In Jesus Holy Name May 24, 2009
Text: Matthew 16:18 Easter VII - Redeemer
God’s Vision For His Church” Part 1 The Book of Acts
Rev. John Stott in his book “The Living Church” writes: “The Church (with a capitol C) lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. The Church is not an accident of history; on the contrary, the Church is God’s new community.”#
On Sunday morning’s in our Bible Class we are studying the Book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is a prophetic message that tells us what events will happen on earth as the Church carries out her mission. John received his vision from the Risen Christ, who presently reigns at the right hand of God. In Chapters 2-3 the first century Church receives both compliments and warnings, as each congregation carries out it’s mission of proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. The Book of Revelation is an explanation of human history in which the Church must live and carry out ministry until Jesus returns.
Each of the warnings to the seven churches can also be warnings to the “Church” through out history. Revelation 2:4 The church in Ephesus is warned that their “commitment”, their hearts desire is no longer centered on Jesus.
Smyrna - Rev. 2:10 - The Christians are suffering for their faith in Jesus. Some may have lost jobs, businesses because of prejudice, even martyrdom. They are afraid and would shrink from “witnessing for Jesus”… and they are encouraged not to be afraid to stand up, for Jesus said these things would happen to Christians.
Rev. 2:14 Pergamum. They are allowing compromise in their theology, often called syncretism, which is allowing two opposing theological beliefs to be held at the same time. They were allowing sexual immorality and false worship and still claiming themselves as Christians.
Rev. 2:20 Thyatira. They are tolerating false teaching & sexual immorality. Like Pergamum…. They have accepted the “cultural” pressure to compromise. When Satan seeks to destroy the Church, if persecution does not work then his next tactic is moral compromise. If Satan can not destroy the church from the outside he will try to corrupt it from the inside.#
Rev. 3:1-2 Sardis The sin of hypocrisy …they are doing good deeds but in their heart they have little love for God…. It is an outward show. They are pretending to be believers by their actions but in reality they are hiding their sins.
Rev. Philadelphia They are afraid to witness about the resurrection of Jesus even though God has opened a door for them to be successful… they are afraid to speak the truth. They are worried about non acceptance for their moral stance, or they are afraid of public embarrassment or persecution.
Rev. 3:15-16 Laodicea… they are lukewarm. Their witness for the resurrection and Christian values makes no influence in their community or culture.
In the Book of Revelation we are told that the Church is not immune to tribulation when sharing the message of God’s love and forgiveness displayed in the person of Jesus. As the people of God we are called out of the world to belong to God and then sent back into the world to witness and serve.
In the book of I Peter the “Church” is called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood belonging to God, who called us out of “spiritual darkness” into His wonderful light and truth to declare His praise. “ Jesus told his disciples: “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
Each decade, each century, each culture in which the Church finds itself, will present a challenge to the Church as the Church seeks to witness and serve. The 21st century America presents different challenges than the 19th century. The 1700’s and 1800’s were centuries when great universities where established for the purpose of preparing men for pastoral ministry. Princeton. Harvard & others. It was a period in American history when Christian denominations built hospitals. The Methodist brought great revival to the frontier as traveling missionaries. Christianity and Christian values had great influence on the development of our constitution and culture. Missionary’s were sent from Europe to America and Africa.
The ministry (which includes both “witness and servant hood” in the pre churched society is what we know as the “traditional mission field. The Church still sends men and women into the mission field. We here at Redeemer have sent people to Kenya and the Ukraine. Christians are active in two week mission trips to Mexico to build houses. Provide food and medical mission trips to communities in Central and South America or countries in Africa.
The pre churched society is where Jesus sent the disciples. Peter, James, John, Paul and the others were sent out to tell the story of Jesus. It was a world of diverse religions, with hundreds of Greek and Roman temples built for worship. It was a pluralistic culture. When Paul arrived in Athens he began his message with these words: “I see you have a temple to the “unknown” god… let me tell you about Him. He created the heavens. He came to earth in the person of Jesus. He was crucified and rose from death, so that you and I can have peace and forgiveness with God.” He established communities of Christians in Athens, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica and elsewhere.
The America of the 21st century is different and the Church has different challenges that me must confront. As I look around the sanctuary this morning I can see that most of us were born and grew up in the 20th century. After WWII new communities were built and city governments set aside land where they expected churches to be built. Pastors were welcomed into the local Lions Club, the Rotary Club. Baccalaureate services were part of the traditional high school graduation process. Communities agreed that stores should be closed on Sundays and for Good Friday services. Prayer was not unusual in public schools. Those days are now referred to as “living in a Churched” society.
Ministry (witness and service) must now take place in a “post churched” society. What does the “Post Church” society look like? In the post churched society the “Church” has little influence. Individual Christians and Christian values are mocked and Christians experience ridicule and persecution. In the past year we have witnessed the contempt for pastors and churches who opposed Proposition 8, and the ridicule of Miss California for expressing her Christian view point. We worry if the California Supreme Court will again over rule the public vote.
Today, school Christmas programs are “winter programs”. Christmas trees are called “holiday trees” until they could not sell them. Easter break is now “spring break”. Crosses are removed from City seals, as happened to Redlands, Ca. Today city planners no longer reserve land for churches. Now, public dog parks take that space. Little league baseball, or soccer games were rarely held on Sunday’s. Today that is normal…. And the Church must now commission fathers to go “into the world” and be a “witness” demonstrating care and service, influencing young boys and girls and families.
In the Churched Society you could invite your unchurched friends to church and they would come. Now in the “Post Churched Society” you talk about Jesus and demonstrate love and care In the post church society we are confronted with the philosophical belief that “there is no absolute truth”. The Church has not had to confront that before. If you are sending your child to college and the professor states that there is no “Absolute Truth” teach your child to say, “Are you sure” and wait for an answer…. Then ask the same question again: “Are you sure?”
Whether the “Church” through history lives in a “pre churched” society, a “churched” society, or a “post churched” society the words of Jesus are still true. He said: “I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.”
God is at work. Our ministry (witness and service) is a partnership with God. God always takes the imitative. God is the one who acts. The cross of Jesus is the magnet. Jesus said, “When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself.” The Holy Spirit has been given to the Church and to every believer.
In the Book of Revelation chapters 4 & 5 John gives us a glimpse of the glory of heaven and the Lamb who sits on the throne. Revelation chapters 6-19 simply state that the “Church of Jesus Christ” must continue her mission to proclaim that Jesus is Lord in the midst of war and blood shed.
In the midst of economic depression, famine, disorder, calamities on earth the Church is at work proclaiming the love of Jesus. Who were the first to reach the Gulf Coast with aide after Katrina? The Baptists…. They drove in their prepared tractor trailer rigs. Each rig contained food, showers, bathroom faculties and counselors. Countless Christians are still traveling to devastated areas hit by tornados or hurricanes, whether New Orleans, the Galveston coast, Kansas, Arkansas or Tennessee, to provide food, support and care.
Revelation chapters 6-19 are simply a reminders that Satan is out to destroy the Church on her mission. He is about the task of removing the Ten Commandments from the Court House, the cross from the public square. He seeks to minimize Christian values, calling Christians intolerant for proclaiming the words of Jesus. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”
It was no different in the first century. Peter and John were arrested and thrown into prison for healing a man crippled from birth as they entered the temple in Jerusalem. Stephen was stoned to death. Peter and Paul were later executed in Rome. Today Christians are still thrown into prison for their faith in North Korea, driven from their homes in Iraq, or Iran or Pakistan. Yet we know that Campus Crusade for Christ through their ministry of handing out CD’s of the Life of Jesus know that there were 5000 conversions to Christianity in Saudi Arabia last year.
In this the 21st century the Church must continue to be a learning Church.
What are the visible marks of a “Learning Church”?
1) Acts chapter 2 tells us that the new believers devoted them selves to the “apostles’ teaching. One might say that the Holy Spirit opened a school in Jerusalem and the school teachers were the apostles. They were teaching 3000 pupils in kindergarten.
We too must continue to study God’s word. Here at Redeemer we offer the Daily Walk, home bible studies in the Book of James, Philippians, Revelation and a bible study understanding our culture.
2) If the first mark of the Church is study then the second is fellowship.
Fellowship is not just coffee and cookies. Real fellowship is where people are accepted. Real fellowship is where sympathy is listening and sharing in the pain of others. Real fellowship is a willingness to share unselfishly. Real fellowship is were mistakes are not rubbed in but rubbed out, where mercy if offered. #
4) The fourth mark of a Learning Church is their witness to the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Only the Lord Jesus by His Holy Spirit can open the eyes of the blind and give life to dead souls and add people to His Church. We are simply his partners in this process.
May Jesus continue to raise up men and women in His Church so that his work will be effective in what ever cultural situation you and I find our selves.
