy they had no time for Jesus.

3. Lack of love is plain to see. It manifests itself in several ways.

Enthusiasm, attendance, Joy, witnessing, praise, study, prayer - all suffer

when you have a cold toward the Lord! (Ill. Actually, it is a backslidden state!)

B. v.5a THE VALIDITY OF THEIR PROFESSION WAS GONE - Jesus

declares they they have fallen. They lack that closeness to Him they had. O

utwardly, they looked impressive, but inwardly, their works were fake. They

came from a wrong and warped motive! (Ill. Shields - 1 Kgs. 14:25-27)

III. v.5b-7 THE FORCEFUL WARNING TO THE CHURCH

A. v.5b LOVE MUST BE ABSOLUTELY PARAMOUNT - Jesus says they

need to consider four things.

1. Remember - Consider where He brought them from and where they used to

be with Him! (Ill. Remember the excitement? The joy? the dreams?)

2. Repent - 1 John 1:9 Get right with God!

3. Repeat - Fall back in love with the Lord and His work! Be motivated by

love.

4. Removal - No love for Jesus, no light for Jesus! (ILl. 1 Cor. 13:1-3) A

church or a Christian without love is a false witness! They give a false

siganl of what Jesus is all about! Jesus will not tolerate a church without

love. (ILl. It might function, but there will be no testimony, no power, no

presence of God!) They might as well be dead and gone! (Ill. Ephesus today!)

B. v.7 LOVE MUST BE ABSOLUTELY PERSONAL - Jesus appeals to the

individual. We a saved one by one and we will be restored one by one! To love

the Lord and the Lord's work is a personal decision.

Conc: Is your love what it ought to be? Why do you do what you do? If it isn't out

of love for Jesus, then your motive, regardless of what it is, is absolutely wrong!

Jesus tells them to endure and when it is finished, they will receive blessing from

the tree of life that is in heaven. What a blessing! After all He has done for us, how

can we not love Him? Do you need a revival of love. Do you need to experience the

cure for the all too common cold? If so, then come to Jesus right now and

experience a new honeymoon with the Lord.