A Missional Audit: Christ Evaluates His Church - Revelation
Read the summary of the Sunday sermon: In these chapters, Christ evaluates whether His churches are truly living as that missional people - marked by love for him and his world, endurance, faithful witness, holiness, and repentance. This sermon invites us to see ourselves within that same story, to repent where we have drifted inward, and to realign with God’s global purpose so that, as His Church today, we bear faithful witness to the nations and share in His promised victory.
Read: Revelation 3:14-22
Discussion Questions:
Look at each of the churches noted in these chapters. Which church’s strengths or weaknesses most resemble our own context?
Consider the church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29). How have you seen hypocrisy affect your life/the lives of those around you? How do we guard ourselves from hypocrisy?
What role does perseverance play in us being faithful to the mission of Jesus?
Why does Jesus repeatedly say, “He who has an ear…”? How does listening precede witnessing?
The church in Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) was faithful to the truth of the gospel, but Jesus told them that they had abandoned their first love. How do we ensure that we are not falling into the same error as the Ephesian church?
Consider the promises found at the end of each letter to the church. How do these promises motivate us to continue in our mission as Christians?
How might spiritual complacency (Laodicea) affect our urgency in engaging Jesus’ mission?
What is one way that we as a church can grow in living out the mission of Jesus?
Prayer: Based on question #5, take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to rekindle your love for God, and to let that be the foundation for participating in the mission of Jesus.
