Homecoming

Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Now we come to the Church Jesus can come home to. The Church of ‘brotherly love.’ The Church in Philadelphia.

Of the seven letters Jesus writes to the seven churches, surprisingly, only two of those churches escape His rebuke. One church, (the one we will study next week,) even denies Jesus entry.

The prior church which Jesus only had commendation for was the church in Smyrna, and this was due to the persecution and brutality they were undergoing while remaining firm in their faith in Christ. But that church has passed from the scene, and all its members which remained faithful to the end have had their homecoming and are in heaven.

The question is: Which presently-existing church is the church Jesus will choose to make His church home here on earth? What is Jesus looking for in a church?

We have the answer in the church in Philadelphia. The church of brotherly love, (which is what ‘Philadelphia’ means.)

This is the church where Jesus is in control. He has run of the place. What He opens remains open, and what He closes remains closed. There is a sense of desire for Jesus’ direction and instruction which has such priority that Jesus is sought after even more than He is welcomed. This is the church where Jesus’ presence is the difference between life and death, and people know it and desire it.

As a result of Jesus’ desperately-needed presence, the people have genuine love for one another, and the sacrifices of daily life and living bring glory to Jesus’ name. There is a patience for the things to come which allows all to see this church is eternal.

-Pastor Bill

Overcoming Death

Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The Reformation brought about drastic changes on the Church landscape. The question is: Were those changes really for the better?

It would certainly seem so. The events of Church history so far now culminated in the famous “95 Theses” of Martin Luther, nailed to the church door.

Martin Luther had become aware of the Word of God. The Bible. He had become convinced by what the Bible has to say about grace that the position of the Church system he was a part of was completely theologically and morally wrong. And with 95 choice items to state in protest, Martin Luther drove a stake in the ground of history as he nailed his theses to the door.

The chief problem with the Roman Catholic Church of history was its denial of God’s grace alone being the means of salvation for any man. The Bible had not been the sole source of the Roman Catholic perspective on salvation, and many grievous errors ensued.

Luther had become convinced, (upon exposure to God’s Word,) that the Papal Church was in error, and that the system of priestly confession and purgatory and indulgences were an offense to God, and harmful to man. (Let alone the tragedies involved with putting to death all those deemed to be heretical by the hierarchy of the Church.)

Luther staked his life, and the future life of the Church, on God’s Word rather than man’s design. How could THIS church then, be regarded by Christ as, “dead?” It would seem everything pertaining to life and grace would be found here.

The question is possibly answered by the nature of grace as they perceived it - and as it continues to be perceived to this day by the Reformed Church - as completely a matter of Divine Authority and God’s sovereignty. But, is God entirely sovereign in His dissemination of grace - to the extent His grace is irresistible – OR - is man responsible by God's grace to choose to enter into loving relationship with God?

This theological question has raged on without definitive conclusion since the time of The Reformation. Could the answer be found in Jesus’ admonition to the Church in Sardis?

-Pastor Bill

Social Gospel

Rev 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'-- as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

What does God think about the so-called ‘social gospel’ which is so prevalent in the church and in the world today? (This is the gospel of helping others less-fortunate than ourselves, with our goods, and with our time.)

The Church in Thyatira, among other things, is an example of this social gospel in action. To this church, Jesus comes as Judge. It is very interesting this is the only church to which Jesus refers to Himself as, “The Son of God.” And His mode is of judgment, as for this church He has, “eyes like a flame of fire,” and, “feet like fine brass.”

The overall message we can understand is if your salvation is to be by works, than your judgment will be according to your works.

Works are a fine reflection of a personal relationship with Christ - as an outward manifestation of the New Man living within - but they are no basis whatsoever for any hope of salvation.

While doing good things for your fellow man is commendable, (and Jesus does commend them,) it does not meet the need of the person being served. It only presents a sham of the true potential for the development of culture.

Of course, we all feel better about ourselves when we help each other out. It is part of how we are designed. We resonate with, (as Jesus said,) “It is better to give, than it is to receive.”

The problem is, what is the need being met? If a person is well-fed and well-clothed, sheltered, no longer an alcoholic or drug addict – and is bound for an eternity in hell; have we served their greatest need?

-Pastor Bill