Podcasts about Sardis

What happens when a church looks alive on the outside but is spiritually asleep within? Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo and Marc McCartney unpack the sobering message to the church in Sardis, diving deep into Revelation 3 and exploring the dangers of spiritual complacency. With powerful stories—including an inspiring testimony of transformation from the UK—and rich historical context from ancient Sardis, this conversation reveals how Jesus calls His church to wake up and walk in genuine intimacy with Him. They also wrestle with a timeless question: Can a Christian lose their salvation?    We hope this honest, hope-filled dialogue encourages you to examine your heart and press into a faith that perseveres.    

Join us at this weekend for the 2nd Annual Southeast Regional Biblical Counseling Conference

Listen into this week's sermon preached by Pastor Cason Shobert. The church of Sardis was considered to be comfortable and "peaceful" for those that dwelled within it's walls. What are you sacrificing for the sake of "unity" with those around you. As followers of Jesus Christ we are meant to be a peculiar people and follow Christ and Christ alone. As we dive deeper into Revelation let us examine our own hearts and see where we have chosen fellowship with the world over God. Allow for repentance to take it's full effect so as not to be divided from the Lord but to have the fullness of Him be made manifest in our lives.

There's a kind of death that's deeper than physical death. A kind of death that corrodes you from the inside out. Many of us have the appearance of life, but we're actually dead within. This was Jesus' rebuke to the church in Sardis. What characterizes the "Living Dead?" And how do we tap into the life that Jesus promises us?

Baseline Christian Fellowship

Ask a Question: https://form.jotform.com/230386078518058

Sardis It's normal for each one of us to get tired. We require sleep and rest to be able to live our daily lives. But it's also possible to get too tired and lose sight of the most important things. That's what happened to the church in Sardis - they lost sight of the most important things and Jesus called on them to wake up! Jesus is calling us to wake up today and focus on the things that matter most - the lives of everyone around us. ginghamsburg.org

Revelation 3v1-6 with Bethany Allen Lent is a 40-day season within the church calendar that stretches from Ash Wednesday (March 5) to Easter Sunday (April 20), mirroring Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert. This year, we want God to use the 40 days of Lent to help us reclaim our first love. https://bridgetown.church/teaching

Freddy sits down with the cast and directors of Hell of a Summer, a fantastic horror film packed with great moments, suspense, and a fresh take on the genre. He spoke with Abby Quinn, Sardis Saremi, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Billy Bryk, and Finn Wolfhard about the making of the movie, diving into behind-the-scenes stories, the creative process, and their inspirations in filmmaking. They explore what drew them to horror, how they crafted the film's eerie yet thrilling atmosphere, and the fun (and chaos) of bringing a summer camp slasher to life. Beyond the scares, we also had some laughs, reminiscing about summer camp activities and discussing what makes horror such a timeless and exciting genre. With an amazing cast and a deep passion for storytelling, Hell of a Summer is a must-watch for horror fans. Only in theaters on April 4th! ————————————————————— We officially have merch! Shop your little demonic heart! Want to keep the horror chats alive? Do you want to join a super awesome community that loves the genre and Knight Light? Want to have access to exclusive content? You should join our Discord!  For as little as $2 a month, you can access Knight Light's full-month release schedule and participate in polls to choose the film that we cover to conclude the month! —————————————————————  Sign up on our Patreon to access our Patreon-exclusive shows. Sign up for a 7-day trial, and if you like what we offer, stick around! Want to be a part of the growth of Knight Light? Please support us at these links! PATREON | MERCH | X | DISCORD | INSTAGRAM | PRINCE | FREDDY | SIDNEY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sermon: To the Church in SardisScripture: Revelation 3:1-6Speaker: Jimmy LongLocation: Grace Fellowship of GreensboroDate: Sunday, March 30, 2024

Brent Wilson preaches from Revelation 3:1-6 on March 30th, 2025.

Sardis' ‘s capture twice in its history while watchmen neglected their duty became a cautionary tale of misguided complacency and lack of vigilance. As a result, while Sardis once enjoyed a famed past, its glory had since faded. Jesus comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit (the seven spirits of God) and warns His church that they face a similar predicament. He separates their reputation from their reality: though they have a reputation for being spiritually alive, He diagnoses them as near death (i.e., on spiritual life-support). Thus, Jesus calls Sardis to wake up spiritually and strengthen what remains before it dies. He directs them back to the Word they first received and to repentance. If they do not wake up, Jesus' judgment will come upon the local church like a thief. Jesus does, however, commend a remnant who have not soiled their garments and who walk with Him. Believers who conquer are promised white clothing and names that are ever inscribed in the book of life and confessed before His Father and angels.

Mark Booker | Revelation 3:1-6 | This sermon examines Christ's urgent message to the church in Sardis that appeared alive but was spiritually dead. We consider the remedy Jesus gives for this condition as well as the call to avoid the subtle compromises that gradually numb our hearts to the gospel.

Sunday Service (3/23/25) // Revelation 2-3 // Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠⁠⁠Follow us to remain connected: Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠⁠⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & othersTo support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: ⁠⁠⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: ⁠⁠⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠⁠⁠ PayPal/Credit: ⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠⁠⁠DAF Donations: ⁠⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠⁠Revelation 2-3 (ESV) To the Church in Ephesus2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'To the Church in Smyrna8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'To the Church in Pergamum12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.13 “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith[b] even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.'To the Church in Thyatira18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.To the Church in Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.To the Church in Philadelphia7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.To the Church in Laodicea14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

Send us a textFor this week, we're talking about the letter written to the church in Sardis found in Revelation 3:1-6. The church in Sardis had a reputation that appeared to be good, but beneath the surface, Jesus reveals that many of them are spiritually dead and that their works lack faith. As we read this letter together, we've been able to draw some helpful applications to our own lives. We hope it blesses you! We also would like to invite anyone who lives in the Philadelphia area to worship and study God's word with us at our in-person meeting that takes place every-other Monday night at 7:30pm. Visit phillyyoungadults.com for additional information about our ministry.Feel free to message us on instagram (@phillyyoungadultscc) with any feedback, questions, or topics you want to hear about on the podcast or you can shoot an email to ya@ccphilly.org

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Email (3:42) - What does John 3:16 teach us? Cheryl, NY (6:21) - Why are there so many evil and wicked people in the church that pretend to be holy and sanctified? Email (9:45) - What does it mean when people say to “give yourself to Jesus?” Kathy, FL (12:50) - Is it normal for a pastor to preach without a Bible, or to baptize children like Catholics? Am I judging my current church because they do these things? Email (19:26) - If God is always present with us, why do we experience loneliness? Email (22:00) - If somebody never hears about Jesus and they die, will they go to hell? Laurie, NY (24:02) - Why does Jesus say “all authority has been given to me” in Matthew 28:18 after his resurrection, does that mean he didn't have authority before then? George, NJ (33:31) - What advice can you give me to have more peace in my life? TJ, GA (38:20) - Where did Seth's wife come from? Mary, TX (44:26) - Is it a sin for a police officer to kill someone? Email (49:53) - In Revelation 3, it says the church of Sardis “has a reputation for being alive, but is dead,” what does that mean? William, VA (52:56) - Can you help me with my addiction? Ask Your Question: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

Revelation 2:18-3:6   18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze, says this: 19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith, and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with plague, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold firmly until I come. 26 The one who overcomes, and the one who keeps My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are shattered, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'   3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. 2 Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Then if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'     BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Hope this free Christian sleep meditation helps you get some rest, but more importantly, that it awakens your heart to live faithfully in Christ.Tonight, we reflect on Revelation 3:1-6, where Jesus warns the church in Sardis to wake up from spiritual complacency and strengthen what remains. If you're feeling spiritually weary, distant from God, or burdened by past failures, let this meditation call you back to life in Christ. May His Word renew your heart, give you peace, and lead you into deep, restorative sleep as you rest in His grace.If you would like to donate to help me keep producing these episodes, you can do so here: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/truesleep. Monthly supporters receive a free, printable morning devotion.

Antiochus III has been waiting a long time for revenge on his independent-minded cousin Achaeus the Younger. Well, now's his chance. Join us today as we watch Antiochus sweep all before him on a vengeful path of destruction across Anatolia... Sources for this episode: Bevan, E. R. (1966), The House of Seleucus (Vol. II). New York: Barnes & Noble, Inc. The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2023), Sardis (online) (Accessed 05/08/2024). Polybius (1979), Polybius the Histories, in Six Volumes (Volume III). Translated by W. R. Paton. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann, Ltd.

Tony Balsamo

Sunday & Wednesday weekly teaching.

Sunday & Wednesday weekly teaching.

Revelation 1:9-20   9 I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and wrapped around the chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze when it has been heated to a glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.     BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Sunday Service (3/9/25) // Revelation 1:9-11 // Visit our website: https://mbchicago.org Follow us to remain connected: Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others To support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Web: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal/Credit: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... Revelation 1:9-11 (ESV) Vision of the Son of Man9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”#DanielBatarseh #Revelation #BookofRevelation #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #sermon #sermons #sermononline #bookofrevelation #bookofrevelations #revelation #revelations #newtestament #scripture #verses #lessons #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #prophecy #prophetic #jesus #jesuschrist

In Pastor Gary Thomas's message at Cherry Hills Community Church, he explored the letter to the church of Sardis in the Book of Revelation. He spoke about the danger of spiritual complacency and the need to stay connected to a genuine, living faith. Pastor Gary encouraged the congregation to examine their hearts and ensure their faith is more than just outward appearances. He reminded everyone of the importance of staying spiritually awake and responsive to God's calling. The message served as a thoughtful reminder to seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with Christ.

Pastor Van continues the sermon series "Letters to the Church," specifically addressing the church in Sardis, warning them against being spiritually asleep and unprepared for their encounter with God. Using personal anecdotes, he stresses the difference between mere religious activity and a genuine relationship with Jesus, urging attendees to ensure they are ready for the day they stand before God. Ultimately, Pastor Van calls for individuals to wake up to their faith, boldly acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and cultivate an authentic connection with Him.

Jesus warns the church in Revelation 3:1-6 about “Genuine Fake Christians”—believers who look alive on the outside but are spiritually dead inside. We discover the Christians in Sardis had a strong reputation, but in reality, they were sleepwalking through faith—full of religious activity but lacking the Holy Spirit's power. And a church without the Spirit is just a pile of bricks!It's no different today. Many Christians put on a religious show—raising hands in worship, quoting Scripture, even serving in church—but without the Holy Spirit, it's just a religious performance! And dead religion is a dangerous business. Fake Christians discredit the REAL Christ. It's counterfeit Christianity. Can you tell the difference between a “genuine fake” and a living, breathing, faith? It's not how you perform—it's the fruit you produce! When the Holy Spirit brings real transformation, everything changes. Love replaces lust. Peace conquers panic. Patience overcomes frustration. Kindness becomes your character. And self-control shuts the devil down before he even gains a foothold.So, ask yourself: Are you truly alive in Christ, or just going through the motions? It's time to wake up and let the Holy Spirit bring your faith back to life!Watch this powerful message from Pastor Tim Lucas, which is the seventh in a chapter-by-chapter masterclass unpacking the powerful prophecy of Revelation.A MASTERCLASS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATIONHave you ever read Revelation and wondered, “What did I just read?” The Bible's last book is filled with strange symbols and mysterious messages that confuse modern minds. In this masterclass, Pastor Tim Lucas breaks down Revelation verse-by-verse in a way that's easy-to-grasp without watering down this powerful prophecy. Prepare to have your eyes opened and faith strengthened. Yes, you can read, see, and understand Revelation! #FakeChristian #Revelation #LiquidChurch

The Seven Churches of RevelationMarch 9, 2025 Worship GatheringPastor Michael EubanksThe Glade ChurchTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people click here: http://www.thegladechurch.org/give—— Stay Connected Website: http://www.thegladechurch.org/The Glade Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGladeChurchThe Glade Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegladechurch

What did Yeshua mean, when telling the assembly at Sardis, “I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God”? With the Messiah saying that He has a “God,” does this possibly mean that Yeshua is not God?

In this episode, we press further in the study of the church in Sardis.

Jesus calls us to wake up, endure, and overcome. He sees our struggles, our strengths, and our weaknesses. He isn't impossible to please—He just wants us to be fully committed to Him. The churches in Revelation give us examples of what pleases Jesus and what doesn't. Sardis looks alive but is actually dying. Jesus tells […] The post Wake Up, Endure, and Overcome: Jesus' Call to the Churches appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

In today's episode, Brother Mark delivers a powerful message titled “Sardis: The Dead Church,” preaching from Revelation 3:1-7. This passage serves as a wake-up call, urging us to examine our spiritual lives and ensure that our faith is alive and … Continued

This week, Evan Doyle unpacked Jesus' letter to the city of Sardis in Revelation 3. Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but in reality, they were dead. Jesus calls them to wake up because His work in them isn't finished. The same is true for us—it's easy to build a reputation while slowly letting small compromises creep in, dulling what was once pure. But Jesus invites us to walk closely with Him, to be renewed, and to live with a reputation that reflects true life in Him.

"Theophylact was from the east; his native city is unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarasius, who afterwards became Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25). Theophylact was made Bishop of Nicomedia. After the death of Saint Tarasius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who reigned from 813 to 820. Among them was Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (celebrated Dec. 26), who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 — he was exiled three times for the sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus' command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which he died eight days later, about the year 830; Joseph of Thessalonica (see July 14); Michael of Synnada (see May 23); Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus (see Aug. 8); and Saint Theophylact, who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For this, Theophylact was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of Asia Minor, where after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint's prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord's Nativity, in 820." (Great Horologion)

Pastor Kevin Day shares from Revelation 3 on Jesus' words to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, at the Calvary Chapel Association NW 2025 Men's Breakaway.

Today's devotional looks at Jesus' message in Revelation to the church in Sardis, a church more concerned with its image than with living for Christ.If you would like more insight into today's devotional topic, watch or listen to Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series God's Final Call: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOWAVAILABLE NOW FOR YOUR GIFT OF ANY AMOUNTOne out of every seven Christians around the globe suffers intense persecution. As hatred toward followers of Jesus increases, we will be forced to either take a stand for Christ or retreat into cowardice. We will be forced to either proclaim our love for Jesus or deny our Lord. That's why Dr. Michael Youssef has written his newest book God's Final Call. In this timely teaching from Revelation 2-3, Dr. Youssef leads you through important warnings and uplifting encouragements from Christ Himself delivered in His seven letters to the seven churches of Revelation—words just as relevant today as they were to the first century church. Jesus' letters teach His followers how to live victoriously in times of peril and hostile opposition, so may we heed them closely as the world grows darker and more evil. Request your copy today for your gift of any amount!*Offer valid in US, UK, and Canada through April 20, 2025.

In this podcast, I conclude our discussion on the church in Sardis by examining some of the remedies The Lord recommends for this church along with 4 application points. Listen and be blessed. Shalom! Audio Download

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You! In this episode, Jori discusses with her listeners exhortation and warning from Jesus to the church at Sardis to remember what they had received and heard and to keep and repent and also a reminder that HE is coming like a thief and they (and we) will not know at what hour HE will come. Scripture References:Isaiah 26:3; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 1; Revelation 3:1-6; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 24:42-44Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.LSB Single Column Biblehttps://amzn.to/4g9C47oESV MacArthur Study Biblehttps://amzn.to/3C1cpQwInk Joy Penshttps://amzn.to/3EaZ8oRMr. Pen HighLightershttps://amzn.to/3PE20x8Mr. Pen Bible Journaling Kithttps://amzn.to/40pib6o  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com Support the show

Daily Dose of Hope March 2, 2025 Day 1 of Week 49   Scripture: Esther 7-10; Revelation 3   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are in week 49 of 52!  Good job, everyone.  We have almost read the whole Bible in a year.    Today, our Old Testament reading is finishing the book of Esther.  Let's start with chapter 7.  Esther was risking her life by approaching the king and she has no idea how the king will react. We know from previous chapters that he is prone to rash, angry decisions. First, the king does not know that she is a Jew. Second, Esther doesn't know if the king will choose her over Haman, his trusted advisor. If the king chooses to side with Haman, then Esther and her people will be killed.   But she must have courage and take the risk–the stakes are too high. God calls all of us to take risks. Let's hope our risks aren't quite as scary as Esther's but they might be! The reality is that the Christian walk was never intended to be comfortable and easy. The Holy Spirit is constantly prompting us to take risks: go talk to that person, volunteer for that organization, reach out to that neighbor, offer to pray with that person over there, give money here...you get the idea. The big question is are we listening and are we obeying?   Back to the Scripture...Esther again puts herself out there, asking the king one more difficult thing. The king had decreed that all Jews would be eliminated. Thus, another edict must be made that superseded the previous one. Esther knows this so she pleads with the king to overrule the horrible decree made by Haman so her people could be saved. The king basically allows Esther and Mordecai to create the new decree themselves and hands over his signet ring so they can seal it on behalf of the king. The new decree was strong. It guaranteed that the Jewish people could protect themselves, giving them the right to annihilate and plunder any group who tried to conquer or harm them. It even designated a specific date on which the Jews could attack their enemies.   In chapter 8, we read about Mordecai. He has the privilege of delivering the news of the new decree to the Jewish people. By this point, the roles have been totally reversed for Mordecai. No longer does he need to sit by the king's gate in ash cloth. No longer does he need to worry about his life or the fate of his people. He is the victor, but only because a young queen was willing to do the right thing and risk it all for the sake of her people. What is God calling you to do right now? What excuses are you making? How does this text inspire you to step out in faith?   As mentioned, the new decree, written by Esther and Mordecai, allowed the Jewish people a specific day on which to attack their enemies, the 13th of the Jewish month Adar. As you read through chapter 9, you find that is exactly what occurred. The Jewish men assembled and killed thousands of their enemies. Then, on the following day, they rested and feasted.   This was the beginning of an annual celebration for the Jews called Purim. Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian. The holiday was thus named since Haman had thrown lots to determine when he would carry out his evil scheme. Purim is still celebrated among devout Jews. On the eve of Purim, they read the book of Esther and then do so again on the following day. There is also much gift-giving. They are to send monetary gifts to at least two poor people and then two food gifts to at least one other person. There is also much feasting and celebrating.   I have to admit when I first read about this, it sounded a bit gory. Are they really celebrating the death of all those people? But I had to reframe it. The Jews had been oppressed. They had received a death sentence. And then, they were freed from it. They had the ability to protect their families. They knew God was with them. This was worthy of celebration.   Let's move to the final chapter in Esther.  Not unlike Joseph in an earlier Old Testament text, Mordecai moves from lowly and close to death to the king's right-hand man. While God isn't explicitly mentioned, we know that God acted extraordinarily to orchestrate the events of this story.   Today's chapter was short but it gave me pause to reflect on the book of Esther as a whole. What can we learn from this book? ·If you are a Christ-follower, God has a purpose for your life. You exist to love and glorify God AND to demonstrate his love and goodness to the world. •God didn't make a mistake where he has you today. God put Esther exactly where he needed and wanted her to be. God has you where you need to be as well. How might God want to use you right now? •Sometimes, living into your purpose means making big, difficult decisions but it is often lived out in the small, everyday decisions of life.   Our New Testament text is Revelation 3. Here, John continues to proclaim the visions that Jesus has given him about the churches. Chapter 2 focused on Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. This chapter addresses the rest of the churches of Asia Minor, including Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Since we focused on the structure and flow of the letters on Thursday, I wanted to highlight the message to one particular church today–Laodicea.   I think it is incredibly important for all of us who are part of the American church. Laodicea was a very wealthy city. It was on a main trade route and it had several prosperous industries. It was known for its banking. It was also known for a black dye that it produced which was used to make black wool, quite a luxurious commodity in those days. It also had a respected medical school which developed an eye medicine that was quite sought after. But despite its wealth, the one really big problem that Laodicea had was lack of a water supply. Its northern neighbor, Hierapolis, had these amazing hot springs. It's other close neighbor, Colossae, to the east, had a lovely refreshing cold water supply. As a result, Laodicea built an elaborate system to pipe the water from both those places into their city. But by the time it got there, it was not hot, nor cold, but simply lukewarm. Jesus has harsher words for Laodicea than any of the other churches. He says that just like their water, they are lukewarm! Hot water heals, cold water refreshes, but lukewarm water is useless. They are spiritually lukewarm; they are spiritually useless.   The thing is that they looked good on the outside. They went through all the motions. They worshiped, read Scripture, and sang hymns. But it was phony piety. Their hearts were far from God. There was no passion for Jesus. And they didn't even realize this. In fact, because of their wealth and prosperity, they thought they were doing quite well. Largely sheltered from the persecution that other Christian communities in the area experienced, they were free to do as they pleased.   And what they were doing was not pleasing to God. They were self-reliant, complacent, lazy, and passionless. Not good traits for a church. But despite their spiritual mess, Jesus loves them and still yearns for them. He stands at the door and knocks, waiting for them to answer it. He wants a real relationship with them. He wants them to be passionate for his love.   Think about the American church. Think about our church for that matter. Are we lukewarm? Do we resemble Laodicea. In which ways? I'm not saying this to be critical but because I'm convicted. Do we serve God with passion? Are we simply going through the motions? Have we become stagnant?   Rate your passion level based on the following: -Do you experience joy and excitement in your prayer life? -Do you read Scripture with expectancy of hearing from the Lord? -Do you have spiritual conversations with non-Christians? -Do you actively seek out relationships with non-Christians so you can demonstrate the love of Christ to them? -Do you look for ways to serve Jesus and reach out to those who are struggling/hurting in our community? -What's the last time you felt really excited about your spiritual walk with Jesus? -As a church, are we passionate about being disciples who make disciples?   Are our hearts close to God? I'll stop there but do take some time to let this all sink in a bit. God wants our whole heart and life, not just some of it. He wants us to be passionate as individual believers and a church.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

In this podcast, I continue our discussion on the “walking dead church”. I discuss some of God’s remedies for this church including waking up and ensuring that our life standards meet God’s requirements. Listen and be blessed. Shalom! Audio Download

Send us a textSupport the showStay engaged with new and up-to-date content, including newsletters, articles, podcasts, etc. Download the Teach Me the Bible App from any app store or Apple TV/Roku device.

Revelation 3:1-6

In this podcast, I continue our deep discussions on the churches in the book of Revelation. I examine the church in Sardis and introduce the concept of one’s reputation in relation to actual reality. Listen and be blessed. Shalom! Audio Download

What special messages did God give to the churches in Sardis and Philadelphia? Find out with Tim Moore and Nathan Jones on Christ in Prophecy Radio!