To the Church in Smyrna
Introduction:
Is there a time in your life that you haven’t had enough money to buy what you wanted? What you needed?
Have you ever “known” about something before it happened? What was that like?
Observation:
Where else do you see the phrases “the First and the Last”, “was dead”, and “is alive again” earlier in this book?
What are the church’s strengths? Weaknesses?
What will happen to some of the members of this community?
Interpretation:
Why would the facts that the Son of Man is the First and the Last and that He died and came to life again be of particular importance to the church at Ephesus?
How can they be both poor and rich?
What is the “synagogue of Satan”?
What is the second death?
Application:
In what kind of economic situation have you found it most difficult to live out your Christian faith—with money or without it?
The church at Smyrna is commended for its perseverance and urged to continue to be faithful. How does the word that Jesus brings to them have an impact on you? What does this teach you about suffering?
How does this word help you to overcome?
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Until Something Better Comes Along
No doubt you have started out at the supermarket, filling a cart, when you come to the realization that before you is a preferred product and you will now need to dispose of the other. So you put the no-longer-needed thing in a wrong place on the shelf or hidden out of the cashier’s sight off the rolling belt at the checkout.
How much of life is lived “until something better comes along”?
• I’ll go to the party until something better comes along
• I’m at this job until something better comes along
• I’m with this person until something better comes along
• I’m in this church until something better comes along.
Is it conceivable that I’m with this god until something better comes along?
There is a critical juncture in Jesus’ ministry when many turn away and leave Him. At this point He turns to the Twelve and asks “Do you want to leave, too?” Peter answers, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” [John 6:67-68.]
The 12 disciples had committed to Jesus and there was no turning back. As a follower of Christ we realize that our tendency to drift along and to dabble now must end or we will not be following Him.
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
To the Church in Ephesus
Introduction:
What is one of the more “out there” dreams you’ve ever had? Do you think it meant anything?
How do you keep up with old friends?
Observation:
For some background reading on the church of Ephesus, check out Acts 19, I Timothy, and the Book of Ephesians. What do we know about the church at Ephesus?
Where else do you see the phrase “who holds the seven stars in his right hand” and “walks among the seven golden lampstands” earlier in this book?
What the church’s strengths? Weaknesses?
Interpretation:
Why would the facts that the Son of Man holds the seven stars in his right hand and that He walks among the seven golden lampstands be of particular importance to the church at Ephesus?
What do you think it means that the Ephesians have “lost their first love”?
Why is it so crucial for the church in Ephesus to “hate” the practices of the Nicolaitans? (look on ahead to v. 15)
Application:
What did you first do as a follower of Jesus that you don’t do anymore, or rarely do anymore? How do you keep that first love alive?
The Ephesian church is commended for their belief, but rebuked for their lack of prophetic witness. How does the word that Jesus brings to them have an impact on you?
How does this word help you to overcome?
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A. I.
As a parent and pastor I have held to the opinion that being smart is not enough. I believe in applied intelligence. It is not enough to have the answers, or the knowledge, or even the wisdom, it all has to be applied. I call it A.I. or Applied Intelligence.
What good is it to be the smartest person in the class but not to be able to apply what you know through words and, especially, through action? Who cares if you are “the brain” at work if you can’t demonstrate it? What does it mean to have knowledge of the scriptures if it doesn’t show itself in the way you serve God and others?
Jesus said “Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I say.” [Luke 6:46] The Apostle James said, “We must be doers and not just hearers of the Word”. [James 1:22].
Which leads me to explain why I have chosen for the next seven weeks a preaching series on the Book of Revelation. There has always been interest in the subject of the Apocalypse. In recent years the “Left Behind” series has sold dozens of millions of copies. Any book store – Christian or secular – has shelves full of writings on the End of the World.
Since the book of Revelation speaks of the end of the world although it was written nearly 2000 years old and “the end has not yet come”, what is the purpose of studying it and applying it to the lives of the followers of Christ? This question is particularly answered by studying chapters two and three, the letters to the seven churches. Each church receives an epistle from the glorified Christ calling them to put into action what they know. It is interesting that five of the seven churches are severely criticized. Only two are commended for living up to what they believe.
Regardless of whether Jesus returns this year or in a later century, there is still so much for us to know and to apply. Let’s read God’s word together and put it into practice. It is called applied intelligence.
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
A generation ago a classic western was filmed called “The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly”. The phrase is still in use in popular parlance. I am using it here in relation to a preaching series that begins next Sunday, at
St. Paul’s, on the seven churches of the Book of Revelation.
These seven churches receive messages from the Lord Jesus. Only two churches are praised and not corrected. The other churches receive affirmation, but each is also criticized – in a couple of cases quite severely. Therefore, the seven churches are “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” We will be looking at one church per week for the next seven weeks beginning July 18 with the
church of
Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7.
It is interesting that the Lord’s message to each church concludes with the same warning, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”. We will let the Lord examine us and affirm us where we may be affirmed, and correct us where we need to be corrected.
Let us grow in the knowledge of God and His Word as we commit to the life of faith – following Him!
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Outreach
Outreach is something the Lord Jesus calls His followers to do. It is just part of the Christian faith to live for others. Archbishop William Temple once said that the Christian faith is the only group in history that exists for the benefit of those outside itself.
Outreach at
St. Paul’s has always been of highest value; our mission statement “to know Christ and to make Him known” reflects the essence of outreach. Everything we do is measured by how well an activity helps us to know Christ and to share Christ.
For three weeks this summer a service to children and their parents will be held at
St. Paul’s. It is called Camp Mighty Mind. The founders, Aileen Tisser, MA, PT and
Cindy Freedman, OTR, approached us to host this camp for children with special needs. When they heard we would welcome the camp and would like to minster in the name of the Lord, their response was emphatic: “That’s the one missing component! Yes, please come and pray for us.” So, each day of the camp will begin with chapel and each child will receive the laying on of hands for healing. There is a need for volunteers to help with the chapel. If you are interested, please call the church office.
Please pray for this unique opportunity. The camp will be held at
St. Paul’s beginning on July 26 and ending August 13th.
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
God Doesn’t Go on Vacation
God doesn’t go on vacation. It is a rather comforting thought, isn’t it? Oh, there are times we may feel He is absent or even accuse Him of not caring. But people of faith believe that God is with us despite our feelings and circumstances.
God doesn’t go on vacation. Even though God is a Sabbath-keeper, and He rests, God is not withdrawn as the Ruler of the Universe. The Scriptures declare, “He who watches over you will not sleep.” [Psalm 121:3]
So as you plan your “down time” this summer, be assured that as you rest God will guide you and protect you and bless you. You may even want to consider including God in your plans! Psalm 121 says, in verses 7 and 8: “The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
You and I may go on vacation, but God doesn’t go on vacation!
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Summer Outreach 
Due to circumstances over which we have no control, there will be no more mission trips for this summer. However, domestic mission opportunities abound!
One of the greatest ways to see God work in parish life and in our community is through the
Vacation
Bible
School. This year the theme is Baobab Blast . [The Baobab tree is the center of community in the African savannah where it grows.] We plan to come together as the body of Christ, welcoming guests and serving them as we Know Christ and Make Him Known. There is always need for more helpers. Perhaps you would like to help with snacks in the kitchen? Or with Fr. Alex who is leading games. Or with Meg Newton in one of our classrooms. Sometimes the greatest need is simply a person to show kindness to a child who might be having a difficult day . Debbie de la Rivera, our coordinator, will attest that some of our greatest helpers come on Friday night to help serve dinner and clean up afterwards. Last year there were nearly as many volunteers as campers. I often meet people in the community who tell me their children are still singing last year’s songs.
So if you can make time in your schedule during the week of August 16 through 20, call the church office and register to assist.
By the way if your children or grandchildren are planning to come, or if you have a neighbor you think would enjoy VBS, register them soon! We are filling up quickly.
As your rector, I charge all members of St. Paul’s to be in prayer about
Vacation
Bible
School! Pray for the Lord to bless the children through teaching, worship, and fellowship. Pray for safety, good health and good weather, and for the joy of the Lord to increase greatly!
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
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