IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Hold It Fast, and Repent

Date: Oct. 25, 2018

Passage

Revelation 3:1-13 (ESV)

“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.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

“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.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 3:3a

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

1. Remember (1-6)

To people Sardis had the reputation of being alive: growing in number with many dynamic activities; but Jesus said they were dead spiritually and needed to wake up. How? Remember the gospel they have received and heard, examine their lives and activities in the sight of God, repent and do what pleases him, not people. Those who didn't soil their robes with compromise Jesus would acknowledge before God. Reputation before the Father and angels is more important than the honor of people.

2. Yet you have kept my word (7-13)

In contrast, Philadelphia had little strength and no reputation. But Jesus was pleased to bless them by opening an eternal door for them, making their enemies bow before them, and delivering them from suffering and trials. Why? They kept his word, didn't deny his name, and kept his command to endure patiently. Jesus encourages them that he is coming soon, so "hold on to what you have."

Prayer: Prayer: Father, help me live in your sight, hold fast to Jesus' words, and repent.

One Word: Remember and hold to the gospel

Daily Bread

Victory and Final Judgment

Revelation 20:1-15

Key Verse: 20:15

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

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Intro Daily