The Church that Changed

In 1988 Win Arn, church growth pioneer, shocked the American church world with the following statement.

“Today, of the approximately 350,000 churches in America, four out of five are either plateaued or declining. Many churches begin a plateau or slow decline about their fifteenth to eighteenth year. 80-85 [percent] are on the down-side of this cycle.”

( Malphursgroup.com )

Several years ago, a research group headed by Thom Rainer released updated information on declining churches, based on a survey of 1,000 SBC churches.

This research is a little more encouraging that the 80% rate cited 30 years ago, but it is still concerning. At least in the Southern Baptist Convention:

56 percent of churches are declining.

9 percent of churches are plateaued.

35 percent of churches are growing.

That is 65% of churches plateaued or declining. It is better than 80%, but not much better!

In an article dated August 20, 2024, posted on goodfaithmedia.org, the following is stated:

For decades, pollsters and pundits have tracked a steady decline among mainline Christian churches— Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist. In recent years, even America’s largest Protestant denomination— the Southern Baptist Convention— has seen declines in baptisms and membership.

This year, a Gallup poll found that only three in 10 Americans say they attend religious services every week (21%) or almost every week (9%), while 11% report attending about once a month. Most Americans say they seldom (56%) or never (25%) attend religious services.

https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-decline-of-the-church-in-america/

I believe you are here this morning because you are interested, even invested, in our local church. Many of you have been a part of Troy Holiness Church for most of your lives. You have sacrificed, given, worked, toiled to see this church go forward.

Therefore, I believe this topic, Turnaround Churches, speaks to you as well as it does me.

How can we our church turnaround? How can we see God doing new and great things in our church again?

In Revelation 2-3 Jesus dictated seven letters to seven churches in Asia. Sometimes, these churches have been interpreted as church ages.

These churches are seen to represent the Church in general over hundreds of years - from the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost leading up to the Great Tribulation.

It is assumed that we are in the seventh church age, the Laodicean church age, because we believe Christ's return is imminent.

There may be some substance to this idea of seven church ages. But the danger is that we may overlook the fact that these churches to whom Jesus dictated these letters were … real churches.

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These letters Jesus had John write are about real problems that these real churches faced.

Jesus was calling these churches to turnaround - to experience revival. His desire was not that these churches would decline and die.

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Even so, we find something startling about the first church to whom Jesus wrote. The church to whom Jesus wrote first was not in danger of closing due to decline in numbers or activity.

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Rather, Jesus himself threatened to close this church because they had made a disastrous change!

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Change.

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Change may be the issue that causes the greatest fear and contention among many Christians. Many, many churches are afraid of change. But do you know what?

Every church changes. Some churches change very little. Others change a lot. But churches change over time.

How do churches change? Churches change often as people’s hair grows whiter. Now, some churches are able to attract younger people, but many churches today have much greater percentage of older people than they did a few years ago.

Sometimes, the standards that the Church has held have changed. At one time, owning a TV was outrageous among many of our churches. When I was a kid, all the church members had a TV, but it was just wrong for the preacher to have a TV.

Now almost everyone has a TV and probably most have cable. And we watch TV on our phone, tablet, computer. If you call it TV - we often are watching Netlflix or YouTube or something else.

Worship methods change. The worship wars waged in churches have been some of the bitterest fights. It is interesting that even though many churches have resisted great changes in worship, many, many churches now worship with music that would have been resisted in the past.

Change. Some changes are good; others are bad.

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The Church of Ephesus was a church that also resisted change. But the issue of change within this church was not something trivial. Rather, this church was taking a strong stand against changes in doctrine and moral purity.

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Yet while this church resisted these changes, it did make a terrible change in another area. In fact, Jesus says in his letter to this church that the change they had made was so serious that if they did not correct it, he would close their church.

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What change had this church made that was so terrible that Jesus threatened to close their doors and open them no more?

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Let us find out together:

Revelation 2:1–7 ESV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Beacon Bible Commentary tells us that Ephesus

…was the leading city of the Roman province of Asia, at the west end of Asia Minor. At the time when John wrote, it was a great seaport, situated near the mouth of the Cayster River.

Caravans on Roman roads from north, east, and south converged here, to load their cargoes on ships sailing west for Corinth or far-off Italy. Ephesus was a seething metropolis. It was the gateway of Asia….

Politically, Ephesus was a free city. That meant that it enjoyed a considerable measure of self-government. Here also the famous annual games were held.

Religiously Ephesus was the center of the worship of Artemis. Her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was called ‘The Light of Asia.’ Yet it was a pagan city, filled with the darkness of heathen superstition.

Swete writes: ‘The city was a hotbed of cults and superstitions, a meeting-place of East and West, where Greeks, Romans and Asiatics jostled one another in the streets.

Because of its strategic importance, Paul had spent longer here (nearly three years, Acts 20:31 ) than at any other place on his three missionary journeys. He won many converts, both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 19:10 ), and built a strong church.” (pp. 490-491)

The church of Ephesus had a HUGE opportunity to impact its world for Christ. But the church of Ephesus also had a great challenge. The city was extremely corrupt and immoral. No doubt, the Christians fought terrible temptation on a day-to-day basis.

Since Ephesus was the center of worship to the false god of Artemis and since Ephesus was filled with immorality, the church was on guard constantly. The church fought change to doctrine and change to standards of moral purity.

For this church in desperate need of turnaround, firstly, notice in verse one…

1. Christ's Reminder, v. 1.

(pause)

To help understand our scripture, we need to go back a few moments to explain some of the imagery that John saw in this revelation.

In Revelation 1:20 Jesus explained …

Revelation 1:20 ESV

As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The seven stars in Jesus hand were the pastors of the seven churches to which Jesus has John write letters to in Revelation 2-3. Jesus further explained that the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves.

The point is that John had already had this vision of Jesus holding the seven stars in his right hand and walking among the seven golden lampstands.

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But now see what Jesus told John to write in Revelation 2:1

Revelation 2:1 ESV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

More than once the Bible talks about God holding us in the palm of His hand.

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Is it not assurance that God is watching over us, taking care of us, and protecting us? We are secure, because we are in the palm of his hand. Jesus said that he holds the pastors of the churches in his hand.

Jesus walked among the golden lampstands, which were the churches. Jesus was not observing the lampstands from afar. Some barrier did not separate him from the churches.

Jesus was walking among the lampstands. In other words, Jesus is vitally concerned about the health and welfare of each local church.

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Why did Jesus remind this church in need of turnaround that He was vitally interested in their welfare? Often churches can feel very alone. This is especially true of smaller churches. Sometimes, a church may feel isolated from the rest of the church world.

And then this church hears how God is working and blessing in other churches. To be quite frank, sometimes, it seems like God has forgotten their church.

In the thick of the battle, sometimes, it is hard to see God for all the smoke. It’s hard to hear His voice over the battle strife.

So God’s prescription for turnaround in the church of Ephesus was to remind them that He was in their midst. He did care about them. He was working in their midst. He did love them. He had not forsaken them.

Secondly, we see …

2. Christ's Recognition, vv. 2-3, 6.

Christ recognized this church’s valiant stand for doctrinal and ethical purity.

Revelation 2:2–3 ESV

“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:6 ESV

Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Who exactly the Nicolaitans were is not known. But obviously, either they were teaching false doctrine or committing wickedness.

The church of Ephesus was on the forefront of Christian apologetics. Apologetics is one of those Bible college words for defense of the faith - giving a reason for why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do.

The church of Ephesus was very careful not to allow false teachers in their midst. They were careful to root out hypocrites and confront them with God’s Word. Either they shaped up, or they shipped out.

Now we have read the whole letter. We know that Jesus condemned this church very harshly. But think about this. This church was actually very admirable. Many churches today might be put to shame in comparison.

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The church of Ephesus refused to be caught in the world’s tide. This church refused to quickly accept cultural and societal changes. They looked at such changes carefully, almost suspiciously.

This church condemned such changes if there was just a hint of compromise. These Christians want to be pure and holy and blameless before our Lord and Christ.

Many churches today have failed to be as careful. Many churches do not think critically about cultural and societal changes that they are accommodating. We could wish that churches today would be as careful as the Church of Ephesus was.

G.K. Chesterton wrote,

“We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.”

Another person has written,

“[O]nly a fool would argue that the church should change its doctrine to keep up with the times. One does not arrive at moral judgments by counting noses. Nor does one derive ethical systems from surveys.”

There was much for which to commend the church of Ephesus. Unfortunately, however, this church had a major problem. Notice thirdly…

3. Christ's Rebuke, vv. 4-5.

Christ rebuked this church for misunderstanding what the Church’s highest priority is.

Revelation 2:4–5 ESV

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

The reason why the Ephesus church, which had so much about it to be commended, needed turnaround was because while this church had not changed concerning doctrine or moral purity, this church had made another disastrous change:

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Ephesus Church had abandoned its first love!

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What is this love that Jesus was talking about? Had they left their love for God? Or had they left their love for others?

The Bible teaches us that you cannot truly love others like God commands unless you have a right relationship and love for God. On the other hand, you cannot truly love God and lack love in your heart for people.

So the best conclusion is both/and - they had left their love for God and they had left their love for people.

You may have noticed that our scripture says this church had “left” their first love. Beacon Bible Commentary says,

It is often said that the Ephesian church had ‘lost’ its first love. But that is not what the text says. It reads: Thou hast left thy first love. The verb is aphiemi, which means ‘let go, send away, leave, give up, abandon.’ All this suggests willful neglect. That is why repentance was called for. (p. 494)

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The problem was that the Ephesus church had abandoned love.

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They were careful to maintain doctrinal and ethical purity, but their relationship to God was not of love. They acted morally toward fellowman, but their hearts were empty of love for their fellowmen.

This whole concept almost seems self-contradictory. How can you maintain doctrinal and ethical purity without love for God or fellowman? How can you be a Christian with love for God or fellowman?

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Again, the problem was not that they had overlooked love like you might overlook your keys or wallet. They had abandoned love. They didn’t think it was essential any longer.

Quite frankly, one cannot remain a Christian for long without love for God or fellowman. This is why Christ was calling for a turnaround. Notice the severity of Christ’s rebuke.

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Jesus said that if they did not repent He would remove their lampstand. In other words, they would no longer have a church in that area.

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Their church would be closed!

If the church were not physically closed, spiritually those who called themselves Christians would be dead and would be living a sham.

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In the midst of a world today in which some have become lax in areas of doctrine and moral purity, we must be on guard.

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There are many trivial changes that our churches may make, but we must not change our doctrine. We must not become lax morally.

Yet in our attempt to be pure doctrinally and ethically, the greatest change we must guard against is that of abandoning our love for God and people.

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The temptation for us is to become like Ephesus Church. We can look very Christian-like. We can be modest. We can be pure. But our motive for living such a strict life can also be no longer love for our Saviour and Lord. Instead, our motive can be usurped by legalistic pride.

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Can you picture this church? The people look like Christians. The people speak like Christians. The church puts on many good Christian programs - even ministering to their community.

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But there is a woodenness, a brittleness, a coldness to their heart and attitude. Everything looks and sounds right, but you do not feel God's love! Why? Because this church serves God and reaches out to the lost, but this church does not truly love God or love people!

(PAUSE)

There’s some really important truth left in our text we need to cover, but I think we need to metaphorically “park our car”, pop the hood, open the door, get out, and carefully examine how our church is running.

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If any one of us were asked, “Do you love God?”, I think all of us would say, “Yes, of course!” If we were asked, “Does your church love God?”, we would answer the same.

If we were asked, “Do we love people?” and “Does our church love people?” we would answer the same.

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The problem is that love is not about a feeling or emotion we have in worship. Love is not about our intentions. Love is shown in action.

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So we must ask more searching questions: does our daily life - the schedule of our day, do our work or business decisions show that God is our first priority?

Do our choices of entertainment and how involved we are in recreational activities show that God is first? Do we demonstrate our love for God by faithfulness to our local church in attendance, in giving, in serving, in praying and more?

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Every church says and thinks that they love people. Too often, however, what that means is that we love each other. And, a church needs to love one another!

If a church is filled with gossip, backbiting, petty jealousy, anger, and malice, then we might question if the church truly loves people!!!

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But for a church to truly love people, it means MUCH more than simply getting along with others. A church that loves people demonstrates love for more than one another - family and friends that we have known for all our life.

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A church that loves people … loves its community. Such a church is vitally concerned for the good of its community. Instead of complaining about the evils of its society, such a church seeks a way to make a positive impact.

A church that loves people loves everyone, even if they don’t look like us or act like us. A church that loves people is careful to welcome and INCLUDE the visitor, the guest and those who have not attended as long as others.

A church that loves people is active in reaching others … going out to find people who need Jesus instead of passive … waiting until people come inside our doors.

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Jesus’ solution for the Ephesian church was three-fold.

1. Remember

First, He told them to remember from where they had fallen – remember where you used to be.

Remember the love and joy that you once experienced as a Christian.

(pause)

Remember the time when you welcomed people into the church regardless of cigarette smoke or beer breath or immodest clothing or what they did in the past.

Remember how you loved them and shared God's love and how that accepting, forgiving love overwhelmed their hearts and changed their lives.

2. Repent

Secondly, Jesus told the Ephesian Christians to repent.

Repent of the change you have made. Make a 180 degree turn. Go back to emphasizing love for God and for others as the first and greatest priority. Measure everything, not by the yardstick, but by love.

3. Return

Thirdly, Jesus told them to return and do the works they did at first – return to the life you once lived.

Jesus was not telling the Ephesus church to be unconcerned about doctrinal and ethical purity. He was not telling them to stop preaching holiness.

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Truly, the problem such a church often has is not that the people misunderstand biblical doctrine. Rather, the problem is that they don’t live the Bible.

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The Bible as mere philosophy is dull and boring! But the Bible as a way of living is exciting and fresh! The Ephesus Christians needed to start sharing their faith with others again.

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They needed to start finding creative ways to serve their community. They needed to display their love for God and one another.

Fourthly, we find…

4. Christ's Reward, v. 7.

Christ promised the believers a reward for spiritual renewal.

Revelation 2:7 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

This reference to the tree of life could refer to Genesis 2:9 (Preacher’s Commentary).

But it is also fascinating when we learn that Ephesian coins of this period contained engravings of a sacred tree used in the nature worship of first-century Ephesus.

The Christians at Ephesus were assured of a source of life that originates from a deeper reality than that which the cultic nature goddess images of their city coins were able to confer.

This letter has found the Ephesians where they are, and has called them to return to the source of their life, to the good beginning where they started.

Yes, this church had been battling false doctrine and had sought to remain pure in a sinful world, but they had abandoned love. And that choice was leading this church to death.

But if they would return, repent, and focus on loving God and others again, they would experience abundant, eternal life!

(pause)

Jesus’ rebuke was quite severe. Christians had actually abandoned loving God and others as their practice!? Once they realized their poor spiritual condition, no doubt many in the church were very embarrassed.

When your church is in trouble, it can be embarrassing. The lack of spiritual life, the lack of passion, and especially if there is a lack of love - it is very embarrassing. It can be very discouraging.

But Christ’s rebuke in this passage is not a final judgment. Rather, He is saying,

“You can turnaround. You can become spiritually healthy again. You can again begin growing spiritually and numerically. You can again have a vital influence on your community for God. You can again witness God performing miracles in your midst.”

Similarly, if Jesus were to send us a letter like He sent the Ephesus church, I believe He would include in that letter a promised reward. If you change, if you repent, if you persevere, you will have life, you will be victorious and God will reward you for your faithful service.

Our church can grow. We can be healthy. It won’t happen through our strength and power. But through God everything is possible. So let us seek Him for renewal and power!

Someone has written the following:

Do I need revival? Consider this checklist and see how you do:

Is your heart crowded? Does Christ get ALL your love, or merely one of many pieces?

Is your heart cold or calloused? Is your love for Him & others fervent? Constant?

Is your heart corrupt? Do you crave or treasure anything immoral in God’s eyes?

Do you serve less today than you have in the past or are capable of today?

Is your excitement/commitment to tell others about Jesus any less today than it has been in the past? Are you silent where/when you used to speak?

Are you living today in the present power of the Holy Spirit? Or is your spiritual ’tank’ empty?

When others observe you, is your Christ-light bright or flickering?

If you can answer ’yes’ to any of these questions, even partially, then you need revival! (Leupold)

What is the lesson we should take home from studying this turnaround church? This is it.

Big Idea: Our uncompromising stand against sin must not compromise love.

Churches change over time, but change is not truly our enemy. Yes, I know: many Christians are afraid of change. They are afraid of what change will include.

Great wars have been fought in the church over change. Some such wars have been trivial. Should we change church pews for individual seats? Some such wars have been more substantial. Is this standard of morality still valid today or is it obsolete?

Many such wars have been very personal. One of the reasons why changes in worship have created such controversy is that worship is often very personal to us.

While others may be able to worship in other ways, we may struggle to feel like we are worshipping in those other ways.

Yet the fact is that churches do change. Some change more, some change less. There are some changes a church should never make.

Like Ephesus Church, we must not change our doctrine. We must not accept moral impurity. But the greatest change we must guard against is concerning our love for God and people.

We have often been afraid of change. We've stood against change. We have questioned change. We have fought change. I wonder what would happen if we changed back and became again a church that loved God and others with passion?