Becoming a Church that Pleases Jesus (Jesus Report Card) Revelation 2-3

Transcription

1 Becoming a Church that Pleases Jesus (Jesus Report Card) Revelation 2-3

2 Introduction Jesus has amazing plans and expectations for His church. The people of God have incredible potential made available by the death and resurrection of Jesus, the truth of God s Word, and the power of His Spirit. He has designed us to advance His kingdom on the earth and has prophesied that the gates of hell will not be able to stop us! (Matthew 16:18-19) We want to be this kind of church! We want to walk in all that Jesus has made available for us. We want to be a pleasure to our Lord and serve Him effectively.

3 Introduction In the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation, we are blessed to witness Jesus evaluation of the New Testament church. Basically, Jesus gives the church a report card, declaring many things that they are doing well and correcting some things that need to be changed. For the next several weeks, we will be reading Jesus words about the church - His Bride that He loves. This will be a great opportunity to encourage ourselves to continue in the things He commended and repent of the things that He corrected. In doing so, we will become a church that pleases Him and serves Him effectively.

4 Revelation 2:12-17

5 1. Remain True to My Name I know where you live - where satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to My name. Revelation 2:13 Because of the reign of sin in the earth, the depravity of man, and the divine plan of God; satan has authority on the earth until Jesus returns. The authority of satan is always trumped by the authority of Christ in the lives of Christians; but the influence of satan, sin and death is clear on this earth. Jesus calls satan the prince of this world three times in the gospel of John. (John 12:31,14:30, 16:11) Jesus said satan has a throne on the earth. (Rev 3:13) Paul refers to satan as the god of the world. (2 Cor 4:4)

6 1. Remain True to My Name Jesus is encouraging the church that even though they live on the earth and in a culture in which satan has a strong influence, they remain true to His Name. remain true - Greek (krateo) = to use great strength to seize or retain, to hold fast to, keep a hold of (Strong s) It is crucial that the bride of Jesus remain faithful and true to her Bridegroom. We are constantly surrounded by distractions and temptations designed to draw our heart s attention and affection away from Jesus. He loves us and He wants us! He deserves for us to hold tightly to His powerful hand - to reject all other gods and loves - to remain true to Him alone.

7 2. You didn t Renounce Your Faith You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city - where satan lives. Revelation 2:13 As Jesus return draws nearer and pressure on the church to compromise increases, the Bible says that many will fall away and turn away from faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. (Matthew 24:10, 1 Timothy 4:1) Jesus promised that if we remain faithful to acknowledge Him before men, He will acknowledge us when we stand before God. He also stated that if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before His Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

8 2. You didn t Renounce Your Faith As we have spoken about in the past weeks, Jesus is looking for those who will be faithful to Him even when things are difficult. Who will remain faithful to Jesus when it costs - when it hurts? Who is committed to Jesus even when it means financial loss, public shame, imprisonment, torture, and even personal death or the death of loved ones? Are we drawing near to Jesus on a daily basis? Are we consistently confessing our devotion to God no matter what? Are we talking about persecution and teaching our family and friends to be prepared on the day of testing?

9 3. Don t Compromise! Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolatians. Revelation 2:14-15 Balaam was the Old Testament prophet who compromised and led God s people to openly sin against God. Theologians believe that the teaching of the Nicolatians was a false doctrine of compromise that taught that gross sin was acceptable in the church because of God s grace. The warning from Jesus is clear. He is calling the church to accountability for their willingness to compromise.

10 3. Don t Compromise! All followers of Jesus are tempted to compromise our personal purity and pursuit of holiness. In this passage, Jesus specifically address idolatry and sexual immorality - two very relevant issues in our culture. How are you doing in these two areas of compromise? Today, do we have any idols above our relationship with God? Are we compromising in the area of sexual purity? Romans 12 says that the world is always trying to conform us to its pattern. We are not to be conformed to its ways, but instead be an agent of change for God s glory. We are to be transformed by God so that we can be transforming the world for God!

11 How do we Overcome? The Bible - renewing our minds daily in His Word is the only way we will keep from being conformed to the world and stay in a transformational relationship with God. Jesus starts this passage with a reminder of the power of His word as a double-edges sword. (Rev 2:12) Repentance - this gift from God allows us to remain in His presence and peace by agreeing with God about sin and receiving the forgiveness that He purchased. Jesus calls the church to repentance. (Rev 2:16) Fellowship with the Spirit - the Holy Spirit will use the Bible and the power of God to lead us out of sin, into holiness, and to be victorious overcomers. (Rev 2:17)