[The following is the full manuscript of my sermon delivered on the 10th of January, 2016. Look for the video on our Vimeo channel, http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]
The season of Lent begins on February the 14th this year. It’s a period for introspection, when we remember the great sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf and we try to prepare ourselves to honor that sacrifice.
With that in mind, I think it appropriate that we also take a close look at this family as a whole, at what kind of church we are, and what kind we should be. So over the coming weeks, I’d like us to examine the seven churches in Asia that Jesus specifically addresses in His Revelation to the Apostle John. We can tell these were important to our Lord, and so should be to us, because He calls each out by name.
We’ll begin today with a brief introduction. Listen and follow along to how the Apostle John opened his account of all the wonders that Jesus revealed to him in the Book of Revelation, from chapter 1, verses 1 through 8, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
With that in mind, I think it appropriate that we also take a close look at this family as a whole, at what kind of church we are, and what kind we should be. So over the coming weeks, I’d like us to examine the seven churches in Asia that Jesus specifically addresses in His Revelation to the Apostle John. We can tell these were important to our Lord, and so should be to us, because He calls each out by name.
We’ll begin today with a brief introduction. Listen and follow along to how the Apostle John opened his account of all the wonders that Jesus revealed to him in the Book of Revelation, from chapter 1, verses 1 through 8, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
--Revelation 1:1-8 (NKJV)
Let us pray… Father God, open our eyes that we might see the face of our blessed Savior Jesus. Open our ears that we might hear Your holy word. Open our hearts that Your Holy Spirit might speak Your message directly to us there. In the beautiful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Jan Everhart recently shared a simple story with me that I think helps illustrate at least part of today’s message. Actually, there are six illustrations here:
Once upon a time, all the villagers decided to pray for rain to end a drought. On the day of prayer all the people gathered together, but only one small boy brought along an umbrella - that’s faith.
When you throw a baby in the air, she laughs with glee because she knows you will catch her - that’s trust.
Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarm to wake us up - that’s hope.
We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of what the future holds - that’s confidence.
On an old man’s shirt were written the words, “I am not 80 years old… I’m sweet 16 with 64 years of experience” - that’s attitude.
And finally, this… We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children - that’s love.
I believe we need to exhibit those characteristics as a church family. We need to have faith that our prayers really do hold great power, because of Who we pray to. We need to trust each other more, and we need to fully trust in our Lord, especially during bad times. We must put all our hope in the Lord Jesus, for He is our only path to salvation. We have to face the future with the utmost confidence, knowing that God is in control and He will work all things to our good. We not only must have the attitude that Jesus is Lord, but also share it with the rest of the world. And we must constantly foster and reinforce a spirit of love and forgiveness for all.
That last is how Jesus wants His church to be defined, how He wants it to be seen by others: by love and forgiveness for all.
John opens this final book in our Bible by letting us know that what follows came from God and is intended to be shared with all God’s children, His servants. God sent this to John by His angel, and John in turn bears witness to the word God sent and to the testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please pay close attention to the urgency of John’s message. In the very 1st verse the Apostle says he will show us things that “must shortly take place”! And then in verse 3 he again stresses that we need to know the “time is near” when these things will happen.
Now anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Book of Revelation knows that “these things” John is talking about here are going to be quite terrible! War and famine and plagues and destruction and death, until finally the Son of Man returns to set all things aright. John cautions that time is drawing close, so we’d better pay attention and heed God’s word.
And I believe here in the first part of this Revelation, Jesus is trying to stress that this applies not only to us as individuals, but to us collectively, as the body of Christ, the church of our Lord Jesus. It applies to each and every local church family, even the family known as Pilgrim Reformed.
The Lord is coming soon, John says, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him and hung Him on that cross to die. And all the earth will mourn. This is God’s will. That’s what it means at the end of verse 7 when John says, “Even so, Amen.” So be it - God’s will be done.
As we proceed in the coming weeks, we’ll look at the characteristics of the seven churches of Asia and at how many of those characteristics might apply to us here at Pilgrim. If we’re honest in that examination, we might better understand what kind of church we are.
But what kind of church should we be? There are hints throughout the Bible, but I think the very best example can be seen in the first church. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and touched and entered all those present who believed in Jesus as the Christ, as the one true Son of God. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles describes that event and what took place shortly after, as the church of Jesus began. Listen as I read to you from Acts chapter 2, verses 38 through 47, beginning with Peter’s closing words to those gathered there…
Jan Everhart recently shared a simple story with me that I think helps illustrate at least part of today’s message. Actually, there are six illustrations here:
Once upon a time, all the villagers decided to pray for rain to end a drought. On the day of prayer all the people gathered together, but only one small boy brought along an umbrella - that’s faith.
When you throw a baby in the air, she laughs with glee because she knows you will catch her - that’s trust.
Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarm to wake us up - that’s hope.
We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of what the future holds - that’s confidence.
On an old man’s shirt were written the words, “I am not 80 years old… I’m sweet 16 with 64 years of experience” - that’s attitude.
And finally, this… We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children - that’s love.
I believe we need to exhibit those characteristics as a church family. We need to have faith that our prayers really do hold great power, because of Who we pray to. We need to trust each other more, and we need to fully trust in our Lord, especially during bad times. We must put all our hope in the Lord Jesus, for He is our only path to salvation. We have to face the future with the utmost confidence, knowing that God is in control and He will work all things to our good. We not only must have the attitude that Jesus is Lord, but also share it with the rest of the world. And we must constantly foster and reinforce a spirit of love and forgiveness for all.
That last is how Jesus wants His church to be defined, how He wants it to be seen by others: by love and forgiveness for all.
John opens this final book in our Bible by letting us know that what follows came from God and is intended to be shared with all God’s children, His servants. God sent this to John by His angel, and John in turn bears witness to the word God sent and to the testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please pay close attention to the urgency of John’s message. In the very 1st verse the Apostle says he will show us things that “must shortly take place”! And then in verse 3 he again stresses that we need to know the “time is near” when these things will happen.
Now anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Book of Revelation knows that “these things” John is talking about here are going to be quite terrible! War and famine and plagues and destruction and death, until finally the Son of Man returns to set all things aright. John cautions that time is drawing close, so we’d better pay attention and heed God’s word.
And I believe here in the first part of this Revelation, Jesus is trying to stress that this applies not only to us as individuals, but to us collectively, as the body of Christ, the church of our Lord Jesus. It applies to each and every local church family, even the family known as Pilgrim Reformed.
The Lord is coming soon, John says, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him and hung Him on that cross to die. And all the earth will mourn. This is God’s will. That’s what it means at the end of verse 7 when John says, “Even so, Amen.” So be it - God’s will be done.
As we proceed in the coming weeks, we’ll look at the characteristics of the seven churches of Asia and at how many of those characteristics might apply to us here at Pilgrim. If we’re honest in that examination, we might better understand what kind of church we are.
But what kind of church should we be? There are hints throughout the Bible, but I think the very best example can be seen in the first church. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and touched and entered all those present who believed in Jesus as the Christ, as the one true Son of God. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles describes that event and what took place shortly after, as the church of Jesus began. Listen as I read to you from Acts chapter 2, verses 38 through 47, beginning with Peter’s closing words to those gathered there…
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
--Acts 2:38-47 (NKJV)
Now, the Bible I am reading this from subtitles this section as “A Vital Church Grows”. In the children’s sermon we looked at what the word “church” means. But what about the word “vital”? That means “alive”, doesn’t it? But more than that, it means being necessary to life, even the source of life. If something is vital, it is necessary to the existence, continuance, or well-being of something. It is essential.
I believe there are two ways we can look at this word “vital” as applied to a church by this passage in scripture. The first is that the church is vital to the world. Jesus instituted His church, starting with Peter, to carry on His work here on earth. His work, ultimately, is to save the world. So the church is essential for the salvation of all of mankind.
Let me repeat that: the church is essential for the salvation of all of mankind! How’s that for a responsibility?!!? Fortunately, we don’t have to bear it alone – it is one all church families can share in.
But the second aspect of this question of vitality has a more direct bearing on the church itself, and what is essential to the life of the church family. I believe this is the message of this passage from Acts.
What were some of the characteristics of the first church, that basically started right there at Pentecost? Peter opened it up with a call to repentance and baptism, all for the remission of sins. In this way, each member of that first family could and did receive God’s Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus.
And what happened? Pretty much that first day, with the wondrous events of Pentecost still fresh in their thoughts, around 3000 souls were baptized and saved and added to the roles of this first church!
The Apostle Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, tells us that all these people steadfastly followed the teachings of the Apostles. They came together in fellowship, in sharing meals, in prayer. When necessary, they sold their earthly possession and divided the gain among themselves so that no one would have to go without their needs being met!
Did they come together once a week? Did they observe Communion, the breaking of bread, once a quarter? No! They did all these things daily! Every day, and with gladness and simplicity, not from some sense of duty or with great pomp and circumstance, and all the while praising God. And lo and behold, they found favor with the people, with all the people, not like today when so many non-believers hold the church in contempt.
And did you catch the result of all this? Luke says, “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”. The Lord added to the church – not Peter, not Luke or John or James or any of the Apostles, but the Lord! Today we tend to expect the pastor or some committee on Visitation or Membership or Evangelism to go out and drum up new members and spur growth. But that first church grew daily because the Lord added to it! Why? I think it obvious that God was pleased with the church and helped it grow.
How closely does the church follow that example today? Now I think that we at Pilgrim come close, but there is a lot of room for improvement as individual members of the family and as a family as a whole.
I’m not saying we should sell everything we own and pool the money and split it among ourselves – we’d be bankrupt in no time, financially if not morally. But we should see to the needs of those who may be struggling. And we must not make them feel bad or self-conscious in letting us know they have a need or in that need being met.
We must follow the doctrines contained in our Bible, and especially the teachings of Jesus. What is most important to our Lord? Love! First of God our Father, and then of each other!
How do we express that love? I tell you family - and I want everyone to clearly hear and understand this – I still catch word every now and then of someone saying something hurtful to another! This is not helpful, it’s not necessary, it’s certainly not our place, and it is not love in action. Be kind, love each other, treat each other the same way you want to be treated!
I’m also not saying we should take Communion daily, or even weekly, although I know of some church families that take Communion every time they meet. But you know, we don’t have to be here in church to observe our Lord’s last supper. The early church held Communion in their homes from time to time, as well as what we would call “Bible study”. It doesn’t all have to be organized events – we can have simple gatherings in our homes where two or more gather in the name of Jesus.
And we can certainly all pray, can’t we, and praying on a daily basis shouldn’t be a problem, should it? Then why don’t we?
But I think the key to this passage may be in how God viewed what these people held in their hearts. There was joy, there was gladness, in being saved and in serving God. Love was evident in how they looked out for one another. And not just in how they interacted with fellow believers, but also in their treatment of non-believers, because Luke notes they found favor among all people.
And they did all this not because they felt like they just had to, but out of love – love for God and love for one another. It’s a tough question to consider, but do we love this church family enough that we would be willing to sell everything we own just to help another in dire need? We don’t have to, in my opinion, but we should be ready to in our heart.
It is this kind of love and commitment to Jesus that will bring growth. This kind of love is infectious – it draws others to its warmth. And God will see our hearts and add to our numbers daily.
This is the kind of church we should be – a family of selfless, unconditional love.
Earlier I said we would be examining the seven churches of Asia as named by Jesus in His revelation to the Apostle John. John continues this revelation in verses 10 and 11 of chapter 1 when he reports…
I believe there are two ways we can look at this word “vital” as applied to a church by this passage in scripture. The first is that the church is vital to the world. Jesus instituted His church, starting with Peter, to carry on His work here on earth. His work, ultimately, is to save the world. So the church is essential for the salvation of all of mankind.
Let me repeat that: the church is essential for the salvation of all of mankind! How’s that for a responsibility?!!? Fortunately, we don’t have to bear it alone – it is one all church families can share in.
But the second aspect of this question of vitality has a more direct bearing on the church itself, and what is essential to the life of the church family. I believe this is the message of this passage from Acts.
What were some of the characteristics of the first church, that basically started right there at Pentecost? Peter opened it up with a call to repentance and baptism, all for the remission of sins. In this way, each member of that first family could and did receive God’s Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus.
And what happened? Pretty much that first day, with the wondrous events of Pentecost still fresh in their thoughts, around 3000 souls were baptized and saved and added to the roles of this first church!
The Apostle Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, tells us that all these people steadfastly followed the teachings of the Apostles. They came together in fellowship, in sharing meals, in prayer. When necessary, they sold their earthly possession and divided the gain among themselves so that no one would have to go without their needs being met!
Did they come together once a week? Did they observe Communion, the breaking of bread, once a quarter? No! They did all these things daily! Every day, and with gladness and simplicity, not from some sense of duty or with great pomp and circumstance, and all the while praising God. And lo and behold, they found favor with the people, with all the people, not like today when so many non-believers hold the church in contempt.
And did you catch the result of all this? Luke says, “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”. The Lord added to the church – not Peter, not Luke or John or James or any of the Apostles, but the Lord! Today we tend to expect the pastor or some committee on Visitation or Membership or Evangelism to go out and drum up new members and spur growth. But that first church grew daily because the Lord added to it! Why? I think it obvious that God was pleased with the church and helped it grow.
How closely does the church follow that example today? Now I think that we at Pilgrim come close, but there is a lot of room for improvement as individual members of the family and as a family as a whole.
I’m not saying we should sell everything we own and pool the money and split it among ourselves – we’d be bankrupt in no time, financially if not morally. But we should see to the needs of those who may be struggling. And we must not make them feel bad or self-conscious in letting us know they have a need or in that need being met.
We must follow the doctrines contained in our Bible, and especially the teachings of Jesus. What is most important to our Lord? Love! First of God our Father, and then of each other!
How do we express that love? I tell you family - and I want everyone to clearly hear and understand this – I still catch word every now and then of someone saying something hurtful to another! This is not helpful, it’s not necessary, it’s certainly not our place, and it is not love in action. Be kind, love each other, treat each other the same way you want to be treated!
I’m also not saying we should take Communion daily, or even weekly, although I know of some church families that take Communion every time they meet. But you know, we don’t have to be here in church to observe our Lord’s last supper. The early church held Communion in their homes from time to time, as well as what we would call “Bible study”. It doesn’t all have to be organized events – we can have simple gatherings in our homes where two or more gather in the name of Jesus.
And we can certainly all pray, can’t we, and praying on a daily basis shouldn’t be a problem, should it? Then why don’t we?
But I think the key to this passage may be in how God viewed what these people held in their hearts. There was joy, there was gladness, in being saved and in serving God. Love was evident in how they looked out for one another. And not just in how they interacted with fellow believers, but also in their treatment of non-believers, because Luke notes they found favor among all people.
And they did all this not because they felt like they just had to, but out of love – love for God and love for one another. It’s a tough question to consider, but do we love this church family enough that we would be willing to sell everything we own just to help another in dire need? We don’t have to, in my opinion, but we should be ready to in our heart.
It is this kind of love and commitment to Jesus that will bring growth. This kind of love is infectious – it draws others to its warmth. And God will see our hearts and add to our numbers daily.
This is the kind of church we should be – a family of selfless, unconditional love.
Earlier I said we would be examining the seven churches of Asia as named by Jesus in His revelation to the Apostle John. John continues this revelation in verses 10 and 11 of chapter 1 when he reports…
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
--Revelation 1:10-11 (NKJV)
Are we like that church in Ephesus? Maybe. We’ll have to look more closely to find out. But I think we can already see that we’re not exactly like that first church, the kind of church we should be. So we should heed the words of John when he speaks for Jesus, telling us that the time is near. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”
And He is coming again soon. Amen.
Let us pray… Father God, we can see from our calendars that the time is drawing near when we mourn Your Son’s beating and execution and then rejoice at His resurrection and victory over death. What we can’t see, Lord, is when Jesus will return to call His church home. From Your holy word written across the pages of our Bible, we are assured that that time is also drawing near, even if we aren’t meant to know exactly when.
Help us be better prepared for that day, Lord, by becoming the church You would have us be. Your word shows us how much You supported that first church and how You made it grow daily, all the while to advance Your kingdom. Help us follow that example, please Lord, so that You might also help us grow and flourish, all to Your glory.
Hear us now, Father, as we cry out to You from our hearts in the silence of this place, seeking Your will over our lives, as individuals and as a church family…
Heavenly Father, help us understand and carry out Your will, Father, and not our own. Guide this church family, please Father, that we may better serve You and our community. Help us always put Jesus at the head of this family, in all things, through all activities. This we pray in that most blessed name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer. Amen.
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