The Neglect Of An Awakening - #3 Series

a. I will remove your lampstand – In verse (2:5) Jesus says (and don’t forget it’s Jesus who is speaking) – “Repent or else I will come and remove the lampstand from you.” In context, we know that symbolically the lampstand is the “Pastor, Leader” of the church. Sadly, in the 21st century many will say, “He’s going to remove our pastor, so what.” But we best not miss the larger issue that when Jesus talks about taking the Pastor, the larger issue is that He will remove the ‘light of the gospel’ from the church. Imagine the implication of this action. If His church refuses to repent, He refuses to allow them to shame Him. If that does not sufficiently frighten us to our knees in repentance, Jesus raises the bar. He says:

b. I will fight against you – Look down in verse 16. Jesus is very clear, if you don’t repent I will remove the lampstand and then I will fight against you.” Of all the words of Jesus, these grab my attention more than the rest. In the 21st century church, it is one thing to have those who oppose you, but it is another thing entirely to think that Jesus could be opposing all we do because we have not repented. Then Jesus raises the bar again & says:

c. I will throw you in with the crowd – Now look down in verses 21-23 and see the practicality of what Jesus is saying. The words are “I will throw her into a sickbed.” Guess who is in that sickbed with her? It is all those who have committed ‘sexual immorality’ with her. We do realize that this immorality could well be – ‘chasing after other God.’ What we choose to forget is that God is a jealous God. Throwing those who refuse to repent into the rest of the culture who refuse to repent parallels what Paul wrote to the Romans when he said, “God gave them up.” Years ago, I preached a message entitled, “The day God gave up.” There comes a time when God will give us over to sin, lust, and fleshly thinking. But He’s not through. He gives one more level on the road to perishing. Look at verse 3:3.

d. I will come like a thief – Jesus’ words are these: “If you don’t wake up and obey what I’ve told you – I will come like a thief.” Here is my suggestion: Whatever good might be left inside the fellowship – He’ll come and remove it because HE is interested in the Glory of the Father. The Westminster Confession says that the “Chief end of man is to glorify God” and certainly the chief end of Jesus is to bring glory to God. He will settle for nothing less.

3. The Invitation – There is one last truth which truly shows the heart and desire of Jesus. It is the reason He came and died. Yes, He will judge if we refuse to respond, but His blood was shed to give us the opportunity to come to Him. Look at 3:19-20 and hear Jesus’ heart. As many as I love – I rebuke and discipline – so be committed and repent. I will make it as easy as I can because I am at the door of your heart and the door of your church – all you have to do is open the door – I will come in to you. I submit that opening the door is done when we repent.