Leadership Ministries | The End Game: The Letters

Introduction to Leadership Ministries’ series of The Endgame where Jesus reveals his heart and mind to John about the state of affairs of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor. This is recorded in the beginning of the book of Revelation. The post The Endgame — Introduction appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

The Seven Churches in Asia Minor needed help in getting their priorities straight. Careful study of this Scripture in the book of Revelation has helped many stay focused. We want Scripture to help us keep our priorities straight and to help us change our lives. Because even more so today, there is a competition for our priorities — the good can get in the way of the best. We all need to focus on the fact that the time of Jesus’ return is near, we’ve got to be about the Lord’s work. Read Revelation, hear it and take it to heart. Pray for a renewed focus! The post All Bets Are Off – 7 Churches in Revelation appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Jesus has a special concern for leadership. He holds leaders in His right hand. Christ’s encouragement to the leadership in Ephesus recorded in the book of Revelation is to persevere and endure hardships, all for Jesus’ name. Jesus wants to encourage you to lead your spouse and family. He wants you to be diligent in your pursuit of the truth. Christ wants you to be a light. Work at it, persevere. Do not grow weary, hang in there. Rev. 2:1-3 The post Work At It – Ephesus appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Christ mixes a stern warning with more encouragement to the church in Ephesus. Tough love will get your attention. Christ is not one to focus on negatives, He is always gracious and kind. But if we aren’t careful and work at our relationship with the Lord, our love for Him will grow cold. Are you doing the things you did at first in your relationship with Jesus? Return to your first love – repent and overcome. Rev. 2:4-7 The post First Love – Ephesus appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

As we go through difficulty, God is preparing us for something else. Jesus tells us to persevere and endure as suffering will not last forever – this is the way to the greatest rewards. So think eternally: Jesus tells us we are rich. Where is our wealth? Receive the ultimate trophy which is the crown of life, eternal life. Rev. 2:8-11 The post The Ultimate Trophy – Smyrna appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Happiness is not tied to your circumstances, it is tied to how you think. The believers in Pergamum were not ashamed of their relationship with Jesus because they were trusting in Him. Jesus commends them that despite their adversity, they were faithful. If you are having trouble staying true, you should ask, “Who are you trusting?” And make sure you’re thinking the right thoughts – God’s thoughts. Rev. 2:12-13 [powerpress] The post Are You Thinking Straight? – Pergamum appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

There is no neutral ground with Jesus. If you are not 100% for Him, then you are against Him. When your needs are not met, you become vulnerable to all kinds of temptation. If you don’t repent and turn back to Christ, you will fail and get too busy taking care of your things. Why bother? Because there’s nothing better than to overcome. And when you do overcome the idolatrous pressure all around us, and make Jesus the object of your affection, you will taste the divine food. Rev. 2:14-17 The post No Neutral Ground – Pergamum appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Why do you think the Bible is so adamantly against immorality? Because it destroys people, families and society. Jesus tells us in the book of Revelation to stand firm against sexual immorality. He searches our hearts and repays us according to our deeds. He has piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge and He operates with perfect strength and steadiness. When you go against God’s ways, you are the first to suffer. It is never too late to repent. Rev. 2:18-23 The post Jezebel—Sexual Immorality – Thyatira appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Narrow is the road that leads to life, broad is the road that leads to death. When Jesus is talking to the church in Thyatira, He warns us that idolatry will lead to immorality which will harm people. So hold on to what you have — Jesus — until He comes. If you are an overcomer in life, the promise from Jesus is that He will give you authority. You will get to work with the most powerful leader that the world has ever known. He will also give you knowledge because when He comes back, He will give you everything you need. He will not give you any other burden. Receive His Word, take it, read it, study it. Rev. 2:24-28 The post The Incentive Package – Thyatira appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Sardis is a wealthy, commercialized pagan city. These people we impressive, busy, prosperous, hyperactive, and had lots of programs going on. The Lord was not on their agenda. Who were they trying to impress? How are we different? Jesus always gives us a chance to get back on the team. He’s telling us to wake up in our faith. What are you really convinced of to the point that you will fight for it? Put weight in your faith so that you can fight the storms. Give the Lord the first cut of your time, your talent and your treasure. Rev. 3:1-3 The post Wake Up – Sardis appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Most people do not operate on their own convictions. Therefore, they are vulnerable to the pressures around them. We live in a culture of images. Throughout the Bible, the Lord always finds the few precious saints who will stand alone. So don’t drift with the crowd. The key to sustain the pressure will be rigorous thinking. In the Lord’s business, thinking and studying are both key. Telling the truth is very important. You need to realize that the gospel is about Jesus Christ. He is the truth. Rev. 3:4-6 The post Just a Few – Sardis appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

In order to persist, we need to be like the people of the church in Philadelphia spoken about in the book of Revelation. We need to take a sincere interest in other people. To have brotherly love and a generous spirit are an excellent foundation for anyone to build on. Jesus knows that we are going to have opposition against this, and that we have little strength to keep going. So He says He will take care of them and we need to trust Him to get us where He needs us to be. The Lord in His sovereignty does have unique work for us to do. It’s important to persist in our faith and find our calling in life. Rev. 3:7-9 The post Persistence! – Philadelphia appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

As Christ assures His people of their permanence through His letter to the church in Philadelphia, He will give the same assurance to every person today (because that’s what we all need). Think about what is in your life that is getting in the way of you keeping God’s Word and not denying His Name. Remember that Christ values those who identify with Him and who love Him. You are a pillar, you are permanent. Endure patiently, keep watch and hold on to what you have because Jesus is coming quickly. Rev. 3:9-13 The post Permanence – Philadelphia appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Jesus is the faithful and true witness, He is consistent and His diagnosis works every time. In the letter He writes to the Laodiceans, they are the only church that doesn’t get a commendation. They are a proud people and are self-sufficient. But even to them, He offers hope. Thank God that He tells us what we need to know and hear. That’s proof that we’re His children. The greatest diagnostic tool He has is the Word of God working with His Holy Spirit. Recommit yourself to daily interaction with Him and His Word and do not be lukewarm in your faith! Rev. 3:14-17 The post Diagnosis – Laodicea appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

The Laodiceans in the book of Revelation were completely broke and Jesus told them they needed a turn-a-round. Never give up when chasing something you want. Sometimes it’s just around the corner and all you have to do is keep going. So put off your own wisdom and reason which are making you blind to the things of God. Because Jesus is not distant, He knows what you’re going through and can identify with your struggle. He overcame the temptations of this world and is sitting on His Father’s throne. Someday we’ll sit there with Him too. You can come empty handed to Jesus and walk away with the whole world. Rev. 3:17-21 The post Turn-a-round – Laodicea appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

Where do we go for information to get the right idea about what God expects from us? It’s not a guessing game to us; He reveals His will to us in Scripture, especially in the 7 letters in Revelation. We should always keep an eternal perspective and be careful for all of the “stuff” we do for Him because He’s ultimately only interested in our relationship with Him. But, no mater how far off the track we get with the Lord, He is always ready to take us back. This is the good news! Open the door of your heart to Jesus. Rev. 1:1-2; 2:2-5; 3:20 The post The Way Back – Laodicea appeared first on Leadership Ministries.

The idea here is to make better informed decisions so that you know you are on the right team at the end of the game. Rev. 1:1 The post Closing Remarks – Endgame Series appeared first on Leadership Ministries.