FIVE LESSONS

Five Lessons from seven churches

Recently I have been reflecting on Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.  Most of the seven churches had admirable qualities but 5 of the 7 needed significant correction in one area or another.  Three major characteristics of the church required by Jesus Christ are identified in the corrections and two are identified in the encouragement given to the churches which did not require correction.  These lessons are instructive to those of us who are responsible for the integrity of the church.

KEEP FIRST LOVE ALIVE:  The church in Ephesus was faithfully carrying out the work of the Lord and holding to orthodox biblical teaching.  But, they lost their first love and were admonished to remember, repent, and do what they did at the beginning.  This is important enough to Jesus that he said he would remove them as a church, if they did not repent.  Loving God supremely is a vital characteristic of the church.

PROTECT BIBLICAL TRUTH:  The church in Pergamum had a number of people in the congregation who believed that an immoral lifestyle and eating food sacrificed to idols could legitimately accompany the Christian faith.  They were instructed to repent.  The church in Thyatira went a step further and allowed a false prophetess to have direct influence in the church leading some to believe an immoral lifestyle and eating food sacrificed to idols was acceptable in the Christian life.  The Lord promised judgment on the false prophetess and those who followed her, if they continued to resist repentance.  Faithfully teaching the whole counsel of God is another vital characteristic of the church.

DEPEND ON GOD:  The church in Sardis received these convicting words “I know your deeds, you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead”.  The church in Laodicea was rebuked with these strong words “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other? …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.”

The blessing of effective methods and abundant resources can obscure the foundational need for reliance on the Holy Spirit in the life and work of the church.  Falling into this trap will result in a church with a façade of success but lacking in the presence and life of God.  It is in this context Jesus says, “Here I am I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  Welcoming the presence of God in the gatherings of the church and persistently relying on God to do what only he can do is yet another vital characteristic of the church.

Two of the churches received commendation, no correction, and encouraging instruction.  From them we note the following two lessons:

DON’T BE AFRAID:  The church in Smyrna received commendation and the following instruction “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.”  The words “do not be afraid” have various measures of impact depending on the speaker.  When Jesus says “do not be afraid” it dispels fear because He has overcome the world, he is always with us, and he is at work in each situation.  Don’t be afraid to lavishly love God in a world that resists Christian faith.  Don’t be afraid to teach biblical truth in love in a world that pressures the church to alter its message to suit political correctness.  Don’t be afraid to invite God’s presence into your gatherings though he is an unwelcome guest in the world.

ENTER THE OPEN DOOR:  The church in Philadelphia received commendation and the following encouragement: “See I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”  In spite of the spiritual darkness of the world around them God was at work in their community and changed the hearts of people as the church went about the business of ministry in partnership with God.  Prayerfully look for the open door God is setting before your church and enter in faith.