Text:    Revelation 2:1-3:22

Sermon in a prayer:  "Who is it that overcomes the world?  It is the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

                                                                           I John 5:5 

Format of each letter—

• Address—"To the angel of the church of ..."

• Proclamation—"These things say (title of Jesus) ..."

• Appeal—"He who has an ear let him hear ..."

• Promise—"To the one who overcomes ..."

Seven warnings to professing Christians of all ages—

#1  It is possible to appear on fire but to be passionless—Ephesus—Revelation 2:1-7.

#2  It is possible to appear poor but to be rich—Smyrna—Revelation 2:8-11.

#3  It is possible to appear spiritual but to be worldly—Pergamum—Revelation 2:12-17.

#4  It is possible to appear effective in ministry but to be corrupt in doctrine—Thyatira—Revelation 2:18-29.

#5  It is possible to appear alive but to be dead—Sardis—Revelation 3:1-6.

#6  It is possible to appear weak but to be powerful—Philadelphia—Revelation 3:7-13.

#7  It is possible to appear rich but to be poor—Laodicea—Revelation 3:14-22.