In this lesson we study the seven churches of Asia and what they had to overcome. Both audio and slides can be found at www.cmcoc.org Sermon by Brian Birdow

1. The church that
overcomes
by
Brian Birdow
Sermon text: Revelation 1-3
www.cmcoc.org

2. Objective of Lesson
1. What does it mean to overcome?
2. What did the seven churches have to overcome?
3. What do we have to overcome?

3. Overcome defined
• Overcomes (Nikao GK.)—To conquer, to carry off the
victory, come off victorious.
• Of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death
against the power of their foes, and temptations and
persecutions.
• When one is arranged or goes to law, to win the case,
maintain one’s cause.
• The group word denotes victory or superiority whether in
the physical, legal or metaphorical.

4. The 7 churches of Asia
1. Revelation 2:7—Ephesus
2. Revelation 2:11—Smyrna
3. Revelation 2:17—Pergamos
4. Revelation 2:26—Thyatira
5. Revelation 3:5—Sardis
6. Revelation 3:12—Philadelphia
7. Revelation 3:21—Laodiceans

5. What do we have to
overcome?
1. Are we like the Ephesians doing, but without love?
2. Are we like Smyrna faced with tribulations?
3. Are we like Pergamos with false teachers?
4. Are we like Thyatira and have those who teach fornication?
5. Are we like Sardis who have a good name but really are dead?
6. Are we like Philadelphia who have those who lie on them?
7. Are we like the Laodiceans who were lukewarm?

6. What do we have to do to
overcome?
• Obey the gospel—Acts 2:37-42; 18:8
• Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but over
come evil with good.
• Revelation 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you
a crown of life.
• 2 Peter 2:20-22 & 10:26-28 —turn with me please…
• 2 Timothy 2:11-12 …turn with me please…