The Jewish wedding is one of the cornerstones of scripture. During the first century, the Jewish wedding customs were long recognized as a pattern for the redemption. of mankind.  This is rather hard to miss, particularly when John referred specifically to the marriage supper of the Lamb! (Revelation 19:9).  Because we live in the modern western world, we do not fully catch the significance of the ancient Jewish marriage customs and how Paul used them in parallel to the marriage of the first century church.  Jesus and Paul paid meticulous attention to detail as they use the Jewish marriage customs in scripture.  Every Christian should have a good book on ancient Jewish customs due to how often they are used in the Bible.  Today, with our guest speaker Johnnie Achord, we will examine those marriage customs and how they provide a picture to the teachings of Christ and His bride the church.

The seventh and final letter to the churches of ancient Asia Minor is to the church in the city of Laodicea.  This last message is found in Revelation 3:14-22. Laodicea was a wealthy, industrious city in the province of Phrygia in the Lycos Valley.  The message is from the Lord Jesus Christ via an angel or messenger (likely a reference to the church’s pastor): “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write . . .” (Revelation 3:14).  This was not simply John’s message to those in Laodicea; it was a message from the Lord. Jesus identifies Himself thus: “The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.”  These titles emphasize the Lord’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and power to bring all things to their proper completion (the “Amen”).

Sardis was about 40 miles (60 kilometers) south of Thyatira. The Christians in the other churches believed that the church in Sardis was doing well. Perhaps the church members at Sardis believed that too. However, Christ knew the truth about that church. It is the Spirit that gives life. That was what the church at Sardis needed. Christ considered it dead, or almost dead. Jesus quickly and clearly condemns the lifeless state of the Sardian church: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:2). This church may have had a good reputation, but they were spiritually lifeless. In other words, the church was filled with unsaved people going through the motions of religion. Jesus then calls them to repent of their sin: “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you received and heard; obey it, and repent”

A church like Smyrna, poor in economic terms, but rich in spiritual terms, is being praised by Jesus.  This is the kind of church that can survive the Tribulation.  Their treasure and their hearts were in Heaven.  Can we say the same thing?

Due to the excessive heat (it's supposed to be 100 degrees at 10 AM today in San Marcos), the elders decided to stream today's communion service.  Pastor Kevin will have a pre-recorded communion message that will be available Sunday morning.  Please prepare yourself with some juice & crackers to take the Lord's Supper along with Pastor Kevin.  The message he had planned for today on Revelation 2:1-7 will be given the following Sunday (09/13) as we continue our series called - The End: A Study of Revelation.

Today Pastor Kevin is beginning a new series called "The End: A Study of Revelation".  In today's message, Pastor Kevin will start by answering some basic questions, like, "What is the Book of Revelation?" and "Why was the Book of Revelation written?"  He will also cover the four different interpretations of the study of Revelation and the three millennial views.

Today Pastor Kevin completes part two of this session in 2 Peter.  We see that God works on His own timetable, not ours, and that what seems like slowness to us is actually God's perfect timing.  Because of this, the church is to be holy and godly as we anticipate the return of Christ, knowing that it will happen suddenly at just the right time, whether that is today, tomorrow, or one day a long time from now.

Today we are welcoming back Dave Metzger as guest speaker. Dave will be exploring the difficult question of "Why do we suffer?"  Dave will be teaching from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11.  Suffering is a tool God uses to get our attention and to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

Today we are welcoming Bruce De Soto as guest speaker.  Pastor Bruce is pastor at Church on the Hill located in Vista.  This is his first time speaking at Valley.  Pastor Bruce will be teaching on Romans 8:28, one of the most quoted verses from the Bible.