Title: An X-Ray Of Your Church
Bible Book: Revelation
Author: Vince Hefner
Subject: Church; Faithful Christians; Backslidden Churches
Objective:
Introduction
We must recognize that Jesus knows who we are. He knows your opportunities for Kingdom service. He knows the opposition you face from the enemy and knows your obligations to Him.
Jesus knows where you are. He knows if you are walking with Him, or failing to do so. He knows if you are walking ahead of Him rather than being patient and waiting for His leadership. He knows if your are walking behind Him because you have been distracted by things in the world.
When Jesus speaks to the individual churches He says, “I know your works.” And, then He says, “He that has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.” And you can be sure, Jesus knows what to say to His church wherever it is and it whatever generation it is in.
Let's look at the seven churches mentioned in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. These were real churches and John reports that Jesus visited each church. He still walks up and down the aisles of the church and knows the pulpit as well. Some believe these seven churches represent the types of churches that existed then and will always exist till the end. Let's look at what He said to each church, and be serious about who we are in our church today.
I. The Church With A Crisis Of Passion
Revelation 2:4
First, we see the Church with a crisis of passion. They were active and committed to the right doctrines, but they lacked adoration - real love for Christ and for souls. They believed but were lacking the beauty of God's love and true love for God.
II. The Church With A Crisis Of Fear
Revelation 2:8-11
In this church Christ reveals a faithfulness that is rare, but due to the world against them they needed to maintain courage. They were not to allow fear to creep in and stop their worship and work for Christ.
III. The Church With A Crisis Of Sickness
Revelation 2:14
In this passage Christ reveals that the world had gotten into the Church rather than the church getting its message into the world. They were losing their influence instead of gaining influence.
IV. The Church With A Crisis Of Compromise
Revelation 2:20
Christ inspected this church and found that the members had allowed false doctrines to be taught. They permitted false teachers to lead their congregation. This type of church is useless in the world, because a church must maintain the truth (The Word) if it expects to present the Truth (Jesus) to the world.
V. The Church With A Crisis Of Sleep Narcolepsy
Revelation 3:1-2
In this passage we see a church sleeping when they should have been alert and awake. They were missing chances to serve because they were sleeping. Churches like this are so caught up in their own interests that they go to sleep in regard to what God is desiring them to do in the world around them. They are asleep to their sins, asleep to the needs of others, and asleep to the condition of the lost people around them.
VI. The Church Of The Crisis Of Opportunity
Revelation 3:7-11
What a wonderful church our Lord found in Philadelphia. They had an Open Door! In other words, they had the opportunity to see the lost people come to faith in Jesus and be saved. A church with an Open Door is in the right place with the right message. We must never miss the door of opportunity that God places before our churches. Philadelphia was very aware of this and they wer taking advantage of God's opportunity to use them and bless them. They were humble, bold and busy for Jesus.
VII. The Church Of Crisis Of Conceit
This church was not making a difference of any kind in the world. They had become just like the world around them. They were proud, conceited and self-centered. This church made Jesus sick to His stomach!
Conclusion
What kind of church member are you? What kind of church are we?
One thing is certain, Jesus knows us inside and out. He sees what kind of persons we are and what type of church we are. We should strive to be the church of the Open Door, like that of Philadelphia.
Also, we are clearly told that Jesus will come to anyone who will open the door to Him (Revelation 3:20) Will you open the door to Him today? And, if you are saved, will you make a commitment to be the kind of church member who holds the door open for people to experience salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ?
