Alive, yet…

Wake up!
1. To the reality behind the reputation

2. To the invitation to live while you can

3. Promises

1. The Son of God said “I know your . . .” (Rev 2:18-19)

2. Nevertheless …(Rev 2:20)

3. Time to repent (Rev 2:21)

4. Consequences: punishment (Rev 2:22-23) OR promises (Rev 2:24-28)

5. “hear what the Spirit says” (Rev 2:29)

1. CONTEXT (Rev 2:12,13)

2. POSITIVE COMMENTS (Rev 2:13)

3. NEGATIVE COMMENTS (Rev 2:14,15)

4. INSTRUCTIONS (Rev 2:16,17a)

5. PROMISES (Rev 2:17b)

The knowledge of Jesus regarding opposition:

1. Afflictions

2. Poverty

3. Slander

The promise of Jesus in the face of opposition:

1. Comfort

2. Control

3. Generous reward

�Be faithful, even to the point of death,
and I will give you the crown of life�. [Rev 2:10]

Gift

1. Fortress

2. Factory

3. Family

1. THE BIG SMOKE

See the city for what it is:

* Pride (Rev 18:23)
* Deception (Rev 18:23)
* Persecution of Christians (Rev 18:24)
* Exploitation of the poor (Daniel 4:27)

2. LEAVING THE CITY

* “Come out” (Rev 18:4)
* Punishment fits the crime (Rev 18:6)
* Wordly sorrow (Rev 18:15)
* Gloating? (Rev 18:20)

Is there a doctor on board?

1. The good news� (Rev 2:2-3)

*They have worked hard

*They have persevered

* They have refused to compromise

2. The bad news� (Rev 2:4)

* They have forsaken their first love

3. Three Instructions to rectify things:

1) �Remember� (Rev 2:5)

2) �Repent� (Rev 2:5)

3) �Do the things you did at first� (Rev 2:5)

What does the Lord Jesus Christ have to say about his Church?

1. I know my local churches

2. I know individuals

3. I know the past, present and future

What does the Lord Jesus Christ give his Church?

1. Power

2. Light

1. There�s a Problem in the Church!

* Jesus+ Christianity

2. There�s a Solution:

a) A church is used in the process

b) Individuals are used in the process

* The �Judaizers� speak (Acts 15:5)
* Peter speaks (Acts 15:7-11)
* Paul and Barnabas speak (Acts 15:12)
* James speaks (Acts 15:13-21)

3. There are Practical Steps to be taken (Acts 15:20)

Worship service and Bible ministry from Dr. Kris Kandiah (Executive Director, Churches in Mission, Evangelical Alliance)

The disciple’s checklist:

1) Courageous witness

2) Discernment in adversity

3) Appropriate humility

4) Good news people

5) Strengthening and encouraging

6) Reporting back

Matthew 28:18-20 – AUTHORITY
Mark 16:15-16 – FINAL JUDGEMENT
Luke 24:45-49 – FULFILMENT
John 20:21-22 – REPRESENTATION
Acts 1:8 – GEOGRAPHY

1. WIN: “Go…”

2. BUILD: “Make Disciples…”

“Baptising them…”

“Teaching them…”

3. SEND: Disciples become disciplers

1. Holy Spirit-inspired Leaders (Acts 13:1-2)

2. Holy Spirit-led “Sent-Out Witnesses” (Acts 13:2-3)

3. Holy Spirit-empowered Ministry (Acts 13:4-11)

4. Holy Spirit-convinced Believer ((Acts 13:12)

5. Holy Spirit-guided Supporters

* Prayer (Rom 15:30; 2 Cor 1:10-11; Phil 1:1)

* Partnership (Phil 1:4-5; 4:14-20)

* Reporting Back (Acts 14:26-28)

The Cambray Baptist Church Basis of Faith paragraph 9 says:

‘The Church of Jesus Christ is composed of all those who, confessing their repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, have been born again by the Holy Spirit.’

1. The Birth of the Church.

2. The Message of the Church – content and challenge.

3. The Life of the Church – fellowship, trouble inside, opposition from outside.

4. Who can be included in the Church?

A question to answer: what is God telling me to repent of now?

1. When the going gets tough

2. God gets going:

* But why the wait?

* And what about the peace?

3. Prayer meeting expectations

4. Evaluating a good prayer meeting!

1. Old Testament promise (Joel 2:28-32)
2. New Testament experience (Acts 2:1-47)
3. Jesus introduces �THE GIFT� of the coming Holy Spirit:
(John 14:1-16:33)
* To be another Counsellor

* To be with you forever

* To teach you and remind you of all things

* To guide you into all truth

* To convict of sin, righteousness and judgement

4. A personal Pentecost: The filling of the Holy Spirit

[7 NT references: Matt. 3:11; Mark 1: 8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16; 1 Cor. 12:13]