To the church in Peoria, grace and peace in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who knows the hearts and minds of all people, everywhere.
I know your deeds. I know that even now you are striving to bear witness to my name.
But I hold this against you: you are divided. One says, this is most important, another says that is not. Come together in love and stand firm. Cast aside your differences and seek to love me and love others, for these are greatest commandments. Let community flow to all those around you and do not exclude anyone. Do I not love all? Does not each human carry my image? Look, then! See my face before you as you seek to serve me and others with your deeds! No longer seek to discredit what others are doing in my name. Only I know what is in someone’s heart and it is mine to judge. Be careful then, not to put your faith in buildings, programs, your motives, or even your own deeds. But, put your faith in me and who I am. And out of this faith I will do great things.
Experience true community with me and I will fill your hearts and minds with the things of God – things I have planned since the beginning – a redemption and renewal of all things, even your own city.
This past Sunday we finished our teaching series on the 7 letters to the churches in the book of Revelation. We asked a few people in our community to follow the pattern of the letters in Revelation and write a letter to the Church in Peoria. The letters are meant to be both encouraging and challenging, much like the original letters were. Check out the last teaching in the Revelation series to hear the letters in their full context.
