The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but in actuality they were dead. They are equivalent to churches and people that appear to be thriving from the outside, but are spiritually dead on the inside. God charged them to wake up and strengthen the things that remained.

Jesus commended the church in Thyatira for the fact that their good deeds increased throughout the years. Yet, they tolerated Jezebel who was a false prophetess. We live in a day and age where churches have become tolerant of teachings and behaviors that break the heart of God. God address the remnant who remains faithful and declares that He would grant them authority.

The church in Pergamum was commended for not denying the faith. However, they allowed themselves to be deceived by false doctrine: the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. They embraced false teachings that declare that God will bless them and cause them to prosper. If they were to turn away from false teachings God would grant them favor.

The church in Smyrna was a church that was to endure severe persecution. Much of their persecution would come from a religious sect referred to as a the synagogue of Satan. God admonished them not to fear and remain faithful.

The Ephesians church had fallen from the faithful church it once was when the Book of Ephesians was written. Though they persevere, didn't tolerate evil, and put false teachers to the test, they neglected to do the works they loved at first. They became known for what they hated than what they loved. The letter admonished them to remember, repent, and return. If not, they would loose their influence in their community and world.

When people think of the word “church” many things come to mind: a building, experience, event, opportunity for personal advancement, target market, etc. In the mind of the early church, only one thing came to mind: a people who was centered around the cause of the gospel. Throughout the years, the church has strayed from what God truly intended it to be. Bill Hybels says, “There’s nothing like the local church when the church is working right.” The direction of the church should always be due north. At the end of the day, it was, is, and always will be about Jesus Christ.

Jesus and the disciples find themselves face to face with a sudden storm. In life we will face unexpected circumstances and unexpected situations (personal storms) but it's during those moments were we must trust, believe, and have faith in God to help us weather our storms.

We continue our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes, as we take an honest look at the difficulties of life.

==

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18, 10:1-20, 11:1-6

Colossians 4:6

We continue our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes, as we take an honest look at the difficulties of life.

--

Ecclesiastes 7:15-26,8:16-17

Romans 3:23,10