What is your life about? What gives your life meaning and purpose, especially through suffering? And who defines that ultimate reality for you? Do you define it? Does culture define it for you? In Revelation 5, the Apostle John receives a vision of the Lamb - Jesus Christ. Jesus is ruling, and He is worthy of our worship in every way. If He is our ultimate reality, we must let Him define our meaning, purpose, and way of life.

Usually, we are consumed by our earthly, everyday lives. Sometimes, this earthly life can seem uneventfully boring. Other times, it can feel overwhelming, filled with suffering. Sometimes, we get obsessed with our successes, achievements, and wealth. But is this earthly life the ultimate reality of our lives? Should it be? In Revelation 4, Jesus shows the Apostle John what the ultimate reality in the universe is. This vision encourages us to keep going with Christ and challenges us to reorient our priorities.

Jesus gives a "State of the Church" address to 7 churches in the book of Revelation. If Jesus wrote a letter or spoke directly to us TODAY, what would Jesus say about the "State of our Church?" What would Jesus say about each of us individually - the state of our hearts? Remember: Jesus both encourages and challenges for our good. Let's have humble hearts to hear from Him today.

The Church in Laodicea was wealthy and prominent. They had likely counted the costs to grow their business and build their city, but hadn’t considered the cost to belong to and know Christ. What is our cost to belong to and know Christ?

What are some popular Christian sayings we use? For example, "When God closes a door, He opens a window." "You are never more safe than when you're in the center of God's will." "God will not give you more than you can handle." Are these sayings Biblical? Jesus' words to the Church in Philadelphia challenges all these popular Christian cliches.

Is it possible to look spiritually alive on the outside but on the inside be spiritually dead? Are we masters of image management, looking spiritually vibrant while knowing that our hearts are far from God? This is the problem that Jesus confronted ion the church of Sardis. We as American Christians face this same problem as well. What does this look like for us today? How do we truly change so we are inwardly in our relationship with Jesus? Let's learn from the Church of Sardis.

Another threat facing the Church and Christians is the threat of compromise -- compromise with the world, its values, and teachings. This can be so subtle and deceiving. We can convince ourselves that we are following Jesus while also following the ways and values of the culture around us. What does this look like today in our lives? How do we respond to it? How does Jesus help us and give us hope? This passage written to the Church at Thyatira will help us answer these questions.

What are some of the greatest threats that the Church has faced throughout the centuries? Some are more obvious - persecution and pressure from the world. While this passage includes that, it also includes another great threat facing the Church through the centuries - false teaching. What are some examples of that today? How do we deal with this? How do we stay faithful to the Gospel of Jesus? This passage will help us answer all those questions.

Imagine if Jesus showed up at our church and gave it a report card. What would it say? In the book of Revelation, Jesus gave a report card t 7 churches, and the first was located in a city called Ephesus. In this letter, Jesus challenges us not to forsake the love we have at first. What does that mean? How does that apply to us? Join us as Jesus speaks about the good, the bad, and the hopeful.

When times are tough, what do we as a culture think we need most? Where do we look for answers and help? When you personally go through suffering, what do you often think you need most? Where are you currently looking for help and answers? The Apostle John experienced suffering, and he wrote to churches who were suffering. Join us as we look at what we need most when we suffer.