Session #1 Church Membership Study

Basics of The Biblical Church Of Jesus Christ

Unity / John 17 / Our legacy @ Midtown Church is about being biblical (Consensus)

We need to constantly and intentionally strengthen those strands of relationship & commitment to Biblical values that form the foundation of Jesus Christ’s Church

Who / What / When / Where / How / Why (Why is to be addressed 1st)

Answers to these questions, based on scripture are the basis for The Local Church Body

Chapter 1:

Church Body VS Relationship with Jesus Christ

There is NO biblical relationship with Jesus Christ without being part of ‘A Local Church Body’

Volunteer Organization VS ‘Ongoing Presence & Authority of Christ by HIS Spirit’

Service Provider VS ‘Ongoing Presence & Authority of Christ by HIS Spirit’

The idea of ‘Imperium’ / Who’s Authority have you placed yourself under?

If Christ Jesus, have you fully placed yourself under HIS ‘Ordained Authority Structure’

Why does the Church Exist? (Finished Work of Christ on the Cross)

The Church as shaper of structure & lifestyle of the Converted & those being converted

Kingdom Embassy Metaphor: Representatives in a foreign kingdom

Every Member’s WHY (In a Biblical framework) results in Representation, Submission, Citizenship and a share of the authority.

Biblical Conversion is how Christ makes you a part of the Body: This is WHO

Truly becoming one of the WHO (Redeemed & Spirit Indwelled) creates the Biblical Why of every Christian regarding the Local Church and it informs the What, Where, When and How.

Our lives as Disciples of Jesus Christ was paid for at a high price by God Himself, but it has also cost may past & present Disciples everything including their lives.

Chapter 2:

The Marking Off = Conversion & Gathering

Set Apart: Values that define Culture

The Book of Acts: Study in Apostolic Church Culture

Ten Indisputable Themes in the New Testament about ‘The Church’

Discussion about how well we are following the Biblical Example

#1: Unity around The Biblical Gospel Message

#2: Disciples are United Locally and Globally (small world then)

#3: Identity of Disciple of Jesus Christ = Church Member

#4: Shared Identity & Unity releases Christ’s power

#5: Initial Step after Biblical Conversion is Baptism

#6: Together the Church is ‘Called Out’ of the ‘World System’

#7: Biblical Church authority & structure shape the lives of Church Members

#8: Under shepherds are responsible for specific sheep

#9: Disciples are responsible to submit to specific leaders

#10: The church excludes ‘False Professors’ from their community

Some content based on the book: ‘Church Membership’ by Jonathan Leeman

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YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt. 11

Revelation 5: ‘The Scroll & The Song’

Revelation 5

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.

  • The ‘Scroll’ is the ‘New Covenant’ or ‘The Gospel’ (Reality of Jesus The Christ)
  • 7 Seals: Complete & Perfect
  • Scroll & Seals represent the perfect will of God
  • It was obviously of incredible importance

And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

  • Some translations read: Nothing in all creation…’
  • None could enact it or even envision it
  • Only God HIMSELF can Understand & Enact HIS perfect will

Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

  • John had a sense of how important this ‘News’ / ‘Reality’ / ‘Declaration’ was…
  • Two references to who ‘The Christ’ would be identified as from Old Testament
  • The victory he won was the redemption of our souls on the cross
  • What Jesus Christ did opened the door to the redemption only God can bring
  • The seven seals are judgements that occur before the end of the age
  • Scroll & Seals are separate things

Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.

  • The Perfect Sacrifice tie back to Old Testament ‘Redemption / Covering of Sin
  • ‘Between’ humanity and Almighty God is the Christ
  • Jesus: All God / All Man HAD / possessed & embodied all of God’s Spirit – H.S.
  • He is the ‘Vehicle’ that releases the ‘Complete’ Spirit of God to the whole world
  • Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ, God HIMSELF…

He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

  • Who can approach ‘The Throne’…
  • ‘From the Right Hand…’
  • Community and Collaboration with in the love of the Trinity
  • Just the act of taking the scroll is cause for worship
  • Our prayers can be a part of this!

And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”

  • ‘A New Song’
  • It is based on the finished work of the Cross and what was won: YOUR SOUL
  • ‘People Groups’ no mention of different races because all are the same ‘Race’

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

  • Thousands and millions of Angels…
  • The ‘Chorus’ of the New Song is all about The Christ
  • His Sacrifice releases all of the goodness of our Creator

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

  • All Creation will eventually declare Who Christ is and the glory He is due
  • They could not share the Glory if they were not one in every essence

And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

  • The one’s who initiate the worship declare their agreement
  • And the Elders continue to worship Christ

Application Questions:

Why do you believe the Biblical message of redemption in Christ to be all you need?

What is significant about Jesus Christ being the only one who can open the Scroll?

How much of your worship is based on the reality of Christ enacting your salvation?

How well do you identify yourself as part of the ‘Kingdom of Priests’?

How would you define ‘A New Song’ and what would cause you to sing it?

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YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt. 10

A Vision of Perfect Worship: Revelation Chapter 4

“It is very little that we can know of the future state, but we may be quite sure that we know as much as is good for us. We ought to be as content with that which is not revealed as with that which is. If God wills us not to know, we ought to be satisfied not to know. Depend on it, he has told us all about heaven that is necessary to bring us there; and if he had revealed more, it would have served rather for the gratification of our curiosity than for the increase of our grace.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Revelation Chapter 4

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.

  • Opening of chapter marks a transition
  • (linear time = after ‘church age’)
  • 7 churches interpreted as ‘ages’ of Christ’s Church

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.

  • Define ‘In The Spirit’
  • THRONE = Authority
  • God’s Throne mentioned 14 time in this chapter 41 times in the whole book
  • JASPER & RUBY Symbols of connection to the 12 tribes & Holiness / Justice

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

  • 12 tribes of Israel + Jesus’ 12 Disciples / Apostles
  • Represent Redeemed of all mankind
  • Dressed in White = Purified / Forgiven
  • Crowns = Reward for acted upon faith

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

  • Like the scene on Mt Sini when the Law was delivered to Moses
  • Seven Spirits (Totality of The Holy Spirit)
  • The Sea looked like glass…purifying barrier

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

  • They were similarly described in Isiah 6 and Ezekiel 1 & 10
  • Angelic Beings that were not messengers but instead devoted to praising God
  • They were there to lead the Elders in Worship

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’

  • Eyes everywhere on them was about seeing and being seen
  • Worship only happens with total transparency
  • They declare His uniqueness, one of a kind nature

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever.

  • They react to the reality of God
  • They fall down prostrate (posture of submission and humility)

They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’

  • Laying down their crowns says: ALL the glory is yours, we deserve none
  • ABSOLUTE recognition of God’s sovereignty
  • His worthiness is not dependent on our recognition of it
  • The declaring His Lordship positions us where we should be

Application Questions:

Why should we pay close attention to scenes like this in Scripture?

How might you live if you had a vision of the ‘Reality of Worship’ in Heaven?

What can we do as a church to cultivate a greater sense of AWE for God?

What allows you to ‘get real with God’ when worshiping?

How can we build a culture @t Midtown of giving God ALL glory, for everything?

How can we as Disciples of Christ practice the reality of God’s Sovereignty better?

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YOUR Summer Of Revelation Pt. 9

Laodicea: The Self Sufficient Church

Revelation 3:14-22

This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:

  • Amen = Complete Agreement with God’s Will
  • What He reveals about ALL REALITY is the Perfect Truth
  • Primary agent of ‘New Creation’ (It All Begins with Jesus Christ)

I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

  • God knows exactly were you are
  • Being ‘Known’ is either unnerving or comforting depending on your theology
  • Christ desires us to be ‘Useful’ (with water, hot is useful, cold is useful)
  • There is no place in ‘Christ’s Body’ for being ‘Without Use’
  • Relatable to them because of their water situation

You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

  • The church had become satisfied with what they could do themselves
  • Materially they had it all (See USA Church)
  • Their self-sufficiency had rendered them spiritually bankrupt

So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

  • Christ says: get from Me what is valuable, that which is proven valuable
  • Christ says only what HE provides creates ‘True Wealth’ (Spiritual Wealth)
  • They are clothed in their own righteousness (Filthy Rags: Isaiah 64:6)
  • Living by our own righteousness leads to legalistic, shame-based culture
  • We can’t see truth and reality without Christ ‘Healing’ our eyes (Doctor My Eyes)
  • Christ wants us to define richness the way he does (Treasure in Heaven)

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

  • This Church, like all of us have the chance to receive correction and repent
  • It takes intention, motivation and persistence to be a disciple of Christ
  • ‘Pay Attention’ Christ is always there, you and I can respond TODAY
  • If we let Him in HE will create the intimacy were were meant to have (Shalom)

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

  • If we are His we will be Victorious
  • Repent and obey the Gospel and His will in your life
  • This brings us together with Christ

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • At the end of each of the seven messages to the churches in Asia Minor
  • Jesus tell us how we can get the blessings promised for reading this letter
  • How well do WE / Midtown listen to the Spirit and understand what HE is saying?

Mark Bates: “Our hearts can get addicted to ‘Salvation by works’ As a result, we often wear our good deeds like spiritual merit badges on preening chests, thinking we can impress God with our righteous acts. Like the Pharisee in Luke 18, we pride ourselves that we are not like other men. After all, we are not engaging in the perversity of our culture. Instead, we fast, tithe, read our Bibles, and serve in the church. Yet, we must realize that arrogant self-sufficiency results in disgusting works, no matter what these works may be.”

Application Questions:

What do you learn about Jesus Christ from the way He addresses Laodicea?

Where is there opportunity for you to be more ‘useful’ in The Church?

In what ways are you guilty of ‘Spiritual Self Sufficiency’?

What are the specific things you need to trust Christ for in your life rather yourself?

What daily disciplines help you cultivate a more intimate relationship with Christ?

What enables you to receive discipline & correction from God and see it as love?

What is your motivation for renewed closeness with Christ? (Your ‘WHY’)

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YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt. 8

Philadelphia: A Vision of Obedience (Rev. 3:7-13)

After the last two weeks of hearing Jesus Christ address churches mired in sin and disobedience (Thyatira & Sardis) it is awesome to have the example of Philadelphia

Statements of Affirmation regarding God’s Covenant with HIS people

How God’s people respond to His love, Grace, Mercy, Holiness and Salvation: WITH OBEDIENCE!

And we are now given this ‘Vision for Obedience’ as Christ’s Church

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

  • Gateway City, an outpost for the expansion of Greek thought & language
  • Named in Greek: ‘City of Brotherly Love’ in honor of the founder’s Brother
  • New city: just over 200 years old at this point

This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:

  • He defines a ‘Set Apart Reality’ Who He is defines who we are to be!
  • Christ is the perfection of what David was a flawed example of: Obedience

Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

  • The identification with Obedience as David modeled is the ‘Door Opener’
  • This is a picture of what a real relationship with God looks like (David Example)
  • What Christ opens to us is Salvation (Undeserved & Done Deal)
  • What He closes is God’s Judgement and Wrath (Deserved & Done Deal)
  • These are affirmations of the Covenant Promises made by God in The Old Test

I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.

  • He knows exactly where their hearts are by their actions
  • He Says: ‘I know the reality of your obedience and THAT is the door’
  • What they do comes from what they believe; that Jesus is The Christ!
  • Once God opens the door to you it cannot be closed (Eternal Security)

You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.

  • It’s not about resources, it’s about a ‘Heart’ that obeys
  • We are to be obedient with what we have (resources can be a curse)
  • Denial of Jesus as the Christ is disobedience (in any way, shape or form)
  • What does it mean to be ‘Disobedient to The Gospel’?

Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

  • Legalistic Jews were persecuting ‘The Church’
  • To be ‘Jews’ means be God’s People… more ‘playing church’
  • The truth of who belongs to God will be found out (every knee will bow…)
  • THIS church survived, Christianity survived, the Jewish community did not

Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

  • The obedience to persevere in the face of cultural attacks takes ‘True Faith’
  • Obedience that sets us apart can only come from knowing who we belong to
  • Who do you belong to? Are you divided?

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

  • The idea that he is coming soon is to remind us tomorrow can be too late
  • These guys told to hold on to what they have instead of to go back to original
  • Crowns are about rewards for faithfulness and obedience (we lay them down)

All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it.

  • Victorious = Biblical Salvation
  • God uses HIS people to create His place of worship!
  • Christ will use ‘The Saints’ to uphold HIS Church (Pillars)
  • This is a permanent deal (More Covenant)

And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

  • This is an affirmation of who ‘Saints’ belong to
  • Citizenship in God’s city is every Saint or True Confessor’s destiny
  • This is Eternity

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • The repetition is to call our attention to the importance of this statement
  • Listen & Understand: Life Application

Application Questions:

How is David an example to help you connect with God?

Why can it be an advantage to have little strength when seeking to obey Christ?

How do you tell the difference between being Obedient and being Legalistic?

What motivates you to persevere differently than ‘those who belong to this world’?

Why does Christ say He is coming soon?

How can you use your ‘Victory’ to be part of building a ‘Community of Worship’

In this message what’s clear about God’s Covenant with ‘those who belong to HIM’?

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YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt. 7

Sardis: ‘Playing Church’

Revelation 3:1-6

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars:

  • Sevenfold = Totality
  • There is no God’s Spirit’ stuff outside of what Christ is and taught
  • The messengers (angelic or human?)
  • The Church Universal is ‘ALL’, (number seven) in His Control / Possession

I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.

  • Christ knows who and how you are, no matter what everyone else thinks
  • Demanding / Easily Offended / Entitled (can’t be Christ focused and be these)
  • Talking about consistent, unchanging attitude and action

Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.

  • Being dead spiritually is like sleep walking, ask God to wake you up!
  • Christ is trying wake us up EVERY DAY!
  • Build on what you have, baby steps
  • Sow attitude, reap action, sew action, reap habit, sew a habit, reap a lifestyle
  • Is there a part of your spiritual life that needs life-support? (Purpose of Church)
  • Inaction in these areas will result in some aspect of ‘Spiritual Death’

I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.

  • Our actions can never be good enough to earn salvation (Works vs Gospel)
  • All the religious posturing and posing we do cannot save us
  • What are the requirements of Jesus Christ / God?

Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly.

  • The original Gospel that was codified in Scripture is ALL WE NEED
  • How do we hold to it firmly?
  • Engagement / Practice / Commitment
  • To do these things we need to have a valuable ‘Why’

Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

  • This speaks of those who had looked to Christ in the past but didn’t surrender
  • They have been exposed to the Gospel but have held God at arms length
  • God is patient, wants all to come to faith, there is an end to that at some point

Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

  • The only way our clothes can be unsoiled is to give our lives to Christ as Lord
  • The walking with HIM makes us white (Walking Signifies Surrender To HIM)
  • The walking comes from HIM making us worthy

All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

  • Symbolism of ‘Clothed in White’ a faultless state only Christ can make happen
  • Once you are there it is permanent
  • You will be known by the “All Knowing One’ and His representatives as Christ’s!

Victorious:1 John 5:1 & 4-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too…For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • As one of Christ’s Churches be are on mission against ‘Spiritual Deadness’
  • He is saying: Be a Church that is a ‘Birth Center’ rather than ‘Hospice Care’
  • How well are we listening?

Application Questions:

Why are being demanding and easily offended symptoms of “Spiritual Deadness’

How aware are you of what needs to be strengthened in Your Spiritual life?

How might you ‘Spiritually Invest’ in the Church rather than ‘Play Church’?

Why does Christ keep telling Churches to go back to their original faith?

How do ‘Waking up’ and Repentance go together for you?

Why would Jesus Christ announce you as belonging to HIM?

/by

YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt. 6

Thyatira: Compromised Leadership

It is the progression of Non Biblical Theology leading to Non Christ-like Doxology

It goes from ‘tolerating some among you’ @ Pergamum to ‘permitting Jezebel to lead servants astray’ @ Thyatira

And Jesus goes from declaring the truth to pronouncing Judgement

This sort of situation comes from apathetic members not holding leaders accountable

Revelation 2:18-29

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:

  • Thyatira: nothing special
  • Blue collar town, Trade Guilds ran the town
  • Known for Purple Dye and textiles / armor production (Where Lydia was from)
  • Along the trade route
  • ‘Son of God’ / Eyes of Fire / Feet of Bronze = Judgement…

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.

  • Christ wants us to know He sees ‘All The Things’ we do,Corporate & Individual
  • He has seen the these 4 key attributes of ‘Real Deal’ Christianity
  • He has seen spiritual growth…this is what HE WANTS to see from us

But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray.

  • But all that Good can be corrupted…through corrupt leadership
  • The Church Body is called to hold leadership accountable to Scripture
  • Jezebel is a ‘Nickname’ for a person who is as evil as the OT Jezebel
  • The church is allowing her to operate in a position of authority
  • The problem is not her gender, it is her theology and practices
  • You can only lead servants astray if you have some authority (who gave it?)
  • Every Church Member shares responsibility to keep leadership ‘Biblical’

She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.

  • Same Heresy, different situation
  • Pergamum & Smyrna people were bringing Heresy in, here it is in the leadership
  • What was being taught in other cities was good but people were disobeying
  • Here they are being ‘Taught’ what is wrong / non biblical (Heresy)
  • God has waited for her to turn, but she had made her choice

Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead.

  • Her and those being deceived will suffer judgement
  • But God is STILL ready for them to repent
  • Those who replicate her ‘Spiritual DNA’ will be ‘Spiritually Dead’

Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

  • ‘The Churches’ means those with God’s Spirit inside them
  • They will have clarity about God’s Omniscience
  • They will have clarity about God’s Justice
  • He knows it all and so His justice is perfect

But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.

  • Non Biblical Doctrine is always presented as a ‘deeper, more enlightened understanding’ (it plays to our PRIDE)
  • The fear is of being ‘left out’ or being ‘Old Fashioned’ or being ‘Traditional’
  • God says: don’t go looking for ‘New’ spirituality, hold fast the to the Biblical Gospel.
  • If the Gospel is enough we don’t need to ‘Reinvent the Wheel’

To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end: ‘To them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots’.

  • The Victor is won for us, we yield by God’s Spirit to surrender
  • Victory is ‘Expressed’ with consistent obedience
  • Christ quotes Psalm 2 (About God’s Final Authority)

They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

  • Oneness with ‘The Son’
  • ‘Co-heirs with Christ’

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • The repetition of this sentence is important
  • Here it comes at the end, instead of before promises to ‘All who are Victorious’
  • The last three messages after this one all end like this.

Application Questions:

What about how Jesus describes Himself is interesting to you?

Where do you see love, faith, service and patience constantly improving in your life?

What cultural influences can lead you astray? What are wise precautions?

What does Scripture teach about leaders of Christ’s Body & their accountability?

What can we learn about God’s justice from this passage?

If God knows your thoughts and intention why it is important to embrace repentance?

Do you have a plan for how you will obey Christ until the very end?

/by

YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt.5

Pergamum: ‘Loyal To The Truth’

The truth matters! The truth of God’s Word / Jesus Christ matters!

The truth is a rare commodity in a information age. I encourage you to dig for the truth, the only way to be well informed is to have multiple source who acknowledge their bias. If they do not acknowledge their bias they are trying to deceive.

So there is a battle for your ‘Heart’. Who and what has captured your heart?

The word ‘tolerate’. The Cult of Tolerance in our world is not about ‘The Truth’

Beware when ‘The World’ tells you that ‘Everyone’ should agree that _______

Do not detach the message from the messenger: ‘Test the spirits’

1st John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

We have to see and fight for truth and protect our lives & minds from being corrupted

The danger is not in the outright lie, but in the subtle distortion of truth

Beware the ‘Truth Plus’…the tolerance of untruth along with truth

The message to the church in Pergamum is very relevant to us here today.

Revelation 2:12-17

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:

  • Provincial Roman Capital City ‘Seat of Power’ (Temple of the Imperial Cult)
  • Art, Science & Technology ‘Parchment’
  • Healing Cult of ‘Esculapius’ (Serpent)
  • Library 2nd only to Alexandria in Ancient World (Mark Anthony Gift to Cleopatra)
  • High level of ‘Spirituality’…
  • The two edged sword: The Truth / God’s Word / 2 edges signifies separating

I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.

  • Satan is empowered when he is worshiped…
  • Satan sets himself up to be worshiped in deceptive ways
  • Pergamum: Zeus / Snake Healer / Emperor
  • But the church as a whole had remained loyal to Jesus Christ
  • The martyrdom of Antipas: Refusal to worship the Emperor
  • The definition of faithful witness: He was confessing / preaching Christ Jesus

But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel.

  • What does it mean to tolerate? Is it ok to not tolerate evil?
  • Can followers of Jesus Christ say “we will not tolerate Evil”?
  • Balaam’s teaching is a perversion of Christian Liberty
  • The intermixing of evil with God’s people & God’s way is what Balak did
  • This is the error of becoming ‘Worldly’ or ‘Married to the World’
  • Pergamum means: Completely Married

He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching.

  • Taking part in some of the Temple festivities & practices / Mixing lifestyle
  • The Nicolaitans their current example of this heresy…we have our examples

Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

  • Christ says the church body has sin in this area (individuals and corporately)
  • Repentance is how we connect to ‘The Truth’
  • We can learn with spiritual sensitivity and humility or…
  • He will come amongst us and fight the ‘Grace Abusers’ with HIS Truth
  • It will be a lesson we learn but it will be with conflict and pain (the sword)

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • We’re called to obedience by God’s Spirit as one Body, we understand together
  • We must consider what is important to our Lord as important to us

To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven.

  • The reward of the intimate presence of Christ
  • God sustained the Israelites with mana, Christ declared he was that same thing
  • Only by standing for ‘The Truth’ will you get to be standing with ‘The Truth’

And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

  • The personal identity of exactly who God made you to be
  • You will be exactly who God made you to be and you will know it

Repentance is Crucial

Application Questions

What areas of your life are more impacted by Satan’s Throne than by Christ’s Truth?

What does ‘remaining loyal’ & being A Faithful Witness look like in your life?

How do we figure out what we as ‘Christ’s Body’ should not tolerate?

What sins of association, compliance, and silence do you need to repent of?

How might we raise our cultural value of ‘repentance’ here @ Midtown?

Why should we care about getting Hidden Manna or A White Stone?

/by

YOUR SUMMER OF REVELATION PT. 4

What Christ Considers ‘Rich’: Smyrna

Just as we read Colossians or Romans as if it is speaking to the ‘Universal Church’ we read this part of revelation cultural standards for the universal church

We are looking at the entire book of Revelation and making personal application

All of that application has to do with our role as a member of the Body of Christ

Who we are as individuals is fully realized as part of a whole: ‘The Church’

So we are going to keep looking at everything we can about ‘The Church:

  • What is ‘The Church’?
  • By who’s authority does the Church Exist?
  • Why is the Church to be Set Apart?
  • Who is a part of the Church? Who makes them part of The Church?
  • What are Standards for ‘Church Body-Life’?
  • How does the Church Operate?
  • Who sets direction in The Church?
  • How does accountability and enforcement of standards work in The Church?

Messages to the 7 churches reveal aspects of what ‘The Church’ should be

No just in this set of messages but throughout the whole New Testament we learn Standards and values and focuses of ‘The Church’

This message is without criticism or rebuke… the church in Smyrna is an example

Revelation 2:8-11

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna.

  • 35 miles NW of Ephesus…No record of how church started there
  • Smyrna is greek for the spice Myrrh, key product, resin from indigenous trees
  • Beautiful city: ‘Crown of Asia’

This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive:

  • Jesus says: I am God, All Powerful, Self Existent, Sovereign Lord of all creation
  • Jesus says: I was bodily incarnated (God among us) I died and rose again
  • Jesus says: I not only made YOU I experienced life like YOU do!

I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich!

  • “The pressure of events is on the Church at Smyrna, and the force of circumstances is trying to crush the Christianity out of them.” ~ William Barclay
  • Tribulation, stress, pressure…this is what this refers to
  • Poverty because they were ‘Called Out’, not part of trade guilds, satanic jews
  • Treasure was in Heaven: Matthew 6:20
  • Christ says: Don’t measure what most valuable with the scales of this world
  • Christ Says: Obeying my will is what ‘Rich’ is (He has No criticism of Smyrna)

I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.

  • Opposition to Christ’s Church, in God’s name, is of Satan (Heretic Church)
  • Satan is a LIAR! He teaches those opposed to God how to lie & deceive
  • Every DAY there is evil done that blasphemously uses the name of God

Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days.

  • Our Lord says we can be ‘Without Fear’ regarding any earthly sufferings
  • God allows Satan to test us
  • These test have finite periods defined by God for OUR benefit
  • Surrendered to Christ: Satan can cause suffering here but cannot effect eternity
  • Ten Days used as period of testing in O.T

1st Samuel 25:38 Ten days later the Lord struck Nabal and he died.

Jeremiah 42:7 Now at the end of ten days the Word of the Lord came to Jer

Daniel 1:14 So he listened to them in this manner & tested them for 10 days

But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

  • What does it mean to remain faithful?
  • Nothing will compromise someone like the threat of death…
  • The Crown of Life is an ‘extra reward’ not the reward of Eternal life itself
  • Judgement #1: Did you give your life to Christ? If you did = Eternal Life
  • Judgement #2: What did you do with God’s Spirit in you? (Rewards & Jobs)

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • If God has placed His Spirit in you then you MUST listen…
  • But those without the Spirit can ignore, pay lip service or even mock this Word
  • We must apply it to our lives: Relationships, Careers, Finances, Goals, Dreams

Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.

  • Commitment to Christ’s Discipleship as a way of life is what He called us to
  • He gives us the victory of eternity with Him when we give Him our lives
  • The second death…is for everything in this ‘world’ except Christ’s Disciples
  • Lake of Fire = Eternal Tormenting of the souls who reject God’s Christ

Revelation 20:12-15

I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Application Questions:

What is significant about Christ declaring himself as: First / Last AND Dead / Alive?

What pressure are you under and what do you do without to be Christ’s Church?

How aware are you of historical heresies in Christianity that are believed now?

How might you live ‘Without Fear’ regarding any earthly suffering?

Christ declares He allows Satan to test His true church, how well are you prepared?

If you are going to heaven what’s the point of getting special rewards there?

How can you be sure that you will not be harmed by ‘The Second Death’?

/by

YOUR Summer of Revelation Pt.3

Biblical Standards of Christ’s Church: Ephesus

  • Standards and values are expressed in the culture of a community of people

Dominant Church Culture USA AD 2018

  • Personal relationship with Jesus emphasized over relationship with Church
  • You don’t have to join the Church to accept Jesus as your personal Savior
  • Focus on fast growth in numbers instead of slow growth in Grace

Dominant Church Culture AD 100

  • Described themselves as ‘Called Out Ones’
  • Commitment that was even more strident than family
  • Unity of purpose, activity, values, standards and lifestyle

Messages to the 7 churches reveal aspects of what ‘The Church’ should be

  • What is ‘The Church’?
  • Kingdom VS Club & Citizenship VS Membership
  • How Jesus created the Church
  • By who’s authority does the Church Exist?
  • Why the Church is Set Apart or ‘The Called Out Ones’?
  • How does the Church Operate?
  • Who makes up the Church (Membership)
  • What are Standards for ‘Body-Life’?
  • Who sets direction in the Church?
  • How Accountability in The Church works

Revelation 2:1-7

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus.

  • 2nd to Rome at the time
  • Temple of Artemis (fertility) one of 7 wonders of the Ancient World
  • Paul had spent a lot of time in Ephesus (wrote letters / Scripture from there)
  • John had been there with Mary and wrote this from there
  • Who is the ‘Angel’ of the church?

This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

  • Christ affirms this is direct from Him to His Body
  • ‘In their Midst’

I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people.

  • Your life as a Follower of Christ is done as part of a ‘Body / Community / Family
  • Unity is not an option, it is the only way we glorify Jesus. WE not me ethos

You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.

  • Christ directly says HIS church is to examine those who claim to be His voice
  • And when they are wrong we are to be aware of the falsehood they propagate

You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

  • Trusting He is working
  • To ‘SHOW UP’ when His church is acting and meeting and worshiping
  • Doing what is right without needing to rewarded
  • Suffering for HIM…important distinction (you could be suffering because of SIN)

But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen!

  • It’s not OK to settle into a comfortable, complacent ‘Christian Life’…
  • ‘LOOK’ means do a little comparison, some self examination, be honest
  • This is not an original problem for followers of Jesus (slippery slope / danger)
  • But it is not without a CURE…

Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

  • Repentance has two critical parts: Sorrow AND doing different things
  • Their are consequences for ‘Consistently Unrepentant Sin’
  • Refusal to do what Christ says means you are not His church (lampstand gone)
  • Could be like Sampson…

But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

  • These are the people who hedonistically abused Grace
  • Started by one of the original Deacons of the Jerusalem church
  • Ritual Orgies that they claimed to be the true meaning of the ‘Love Feast’
  • They claimed to be following Jesus saying obedience to Scripture didn’t matter

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

  • What gives us ‘Ears to Hear’? God’s indwelling Holy Spirit (facilitates it)
  • But we all can choose to listen to what we hear
  • We also have to strive to understand what we are listening to (intentionality)

To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

  • What constitutes being ‘Victorious’?
  • It means being with God as His child for all eternity (heaven)
  • But if someone can be victorious then also some will not be (Hell)
  • Biblical Salvation defines ‘Victorious’

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Application Questions:

In what ways do YOU participate in ‘What The Church Does’?

How should The Church act in unity against evil & counterfeit Christianity?

What can suffering and not quitting for Jesus Christ look like for US?

What are symptoms of lesser love for Christ & ‘The Body’ in YOUR life?

How can YOU hear and understand what The Spirit is saying to US?

What role does YOUR life in the body play in eternity?

/by