05 Jul “7 Letters”| Part Three – “Crushed By the Word, Crowned By the King” -All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORING THIS TOURNAMENT! WE WOULD LIKE TO START MAKING THE BANNERS AND TEE BOX SIGNS ASAP! IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR, PLEASE SHARE THE LINK BELOW, THANK YOU.
NEW ENGLAND — GET READY!
Join us for our Second Annual Waters Academy Golf Tournament!
We invite you to be part of this exciting event by registering to play or becoming a sponsor. Your participation helps us continue to grow and build Waters Academy!
Click the links below to get involved:
Please consider supporting our tournament by donating a themed raffle basket, raffle items, gift cards, products, services, or a monetary contribution. Your generosity helps make this event a success and directly benefits the students of Waters Academy.
To contribute, please contact Mary Ann Parsons at maparsons@waterschurch.org or Renee Scafidi at renee@watersacademy.org.
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NEW>>> LIFE GROUP LEADER TRAINING: If you have an apprentice ready to lead a group, there will be online training on Wednesday, July 15, at 10 am.
The registration link is below:
Life Group Leader Training Registration
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WATERS UNIVERSITY
*** PLEASE NOTE: ALPHA IS DONE FOR THE SUMMER***
We’re looking to grow healthy Christians at Waters Church…spiritually, physically, mentally, financially, and relationally — that is the mission of Waters University.
Alpha is a welcoming, conversation‑driven introduction to the Christian faith where anyone (new & non-believers) can explore life’s big questions in a relaxed, judgment‑free environment.
Re‑Engage Christ‑centered marriage enrichment
Financial Peace University : Achieve financial stability with God
Celebrate Recovery Overcome hurts and habits
We’re looking for Life Groups and/or individuals to provide or donate meals for upcoming Alpha classes at the North Attleboro, Woonsocket, Southcoast, and Apollo Beach campuses. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Go to the Waters Events page or click the link below for more information on classes, Alpha meal prep, and to register for both.
WATERS U (https://watersu.org/)
Please note: Life Groups that generously provide or sponsor a meal for Alpha are deeply appreciated. To help create a safe and consistent environment where guests feel comfortable opening up, we kindly ask that groups serve the meal and then allow the Alpha team and registered participants to continue the class and discussion.
Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- Growth Track – Check the schedule and register on the events page.
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after every service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care, or have a group member who does? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
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SATURDAY MORNING PRAYER AND 6:00 AM WORSHIP ON PAUSE THROUGH THE SUMMER.
NOTE:
Two opportunities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off the break room during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please note: if you have a member who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
NORTH ATTLEBORO
Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES
If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.
Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!
**Please read all scripture in the ESV, unless otherwise noted.**
**The Leader prompts help you, as the leader, move the conversation along.**
Key Verse: Revelation 2
Ice Breaker:
Q. If you were given carte blanche on one 10-day vacation, could leave tomorrow, and go anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today. As we open Your Word, give us hearts that are ready to listen, learn, and obey. Help us to see that no trial, hardship, or opposition is beyond Your control. Remind us that our hope is not found in the comfort of this world, but in the victory we have through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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The Church in Smyrna is in present-day Turkey. Smyrna was a powerful city because of trade. It was a beautiful city and deeply loyal to Rome.
People came once a year to say, ‘Caesar is lord’, and then they could worship any God they wanted. You were safe as long as you said ‘Caesar is lord’ first.
The Christians in Smyrna faced pressure to worship Caesar, but they refused. Their faithfulness to Jesus cost them everything. For some, it meant prison. For others, it meant death.
There was no rebuke or correction for this Church, just reassurance that Jesus saw them.
1. He knows WHO HE IS, so you know WHO YOU FOLLOW.
Revelation 2:8 ESV
Revelation 1:17-18 ESV
Romans 8:38–39 ESV
Every fear that we have is based on the assumption that what we lose is gone forever. But Jesus conquered death, and what belongs to Him is never truly lost.
The same source of identity that overwhelmed John is the one that carries us through.
Jesus is the source. He is the One who died and rose to life again.
Q. How does knowing who Jesus is strengthen your faith and confidence in following Him, especially during difficult seasons?
Leader Prompt:
Encourage the group to focus on Jesus’ identity rather than their circumstances. Remind them that because He is the eternal, risen King, we can trust Him completely, no matter what we face.
Practical Application:
This week, when you face uncertainty or fear, pause and remind yourself who Jesus is by reading Revelation 2:8, Revelation 1:17–18, and Romans 8:38–39. Let His unchanging character shape your response instead of your circumstances.
2. He knows you’re POOR, but calls you RICH.
Revelation 2:9 ESV “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)…”
The Christians in Smyrna were economically pushed out. They had no license to operate because they could not bow the knee to Caesar. They also lost their legal protection as the Jews ratted them out.
Yet, Jesus calls them ‘rich.’ Jesus is the very definition of rich. He called a crushed, poor Church rich because He is the one doing the calling.
They were rich, not because of what they had but because of who they were in Christ Jesus.
James 2:5 ESV
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV
Q. How does your identity in Christ change the way you define true wealth and success?
Leader Prompt:
Encourage the group to contrast the world’s definition of success with Jesus’ definition of true riches. How does our identity in Christ reshape what we value?
Practical Application:
This week, thank God each day for one spiritual blessing you have in Christ, and let that shape your perspective more than your circumstances.
3. He knows who’s AGAINST you, even when they look
RELIGIOUS.
Revelation 2:9 ESV – … and the slander of those that say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
The Jewish community was using their protection to report the Christians to the authorities. The opposition is coming from inside the religious world.
A Synagogue was meant to be a gathering to hear from God, but these Jews were serving Satan.
Matthew 23:13 ESV
Galatians 1:8 ESV
What was happening in Smyrna is happening today, all over the world.
Q. Why is spiritual discernment important for a mature believer, and how can we recognize voices that appear religious but are not leading us toward Christ?
Leader Prompt:
Remind the group that not every religious message reflects God’s truth. Encourage them to measure every teaching, influence, and opinion against Scripture and the character of Jesus.
Practical Application:
This week, spend time reading God’s Word before consuming other spiritual content. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern truth from error and to remain firmly rooted in Christ rather than simply following what sounds convincing.
4. He knows you’re HANGING ON, and He’s holding the
CROWN with your name on it.
Revelation 2:10 ESV
When Rome put you in prison, most likely at that time, you would have been executed.
Jesus was faithful unto death, and now He is asking Smyrna to do the same.
James 1:12 ESV
2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV
Revelation 2:11 ESV
The second death is the final death.
Romans 10:9 ESV
John 10:28 ESV
Q. How does the promise of the crown of life encourage you to remain faithful to Jesus, even when following Him is difficult?
Leader Prompt:
Help the group keep an eternal perspective. Remind them that Jesus sees every act of faithfulness, and His promises far outweigh the temporary trials we experience in this life.
Practical Application:
Choose one area this week where you have been tempted to give up or compromise. Surrender it to the Lord in prayer, stand firm in your faith, and intentionally encourage someone else who may also be struggling to persevere in following Christ.
The Church of Smyrna remained faithful and grew.
Sermon in a Prayer (Use as closing prayer):
Heavenly Father, Smyrna was POOR, and yet You called them rich and CROWNED them FAITHFUL until the end. Lord, expose everything that’s dressed in religion but working against You, and when this world tries to CRUSH us, remind us, that’s exactly where the FRAGRANCE starts. Amen.
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