The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, July 22, 2026, we start a brand new message series - "Wacky Worship."  We will be looking at the ordinary things of life to show us more about our extraordinary God and draw us closer to Him.  It's going to be a little wacky, but a lot of positive, uplifting, and encouraging truth to bring us closer to God in our everyday lives!  To get us started, this week we are talking about lightning bugs & fireflies. 

We look forward to seeing you for in-person worship at 6 p.m.

If you can't join us in person, you can always participate through our Facebook page - we go "live" at 6:00 p.m., and you will have a front row seat.  If you can't join us live, there are 3 ways to watch the message later - on Facebook, on YouTube, or here on our website. (the "Past & Future Messages" page).  Messages are posted the following day so you can watch a replay of any message anytime!  

If you want to keep some notes from a message, you can download the notes for a specific message from the "Past and Future Messages" page of our website.  There are many ways to be spiritually fed and encouraged.

Notes from July 15, 2026 - The book of Revelation opens with Jesus giving words of encouragement to the 7 churches,  (Revelation 2-3), and then closes with more encouragement about our eternal home in the New Heaven (Revelation 21-22).  God is preparing a New City of Jerusalem for us.  And Jesus said, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." (Rev. 22:14).  God wants to bless us now, and bless us even more in the new Heavenly home He is preparing for us. 

To get there, Jesus gave a message to John the beloved disciple and apostle to encourage us on our journeys.  It's important to not give up on our faith, or God, because of the challenges of life.  How we live this life matters.  The words of Jesus are special, because they show us without a doubt that Jesus is with us in our daily lives.  He sees what we go through.  He is aware of our challenges, proud of our efforts, and mindful of the desire of our hearts.  He is also aware of those times we live without passion or fire.  When we are lukewarm in our faith.

In this final week of our Heaven series, we studied His words to the last 2 churches.  Here are the highlights from this week:

In Rev. 3:7-13, Jesus address the church in Philadelphia.  Jesus said, "I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."  That phrase comes from a prophecy about the Messiah - see Isaiah 22:22 – “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”  So Jesus gives us more proof that He is, indeed, the son of God, born into the house of David.  And He tells of an “open door" which symbolizes opportunities that God provides.  The Apostle Paul referred to open doors as opportunities for spreading the Gospel as in Colossians 4:3 – “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ….”  And also 1 Corinthians 16:9 – “because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.”  The words, "no one can shut" gives assurance for us that God is sovereign.  He is in absolute control over all things and He is the one who creates our opportunities.  He opens a door for us to talk about our faith and be a witness.  He opens doors for us to move into better places in life.  He opens doors for relationships and people.  Jesus is the one who opens our door to Heaven.  And what Jesus opens, nobody can shut it.

Jesus also said to that church, “I know that you have little strength...  yet you kept my word and haven’t denied my name.”  In other words, they held tight to their faith even with “little strength” . . . which we can understand as little power, not must prestige or position, and likely few resources.  Our witness for Jesus isn’t dependent on how much power or money we have.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”  We don't have to be wealthy or well-educated to be a witness for Jesus.  We just have to be willing to tell our stories and walk through the doors that Jesus opens.

Another important thing to remember from Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia is this: “I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”  We have all experienced people who did not (or do not) like us and have opposed us.  We've experienced unfairness because of personal animosity.  But this is a reminder that God is still on the Throne and is watching.  His Justice is sure and certain!  There is a day coming when Jesus will turn the tables.  Consider Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”      There will be a day of vindication.  Those who have not loved you will see that God does!  They will see God bless you, in their presence, right before their eyes.  Your day of justice will come.  The pauper will become the prince.  Just like Joseph, you and I can go from the pit to the palace.  God has a special place in Heaven to show us His love in front of those who did not love us.

Jesus also said, "Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown."  Just keep in mind that we can lose crowns . . . but not salvation.  Crowns are heavenly rewards for our actions here on earth.  Our crowns depend on what we do - whether we walk through open doors, share our faith, hold tight to our faith and don’t give up.  This may not be a complete list, but the Bible lists at least five crowns that will be awarded in heaven:

1)  the Victor's Crown - awarded to those who discipline their minds through the study of God's Word and prayer (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).

2) a Crown of Rejoicing - given to those who have led others to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

3) a Crown of Righteousness - given to those who have a longing for the Lord Jesus—who look for Jesus' return (2 Timothy 4:8).

4) a Crown of Life – given to those who have endured & triumphed over trial & temptation & persecution (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

5) a Crown of Glory - awarded to the faithful shepherds of God’s people and to Christian leaders (1 Peter 5:4).

Be diligent in our faith to earn more crowns in heaven.  Don't give up the opportunity to be crowned by your Savior.  And for those who are victorious, Jesus said He will make them "a pillar in the temple of my God."  A pillar symbolizes strength, stability, and permanence.  And the Old Testament image of the temple was a dwelling place of God among His people.  So this promise suggests that an overcomer will have a permanent place in God's presence; eternal security & honor. and unbroken fellowship with God.

Then look at Jesus' words to the last church in a place known as Laodicea  (Rev. 3:14-22).  That city had a real-life water issue.  Colossae, a city 10 miles to the East, had a good supply of cold, mountain water.  Hierapolis, a city 6 miles to the North, was famous for its therapeutic hot springs.  Laodicea, on the other hand, had to import water via aqueduct from a source 6 miles to the South, resulting in mineral-ridden, tepid, lukewarm water that was neither cold & refreshing nor hot & therapeutic.  And that explains why Jesus said to them, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." 

Jesus is commenting on spiritual complacency and indifference.  He sees us when we live with a lack of passion for God, and our faith.  Those who have no desire are not “hot” & those who see no need for an awakening or repentance are not "cold."  They are just existing . . . going through the motions of life, or even worship.  Recall what Jesus said about the future and "end times" in Matthew 24:12 - "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”   Perhaps we have entered the Last Days because love has seemed to grow cold.  More and more Christians are walking away from church, have stopped attending worship, and not prioritizing faith activities over other activities of life.  Attitudes - and love - have grown cold.  For that reason, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:11 – a letter to the people of that day - to not lack zeal or “be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”  We need to heed those words just as much today.  Jesus wants wholehearted devotion.  Remember how simply He put it - the most important thing we have to do is "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30).

Let's close with Jesus words from Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."  Jesus wants a better for us - the life that only He can give.  Life filled with purpose, meaning, and passion.  Life filled with peace, love, and joy.  He doesn’t give up on us.  He is still standing at the door knocking.   He doesn't force Himself on us; we have to allow Him in.  It's simple - He loves us.  He wants us with Him and the Heavenly Father.  He wants to see us rewarded for what we have done in our lives.  He wants us victorious and blessed.  He wants us making a difference here – helping others realize their need for Jesus. 

The choice is up to us.  But it is not too late.  Never too late to accept Jesus' invitation to be our Savior and Lord of our lives.  His knocking requires a response.  Will you open the door to Him, or reject Him.  That choice matters.  It matters for all eternity.  We pray that you will open the door and be where Jesus wants you - at His banquet table.   Forever.