Sinking in Satan’s City (Revelation 2:12–17)

Avid  hikers are used to receiving warnings before setting off on their  favourite trails—“beware loose stones,” “watch for bears,” “look out for  falling trees.” However, in 2021, apparently there’s a new hazard that  demands caution: The selfie. Says one New York news outlet, “what many  people don't think about is that every year dozens of people across the  country are injured or killed by taking a selfie and not watching their  footing. Many park officials have put up signs and barriers to keep  hikers safe on popular trails, but many people ignore them and get as  close as possible to the edges of cliffs and waterfalls to get the  perfect photo.” Wanting to capture the moment, danger and warnings are  ignored to potentially harmful and fatal ends. Like these determined  shutterbugs, the church of Jesus Christ can become distracted  well—whether by hardship or success—to  the point of ignoring warning signs, sacrificing footing, and risking  harm to ourselves, one another, and the mission we’ve been entrusted  with. Key Passage: Revelation 2:12–17 Series: Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus Speaker: Josiah Boyd