This study was first taught on November 25, 2018

Topic: The Assessment of the Churches (1): Introduction

(use the audio to study)

---

Background
Last week, we saw that in assessing the churches mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3, the Assessor is not man but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The significance of this is that:
(1) The assessment will be accurate and must be taken seriously.
(2) The assessment will be based on God’s criteria, not men’s criteria.
(3) The Lord’s assessment will look into what is not readily and easily visible to the human eye and mind.
(4) The assessment will touch on the heart—motives, intents, and the basis for the things we are doing, rather than the things we are doing, necessarily.
(5) If a church is found wanting, there will be no attempt to cover it up.
(6) The basis for the assessment is the word of God, as contained in the bible—so we will do well to study it, with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher.
(7) Because no man can make the cut on God’s standard, He has made a provision whereby we can attain to His standard, through His grace. Therefore, let us not take His grace for granted!

Finally, we saw from the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the seriousness and severity of God’s judgment, hence, we must make every effort to make amends on His assessments! And when God is assessing a church, it is not a building He is assessing, but the individuals who make up the church, including the messenger of the church!

Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 2:1a, 7a, 8a, 11a, 12a, 17a, 18a, 29; 3:1a, 6, 7a
From the parts of the verses we have read, there are certain common phrases, and we shall address them in our study today. May the Holy Spirit speak definitely to our hearts in Jesus’ name, Amen.
We note now, some salient, yet crucial things about the letter sent to each church.
Matthew 23:2-7; 1 Corinthians 14:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; Proverbs 3:11-12; 15:10; 1 John 5:3; Acts 16:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11-12; Mark 13:35-37; Colossians 4:16; Proverbs 19:25; 15:12; 1:5; 1 Corinthians 11:3-16.

Conclusion
Revelation 2:7b, 11b, 17b, 26; 3:5a, 12a, 21a
In the assessment of the churches in the Book of Revelation, as the basis for assessing the state of the church today, we need to note that:
1. Each letter is addressed to the ‘angel’ or messenger of each church, but its content speaks to every member of the local assembly, including the messenger.
2. The message to each church is for the salvation, admonition, correction, edification, and comfort of God’s people.
3. Even though the message is to the local church specifically, yet it is also for the learning of all the churches (wherever they may be) past, present, and future.

The Lord is aware of the challenges and difficulties that we face in the world today, but He lets us know that we can overcome [have mastery over; conquer; be victorious over] them! (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 10:8-9; 1 John 5:4-5; 4:4-6; Revelation 12:11; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Beloved, these letters challenge us to overcome what overcame others, because they could have overcome, if they had listened to the Lord (2 Timothy 4:2-6). We must not make their mistake—we must listen and apply what we are being told in our every day living!

---

Back to all Bible Study Outline List