“…That
night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing
there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us (share the
gospel)!” (ACTS 16:9 NLT).
THE
CHURCH THEME IS:
WALKING
WITH GOD PRODUCES A PASSION FOR MISSION.
MISSION
WORK BASICALLY MEANS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.
SHARING
THE GOSPEL IS USUALLY DONE BY PEOPLE WHO ARE SAVED, CHOSEN AND SENT BY GOD TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS.
THE
GOOD NEWS IS JESUS CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST SAVES AND TRANSFORMS LIVES.
ACCORDING
TO REVELATION 19:12-13 ANOTHER NAME FOR JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD.
THE
WORD OF GOD IS THE GOOD NEWS THAT SAVES AND TRANSFORMS LIVES.
THUS,
GOD BECOMES THE FIRST MISSIONARY EVER WHEN HE SENDS JESUS, HIS SON AND HIS
WORD, IN HUMAN FLESH, TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH ALL OF US. THE BIBLE SAYS, . “….The Word became flesh (became a human vessel)…” (John 1:14 NASB).
WALKING
CLOSELY WITH GOD WILL REVEAL HIS PASSION FOR SHARING THE GOOD NEWS. THE BIBLE SAYS: “…God SO LOVED the
world…” (John 3:16 KJV).
GOD’S
PASSION TO LOVE YOU AND ME MADE HIM SEND JESUS. BECAUSE, “…He loved [you] and [PASSIONATELY DESIRED TO SEND] his Son as an
atoning sacrifice for [y]our sins…” (1 John 4:10 NIV). THEREFORE, “….The Word [of God] became flesh (became a human vessel)…” (John 1:14 NASB).
WHEN
JESUS CAME HE TOLD THE WORLD ABOUT GOD’S LOVE. HE WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT . “…No one
has ever seen God. [BUT JESUS, THE FIRST MISSIONARY] He has revealed God to us…” (John 1:18 NLT).
JESUS
TOLD PEOPLE
“…[THEIR] SINS … [HAD] cut [THEM[ off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). AND “…[HE HAD COME] that [THEY] may have life, and have it
abundantly….” (John 10:10 KJV).
JESUS
ALSO EXPRESSED THAT HE CAME “…to [ESPECIALLY]seek and to save THAT
WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).
“… [HE
CAME because he is the] … one … who can reconcile God and humanity…” (1
Timothy 2:5 NLT).
“…[HE CAME to be] the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).
“…[HE CAME to be] the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world” (John 1:29 KJV). “
….[HE] CAME not to be served but to serve others and TO GIVE HIS LIFE as
a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28).
“….[HE CAME because God is], NOT WILLING that
any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). “…[HE] CAME that [you] may have life, and have it abundantly….”
(John 10:10 KJV).
JESUS
CAME “…so you [WOULD] know that [GOD “IS”] the Lord[YOUR GOD WHO LOVES YOU[…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT).
OBVIOUSLY, GOD HAD A PASSION FOR MISSION; SO HE
SENT HIS SON “… to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16
KJV).
HIS
PASSION WAS DEMONSTRATED WHEN: “…Christ … died for
sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us [home again] to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… [SO HE sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the
man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).
GOD DIDN’T SENT HIS WORD TO IMPRESS
YOU OR PROVE HIMSELF TO YOU, OR CONVINCE YOU OF WHO HE IS. HE SENT HIS WORD TO
DRAW “… all men unto
[HIMSELF]…” (John 12:32 KJV). “…[TO DRAW THEM] with unfailing kindness…” (Jeremiah
3:13 NIV).
GOD
SENT JESUS, HIS WORD, TO HIS “OWN”
PEOPLE FIRST. IF ANYBODY OUGHT TO RECOGNIZE THE WORD OF GOD IT OUGHT TO BE HIS
OWN PEOPLE. SO HE SENT HIS WORD TO HIS “OWN” PEOPLE FIRST. THE BIBLE SAYS: “… his
OWN received him NOT…” (John 1:11 KJV).
IS IT
POSSIBLE TO BE AROUND JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, AND MISS HIS MESSAGE, MISS HIS
LOVE, MISS HIS PURPOSE, MISS HIS MISSION WORK FOR YOUR LIFE, MISS OUT ON HIS PASSIONATE FOR LOVE THE LOST….. WELL HIS OWN DID NOT RECEIVED HIM AND MISSED OUT!
JESUS “...saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known me, Philip? he that hath SEEN ME HATH SEEN the Father; and how
sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” (John 14:9 KJV). “The Son
is the RADIANCE of God’s glory and the EXACT
representation of his being…”
(Hebrews 1:3 KJV).
IN REVELATION, GOD SAID TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS: “…I KNOW
THY WORKS, AND THY LABOR, AND THY PATIENCE, AND HOW
THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM WHICH ARE EVIL…[However,]… I WILL COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK out of
his place, except thou repent…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
Removing
THEIR candlestick WAS not a threat, or a warning really, but it is God
RESPONDING to the choices the church of Ephesus HAD made to rely on their OWN
duty-bound, PASSIONLESS self-efforts of religious obligations. HE TOLD THEM“… I WILL COME QUICKLY,
AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK out of his place…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5
KJV).
The
candlestick represents the church of Ephesus and the candle, which was inside it;
represents Jesus, THE WORD, THE GOSPEL MESSAGE. The church of Ephesus WAS once
ILLUMINATED with the LIGHT of TRUTH. “… You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that
Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the
darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know
the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our
hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great
treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from
ourselves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
AT ONE
TIME the church of Ephesus was devoted to GOD AND HIS MISSION WORK UPON EARTH.
THEY READILY ADMITED “… our great power [TO
SAVE AND TRANSFROM LIVES COME FROM] from God, not from
ourselves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT). BACK IN THE DAY, The
church and the city of Ephesus played an important role in Christianity.
God blessed the WHOLE
city of Ephesus JUST because HIS people were there. IF YOU EVER READ THE STORY OF JOSEPH. YOU WILL Remember how God was with HIM when he became a servant in Potiphar’s house. GOD BLESSED the WHOLE house just because of him. “…The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house
of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.
So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served
him. Then he made him overseer of
his house, and all that he had
he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had,
that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and
the blessing of the Lord was
on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus
he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had
except for the bread which he ate…”
(Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).
The presence of the
church of Ephesus blessed the WHOLE city of Ephesus. “…the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and
the blessing of the Lord was
on all that he had in the house and in the field. …”
(Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).
Many were converted in
Ephesus, they sent out missionaries from there, Apostle Paul, John, Timothy,
and possibly the mother of Jesus lived in or around Ephesus, they had a robust
CHURCH COMMUNITY, they planted other churches, men received the baptism of the
Holy Spirit, some of Apostle Paul’s letters were written in or to the Ephesians,
the gospel of John may have been written there too, and the church of Ephesus
was initially passionate and zealous for MISSION WORK. THE BIBLE SAID ABOUT THEM:“…I KNOW THY WORKS, AND THY
LABOR …”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
HOWEVER, Somewhere
along the way the church of Ephesus LOST THEIR original zeal and passionate FOR
GOD AND HIS MISSION WORK UPON EARTH. GOD SAID TO THEM: “… remember, therefore from whence thou art fallen…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
They
had FELL away from THEIR PASSION FOR MISSION WORK AND THE BIBLE SAYS. “… Thou hast left thou first love…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
The fall
away from FIRST LOVE (God) CAN BE a “fall away” from GRACE. “…If you are trying … [in your OWN effort] … to make yourselves
right with God ... you
have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…”
(Galatians 2:21 NLT).
PASSIONLESS WORKS WILL not
make YOU right with God; GRACE DOES. “…a person is made right with God by [depending upon]… Jesus Christ…”
(Galatians 2:16 NLT). “…Grow in the grace (underserved
and the unearned favor) …” (2
Peter 3:18).
ANYBODY WHO DOES
PASSIONLESS, duty-bound works to make THEMSELVES right with GoD IS DOING IT ALL
in vain. “… We are made right with God by
(our dependence upon) Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes,
no matter who we are…” (Romans 3:22 NLT). “… No one is justified by [HUMAN WORKS OR] (self-effort) ... is … for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN [OR WOMAN] SHALL LIVE BY FAITH (OR dependence upon
God)…" (Romans 3:11 NASB).
Your WORKS MAY appear
to be the same WORKS as those who are depending upon God; YET, IF THEY ARE
PASSIONLESS, DUTY-BOUND works OF SELF-EFFORT THEY WON’T make you right with God.
“…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong,
but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Apart from (Jesus
CHRIST), you can do nothing…” (John
15:5 NIV).
“…a
person is made right with God by [depending upon]…
Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).
ONLY “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1
Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
If you
received his GRACE to be SAVED; that same GRACE will sustain you throughout
your ENTIRE Christian journey and it will NEVER lose its sufficient POWER. “…My grace is sufficient for you…”
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…NOT
that [YOU] are sufficient OF [YOURSELVES to think any thing as
of [Y]ourselves; but [Y]our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5
KJV). “…[HE] will supply all
your NEED…” (John 12:32 KJV). “… [GOD]… is … sustaining ALL THINGS by his powerful WORD…”
(Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “…In him ALL THINGS hold
together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV). “…HE “WILL”
KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “… [YOU ARE]… strengthened with
might by his Spirit in [YOUR]… inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…It is God which worketh
in [YOU]… both to
will and to do..” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… [YOU]..can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [YOU]….”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…That great Shepherd of the
sheep …may he work in [YOU]… what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
“… [go
back to Choosing to depending upon] the Lord
with all thine heart …” (Proverbs
3:5-6 KJV). “… [go back to
choosing “not” to lean] unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “ … [Go back to
choosing to acknowledge him in all your ways], and he shall direct
thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). Go back to depending upon God to direct
your steps. “…The steps of a good man are ordered (directed) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).
“… or else I WILL COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
The candle indwells or
fits into the candlestick, which enables it to GIVE LIGHT to the surrounding
area. “…The Light which … enlightens every man…” (John 1:19 NASB).
If the
candlestick (the church), that displays the LIGHT LOSSES IT’S PASSION FOR
MISSION; it loses its significance. THE BIBLE SAYS: "… You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is
no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by
men…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
Without the LIGHT, THE candlestick
is NO “…longer good for anything, except to be thrown out...” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
It is no longer relevant. It serves NO purpose in DOING THE MISSION WORK of God.
“… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
“… or else I WILL COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
Salt does two things,
it preserves and it flavors. "… You
are the salt
of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB). It preserves by keeping things from rot
and decay. It flavors by changing the taste of things. Salt is relevant and it
has a purpose. "… You are the salt
of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
Salt in Matthew 5:13 is
also talking about God’s people, the church . The church has a purpose. It
serves the purpose of reconciling the world to God THROUGH MISSION WORK and BY changing
the flavor of human morality to holy morality upon the earth. “…God, who reconciled us to himself through
Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (salt
and light). …” (2
Corinthians 5:18 NIV). "… You are the salt
of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB). “…ye shall be holy (not just moral) unto me: for I the Lord am holy…”
(Leviticus 20:26 KJV).
When the church does
NOT DO THE MISSION WORK OF GOD it loses its ability to reconcile men to God or influence
holy morality. "… You are the salt
of the earth; but if the salt has become
tasteless…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
The church, therefore,
is a LIGHT of TRUTH to the world, but if that LIGHT can’t be SEEN it can’t
preserve anyone from corruption nor can it influence holy morality. . “…The Light which … enlightens every
man…” (John 1:19 NASB).“…. We now have this
light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay
jars containing this great treasure. This
makes it clear that our great power is from God, not
from ourselves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7
NLT).
If the church LOSES its
distinctive qualities of preservation, holy morality, or light; it has LOST its
relevancy and its purpose. "… You
are the salt of the earth; but if the
salt has become tasteless …It is no longer good for anything…”
(Matthew 5:13 NASB).
The church LOSES its
distinctive qualities when it begins to MIX with the wrong elements and allows itself to be EXPOSED to impurities. “… “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “ And do not touch what is unclean…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB).
This LOSS of
distinction produces religious practices and behaviors that further
extinguishes the church’s ability to preserve, influence, and uphold
the LIGHT of TRUTH. “…He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This
people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is
far from me” (Mark 7:6 KJV).
When the church begins
to practice Christianity according to their own PASSIONLESS self-effort; their
behavior is no longer EMPOWERED by what makes them uniquely relevant. “… [The irrelevant]… are such [that]… serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly…”
(Romans 16:18 KJV).
The church becomes
USELESS TO THE MISSION WORK OF GOD. The body without the Spirit is dead. “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…”
(James 2:26 KJV). “….Apart
from [JESUS], you can do nothing…” (John
15:5 NIV).
The church body without
dependence upon the indwelling Holy
Spirit is also dead and useless. Apart from depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit, the church
can do nothing. “…The God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep …work in us (empowering) what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory
for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).“…Apart from Me (Jesus,
the indwelling Holy Spirit), [YOU can] do nothing [spiritually relevant]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Without depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to do the
work “IN” and “THROUGH” them the church becomes impure from depending upon
self-effort which relies on sinful flesh. “
… It is the same God who does the work IN and
THROUGH all of us who are his. The
HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “….Apart from Me, you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…Human effort (the flesh) accomplishes
nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be
burned, but have not love (God is LOVE), IT PROFITETH ME
NOTHING…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the salt has become tasteless … It is no
longer good for anything, except to be thrown out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
If the church LOSES its
distinctive quality, which IS the
indwelling Holy Spirit, how will it be able to preserve others from the
corruption of sin or, influence holy morality, or be a LIGHT of TRUTH? “….Don't put your confidence in … people [or
your OWN flesh]… there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT). “…It is
impossible to please God without (the indwelling Holy Spirit of) FAITH…” (Hebrews
11:6 NLT). "…That which is born
of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of
the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do
nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
What would the
Christian church be good for without the
indwelling Holy Spirit? “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). What would make the Christian
church distinctive from any other religion? “…It
is God who works in [them]…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
If the Christian church
does not set a tone for HOLY morality; how will their human moral practices be
any different from others. “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH...” (Proverbs
14:20 KJV). “…There is a way that seemeth right
unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways DEATH ….” (Proverbs
16:25 KJV). “…and sin,
when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…”
(James 1:13-15 NLT).
Trying to do
Christianity through PASSIONLESS duty-bound religious self-effort REDUCES the
distinctive qualities of God’s church to USELESSNESS and being “good for nothing.” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
Without the indwelling WORK of the Holy Spirit
what distinctive quality does the Christian church have from any other church?
Thus, it is good for nothing in
regard to MISSION WORK OF GOD.
In the 21st
century are people being SAVED; BUT are they being preserved from the
corruption of sin; are they being influenced by Holy morality; and are they
SEEING the LIGHT of TRUTH? “…If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s
commandments, that
person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…”
(1 John 2:4 NLT). “…If we
“SAY” that we have
fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (unChristian), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6
KJV). “ … the deeds
of the flesh are evident…”
(Galatians 5:20-22 NASB).
ARE YOU STILL A relevant
life preserver? ARE YOU a relevant influencer of Holy morality? ARE YOU A relevant
LIGHT of TRUTH? "…Let your
light shine
before men in such a way that they may see your
good works, and glorify your
Father who
is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 NASB).
If YOU AND I LOSE OUR distinctive
qualities HOW will the lost people find the ANSWERS? HOW WILL WE BE
MISSIONARIES FOR THE WORK OF GOD
“…How shall they believe in him of whom they have not HEARD? And how
shall they HEAR without a preacher (OR one who HAS THE PASSION FOR MISSION WORK)?”
(Romans 10:14 KJV).
The CHURCH can RETURN
to usefulness by returning TO THEIR FIRST LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS WORK UPON EARTH.
“… repent and do the first works…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
The Christian church WAS
MEANT TO BE AN useful vessel FOR THE MISSION WORK IN WHICH THEY WERE CALLED.
The church DOES these things BY FAITH (depending upon the Holy Spirit). “…the Father that
dwelleth in [YOU], he doeth
the works [IN AND THROUGH YOU]…” (John 14:10 KJV) “…God … worketh in
you, both to
will and to do of His good pleasure…”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…NOW UNTO
HIM THAT IS “ABLE” to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask
or think, according to the POWER (the
indwelling Holy Spirit) that worketh in [you]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).
“… The God of peace
… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will, and …work[s] in [you]… what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “
… It is the same God who does the work IN and
THROUGH all of us who are his. The
HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… The God of peace … that great Shepherd
of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing
his will … …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).“… The God of
peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep…work[s] in [you]… what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…the
Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…The Lord
(Jesus Christ) is that Spirit…” (2
Corinthians 3:17 KJV). . “I and the
father are one” (John 10:30 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in [YOU], he doeth
the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
The church chooses to
willfully DEPENDS UPON his indwelling Holy Spirit to DO the MISSION WORK IN AND
THROUGH THEM. “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “… lean not unto
thine own understanding…” (Proverbs
3:5-6 KJV). “ … In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [YOU], he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
GOD HAS given EVERY child the Spirit of his
indwelling POWER. “….ye shall receive the GIFT of the Holy
Ghost (Spirit)…” (Acts 2:38 KJV). . “…God has …given
us a spirit
…of power…”
(1 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
YOU PERSONALLY choose to DEPEND UPON his
indwelling POWER, which is the Holy Spirit. “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth (empowers) me…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).“…BY THE
GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
God is NOT REMOVED THE candlestick OF THE
CHURCH OF EPHESUS because he CHANGED, but because they have changed THEIR MINDS
and have CHOSE to follow Christianity in their OWN way. “…my
people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they
wanted, following the stubborn desires
of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our
own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
If the candlestick, which is a vessel,
does not have candle LIGHT it is useless for its intended purposes. “…MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. For every one that doeth evil
hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved…” (John 3:18-20
KJV).
The candlestick, which represents the
church, in Revelation 2:5, can be restored to its usefulness by repenting and DEPENDINGd
upon the candle do the MISSION WORK of giving LIGHT to the WORLD AROUND THEM. “… repent and do the first works…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
Removing the candlestick is God’s RESPONSE
to a decision the church of Ephesus’ made by trying to be the LIGHT of the
WORLD without depending upon the actually LIGHT to do it! “… I am the light of the
world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…our great
power is from God…”
(2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
Without the TRUE LIGHT the Christian
church will become irrelevant and useless. “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
******************************
The church of Ephesus WAS once a
metropolis of Christianity AND IS said to have less than 1% of Christians in
that city to this day.
Some say there is a total of only 3
Christians, period, in the whole city of Ephesus now. I don’t know for sure,
but it is definitely NOT the LIGHT it once was. “…I WILL COME QUICKLY, AND WILL
REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
Are YOU becoming like the church of
Ephesus? Are YOU DOING THE MISSION WORK OF preserving YOUR fellow citizens from
the corruption of sin? Are YOU influencing holy morality IN YOUR FAMILY OR
AMONG YOUR FRIENDS? Are YOU STILL a light of truth?
OR ARE YOU BARELY maintaining their OWN
salvation? “…The harvest
is past, the summer is ended, and [YOU]… ARE NOT SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV). “…If
My people which are called by My name shall
humble themselves, and pray and seek
My face, and TURN FROM their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “… And …“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to
godless sinners?” (1 Peter 4:18
NLT).
God’s judgement will begin with the
household of believers. “… The
time has come for judgment, and it must begin
with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible
fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?” (1 Peter 4:16
NLT).
YOU ARE CLAIMING to have the LIGHT of
TRUTH WITHIN YOU; RIGHT. “…If
someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t
obey God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the
truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT). “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN
DARKNESS (depending upon SELF-effort), WE LIE,
and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV).
“… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV). “… or else
I WILL
COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
A removal of your candlestick is a
RESPONSE to your OWN choice to DO Christianity in your OWN way. “….Apart from Me, you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
God is responding to those who have CHOSEN
TO LOSE their relevancy and usefulness for his MISSION WORL. “...the Lord said, My
Spirit shall not always strive with man…” (Genesis 6:3 KJV). “…They DID NOT like to retain God in their knowledge…” (Romans 1:28
KJV). “… I WILL COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV)
God is responding to those who are NOW
depending upon the limitation of human effort. “…If I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if
I give my body to be burned, but have not love,
IT PROFITETH ME
NOTHING…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV). “…the flesh
profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “….Apart from Me, you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
God is responding to those who no longer
DEPEND UPON his POWERFUL indwelling Holy
Spirit to do the WORK OF MISSION “in” and “through” them. “…The …HOLY SPIRIT … is the SOURCE of them all. …it is the same God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of
us who are his…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
“… or else
I WILL
COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
Ask yourself these questions: Are people
in my family, or among my friends, or in my community being preserved from the
corruption of sin? Are people in my family, or among my friends, or in my community
being influenced by holy morality? Are the people in my family, or among my
friends, or in my community being enlightened with God’s truth? Am I PERSONALLY
depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit
to empower ME to be a LIGHT to our families, or among our friends, or in the
community? “… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:5 KJV). “… or else
I WILL
COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:5 KJV).
God is in control, but he is NOT
controlling. God has MISSION WORK to do upon the earth. If you CHOOSE not to be
a willing vessel he will respect your
choice. He is demonstrating that respect when he removes your candlestick. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV). “… I … WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
However, God’s MISSION WORK of SALVATION,
preserving people from the corruption of sin, influencing holy morality, and
being a light to the world will continue; with or without you. “…God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever
believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16
KJV).
Christianity is STILL relevant and serving
its purpose in other parts of the WORLD. “Herein
is LOVE, not that we loved
God, but that HE
LOVED US and sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).
The GREAT LIGHT of truth has shifted and
imparted its relevancy and purpose to willing vessels in countries such as
African, Latin America, and Asia. “…There is
no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the
world…” (John 3:16 KJV).
China KNOWN for its atheism is A GROWING a
Christian community that can no longer be ignored. Experts predict that by 2025
China will become the largest Christian country.
If you think your candlestick has been put
on the list for removal; it is time to repent. “… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:5 KJV).
God has been removed from American schools,
from monuments, people don’t attend bible study like they used to, Sunday night
services are unheard of, parents no longer “MAKE” their children attend church,
people complain about long sermons or long church services, people grumble
about an Easter or Christmas service which center around Christ over staying
home to enjoy the holiday instead, communion, which used to be a special and
separate service is now incorporated into morning service to make it convenient
for the people.
Christians, themselves, are compromising
their OWN relevancy and purpose by throwing away biblical orthodoxy practices.
Thus, MANY CHRISTIANS HAVE BECOME ROUTINE AND COMPLACENT; PLACING THE
IMPORTANCE OF THEIR AGENDAS OVER GOD’S. They have LOST their purpose and
relevancy.
The WORLD tells, the Christian church,
that LESS Jesus would make them more purposeful and relevancy, but the bible
says it will take MORE JESUS. “… I am the
light of
the world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…our great
power is from God…”
(2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
YOU CHOOSE to become a church which is
relevant and purposeful through the POWER of the indwelling Holy Spirit or become a church who languishes from
the impact of self-effort and religious obligation, BUT EXCLUDES THE MISSION
WORK OF God.
God respects your choice. However, you
have time to “… repent and do the first works…” (REVELATION 2:5 KJV). “… or else
I WILL
COME QUICKLY, AND WILL REMOVE THY CANDLESTICK…”
(REVELATION 2:5 KJV).
God’s church is ALIVE, RELEVANT, and
PURPOSEFUL. YOU can AGAIN become a part of the WORLDWIDE community of believers
that are LIGHTING the WORLD with God’s TRUTH.
No matter how DEAD you think YOU HAVE
PERSONALLY become; God is “NOT” dead and his candlesticks - in other parts of
the worldwide community – ARE SEEING PEOPLE
SAVE, ARE preserving people from the corruption of sin, ARE influencing
holy morality, and enlightening people with the truth.
There are still some who are choosing to
be willing vessels by SHARING the Gospel, DOING THE MISSION WORK, and by being
the LIGHT.
They are allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to use them in changing lives, changing
families, changing congregants, changing communities, changing societies, and
changing countries.
LET’S PRAY REVIVE US O LORD THAT WE WILL
AGAIN DO YOUR MISSION WORK!!
No matter what you SEE or how DEAD you think
YOU HAVE become JESUS is “STILL” LIGHTING the WORLD through willing vessel!!
SO DO THIS” “… repent and do the first [MISSION]
works…” (REVELATION 2:5 KJV).
