Category Archives: Passover to Pentecost

Passover to Pentecost – The Churches of Revelation

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Passover to Pentecost – The Churches of Revelation       Week 4 Day 7

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelations 1:20 (NIV)

There have been volumes written on and about these seven churches.  In keeping with the idea that Jesus trained the disciples to pass on information to the next generation, they will allow us to see this in action.  I will view the “angels or messengers” as the pastor of that local body of believers.

Ephesus – This leader was a hard worker who had been through a lot; he had protected the sheep, and was still doing the work of the church.  This pastor had received high praise of his performance, but he was about to lose his church.  It seems that in all of his “doings” he was losing his love of Jesus.

Smyrna – This pastor has had a tough time on earth, but has stored up treasures in Heaven.  The forecast for the church is one of persecution and possibly death.

Pergamun – This pastor has personally had trying times and has kept his faith.  Yet his church has some serious problems.  There are two very serious attacks on the teachings of Jesus in this church, the teaching of Balaam and Nicolaitanism.  (Balaam is explained, the other seems to be an area of uncertainty.)  The pastor is given a choice, tend to these problems and the people behind them or Jesus would personally fight against them.

Thyatria – This pastor has been a real shepherd to his flock.  He (they) are doing the work of the kingdom.  He has served faithfully, but has allowed Jezebel into the church.  For some reason it feels like a case of “sloppy agape.”  There are things that should be “divided out” of the church.  Jezebel may have come in sounding “right” but prophet’s words need to be judged according to the Word of God.

Sardis – This pastor is in trouble.  He has known the truth, but has put things other than the gospel of Jesus first in the church.  There are church members who have not lost sight of Jesus and are okay.  The rest are in for trouble.

Philadelphia – This pastor and church are doing right and progressing well.  I think Revelations 3: 11 speaks to them: I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown (NIV).

Laodicea – This pastor and church are opposites of Smyrna, they have a lot of possessions and are well-off.  Jesus still loves them and tells them to reconsider the fact that they think they are doing well, they need to repent!

The reason to study a subject is to learn/change your mind on the topic.  For me changing the focus from just the church to the pastor/leader of the church changed that material for me.  The leader is important and needs to guard the “gate.”  Some have said that the churches represent “church ages”, others the types of churches you will find in the body.  For sure they were seven physical churches that Jesus loved and wanted the best for them and the pastor.

Passover to Pentecost – Divisions

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Passover to Pentecost – Divisions       Week 4 Day 6

For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? 1Corinthians 3: 3 (NIV)

This trend is one you wish was not there, but it is.  In Numbers 12 (possibly in the fifty days after the second Passover) Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses.  It spilled over from a family matter to a religious one and God put a stop to it.  It maybe that Miriam did not like Zipporah (or another wife), or that she was pushing the intent of Leviticus 21, priest marrying from priestly families.  It does not matter because it seems she wanted more say in the leadership of the camp.

Numbers 16 is the story of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their story of wanting more authority.  It is interesting that these people never thought of just leaving!   It makes you wonder what else they had their eyes on.

Being the leader is hard work, having people disagree with you is not fun, but how you handle the problem requires maturity.  The entire third chapter of 1 Corinthians is given to what could have blown into a doctrinal war.  It is interesting that it seems it was the “lay people” creating this division and not the leaders.   They wanted the leader they liked the best to be the most important.  Paul’s view of different levels of the building of the church could seem to infer that not everyone will always have the right answer.  So when he refers back to you looking to Jesus as the final answer and not causing church splits that is a bold, non-worldly idea.

Passover to Pentecost – Miracles, Signs, and Wonders

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Passover to Pentecost – Miracles, Signs, and Wonders       Week 4 Day 5

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him. Acts2:22 (NIV)

Like leadership, today’s topic is a component of God’s work when He is bringing His people together.  Moses did miracles for the People of Bondage in Egypt.  Once on the other side of the Rea Sea He did miracles for His People of Freedom.  Jesus did miracles to bring the Disciples together.  The Holy Spirit used the signs and wonders of wind, fire, and strange languages for the speakers to add 3000 to the Church that first Pentecost morning.  But this extended past that first day, and rested in the churches.

We can see this with Peter as he was building the church in Israel in Acts 9 + 10.  Many signs and wonders were reported in the ministry of Barnabas and Paul on their mission’s trips.   I would like to focus on the church of God that was in Corinth.

In Acts 1: 6 Paul talks about his testimony for Christ being confirmed by the fact that they had spiritual gifts.  In chapter two he continues by saying that the demonstrations of power by the Holy Spirit were to confirm the good news about Jesus.  While establishing order in the new church he talks about spiritual gifts and manifestations in chapter 12, 13, and 14.  It would seem that Jesus’ church is to have these gifts and they are to be present in the services.

Passover to Pentecost – Leaders

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Passover to Pentecost – Leaders       Week 4 Day 4

To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity.  Ephesians 4:12 + 13 (NIV)

Jesus took about three years to pick and train the twelve leaders who would take over when He finally left for Heaven.  Some people would argue that Paul’s extended stay in Corinth was to train Timothy, Titus, and others to take his place or at least join him in the ministry.

By the time Paul wrote his book to the Ephesians there was growth in thinking about leaders in the Body.  In Ephesians 4: 11 Paul talks about leaders as being gifts to help mature us.  But Paul still trained leaders.  The letters to Titus and Timothy are the writings of a mentor to two of his mentees.  He not only gives personal instruction but he gives advice on how to maintain a church.

Jethro when he visited Moses during the first Counting of the Omer advised him to pick leaders.  These men may have been in addition to the leaders in families and tribes of Israel.

Passover to Pentecost – The Beta Program

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Passover to Pentecost – The Beta Program       Week 4 Day 3

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.   When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.  Matthew 13: 45 + 46 (NIV)

I left a comfort zone on this post so I hope the terms and concepts are correct. I have helped to field test a new educational product line, and I see what the disciples did in Acts as being very similar.  All of the references will be from the Book of Acts.

  • Have a plan developed and present it to the staff. (1:7)
  • The staff needs an intense preparation period. (1:14)
  • Make sure you have the proper staff to start the project. (1:21)
  • Have a big “kick-off” to start the program. (2:2)
  • Play off of public interest, explain what is going on, and relate it to previous experiences thus showing how better your program is. (2:14-41)
  • Initiate the Beta test. In the case of Acts it was baptism, Apostle teaching’s, fellowship, communion, and prayer. (2:41-43)
  • Look for and validate results. There were awesome miracles, shared lives, God praised, people see a change and are favorable, and new growth. (2:44-47)
  • Take opportunities to spread the message and receive competition from the establishment. (3:1 -4:22)
  • First beta test passed. (4:23 – 31 especially verse 29)
  • Study the program and find highlights of the results. Spotlight people. (4:32-37)
  • Internal challenge to first Beta test. (5:1-42)
  • Implement the second Beta test. (6:1-7)
  • Go live with new program. (Chapters 7-12)
  • Next level of program Chapters 13 to 28.