This is lesson 7 in our study of Church History. This week looks at church leadership. Your Instructor again this week is Mr. Jan Langford.

Some of the Topics to be looked at in this multiweek study include the purpose, beginning and organization of the Church.  The beginnings of missions and the opposition to the church.  The growth of hierarchialism and denominationalism. The Protestant Reformation.

Listen as Joe Dumas gives his inspiring testimony.  Joe serves as a Deacon at SRCC and he is also the leader of the praise and worship band.

This is lesson 6 in our study of Church History. In this lesson Mr. Jan Langford discusses the causes and origins of Monasticism and begins a look into the development of the Papal System.

Some of the Topics to be looked at in this multiweek study include the purpose, beginning and organization of the Church.  The beginnings of missions and the opposition to the church.  The growth of hierarchialism and denominationalism. The Protestant Reformation.

I. The Description of the Lord Jesus (vs.14)
     A. The Amen-this word is a transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning true. 
     B. The Faithful and True Witness-this phrase describes the Lord Jesus and certainly brings ones minds to His earthly ministry.  As a Witness, He was certainly Faithful and True.
     C. The Beginning of the Creation of God-the word beginning is the key to understanding this phrase.  It means cause, origin or source.  So understood correctly, Jesus is the source of all creation. (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3)

II. The Condition of the Church (vs.15-17)
     A. Metaphors-the words hot and cold were used to convey what was pleasing or useful.  The word “lukewarm” conveyed the idea of not being pleasing or useful. 
     B. Awareness-The church of Laodicea is unaware of their own condition. In fact, Jesus uses strong terminology to point out their true condition. 

III. The Counsel from the Lord Jesus (vs.18) -focus on Me
     A. Acquire gold-was an appeal for to turn their focus from the riches of the world to the riches of Christ.
     B. Acquire white garments-this was an appeal to put on spiritual clothing. (Col. 3)
     C. Acquire eye salve-this was an appeal for spiritual sight. Their focus had been on the earthly things and Jesus is advising they focus on heavenly things. 

IV. The Comfort of the Lord Jesus (vs.19-20)
     A. His love for them-the word love here is the word phileo which expresses His tender affection for them.  Phileo is not used in the New Testament to refer to unbelievers.
     B. His desire for fellowship-the terms in and to are the focus here.  In the New Testament there are 8 times when this specific phrasing occurs and all 8 times the idea is of one coming toward someone or something/never of penetration. 

V. The Definitive Promise -that Christians will sit on the throne He shares with His Father; symbolizing the truth that we will reign with Him. 

This is lesson 5 in our study of Church History. Your Instructor again this week is Mr. Jan Langford.

Some of the Topics to be looked at in this multiweek study include the purpose, beginning and organization of the Church.  The beginnings of missions and the opposition to the church.  The growth of hierarchialism and denominationalism. The Protestant Reformation.