THE MODERN CHURCH PT. 7

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GOD’S FINAL MESSAGE TO THE 7 CHURCHES

“KNOW YOUR TRUTH!”

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (Jn. 14:6)

Exactly what is your truth? If you think your truth is anything other than Jesus Christ, based on the above scripture your truth is something else, and/or anything but the truth.

THE TRUTH

In my journey to discover the truth about the Modern church, and what God is saying to the Modern church, as I come to the close of this 7-week study I have found that the Lord’s message spoken over 2000 years ago to the ancient Church has not changed for the Church today. Because the only thing that has changed is time.

The Godly principles and the actions of many “Christian Believers today are the same. God’s admonishment for those churches, corporately and individually, who do not adhere to his word has not changed loud and clear for the modern church.

Commendations: None! He had nothing to commend or compliment the 7th church.

The Rebuke: Not cold or hot, lukewarm, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked…

(Revelations 3:15-18) 15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16) So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17) You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked…

Does Jesus find you and/or your corporate assembly Therapeutic, Refreshing, or Disgusting?

Contextual Background: The Laodicean Church was the largest and richest city in the area, but it had neither hot nor cold water. They had to leave their luxurious homes and travel to Colosse to enjoy fresh, cool water. On the other hand, to enjoy soaking in the hot springs they had to travel six miles to Hierpolis, known for its hot springs.

They attempted to bring the hot and cold water to Laodicea but the project failed and the water was no longer hot, it was not only lukewarm, it developed a sickening nauseating taste. It was revolting that no one wanted to drink it.

So, when Jesus told the Laodiceans, “Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” The message carried a huge punch. He was telling them, “Because you have become so dead, dull, sickening, and, nauseating because no spiritually refreshing waters flow from you and you have no healing properties left, “I will spit you out of my mouth!”

What is Lukewarm? That’s how God feels about a lukewarm spiritual walk. You see, with God there is no middle ground. But if you have allowed your walk with God to become lukewarm, you can reverse that abominable condition! God has tossed the ball in your court, and now it’s up to you. He is calling you to repent of your lukewarm attitude. Go after the tings of God with all your heart, soul, and strength!

  • Not good for anything spiritual
  • neither cool and refreshing nor hot and healing
  • stuck in the middle with no flavor

Self Reflection and Action Steps:

  1. Can you recall a time when you were “hot” for the Lord?
  2. What were you doing at the time that caused you to be on fire for Jesus?
  3. If you have slipped away from that wonderful time in your walk with the Lord, try to recall what changed the condition of your heart.
  4. What can you do to get back there again?
  5. Write down your answers so you can see them and pray about them.

Prayer: Lord, I never want to be lukewarm so that you find me to be an unpleasant taste in Your mouth. Help me to be a fountain from which healing waters flow to the sick and a source of refreshment to anyone who needs strength and encouragement. I repent, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

THE MODERN CHURCH PT. 6

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GOD’S CALL FOR UNITY IN THE CHURCH “THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA”

Revelations 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, but you have obeyed my word and have not denied my name.

NO REBUKE FOR THIS CHURCH!

The only one of the seven churches in which the Lord has no corrections! Wow!

What was so great about these Christians that God was so pleased? Is Jesus pleased with you so much that he has no “rebukes” only commendations for you?

Last weekend was a whirlwind of what could have been a cyclone of despair for the nation and the world. But God! And more importantly Thank God that he protected those who were not harmed, and much prayer and warm thoughts of love to the families mourning the loss of a father and husband who died shielding his family. Which is just what our heavenly Father does for us. He is our shield and protector.

We continue in prayer for the family at the bedside of the wounded. We proclaim Christ is King and greater is He, than the enemies of brotherly love.

Timely Message!

Today’s leaders call for unity and God is calling from down through the corridors of time for “Brotherly Love” There is no unity without brotherly love. Drop the divisive identity idols, and take up the work of brotherly love as the Philadelphia church did. He will commend you and not rebuke you.

Read Revelations 3:7-13.

Background/Context: How did they please God? They were not perfect and admittedly had but a little strength.

  • This was the church of brotherly love.
  • They so allowed the Lord to permeate their lives and they had Christlikeness in character of love.
  • They were not just hearers of the word but hearers but doers of the word.

How did the Lord Describe himself on behalf of these Christians, then and even now!

7) … “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.“

  • He is God!
  • There is none besides Him!
  • Christ calling himself holy He was by very nature claiming to be God!
  • He That is True: He is right in nature and in conduct!
  • He has all authority!
  • He opens the doors and closes the doors.

(Revelations 3:9-10) 9) I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

In Summary: The Lord provides many opportunities for the faithful ones. If he opens doors of opportunity we must work faithfully. If He shuts the doors. we must wait. Above all, we must be faithful to Him and see the opportunities, not the obstacles. If we miss our opportunities we lose our rewards, and this means being ashamed before Him when He returns.

With just a little strength God moved mountains for the faithful. Because He is strength, a little strength made this church totally dependent on God. Perhaps the problem we see in the world and the church today is that many believe in their own strength and power.

The events of last weekend happened because someone(s) thought they had more strength and power than God. But God! Thank God!

Prayer, Lord, give me a heart for you that is so much like your heart, that this week and going forward I will be kinder, peaceful, more loving toward all people, even when I don’t agree with them. My Character will be like Jesus and the Philadelphia faithful Christians. Amen!

THE MODERN CHURCH PT. 5

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THE DANGER OF CRACKS IN YOUR LIFE

THE DEAD CHURCH

Revelations 3:1-2 “…I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

(2) Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

You have some dangerous Cracks in your life!

Are you in the Doldrums better known as the “dead zone”? Be reminded, the church is you individually and personally, along with the “Body of Christ” collectively.

The Doldrum is a part of the ocean near the equator with abounding calm and light, very timid winds, and stillness. The weather is scorching and dispiriting. When caught in the doldrums, the sailing vessels of old would lie helpless for days and weeks in still waters, just waiting for the wind to begin to blow.

The Doldrum is a perfect description of what Christ calls the “Dead Church” of Sardis and Dead Churches around the globe, today’s church! Maybe you are having a Doldrum experience right now. As always, God has a remedy! Thank God!

Background/Context for Revelations 3:1-6

The city of Sardis was located very high on top of sheer cliffs that were almost impossible to climb. Therefore the people became very confident and believed it could not be penetrated by a foreign enemy. Their overconfidence in something other than God causes serious problems for them.

Being a superpower, they became very proud, cocky, lazy and complacent. (Sounds American doesn’t it!) As apathy took over they stopped giving attention to the foundations and walls of their spiraling city. At first, the cracks were small but grew bigger and wider. They missed seeing that the walls were deteriorating and massive cracks had formed at the foundation of the walls.

One night while the City of Sardis slept an enemy army scaled the cliff and slithered through the cracks in the foundation and walls. They were besieged by their enemy.

Self-Reflection Moment:

Are you aware of any areas in your life that are deteriorating and need attention? Marriage? Finances? Your relationships? A whole host of other vital areas in your life? Are there cracks in any of these areas through which the devil may try to sneak up on you and take you captive?

(Revelations 3:3) “Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God. “If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.“

4 “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!”

Cracks in Life (The Doldrums)

  • Prayerlessness
  • Insensitivity to the Spirit of God.
  • Complacency
  • Too busy to get into the presence of God.
  • Trusting in the security of the world, i.e. jobs; money; government; material holdings …

Don’t get too busy that you forget the foundational things, cracks begin to form spiritually over time! Here’s how to seal those cracks through which the devil may try to enter and lay siege to your life.

  • Be watchful! Wake Up! (Rev. 3:2)
  • Repent, turn back to God
  • Strength the areas that are about to die or comatose,
  • Remember. it’s never too late to do something to fix the problem.

Locate the problem! Find a solution! Strengthen what you have! Do it before it’s too late!

In Summary: If you have a part of your life that is broken cracked or splintered, there is still hope it can be restored. It may require emergency care to get it on life support now, but it can be resuscitated and brought back to life again. Preventative medicine is always better than corrective surgery.

It may seem like it takes lots of time to be watchful and prayerful about your spiritual life, but I assure you it is less expensive and less painful than it is to crash spiritually and then have to fix things in your life that never had to be broken in the first place.

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Pray: Lord help me to stay awake and watchful regarding the spiritual conditions of my life. I realize that my old habits of not praying is an offense to you and a danger to me and those I love. Examine my heart and help me to identify those areas of my life that need to be fixed or corrected. Please give me the power to apply the needed corrections. Amen!

THE MODERN CHURCH PT. 4

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HERE COMES THE JUDGE/ THE SON OF GOD!

A MESSAGE TO THE CORRUPT CHURCH/A SEVERE WARNING AND JUDGEMENT

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” (Revelations 2:18)

If you ever moved to a new community and had to select a new church home, you know how difficult it is to examine and evaluate a church and its ministry.

Impressive buildings may have dying or dead congregations, and be spiritual morgues. While modest structures might belong to strong lion-hearted assemblies on the march for the Lord. The church we think is “rich” may be poor in God’s sight. While the poor church is actually rich.

Only the head of the church, Jesus Christ can accurately inspect each church and know its true condition because He sees the internal, not only the external. The view of many Christians of Christ is narrow because they see him as Savior, as Healer, as Friend, and will call him “Lord” but neglect to see him as Judge. He has to be God-Judge to be God-Justice.

The Supreme Court in the United States is the highest in the land, served by Justices/Judges, and has authority to overrule lower courts. There is a court and Justice that reigns higher than all and has only one Judge/Justice. His name is Jesus Christ!. The nation would be better off if every Supreme Court decision aligned with the world of God. The Ultimate Justice!

The Commendation:

(Revelations 2:19)–  I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

The believers were very busy! They involved themselves in a sacrificial ministry for the sake of others. Their work was increasing, Characterized by faith, love, and patience; They were not guilty of religious activity.

NINETY-NINE AND A HALF WON’T DO!

(Revelations 2:20) “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

  • The sin of the church is they tolerated with corruption! Yes, God holds you accountable for tolerating sin and compromise.
  • You are doing a great job with most things that please God, but what is that one or two things, he has against you?
  • What are you tolerating just because you are comfortable where you are?

Accusation:

(Revelations 2:19) Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

The church was permitting a false prophet/prophetess to influence the people and lead them into compromise with the Roman religions and the practices of the “Guilds” (unions, syndicates, federations, fraternities, sororities, coalitions, and associations) So that the Christians would not lose their jobs or their lives.

Where ever these guilds were found idolatry and immorality, the two great enemies of the church were almost always found.

Does this sound familiar? Are you staying with an assembly or job that you know contradicts every thought of God, but you tolerate it for the same purposes the early Christians did? Maybe you joined a group or association so that your resume will be boosted but, overlooked the anti-Christian principles of the company association.

The church became too tolerant of false doctrine. Speaking the truth in love is the biblical balance.

(Ephesians 4:14) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ

Good News! Repentance!

(Revelations 2:22) So I will cast her (the prophet) on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. (The prophet was unwilling to repent) Have mercy on the prophets who refuse to repent today!

Repentance/ Gk. Metanoia: Is composed of two parts: meta, meaning change, and noia, meaning mind.

As it is today, Everyone in the assembly was not unfaithful. The faithful separated themselves from the false doctrine and compromising practices. He admonished the faithful to hold fast in their resistance to evil. “Till he comes!” referring to Christ’s return for his people, at which time he will reward them for their faithfulness.

Action Steps: If you find yourself in a corrupt situation follow God’s plan.

  1. Separate yourself from the evil.
  2. Repent of your sins. (Change; mind) results in change actions.
  3. Remain faithful “Till he comes”
  4. If staying around the evil is pulling you into compromising, “Get Out” with your Soul in tack!
  5. Always, pray and ask God to deliver you out of it or give you strength to remain faithful.

Summary Reflection:

Years ago Rev. Billy Graham was stopped for driving over the speed limit. He pleaded guilty. The judge was friendly, and embarrassed for Rev. Graham to be in court. The fine was ten dollars. Rev. Graham stated, “If he let me go free, it would have been inconsistent with justice. The penalty had to be paid either by me or someone else!” Judgement is consistent with love. A God of love must be a God of justice. It is because God loves that He is just. His justice balances His love and makes His acts of both love and justice meaningful.

THE MODERN CHURCH: “WHAT NOW?!”

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PASTOR STEPS DOWN DUE TO PAST SINS

LEAD PASTOR RESIGNS

HEADLINE NEWS: CHURCH SCANDALS! WRONG DOING! SIN! ALLEGED CRIME!

Last year my beloved mother transitioned to heaven at the age of 94 years old. One of her go-to responses whenever she learned of unexpected or impending unpleasant news, whether it was family news, or on the global stage. She always responded, “What Now!”

Lately, we are getting rapid news of not-so-good news about modern church leaders and practices. The news is difficult to hear whether it is alleged or true. Each exposure makes you want to say, “What now!”

A story was told: of a popular Megachurch pastor’s conversation with one of the elderly mothers of the church, “Mother, we no longer have to say what Peter told the lame man, with oozing pride he spoke, “Silver and gold have I none.” The Elderly-mother in an uneasy stare gazed at the pastor and replied, yeah but Pastor, neither can you say like Peter, “rise up and walk.”

Followers of Christ, Be Encouraged, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:9)

Read the message to the church in Pergamum! It is relevant for today! Know your real enemy! To the Angel of the Church (the Lead Pastor) of the Church of Pergamum/and all churches!.(Paraphrase)

(Revelations 2:13) “I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.”

What does Jesus know about the church? Jesus knows all about what we do individually, and collectively. He knows where we are, even if it isn’t much to know. This church was in the stronghold of Satanic power. It was in the political center of the worship demands of Roman government.

The above passage reveals that Jesus was pleased that the church of Pergamon did not deny his faith. It is always important to make sure that the faith we hold on to is the faith that belongs to Jesus.

(Revelations 2:14-15) “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.  Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans

Contextual Background: Read Scripture Reference Revelations 2:12-17)

The Nicoliatan (The name means rule the people, conquer the people) infiltrators, a doctrine that Jesus hated, (Rev. 2:6) because they believe in lording over the people and compromising their faith with other occults, religions, and doctrines. “It’s okay to bring practices into the Church from the world because the church needs all the help it can get!” Sounds familiar.

Teachings of Balaam (The True Priophet prostituted his gift to earn money and led Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality.)Balaam also means lord of the people.

Summary:

After the believers would not say, “Ceasar is Lord” and pledge their allegiance. A believer was killed, but the other believers stayed true to their faith. A stretegy of infiltration became the next play of Satan.

When Satan could not accomplish his goals by using persecution, He tried to accomplish his goals by using deception. (He uses the same tactics today.) He first used violence, persecution, then through infiltrating a group of compromising people an alliance was established.

It was a difficult environment, however difficulties never justifies compromise in the name of “We need all the help we can get.” No church then, or today needs that kind of help. The church began to look like the world. (The doctrine of Nicoliatan) Compromise! Worldly worship became the norm.

Self Reflection

  • Can you think of any area of your life where you have allowed yourself to be compromised by the world? If so, has that compromised hindered the power of God from operating in your life?
  • Do you know any believers who thought they could live with one foot in the church and another foot in the world, but in the end the world ensnared them and they backslid into a life of sin?
  • If you know someone who is on the verge of backslliding, what do you think the Lord would have you do to help bring that person back to where he or she ought to be?

Action Steps: What Now?

  1. Repent- a call to all Christians, not only those who first come to Jesus
  2. Hear what the word of the Lord teachers- Obey the word of God
  3. Examine your place of worship- False teaching and immorality is still a problem today.
  4. Make Jeus the main attraction for all you do! Know the word for yourself.
  5. Seek wise counsel.

Pray: I don’t want to allow any spirit of compromise in my life! I don’t want to live with one foot in the church and another foot in the world. I want to break free completely from the world and its influence so I give myself completely to your cause! I want to live in a way that pleases you and, to experience your power in my life. Today I am renewing my commitment to you all over again! I turn from the world, and I am running to you! I pray this in Jesus’ name! Amen!

Related Readings: Numbers 22-25