Presented, March 5, 2006
LESSONS FOR EVERY CHURCH
Revelation 2-3
As we begin our reading of the book of Revelation today, I want to present a couple of lessons from this book. Tonight, we will take a look at the book as a whole (as we have done with every NT book), but this morning I want us to notice the churches to whom this letter is addressed.
There are many lessons to be gleaned from a study of these 7 churches. There are 7 distinct attitudes/conditions that are found in every church on the earth now, and in the past (some possess the characteristics of more than one). A study of each individual congregation is worthwhile as we examine whether we are what we ought to be (like Philadelphia and Smyrna) or in need of a little change (Ephesus) or great change (Sardis, Laodicea, Pergamos and Thyatira).
We have examined each of these congregations individually before, but in our lesson today, we want to note some lessons that apply to all 7 churches as a whole. In the coming weeks, as we read through these first few chapters, here are some things to consider:
I. Each Church was Independent
a. John was instructed to write this letter to the 7 churches of Asia (1:4, 10)
b. As he was instructed he saw a vision (1:12-16) of one like the Son of Man in the midst of 7 golden lampstands. It is a description of our Savior, each characteristic describing His majesty. As He speaks to John (17-20) he tells him that the 7 lampstands where the 7 churches (20).
c. What tied these churches together? It was not some earthly headquarters, or church council, or association of congregations. Simply stated, they were tied together by their relationship with the Lord. And in the vision – EACH CHURCH received its light DIRECTLY from the Lord, NOT other churches.
d.
This illustrates the independence and autonomy of
local churches. In whatever works were accomplished by local churches, this was
always maintained.
Elders were limited in their authority to the local church among which the Holy
Spirit had made them overseers – Acts 20:28.
We have seen in recent studies that the work of the church was accomplished with
total respect for the autonomy of EVERY congregation. This is a concept that is
misunderstood and abused, even among brethren – and in time it always leads
those involved FURTHER AWAY from Christ and His pattern for the church.
e. EACH congregation answered directly to Jesus. While John was instructed to write to the 7 churches of Asia (1:4), they each had an independent message (chs. 2-3). Each church was judged based upon their own strengths and weaknesses.
f. Christ was the sole source of their light and He was the one who judged the future of that light
.
II. “I know your works”
a. Said to each church (2:2, 9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15)
b.
The message in this - You cannot hide from God!
Whether we are speaking of individual Christians or churches of Christ doing the
Lord’s work, we CANNOT hide what we do from God. He knows what we doing, how we
are doing it, and why.
Hebrews 4:13 – no creature hidden from His sight
Prov. 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the
evil and the good.”
To the church at Sardis, the angel said that they had a name that they were
alive, but they were dead in God’s eyes (Rev. 3:1)
To the church at Laodicea the Lord noted that they reasoned that they were rich,
but God saw them deep down – as wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Rev.
3:15-17)
c.
Another consideration here is the fact that God does
see what we are doing, even when men don’t. Sometimes we become discouraged
when it seems no one cares, or everything we try to do seems to end in failure
(from man’s perspective), but God knows your motives. He knows if you have
tried as well as the motives of others that you have tried to reach.
We must guard against discouragement because it seems like we are failing. God
knows ALL – Consider 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
- Consider Luke 8:1-8 in the Parable of the Sower. Jesus is telling His
disciples, NOT everyone will hear.
- Also Elijah in his discouragement (1 Kings 19:14-18).
NOTE: THIS is not to say that we can do nothing and use the indifference of
others as a crutch! As you read the individual messages to the 7 churches of
Asia you see that.
III. “He who has an ear, let him hear…”
a. At the conclusion of each individual letter, we find this note, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). What is interesting is that what the Spirit says is not only to one church, but to every congregation (churches – plural, noun).
b.
Thus, the same standard was applied to EVERY
congregation.
- This is an important concept for us to understand. There are MANY different
denominations and churches out there all claiming to follow the Bible, but they
DON’T. They teach contradictory doctrines, both to each other and what God’s
word actually says – that is why they are divided. They claim to be united –
but that is ONLY in their willingness to compromise the truth.
- AND there are many churches of Christ who profess to be following the word of
God, but they too are teaching (or avoiding) doctrines contrary to the word of
God – in areas such as the work of the church, divorce and remarriage,
fellowship, in areas of morality and numerous other doctrines that have divided
the body of Christ.
- Why are there such divisions? Because SOMEONE is NOT following the word of God
on a given subject. It may be a result of poor hermeneutics (the study of
interpretation), ignorance or willful indifference, but error is still error.
c.
God demands unity – John 17:20, 21, 1 Corinthians
1:10, Ephesians 4:1-7, Romans 16:17, etc.
But unity can ONLY be achieved if we follow the same standard. The
answers to EVERY problem the 7 churches of Asia faced were found in the same
place – GOD’S WORD! Galatians 1:6-9, Jude 3, Romans 1:16-17, etc.
IV. Individuals were judged based upon their own works.
a.
In more than one of the 7 churches we read of
individuals who stood out because of their righteousness. They were in
congregations that were less than ideal.
In Sardis (the dead church) there were “a few names…who have not defiled their
garments. (3:4)
In Thyatira (the corrupt church) we read of “the rest…as many as do not have
this doctrine.” (2:24)
b. These individuals were instructed to “hold fast what you have…” (the truth) (2:25) and to those in Sardis that were told that they had not “defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” (3:4).
c.
The lesson we can learn from this is that, in the end,
as we stand before God in judgment, we will be judged as individuals. The
church you are a part of is NOT an automatic ticket to heaven. Yet some
rationalize that as long as they “go to church” and maintain their membership in
“a sound congregation” that such is all they need to do.
UNDERSTAND: The church IS important, and you NEED TO find one that
strives to follow God’s word in all things. Christians CANNOT fellowship error
or those teaching error – that is clearly borne out in the messages to the 7
churches and passages such as Galatians 1:8-9, 2 John 9-11, etc. BUT, the
church is only a PART of your service to God.
d.
When you stand before God you will answer for yourself
ONLY (and that will include your choices where the church is concerned).
Romans 14:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead,
small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book
was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to
their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
e. How long should one stay in a congregation that is not everything it ought to be? The text does NOT give an answer, but it DOES tell them to remain faithful to God. In my judgment, the answer to that question is: as long as there is hope. We have to use good judgment, based upon God’s word to determine if there is a desire to follow the truth and godly attitudes (on ALL sides) that are willing to objectively study the issues at hand. As long as progress can and is being made – keep trying, but NEVER compromise God’s word. (I have seen Christians leave sound churches for those which taught error – because they attended with the hopes of changing the unsound congregation - but instead they were corrupted by that error.) IF you reach a time where it is clear that false doctrine is going to be tolerated and there is no intention of changing, then it is time to leave. But please make sure that the leaving is based upon God's word and not personality conflicts or personal demands.
These are some lessons we can learn from the 7 churches of Asia that apply to EVERY CHURCH. Are we applying these things to our lives, both as individuals and as the Lord’s church here in Bellflower? Let us resolve to be a church which is NOT in danger of having its candlestick removed.
Are you in the body of Christ? If not, let me invite you today to become a part of His church and leave here with the hope of heaven. Obey the gospel.