071311

(James Dobson)  Let's bring the adversity principle closer to home. How does it apply to you and me? Could it be that our Heavenly Father permits His children to struggle in order to keep us strong? I firmly believe that to be true.

(Dobson) If  you want to know what a person is made of, grant him a high degree of social status and admiration. His character will soon be apparent for all to see

(Dobson) The Christian life was never intended to be a stroll through a rose garden. The idyllic existence ended when Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden

(Dobson) Let me take on more shot at the Christian writers and spekers who promote the expectation of ease in the Christian walk. They would have us believe that the followers of Christ do not experience the trials and frustrations that pagans go through. Some of them appear so anxious to tell us what we want to hear that they distort the truths expressed in the Word. They would have us believe that the Lord rushes into action the instant we face a hardship, eliminating ever discomfort or need. Well, sometimes He does just that. At other times, He doesn't. Either way, He is there and has our lives in perfect control

(Dobson) There is a reason why the great hymns of the church have endured, in some cases for hundreds of years.. They are based not on words tht tickle our ears, but on solid, theological truths

(Ray Stedman) Our challenge and our  task is to make sure that we live as Philadelphia Christians even in this Laodicean age

(A. Rogers) Lukewarm Christians are the alibi of sinners

(Bible Knowledge Commentary)  The letter to Sardis is a searching message to churches today that are full of  activity and housed in beeautiful buildings but are often lacking in evidence of eternal life, The church in Philadelphia received no rebuke from Christ. The church in Laodicea received no commendation. The church at Laodicea is  typical of a modern church that is quite unconscious of its spiritual needs and  is content with beautiful buildings and all the material  things money can buy. This is a searching and penetrating message.The letters to the seven churches are a remarkably,  complete treatment of problems that face the church today. The recurring dangers of losing their first love ( Rev 2:4), of being afraid of suffering (2:10),  doctrinal defection( 2:14-15), moral departure (2:20), spiritual deadness (3:1-2), not holding fast(3:11), and lukewarmness (3:15-16) are just as prevalent today as they were in first-century churches. Because these letters come from Christ personally, they take on significance as God's final word of exhortation to the church down through the centuries. The final appeal is to all individuals who will hear. People in churches would do well to listen