I. Intro 
Big Idea: Suffering can lead to salvation.
II. Life Again                                                                                                                                  A. The Christians in Smyrna stood out. Revelation 2:8a
B. Suffering is the door to life in Christ. Romans 8:16-18; Revelation 2:8b
III. Rich                                                                                                                                          A. Jesus knows. Revelation 2:9a
B. Slander is evil. John 19:10-11; Revelation 2:9b
IV. Do not be Afraid                                                                                                                        A. You will suffer.  Revelation 2:10a
B. Prepare for hardship. 1 Peter 2:21; Revelation 2:10b
V. Whoever has Ears                                                                                                                        A. Be open to the Spirit’s leading. Revelation 2:11a
B. There are somethings worse than death. Revelation 2:11b

​The Next Step

• What’s something about Sunday’s message on Revelation 2:8-11 you found convicting, compelling, or confusing?
• How can hard times help us grow in faith?
• What makes slander or gossip tempting? Why are they unfitting for followers of Christ?
• Why is it important to die to ourselves daily? How can we do that?
• How can our willingness to undergo persecution we a witness to others?
• What difference does it make to know that Jesus knows about our suffering?
• What’s a specific way God is calling you to respond to Revelation 2:8-11?

​*The sermon video for 1/29/22 is unavailable.

I. Intro                                                                                                                                          Big Idea: Sometimes Love hates.
II. Lampstands                                                                                                                                A. God has a specific message for His churches. Acts 19:1-41; Revelation 2:1a
B. The light of Christ uncovers. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4; James 1:23-24; Revelation 2:1b
III. Perseverance   
A. Jesus applauds perseverance. Revelation 2:2a
B. It is good to love the truth! Matthew 7:1-2; 15-16; John 14:6; 1 John 4:1-3; Revelation 2:2b-3
IV. Repent 
A. Love doesn’t forsake. John 13:35; 1 John 3:18; Revelation 1:4
B. Our inactions have consequences. Revelation 1:5
V. Victorious                                                                                                                                  A. Love doesn’t tolerate what’s harmful. Revelation 1:6
B. Hearing and doing leads to life. Luke 23:43; Revelation 1:7 

The Next Step

• What do you think is the greatest problem facing churches today?
• Why is it good for us to work hard because of our faith in Christ?
• What are the benefits of loving God’s Word and protecting right doctrine?
• How can defending the truth sometimes cause us to miss our first love, or calling in the gospel?
• Read Matthew 7:1-5. What are the ramifications of not carefully considering our own sin before we correct others?
• In what ways can tolerance be harmful? Any examples?
• What’s a specific way you can repent or return to your first love when it comes to loving people in the church or your neighbor?

I. Intro
Big Idea: Jesus is our vision.
II. The Lord’s Day                                                             
A. John found himself in Jesus. Matthew 20:20-28; Acts 4:19-20; Revelation 1:9
B. Expect to hear from the Lord on the Lord’s Day.  Revelation 1:10-11
III. Turned     
A. Jesus is our High Priest. 1 Kings 7:49; Hebrews 2:17; Revelation 1:12-13
B. Jesus is All-Powerful. Numbers 6:24-26; Revelation 1:14-16
IV. The Living One                                                                           
A. Jesus is worthy of our complete surrender. Revelation 1:17a
B. Jesus offers complete salvation. Revelation 1:17b-18
V. The Mystery                          
A. Revelation gives a panorama of God’s calling. Revelation 1:19
B. God has a message for us. Revelation 1:20 

​The Next Step

• What’s an attribute of Christ you greatly appreciate? Why are you glad He is that way?
• Why do you think God inspired John to write this passage at this point in Revelation?
• How can seeing Jesus the way John pictures Him in Revelation 1:12-16 change the way we worship and serve Him?
• Read Revelation 1:17. How can our fear of God be good for us? How can our fear of Him be harmful?
• What difference does believers coming to church on Sunday with the expectation of meeting with and hearing from the Lord make?
• Why is it important that Jesus revealed the mystery of the seven stars and the seven lampstands?
• What’s a specific way you can respond to Jesus as He is described in Revelation 1:9-20? 

​​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch the sermon live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro                                                                                                                                          Big Idea: Jesus is Lord and Savior of our past, future, and present.  
II. To… Churches                                                                                                                            A. John has something to say to all churches. Revelation 1:4a
B. God is in control. Revelation 1:4b 
III. The Faithful Witness                                                                                                                  A. Jesus displayed His authority by rising from the dead. Revelation 1:5a 
B. By His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus sets us free. Revelation 1:5b
IV. Glory and Power                                                                                                                        A. We’re servants of a greater kingdom. Revelation 1:6
B. Jesus’ Lordship will be known. Revelation 1:7a
V. Amen                                                                                                                                          A. All people will see God’s salvation. Revelation 1:7b 
B. God is our complete Savior. Revelation 1:8 

​The Next Step

• What was something encouraging, challenging, or confusing about Sunday’s message on Revelation 1:4-8?
• Why do you think John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote Revelation to the early church?
• How does Jesus’ resurrection proof His authority?
• What’s a way that God, being the Alpha and Omega, helps you to live by faith in the present?
• How can focusing on the reality that Jesus’ Lordship will be known to all help us to live as His servants now?
• What are ways people might mourn when they see Christ return?
• If someone asked you what it means (and what it means to you) that Jesus is the first and last, what would you say? Pray for someone who needs to hear this truth.

​*The sermon video will be available after Sunday. To watch the sermon live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro                                                                                                                                          Big Idea: Revelation shows us what it means to be blessed in Christ.
II. From Jesus                                                                                                                                A. Revelation narrows our focus. Revelation 1:1a
B. Revelation is apocalyptic. Revelation 1:1b
III. The Testimony                                                                                                                          A. Revelation is John’s testimony. Revelation 1:2a
Four main ways to interpret Revelation.
1.  Preterist – The view that John prophesied/described the events of the early church.
2. Futurist – The view that Revelation is only concerned with the end of the world.
3. Historicist – The view that Revelation is a chart of world history.
4. Idealist – The view that principles revealed in this book are for all Christians in all times.
B. God inspired Revelation. Revelation 1:2b
IV. Blessed                                                                                                                                      A. We can learn of Christ in new ways. Revelation 1:3a
B. We can repent. Revelation 1:3b
V. Near                                                                                                                                          A. We’re in the last days. Revelation 1:3b
B. Expand your trust in God’s Word.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

​The Next Step

• What are you looking forward to in our study of Revelation? What concerns you?
• How do you think Revelation was an encouragement to the early church?
• Of the four major ways to read Revelation, which, if any, are you most familiar with?
• Why is it important to remember that God inspired Revelation?
• How can studying Revelation cause us to think about Jesus in differently than perhaps we normally do?
• What’s a way Revelation challenges people to repent or turn to God?
• What’s a specific way you can respond to Revelation 1:1-3?