The First Sunday in Lent

Welcome to Worship on this First Sunday in Lent. We have begun our penitential Lenten walk to the cross. The traditional color for the Season of Lent is PURPLE denoting humility, repentance and spiritual self-examination before our Lord and King. The use of the Crucifix in this season draws our attention to Christ Crucified as proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 1:23. A crucifix differs from a cross in that it bears the “Corpus Christi,” that is, the Body of Christ. The Lenten Season is traditionally marked with the absence of “alleluias” until Easter, and also less sung or chanted liturgy.

Throughout the Season of Lent, our Sunday sermon series is entitled Dear Church. Some have referred to Scripture as “God’s love letter” to us. And, in fact, many books of the New Testament were written as letters. Much of God’s Word is an Open Letter to His people, to the church. This is especially true of the Book of Revelation. For all of its mystery and intrigue at the End Times, looking ahead at Christ’s return, the Book of Revelation was actually intended as a letter to the church--more specifically, Jesus is writing to SEVEN churches. Throughout the Sundays in Lent we will explore these seven letters of Revelation, examining these somewhat peculiar words of our Savior as He encourages the faithful and draws us to Himself in preparation for His return.

Todays Message will focus on **Revelation 1:4, 9-11, 2:1-7

1:4** John: To the seven churches in Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne...

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the affliction, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches...

2:1 "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary.

4 "But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."