WHAT KIND OF SIN DOES THE WORLD TOLERATE TODAY? GIVE EXAMPLES. WHAT KIND OF SIN DOES THE CHURCH TOLERATE TODAY? (12) “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. (13) I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (14) But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. (15) So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (16) Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (17) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’” BACKGROUND Pergamum was situated 50 miles north of Smyrna and was a three-tiered city, the top of which stood over 1,000 feet high on the top of hill. The top of the city was the base for its nobility and government. The middle part of the city contained sports fields for young people and temples frequented by the less educated. The lower part of the city contained a medical school, a temple, and a replica of the Pantheon of Rome. The city also had a large temple dedicated to Zeus, and some think that Jesus’ reference to Satan’s throne may be a reference to that temple. However, there was a complex of pagan cults in the city, including that of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus and Asclepius. “So popular was the cult of Asclepius in Pergamum that the serpent, the symbol of Asclepius, became one of the emblems of the city.” (1)  It also had temples dedicated to Egyptian deities.  Pergamum was the capital of Asia and the official Asian center of emperor worship. Under the ruler ship of Eumenes II (197–159 BC), the city reached a high status and its library contained over 200,000 volumes, rivaling the library at Alexandria. Pergamum popularized the use of goatskin sheets for writing, sometimes called pergamēnḗ, from which we get our word, parchment.  “A Christian congregation in Pergamum was present since the mid-first century AD. This community was likely an outgrowth of the ministry of the Apostle Paul, who stayed in the nearby Ephesus for three years ( Acts 20:11 ). Pergamum would have been on Paul’s route from Ephesus to Alexandria Troas.” (2) Christians suffered persecution in Pergamum because they refused to worship the emperor, which was considered treasonous. Trade guilds also had patron deities, which Christian’s refused to honor.  WHAT KIND OF AUTHORITY DOES THE CHURCH HAVE IN DEALING WITH SIN IN ITS MIDST? WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT? EXAMINATION (V.12) “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” The mention of the two-edged sword is representative of a sword that saves or a sword that condemns. In this case, it is a sword that condemns, as we will see. Pergamum, as capital of Asia was endowed by Rome with the power of capital punishment. In other words, the power of the sword. Not all cities or nations in the empire had the authority of capital punishment. Remember at Jesus’ trial with Pilate the Jewish leaders complained they did not have the authority to put anyone to death. But Pergamum did have this power.   So, when Jesus begins his letter to Pergamum he reveals that his pronouncements have just such deadly power. Consider what Jesus is saying here. He is saying that his word has greater authority than the political powers of Pergamum or Rome. For Christian’s to proclaim this might be considered treasonous. The apostle Paul did something similar in  Romans 1:3-5 . “… concerning his Son, who was  descended from David according to the flesh…Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to  bring about the obedience  of faith for the sake of his name  among all the nations .”  Paul, here, is claiming a higher authority than Rome. Just as Jesus did in his letter to Pergamum.  (V.13) “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.” Jesus starts with a word of encouragement by saying, “I know where you dwell.” This is Jesus acknowledging that the church of Pergamum lives in a place difficult for them. They were surrounded by paganism that challenged their faithfulness to Christ. He is mindful of this. In his letter to the church of Smyrna, the synagogue of Satan was Jewish. But here, the throne of Satan is pagan.  The reference to Satan’s throne may refer to the fact that Pergamum was the capital of Asia and the leading place of pagan temples and sacrifice, and had a temple where Caesar was worshipped. In fact, Pergamum was the first city in Asia to have a temple dedicated to a Caesar. Ephesus was the commercial center of the region, but Pergamum was the political center of power. If Ephesus was New York, Pergamum would be Washington, DC. (V.13) “Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.” Just as he did with Ephesus, Jesus begins his address to the church at Pergamum with praise. He notes two things. They hold fast to his name and don’t deny him, even in the face of death. This means that they continue to call Christ Lord and hold fast to that profession even in the face of persecution.  Some scholars believe that Antipas may have been the first Christian martyred by the Roman state in Asia. History records that Antipas was slowly roasted alive in a bronze bowl. In fact, Jesus paid Antipas a great honor when he called him, “My faithful witness.” The only other person in the Bible referred to as a “faithful witness” is Jesus himself in  Revelation 1:5 . Notice the proximity of two mentions of Satan near the mention of Antipas. This may be a reference to the pagans of Pergamum instigating the persecution that brought about Antipas’ death. Clearly, Antipas is a warning and a model of what was to come for the Christian’s in Pergamum.  Though Jesus praised them, there was still a problem, and it was a big one. CAN YOU BE FAITHFUL TO THE LORD AND TOLERATE SIN AT THE SAME TIME? PERGAMUM HELD TO CHRIST’S NAME BUT TOLERATED SIN, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? (V.14) “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” In a previous lesson we noted that the Nicolaitans were a group of heretics who embraced temple prostitution and eating meat sacrificed to idols. You may remember that the apostle Paul addressed the issue of meat sacrificed to idols. Essentially, he said it was okay to eat it in  I Corinthians 8  and  10  as long as you weren’t violating a brother’s conscience. If this is the case, why is eating meat sacrificed to idols condemned by Jesus in this passage? There are two different things going on.  In  I Corinthians 8  and  1 0 the sacrificial meat is being sold in shops or at a temple. One could buy the meat without taking part in the pagan rites. No sin was involved by the buyer. He wasn’t participating in the temple worship. Meat is just meat. It’s okay to eat as long as conscience is not violated. But in  Revelation 2  participation in false temple worship and temple prostitution is implied, thus, sin is involved.  So why is the sin of Balaam mentioned?  You remember the story of Balaam from the book of  Numbers 22-24 . Balaam was contracted by the king of Moab, Balak, to curse Israel. But three times Balaam blessed Israel instead. Balak was furious with Balaam, so Balaam did something to get Israel to curse itself.   “While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel” ( Numbers 25:1-3 ).  According to the account,  “Behold, these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord” ( Numbers 31:16 ). Balaam’s sin was worse because he set out to cause Israel to curse itself. He intentionally did something to get them to sin. The result was that the leaders of Israel were all hanged. This is what Jesus is accusing some of the church of Pergamum of doing. They were openly tempting believers to take part in pagan worship. Notice Jesus response to that in verse 16.  “I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”  In other words, just as he judged Israel’s leaders in  Numbers 25 , so too he would judge these heretics of Pergamum.  (V.15) “So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.” Some of the believers were deceived and stumbled into the Nicolaitan heresy. Remember Jesus’ previous word about the Nicolaitans to the Ephesians. He hated their works (V.6). Jesus loved the Ephesians which is why he rebuked them for this. We can surmise here as well that Jesus loves the church at Pergamum, which is why he issued them such a dire warning. How serious was that warning? More so than Ephesus. As we will see in verse 16. What is implied in this passage is that the church at Pergamum tolerated those who followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans and Balaam. This was different from Ephesus, which identified the false and tried to root it out. The Pergamum church tolerated it. Tolerating sin is always an affront to God. God desires that his church be pure and holy. Jesus endured great pain and sacrifice for us, so for us to tolerate sin is a great affront to him that dishonors his sacrifice on our behalf. We must never tolerate sin. IF THE CHURCH TOLERATES SIN, WILL GOD JUDGE THE CHURCH? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? (V.16) “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” Notice that the whole church is called to repentance, probably because the church tolerated the Nicolaitans. Remember when Balaam rode his donkey to go see Balak. He was confronted on the road by the Angel of the Lord, likely Jesus himself, with a drawn sword. So too, in this passage, Jesus threatens this church with the sword. He threatens with a pronouncement of judgment.  No other church has the distinction of Jesus saying he will go to war against them if they don’t repent. How’s that for spiritual warfare? Interestingly, Balaam himself was slain by the sword in judgment for his sin.  WHAT KIND OF REWARDS CAN WE EXPECT FROM GOD IF WE DO AWAY WITH TOLERATED SIN IN OUR LIVES? (V.17) “To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” There are three challenging things to our understanding of this passage: The hidden manna The white stone A new name The hidden manna may be a reference to manna that was hidden in the Ark of the Covenant along with the tablets of the law and Aaron’s rod that budded. Manna was the bread from heaven that God provided miraculously each day for Israel in the wilderness. This stands in contrast to the meat of pagan sacrifices which the Pergamum church was tempted to eat. God will sustain his people whereas the sacrificial meat would be their downfall. Of course, Jesus referred to himself as “the bread that came down from heaven” ( John 6:51 ). Jesus is hidden for a time, but someday will be revealed and we will see him. The white stone may be a reference to two things. First, white and black stones were used in court to pronounce someone acquitted (the white stone), or condemned (the black stone). You and I have been acquitted by Christ. We receive the white stone. Secondly, a white stone was used like a ticket for admission to public festivals and events. Since the context of this passage is about false temple worship, where a white stone might be presented, this is likely the best interpretation of the white stone’s use. Jesus is again using something within their culture to make his point. In this case the white stone was like a proof of citizenship. So too, we have a proof of citizenship in heaven through Jesus, who is our rock. Only those who have Christ gain access to heaven.  “The allusion in 2:17 to ‘a  white stone , and in the stone a new name written,’ may be an allusion to a practice of keeping secret a new name taken at baptism in a place where it was dangerous to be known as a Christian.” (3) INTERPRETATION What is Jesus’ big idea for this passage?  If you tolerate sin, Jesus won’t tolerate you.  Jesus’ statement that he will make war against those who don’t repent should terrify us. Remember what the writer to the Hebrews said.  “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” ( Hebrews 10:26-31 ). Tempting others to compromise their holiness, like Balaam, like the Nicolaitans, is a serious offense in the eyes of the Lord. Tolerating that kind of sin brings him great displeasure and he must deal with it, with us, if we are to live under his blessing. I once tolerated the sin of drunkenness in my ministry. In Mongolia, while packing up our TV equipment in secret to avoid a bad situation, I had one of our staff give a bottle of Vodka to a security guard so he would get drunk and pass out so we could do our work in secret. It was a terrible witness to our non believing staff and I became ashamed of what I had done. I had to repent. After that, I did not tolerate drunkenness among our staff.  Notice the progression in this passage:  Authority Acknowledgement Accusation Adjudication  Acceptance  Authority. Jesus begins the passage by noting his authority, saying he has the sharp two-edged sword. Jesus has the authority to command obedience from our lives. If we are not living in obedience then we are not living for him. Acknowledgement. Jesus acknowledges their hard situation, referring to persecution and the condition they live under. Things are difficult for the Pergamum church. His acknowledgement shows he understands and sympathizes with their situation. Accusation. Jesus levels a charge against them of tolerating sin in their midst. It’s not that they just have sin, it’s that they tolerate it and have done nothing about it. And it is gross sin, the kind that offends him deeply.  Adjudication. Jesus threatens judgment against the church if they do not repent. They must not simply repent of immorality and false temple worship. The rest of the congregation must repent of tolerating sin or their repentance will not be complete. Acceptance. At the last, those who repent and continue in holy living will be rewarded by Christ. They will enjoy the benefits of the Christian life and have his approval.  These five steps are also what we go through when we become aware of sin in our lives that needs repentance. Especially if we are tolerating sin. We must do away with sin if we want to enjoy the benefits that Christ brings us.  APPLICATION Do a spiritual inventory of your life. Do you have any sin you are tolerating?  Look at your entertainment choices, your relationships, and how you spend your time. Can you say with confidence that Jesus takes pleasure in your daily life? Examine your spiritual life. Are you focused on the basics?  Do you have regular times of prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, and trying to be a good witness to those around you? Keeping the basics helps us establish a firm foundation for how we spend our time and energy.  Keep repentance as a regular habit.  Keeping an attitude of repentance helps ensure that we are pursuing Christ in holiness. The scripture says that without holiness, no one will see the Lord ( Hebrews 12:14 ). Whatever sin you’ve tolerated, bring that to the Lord in confession and repentance to be fully restored.  Live in expectation. Truly desiring to live for Christ brings expectation of wanting to be with him and having him as the priority relationship in our lives.  You can tell a lot about your spiritual life by whether or not you desire to be with the Lord daily. If you have no desire to spend time with Christ in prayer or study then something is wrong spiritually. Attending to these things will help you identify what keeps you from him, what needs strengthening in your life, and what sin you might be tolerating that needs to be excised from your life.  1. Tõniste, Külli. 2016.  “Pergamum.”  In  The Lexham Bible Dictionary , edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press. 2. Tõniste, Külli. 2016.  “Pergamum.”  In  The Lexham Bible Dictionary , edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.  3. Hastings, James, John A. Selbie, John C. Lambert, and Shailer Mathews. 1909. In  Dictionary of the Bible , 701. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. www.guywithabible.com

Revelation 3:1-6 WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DEAD? WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD? 1 “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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ BACKGROUND Sardis was formerly the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, founded in 1400 BC. Sardis at one time was a wealthy city, in fact, the first gold and silver coins were minted in Sardis.  The city was founded at the top of cliffs over 1,000 feet high and was very secure. The city was considered impregnable.  In 546 BC, the Persian ruler, Cyrus, launched a surprise attack against Sardis under the cover of night, scaling the cliffs of the city’s citadel and taking the city. The city was conquered again using the same tactic by Antiochus the Great in 214 BC. This may give insight to Jesus’ saying, “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.”  Sardis became the western capital of the Persian empire, which gave it great power and status. It became the capital of the Seleucid empire in 190 BC. It had a grand palace and a temple to Artemis that was twice the size of the pantheon in Athens. During the Christian era, the temple of Artemis was converted into a church but later fell into disuse. Though in ancient times the city was once powerful, under Roman rule it never gained prominence. When it vied to build a temple for the Caesar-cult it lost its bid to Smyrna. Sardis held onto its ancient history as a powerful city but in actuality it became a minor city, also giving insight into Jesus’ saying, “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die.”  Jews held a high status in Sardis under Roman rule. They were granted the right to practice their faith openly and were excluded from worshipping idols and participation in the Caesar-cult. The Jews of Sardis had one of the largest synagogues in the ancient world that could hold over 1,000 people. Nine of its donors were on the city council, making the Jewish population an important part of the city.   Sardis was known for its trade in luxury clothing which Jesus uses to drive home his point when he says, “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments.” In these three examples, like in the earlier churches, Jesus uses the city’s own history to teach them what he wants them to know. These references to their history would have been powerful pictures to the Christians in Sardis that their church, though thought secure, was actually dying.  EXAMINATION (V.1) “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.” The reference to the Seven Spirits is also translated elsewhere as seven-fold. It is a reference to the Holy Spirit, with seven being the number of completion or perfection. Jesus’ Spirit is perfect. He sees and knows all, including everything about the seven churches of Revelation, noted by his reference to the seven stars. The churches and their pastors belong to him. He can therefore bless, warn, or judge, as he is about to do here.  (V.1) “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” WHAT DO YOU THINK A PERSON IS LIKE WHO IS SOCIALLY ALIVE BUT SPIRITUALLY DEAD? The church at Sardis suffered no persecution, but some scholars believed that they had compromised their faith so deeply that they were, in essence, spiritually dead. The church was thriving in peace and safety, but had no heart for Christ. Have you ever known a church that seemed to have a good status in the community, but in actuality was stagnant? It had a reputation but was going nowhere. Just as the city reveled in its reputation as a formerly powerful capital, during John’s time it was of no importance. So too, we cannot rely on our past glories to ensure our future. America is an example of this. We have a rich Christian heritage in our discovery and founding and we often recall the glories of our Christian roots. But the past won’t save our nation. Our present reality is one of ungodliness and shame. Only repentance can restore America. And this is like our lives as well. We cannot rely on our past testimony to ensure our future. We must always be growing in our faith in Christ reaching new levels of spiritual maturity to ensure our future. Remember John the Baptist’s words to the Jews of his time. “Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” ( Luke 3:8 ). The Jews relied on their heritage for their salvation, but it wasn’t good enough. So too, it is with us. Glorying in our past cannot save our future.  (V.2) “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.” The phrase, “Wake up,” is better translated as, “Be watchful.” This is a reference to the two times the city was conquered when enemies scaled the cliffs to attack under the cover of night. Unlike the letters before it, Jesus doesn’t begin with a point of encouragement, praising specific things that are good about the church. Instead, he gets right to the issue of being spiritually dead. And even what remains is about to die. Their situation is dire. Their works, that is, their obedience to Christ is incomplete. What is the solution? (V.3) “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.” WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO BEING SPIRITUALLY DEAD, WHAT MUST YOU DO? Jesus brings to mind what they have received and heard. That is, the truth of the gospel and the teaching of godly living. Paul talked about this in  Philippians 4:9 . He said, “ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you .” Jesus is with us when we live in obedience. If we say we have these things, but our lives don’t reflect them, then he is not with us.  Notice that Paul says if we live in obedience then we have God’s peace. Jesus was not at peace with Sardis, he was about to come against them in judgment because they did not obey. They are to “keep” it. I.E., they are to obey it. To keep something means not just to obey, but to have it close to the heart, to cherish it. Whatever the church of Sardis was cherishing, it wasn’t Christ. Jesus was trying to turn them back to the basics of the faith, which Sardis had strayed from. His solution was to repent. Repent is not a popular word today. People don’t like the idea of having to change something that is wrong. People don’t like the idea of being morally wrong. They use phrases like, “What’s right for me.” Or say that morals are subjective. But Jesus keeps it basic. The reality is that we repent of something, we repent of sin (another unpopular word). Sardis is guilty of sin, though Jesus doesn’t say what kind. But their sin is so grievous that he says two things. First, they are to repent. And second, if they don’t repent, he will come against them in judgment. That’s another unpopular idea, especially within the church. We think of judgment happening outside the church because we have been given salvation by God, our judgment is past.  But the reality is that judgment begins with the house of God.  II Peter 4:17 says, “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  Even the church may fall into sin and hold onto it. Churches can make excuses for sin and fall into the traps of the world. Especially churches of good reputation in the community, like Sardis. But if we’re not preaching the basics of Christ, then something is wrong. Peter taught that the gospel is offensive to the world ( I Peter 2:8 ). While a good reputation is to be desired, we must not have it or pursue it at the expense of the truth of the gospel. Things like the evil and universality of sin, and the requirement of repentance must be preached or we will miss the mark. If we continue in that sin, then Jesus says he will come against us.  (V.4) “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.” Notice the picture that Jesus is using. Soiled garments. Dirty clothes. There were some in Sardis who did not compromise their faith with the community. While the church had a good reputation with the world, these believers had a good reputation with Christ. They sacrificed the praise of the community for the praise of God. Jesus warned about this attitude in  John 12:43 , “They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” White is a symbol of purity and holiness. This is what was lacking in the Sardian church but what some of the believers had. Wearing white was also done on certain festive days like what was called a day of triumph. Revelation also uses this symbolism. The multitudes in heaven are said to be dressed in white ( Revelation 7:9 ). To be clothed in white is to have achieved victory over sin through the blood of Christ ( Revelation 7:14 ). To be worthy in Christ is to do two things.  First, it is to have received and known Christ. One cannot be worthy of heaven on our own, so having Christ is basic to worthiness.  Second, one must also obey him. This means to obey his teachings ( Matthew 28:20 ).  We need to always stay focused on the basics: prayer, Bible reading and study, living holy lives, avoiding and rejecting sin, and sharing our faith in some way. Keeping these basics is foundational. Without them we cannot be said to be walking in a worthy manner. (V.5) “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.” SOME PEOPLE THINK BLOTTING YOUR NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE MEANS THAT YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SALVATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Jesus repeats the notion of walking in white. Whenever something in scripture is repeated it is because it is important. Jesus is driving home his point even further. To be clothed in white is to be worthy.  There is much theological confusion over the phrase, “I will never blot his name out of the book of life.” In actuality, we’re not sure what the book of life is. This may be a reference to something Sardis was familiar with. In Asiatic courts, if a person was found guilty of a crime, his name was stricken from the city roles indicating that he had lost his citizenship. That may be a picture for the church at Sardis of how serious Jesus is about their repentance and judgment. He seems to threaten them with the loss of heavenly citizenship. In addition, every living citizen of Sardis had their name listed in a registry. But upon death the name would be removed. But it has another reference also. Moses makes reference to the book of life in  Exodus 32:32-33 . “‘ But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.’ But the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.’” The book of life is also mentioned in  Psalm 69:28 . Speaking of the unrighteous the psalmist says, “ Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.” Daniel 12:1  also mentions the book of life.  “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” These mentions would seem to indicate that a person may be saved, their name written in the book of life, and then lose their salvation, having their name removed. I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.  Salvation is permanent. We did nothing to earn it. We can do nothing to lose it. Here is my take. I believe this is a reference to those who live in the covenant community. The covenant community is everyone who is part of the visible church. In the visible church there are believers and unbelievers alike. Not everyone who goes to church is a true believer in Christ. Some talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, just like Sardis. Then there is the invisible church. Only true believers in heaven and on earth are members of the invisible church. I believe the book of life contains the names of people in the visible church who are part of the covenant community. True believers and unbelievers alike. But at some point, some will abandon the church or reject the gospel and their names will be removed. They will be removed because  they never had true salvation to begin with . The apostle John talks about such people when he says,  “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us” ( I John 2:19 ). It is only the true believers who walks with Christ whose name he will confess before the Father. So we must each ask ourselves, I am in the book, but am I a true believer in Jesus? Am I truly walking with him? It is good to periodically check ourselves. Paul said,  “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” ( II Corinthians 13:5 ). INTERPRETATION What is Jesus’ big idea for this passage?  Spiritual death is a choice. When it comes to your faith, don’t die. Every important part of our faith is exercised by something we do on purpose. When we receive Christ we do so on purpose. When we grow in our faith from stage to stage it is on purpose. If we sin it is on purpose. If we repent it is on purpose. So too, if we are dying spiritually it is on purpose. Ignoring the principles of our faith, ignoring the word of God, these things are done on purpose. So dying spiritually is something we are responsible for. There’s no getting around the fact that since we die on purpose we must proactively take responsibility to correct our course, to change our status. The good news is that when we do so, the Holy Spirit works in us to empower us to make that change. We don’t do it alone. So, what choice do you want to make? APPLICATION Don’t rely on your past to ensure your future.  We fall into this trap when we think what we’ve done in the past is enough. I once taught a class on spiritual growth to a group of men who had claimed Christ for more than 30 years. One of them said, “Why do I have to learn this stuff? I prayed the prayer. I’m in!” He demonstrated that he had no desire for spiritual things.  Use the past to ensure your future.  This means that you have a testimony about how Christ has changed your life. Build on that past event to reach new heights of spiritual growth. Make your testimony as relevant today as it was many years ago.  If you have no passion for Christ, then awaken that part of your life.  If you have no passion for Christ then this is a sure sign of spiritual death. Knowing and loving Christ is they key to eternal life. It’s one thing to have the principles and practices of your faith. But it’s another to have the person of Christ. Remember the scripture that says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” ( I John 5:12 ). Principles and practices are worthless without the person of Christ. Choosing spiritual death is a sin. The solution is to repent.  We all die. We don’t want to die, though some do. This is not the case with spiritual death. Spiritual death is a choice we make to ignore Christ and not live in obedience to him. Why would we give up the benefits of a spiritual life for a life that puts us at enmity with God? Because spiritual death is a choice, it is always a sin. The solution to sin is to repent and awaken what is about to die. Are you part of the visible church or the invisible church? Be sure of your spiritual state.  If you are unsure of your spiritual condition that may be a sign that all is not well. Can you point to a time in your life when Jesus Christ became the supreme affection of your life? If Jesus is not the center of your life, then you may not have him at all. Let’s end with some good news. In the second century the Christians of Sardis did repent and the church regained some of its prominence. It even had a bishopric that taught and wrote prolifically, a sign of status among ancient churches. Sardis eventually became an important center of Christian activity until the 11th century AD.

Introduction An umbrella provides physical covering during a rainstorm. It does not stop the rain, but it does stop the rain from reaching us. Like an umbrella in a rainstorm, we need God's protection to cover us during the storms of life that bring physical and spiritual threats in our walk with Him. These threats attempt to harm us by drenching all areas of our lives with various forms of destruction. God offers to protect us when we submit ourselves to functioning under His diving covering. His protection does not change what is happening around us, it does change what happens to us. When believers operate under God's covenant, we function under His divine covering and authority; and all God's protection to shield us from harm. God's protection is part of His covenant; a spiritually binding relationship between God and His people. In 1Samuel 17:49, David was divinely protected, experienced the power of God's covenant, and defeated Goliath because he operated under divine authority. He kept God involved in the fight and successfully killed a giant, the uncircumcised Philistine who entered the battle without God's covenant and covering. Like David, we must always involve God while operating under His covering and authority in all life's circumstances. Getting Started What new truth about divine covering did you learn from the story of David & Goliath? Have you ever faced a Goliath-sized threat in your life? How did God provide protection? Let's Get Personal Describe a time when you may have operated outside of God's covering. How did you know that you were not functioning under divine authority? What struggles prevent you from consistently experiencing God's protection in your life? How can you overcome these struggles to experience victory like David? In what areas do you need divine protection from God right now? Take the Next Step What resources has God provided for you to fight against physical and spiritual enemies? Are you taking full advantage of what you already have? If you cannot identify any resources, pray and ask God to reveal them. What testimony of God's power can you share with a nonbeliever or a Christian struggling with their faith? How can your testimony be used to draw them to Christ? Wan to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Genesis 50:18-21; Daniel 1:1-16; Daniel 3:8-23; Daniel 6:1-28; Exodus 19:5-6; 2 Chronicles 20:1-13; Psalm 50:15 Renew Your Mind "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15

Self-help manuals might get you through a bad mood or a rough patch. But does God have a word for the dark nights of the soul? He does. The promise begins with this phrase: “Weeping may last through the night” (Psalm 30:5). Of course, you knew that much. Weeping may last through the night, and the next night, and the next. This is not new news to you, but this may be: “Joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Night might delay the dawn, but it cannot defeat it. Morning comes. And with it comes joy. Do you need this promise? Mary Magdalene did. In the forest of the Bible, she was the weeping willow. She had seven demons (Luke 8:2). Maybe she’d been abused, abandoned. Perhaps she was a recluse or a prostitute. The number seven is sometimes used in the Bible to describe completeness. It could be that Mary Magdalene was completely consumed with troubles. But then something happened. Jesus stepped into her world and when he spoke, the demons fled. From that day forward, everywhere Jesus went, Mary Magdalene followed. She heard him teach. She saw him perform miracles. She helped pay his expenses. She was always near Christ, even at his crucifixion. On that Friday, Mary Magdalene watched Jesus die. On Saturday, she observed a sad Sabbath. When Sunday came, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to finish the work she had begun when they lowered Jesus from his cross. She knew nothing of the empty tomb. She came with no other motive than to prepare his body for burial and say goodbye. When she arrived at the tomb, the nightmare of the last three days grew even darker. Mary Magdalene “saw that the stone had been taken away” (Jn 20:1 nkjv). Assuming that grave robbers had taken the body, she hurried to find Peter and John. They ran to the tomb, found it empty, then left to tell the rest of the disciples on what they had seen. We expect the camera lens of the gospel to follow them. After all, they were apostles, future authors of epistles. But, it doesn’t. The story lingers with Mary. Her face was awash with tears. Her shoulders heaved with sobs. “As she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain” (vv. 11–12). Mary Magdalene mistook the angels for men. She had no reason to think angels would be in the tomb. Bone diggers? Maybe. Caretakers? Possibly. But her Sunday was too dark to expect the presence of angels. Her world had officially hit rock bottom. Have you ever had a moment like this? A moment in which bad news became worse? In which you came looking for God yet couldn’t find him? Maybe Mary Magdalene’s story is your story. If so, you’re going to love what happened next. In the midst of Mary’s darkest moment, the Son came out. “Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away” (vv. 14–15). She didn’t recognize her Lord. So Jesus did something about it. He called her by name, and when he did, Mary recognized the voice that had first called her to freedom. In the time it took for Jesus to say “Mary”, her world went from hopeless to hope-filled. Of all the people to whom he could have spoken, Jesus went first to Mary- the weeping, heartbroken woman who once had seven demons. Why her? As far as we know, she didn’t become a missionary. No epistle bears her name. Perhaps, Jesus wanted to send a message to all the heavyhearted people: “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Watch for it. Expect it as you would the morning sunrise or the evening twilight. Keep coming to Jesus. You’ll be tempted to give up and walk away. But don’t. Even when you don’t feel like it, keep walking the trail to the empty tomb. Open your Bible. Meditate on Scripture. Sing hymns. Talk to other believers. Place yourself in a position to be found by faith, and listen carefully. That gardener very well might be your redeemer. Darkness comes, but so does the morning. Sadness comes, but so does hope. Sorrow may have the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Easter is the time when we celebrate Christ's power. We celebrate this verse in Revelation, when He says “I was dead, and now I am alive forever.” I hold the keys to Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18) That’s what we celebrate-a Jesus of power. If we see Jesus as weak, it causes us to be weak as His followers. People hated Jesus. Why do you think they nailed Him to a cross? Was it because He was kind and compassionate all the time? No, because He went against the culture of the day. He opposed the authorities of the day. It’s not a popular message. Why do you think He was crucified? Jesus began His ministry with powerful words. In Matthew 5:20, when He launched His public ministry, Christ went straight to the religious leaders, the people that everyone respected and followed. They had so much status, and Jesus goes right after them and declared, “…unless your righteousness exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees, you’ll never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Do you realize what a bold statement that is? He basically saying that the religious leaders are going to hell. The disciples talked about the religious leaders, worried of their disapproval. Jesus said in Matthew 15:14, “Leave them alone. They are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Jesus castigated the wealthy. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus cries, “You can’t serve two masters. Either you’ll hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.” “You cannot serve God and money.” He’s giving the people an ultimatum. You can’t have both. The very next chapter, Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus taught about judgment day. “On that day, many are going to say, ‘Lord, Lord. Didn’t I prophesy, didn’t I do all these things in your name?” He says “On that day, I am going to say to some people, ‘get away from me. I never knew you.” This is Jesus, starting His ministry, getting warmed up here. Matthew 7:28 says  “…the crowd was astonished at His teaching. For He was teaching them as One who had authority.” Jesus stilled the storm. Matthew 8:23-27 describes Jesus stilling the wind and the waves, controlling the weather by His power. The disciples, terrified, query “What manner of man is this that the wind and the sea obey Him?” Jesus cast out demons. Chapter 8:28-33 reports the story of Jesus casting out demons in the Gadarene demoniac. The people of Gadara begged Him to leave. Why? Because He rocked their world. Matthew writes in Matthew 9:1-8 of the healed paralytic man who stood up and walked and freaked out the crowds who were in awe that God had given such authority to men. Jesus was no ordinary man. He was God Almighty. Jesus holds the keys to death and hell . Christ speaks very plainly in verse 32. “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I’ll acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, I’ll deny you before my Father who is in heaven. Whoever loves father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake and the sake of the gospel will find it.” Every chapter in Matthew describes the mighty Jesus. Jesus was very direct. You love your sin, you love your stuff, then don’t even bother following me. I’m a great God. Take up your cross. Follow me. This Jesus, this powerful Jesus, turning over the Temple tables, brutally crucified and raised from the dead. This is the Jesus we worship. Revelation 1:17-18: “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

How can you become heavenly-minded and hopeful? 1.      Remember that eternal life starts now.  Jesus said in  John 17:3 : “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only eternal God and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Jesus’ presence will fill you full of joy and pleasure ( Psalm 16:11 ). Quiet your heart, mute your cell phone and let His love wash over you today. 2.       Jesus will be glad to see you .  Matthew 25:23  expresses God’s absolute delight in your celestial arrival. He says “Well done, good and faithful servant….Come share your Master’s happiness.” Have you spent your life trying to please God and others? You will find forgiveness, grace and rest in heaven. ( Psalm 103:12 ,  Hebrews 4:10 ). Picture God smiling at you, welcoming you with open arms instead of shaking His finger at you in reproof. 3.      Bored? You will have fulfilling work to do.  The cream cheese commercial featuring “haloed” angels lying on cloud pillows and strumming harps is a myth. Revelation 7 and 22 states that we will not work riddled with fatigue and frustration (the result of the Fall), but will fulfill all of the potential God placed within you with unlimited resources and energy. 4.      Those you love and miss are watching. Hebrews 12:1  describes the crowd of witnesses cheering us on in our earthly struggles.  Revelation 6:9  and  Luke 16:19-30  give us an indication that our dear ones do see us but through an eternal lens. What joy to reunite with them! If “a thousand years is as a day, and a day is as a thousand years,” then your husband may die and you follow him ten years later. That’s about fifteen minutes in “heaven” time. He sees you and quips, “Hi, Honey! Late as usual…” 5.      The worship will be awesome!!!  Revelation 4:1-11  depicts the glorious scene of unceasing worship before God’s Throne. All are singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” I don’t care how much or little you enjoy worship now, sing, shout, thank and praise God during your day. God’s presence hangs around when you praise. (Read about the Ark of God and His smoky glory). That should get you going!   Hoping in heaven gives you a different perspective on life. I envision my understanding of the here and now as the underside of an embroidered pillowcase. All I see are knots and dangling threads. The heaven side reveals a beautifully crafted masterpiece.

Have you learned to live an abundant life despite circumstances? God’s plan is to renew us. Every day is a new adventure. He renews our minds with his Word. He restores our souls with His comforting presence. We can focus more time and energy on spiritual things. We have nothing to prove. We have nothing to lose. “For this reason we  never  become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed, refreshed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.”  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV God’s plan is to sustain us. My pastor-husband Roger suffered terrible health setbacks. He had open-heart surgery at thirteen, and suffered from a litany of serious illnesses ever since. His doctors often warned, “Roger, you may not be able to ….” He was not easily discouraged, but challenged to believe in God’s power. God’s grace has no limitations. None of His plans for Roger’s life were thwarted! Nothing is over in your life until God’s says it’s over! “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  Psalm 139:16 NIV God’s plan is for us to live full lives. We never have to live in regret over past mistakes. We never have to live in fear over future challenges. Don't let Satan steal your abundant life with regrets about the past or worries about the future. Live in the now!! Jesus said, “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:1 NIV

You can KNOW what to pray. Jesus knew what was in the heart of every man and woman and it was not always what he or she thought they needed. He always saw to the deeper issue. We can, too. Here are four examples from Jesus’ ministry. A cast-off, rag-tag Samaritan woman plods toward the water well in the scorching sun. She finds a thirsty Rabbi, and asks Him about religion. He doesn’t answer her question about where to go to church. Instead, Jesus deals with the stigma and pain of her rejection and broken relationships with men. ( John 4:1-26 ) A rich young ruler desired Jesus’ approval for his self-righteous observance of the Law. Christ told him his root issue was insecurity over his finances and fear of the future. Could he step out on faith? ( Matthew 19:16 ) Martha, the Bethany cook who made a mean falafel, requested Jesus release Mary to assume her dishwashing duties. The Savior prayed for Martha’s people-pleasing, frantic life to be replaced with peace and worship. ( Luke 10:40 A dirty, contorted, paralyzed man lowered from the thatched roof by his buddies wanted one thing: to be able to walk. Jesus was known as a healer. But for this man, his root issue was a need for forgiveness. I’ve often wondered if the man harbored so much secret sin in his life that living a double life caused a debilitating stroke. Conjecture, maybe. But Christ’s answer was clear. ( Matthew 9:2 We can see inside the human heart with the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few suggestions in discovering to how to listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in prayer First of all, when the crisis arises, stop. Just stop. Visualize the Omnipotent glorious God of the Universe enthroned in rainbows. See Jesus interceding for your suffering loved one. Worship and pray down from heaven and not up from earth. Secondly, activate your Holy Spirit radar. If you want to see God you have to deal with un-confessed sin and un-mourned hurts. My husband squeezed a passle of eleven-year-old Sunday school girls into his Ford one Friday night and headed for the roller rink. The hot-air from their giggles fogged the windshield. Roger could barely see where he was going. A country cop pulled him over and gave him a ticket for missing a stop sign clearly posted nearby. “Clean off your windshield, Son,” the policeman chided. “And, by the way, you are over the passenger limit,” he added. “And it might help if you turned your car lights on, seeing it’s night and all…” Roger gulped and shushed his little charges. “Now Sonny, I could throw you in jail for the night, but if you promise to clean your windshield and turn on your lights, I’ll let you take these little gals home.” “Yes, sir, Officer,” Roger replied sheepishly. So he did. Hearing God speak requires that we keep our lives free from unconfessed sin and unbelief. When you receive an impression from God, step out in faith and pray confidently. Let your blood bleed “Bibline.” Know the Bible so well that God can reveal His heart to you before you ever get the distress call. I have also found that my Heavenly Father hones my prayers when a pray with a group of mature believers. Don’t let the distress calls panic you. Practice listening, ask wisely and your Heavenly Hero will do the rest. Be encouraged. Even if words don’t come easily, you have this promise “  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”  Romans 8:26 .  ESV

God may actually be shouting loudly, and it’s possible we’re just not listening. After running 90 miles away from Queen Jezebel because he had killed her 400 prophets of Baal, Elijah was exhausted and deeply depressed. Angels attended to him and then God was not silent. He spoke. “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  ( 1 Kings 19:11-13 ) We listen because sometimes the winds are contrary. We listen because sometimes an earthquake is shaking the core of our being. We listen because sometimes it feels like a walking through the fires of  hell . We listen, fortunately, because sometimes his voice may be hard to hear…but he is not silent. In his own quiet way, Jesus is giving us the strength and grace we need for every situation. Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”  ( Mark 4:9 ) Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.  ( Matthew 3:43 ) God is not silent. He is speaking. He loves you deeply, and even if you don’t feel it, He is in control. Why don’t you take a moment to listen quietly? God may be speaking to you right now. God wants you to quiet your heart and hear Him speak. He will still the storm and bring peace to your heart!

Matthew 6:5-8 Prayer, simply put, is communicating with God. It is an essential component to the Christian life. Although prayer is an act of faith that draws us closer to God, many believers struggle with this spiritual discipline because we do not know what prayer is, how it works, or how to do it. Effective praying was a challenge for the disciples as well. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He first spent time instructing them how not to pray. Sometimes, before we can really understand how to do something important, we first need to understand how not to do it. Jesus instructs us in verse 5, “ And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites. ” These people had an improper approach to communicating with God. They prayed to be seen and heard by men; they prayed with wrong motives; and they prayed to appear to be holier than others. As Christians, the way we prevent ourselves from falling victim to improperly praying is by praying regularly, praying sincerely, praying secretly, and praying thoughtfully. If we desire to develop a stronger prayer life, we must heed the precautions Jesus lays out in Matthew 6: 5-8 and adopt the proper manner of communicating with God. Our prayers should be directed to an audience of one. Prayer should be God-focused and God-centered. The primary goal for our prayers should be to glorify the Lord. Believers who grasp this biblical concept will develop a more effective prayer life. Getting Started Is there a person in your life that you admire because of the way they pray? If yes, Why do you admire their prayer life? If no, What do believe are some key components for developing an effective prayer life? How did this week’s sermon impact the way you now view prayer? Let’s Get Personal What are some of the obstacles you often encounter in your personal prayer life? Has there ever been a time in your life that you were guilty of praying like those described in Matthew 6:5-8? Evans emphasized the importance of praying regularly, sincerely, secretly, and thoughtfully. Which of these areas does your prayer life need to grow the most? What are the key components you often incorporate in your private prayer time? Take the Next Step What steps can you take this week to deepen your communication with God? Spend time this week seeking God for renewed strength and a fresh desire to be faithful in prayer. Want to go deeper? Take a look at the following passages: 1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 8:26-28; Col. 4:2; Phil. 4:6-7 Renew Your Mind Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

The prayer in Matthew 6 is often called the Lord’s Prayer; however, it is more accurately the disciple’s prayer. In Luke 11, after Jesus finishes praying, we see that the disciples asked the Lord to teach them how to pray. They wanted to know how to make contact with God. The disciples saw that prayer was for Jesus much like breathing. It was something that Jesus had to have to make it. Jesus tells them to “Pray, then, in this way.” He is giving them a pattern for prayer – a model in which to follow. It is not meant to be meaningless words said in repetition. “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” There’s so much in this. “Our Father” establishes the paternity of prayer. “Our” lets us, as believers, know we are not alone. You are not an only child in this family of God. We have a father. We are inner connected with our brothers and our sisters. Also, know that only believers can pray. Even though God is the creator of man, He is not the father of all men. To become a son or daughter of God you must be born again. John 1:12 “as many as receive Him, He gave them power to become children of God.” If you deny the Son, you can’t have the Father. Jesus Christ the Savior is the only one who can grant you access to the Father. He is “our Father.” And He is just not any father, but our Father “who is in heaven.” He is a father we can trust, and a father that is concerned about our welfare. This means He protects us, and also disciplines us. Because it is His prerogative as a father, He may say yes to us or He may say no. He is looking out for the whole family. We may not always know what He is doing, but we should know we can trust His heart for us. Being God of the universe doesn’t get in the way of Him being Father. God is available to us. And even though He’s got millions and millions of children that He must govern, He’s still daddy, and you can get His attention. “Hallowed be Your name.” Jesus prayed because He always wanted to be in touch with up there in heaven since up there ruled down here on the earth. Prayer helps you to make it in the messiness of earth, because it gives you the direction of heaven. Hallowed is from the same root word that you get the word holy, sanctify, or sanctification. It means to set apart as unique or special. God is in a class by Himself. God has many names and they all point to His character, His attributes. God has a name that fits every situation. He has a name that can relate to where you are, and different situations. Getting Started Were you familiar with the prayer in Matthew 6 growing up? Who taught it to you? 2. Are there any other prayers you grew up reciting? Let’s Get Personal As you reflect on your current prayer life, what is something that has helped you learn how to pray? Knowing that Jesus Christ is the only one who can grant you access to the Father, have you taken the steps to receive Him as your Savior? If not, is there anything preventing you from doing so now?   Have you ever been disappointed when God said no to something you wanted and later discovered He was protecting you? Have you ever experienced answered prayer? How have you needed God to intervene in a situation, and how did He answer your prayer? Take the Next Step Share with a friend one thing they can be in prayer with you about this week. This week, pray that God helps you to understand Him more as Father. Want to go deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Luke 11:1; Mark 1; John 1:12; 8; 20:17; Hebrews 12; 1 Peter 3:15 Renew Your Mind In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
 Mark 1:35

Matthew 6:10 As a citizen of the United States of America, we have a commitment to a nation – a kingdom. We also have constitutional rights because we are citizens. Well, guess what? If you are a believer, you are a citizen of another kingdom. When you believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you became part of the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:10 states, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” When we use the word kingdom, we are talking about the comprehensive rule of God over all of His creation. God is king. Your kingdom come means being in the Lord’s presence. Remember Moses? When Moses saw the burning bush, he took off his shoes. He realized he was experiencing something sacred, holy, or hallowed. Moses was encountering God. After he saw the burning bush and came face to face with God, that is when God showed Moses His program to go tell Pharaoh let my people go. The fastest way to get what God’s program is for your life, your calling, your purpose, your direction, is to get in God’s presence. It is in His presence that you find out how to be of service in His kingdom. Your goal in prayer should not be, Lord, I’m coming in your presence so that you can serve my kingdom. Your prayer should be, Lord, I’m coming in your presence so I can serve your kingdom. “Your kingdom come.” We want God’s will to be done. Prayer is important because it is heaven that informs earth. When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we are saying, Lord, I want the invisible kingdom that I am relating to now in prayer to become the visible kingdom that I need in my experience (on earth as it is in heaven). I am asking for you to come out of the invisible realm of your kingdom into the visible realm of your kingdom. I am asking you to manifest your kingdom not only in eternity, but to make it visible to my five senses in time. I’m asking you to demonstrate yourself. God’s plan or His program must be the preoccupation of our lives. Of course this starts with conversion. In Matthew 18, Jesus said that the kingdom of God is at hand. He said the kingdom is here and you must repent (have regret and turn away from wrongdoing), and you must come to me (Jesus) in order to get the king (God) and enter the kingdom. You need not only to be converted, but also committed. You can’t experience God’s program for your life without being fully committed. You can’t be a part-time Christian. You want to have His power – the power of the Holy Spirit that is within you as a believer. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8a). Why are we so powerless if we’ve got all this God power in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit? It’s not a problem with access, but perhaps it is a lack of interest in God’s program. Or is it that some are so detached from God’s program, they cannot bear witness to His power. Getting Started Before today, if you thought about the word “kingdom,” how would you describe it? Understanding now that when you pray “Your kingdom come” that you are talking about a king who rules a kingdom that overrules everything else, how does that make you feel? Let’s Get Personal Have you ever thought about the rights you have as a citizen in the kingdom of God? Do you think you are fully taking advantage of the benefits you have as a citizen in the kingdom of God? Do you know your purpose or what God would have you do at this time in your life? How do you need God to demonstrate His power in your life right now? Do you feel that you are fully committed to God’s program in your life? What is preventing you from doing so. Take the Next Step Bear witness to God’s power in your life by sharing with someone an experience of how He met your need? This week, pray that God helps you to be more committed to Him. Want to go deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Psalm 103:19; 145:13; 1 Chronicles 29:11- 12; Romans 11:36; John 18, Daniel 4; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Matthew 18; Colossians 1:13; Acts 1; 1 Peter 2; Isaiah 9:6-7 Renew Your Mind For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Romans 11:36