When Biblical Truth Fuels Mission

Key Elements

In Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for their perseverance, discernment, and rejection of false teachers, but rebukes them for abandoning their first love and calls them to repent and return to faithful devotion to Jesus and reaching the lost.

Main Idea: When biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, God’s people faithfully hold to sound doctrine while passionately and lovingly pursuing those in their community who desperately need a relationship with Him.

I want my audience to look at their own lives and look at our church and individually and collectively pursue a balance of the truth of God’s Word that transforms and motivates a pursuit of lost people in our community.

Sources: Commentaries on Logos; sermon Have You Lost Your Love Towards People? by Robby Gallaty

Intro

Open your copy of God’s Word with me to Revelation 2:1-7. And let me begin this morning by saying how hard it is for me to believe that summer is already here. I mean, it really crept up on me this year. Now, I know the teachers in the room are like “I’m so glad summer is here” and the moms are like “when does school start back?” But summer is here. And for our church and churches in general, summer is an interesting time. Because it actually is the time when a church usually spends the most money because of camps and all the events that are going on, but it usually is the time of year when we see the least amount of people on Sundays. There’s a lot going on during the summer-family vacations, time at the lake, and trips to see family and just a lot of down time going on. And so, for the church, what we usually see is a dip in attendance and a dip in finances as well. While it’s true that we gain a lot of momentum in the summer in the areas of kids and student ministry, we usually see less momentum on Sundays for life groups and worship. So, this summer, we are praying that that won’t be the case. Now, we are not so naive to think that no one is going on vacation or having fun with the family this summer. But what we are praying for our church this summer is that we will use this summer to invite people to come be a part of what God is doing here at Stone Ridge. We have purposefully planned events for you to invite people to that will get them here and hopefully that will spill over into them coming on a Sunday with you. We have provided resources for you to be intentional about inviting people to come and check out what God is doing here (invite cards and summer schedule cards). We really want this summer to be about our people being covertly evangelistic so that we stay focused on the mission and the vision God has given us of making disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus. And part of doing this and keeping up this momentum this summer is what we are going to be walking through on Sunday mornings. Today, we begin a summer sermon series we are calling 7: Ancient Truths for The Modern Church. And beginning today, we are going to spend Sundays this summer looking at and talking about the seven letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation.

Now, being transparent this morning, I have never preached a series on the Book of Revelation. And the reason is, just being honest, I’m super intimidated. I mean there are so many thoughts and theories about what it all means. But as I was praying about where God was taking us as a church this summer, I was actually focusing in on a totally different theme and then, God led me to this. And I really believe it is going to be good for our church to focus in on the truths that are found here in these seven letters that John writes to these churches in the Book of Revelation. Because it is in these letters that we find characteristics that we want our church here at Stone Ridge to be known for and we find warnings about things that are present in these churches that we want to be on guard against. And throughout the process of diving into these letters, what I’m praying for is that God will continue to show us the kind of church He wants us to be. That He will continue to expand our mission and vision that He has given us as a church. And that He will expose in us as individuals and as a church as a whole things that need to be rooted out so that He will continue to be glorified.

Because here’s the truth, the church of Jesus Christ, and in particular, our church here at Stone Ridge, we are not just here by coincidence. We didn’t just happen to relocate from sixth street to Airport Dr. five years ago so we could take up space across from the community college. The church of Jesus Christ in general does not exist to just be another entity in the community. God has placed us here for a purpose and issued a calling for us to reach the lost in this community and mobilize Christ followers to take the Gospel to this city and beyond. We are here to make disciples of Jesus. To be a conduit for God to transform lives by the Good News of salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ. And as we walk through these seven letters to these seven churches, I’m praying God speaks and refines us individually and as a church to continue the mission He has called us too.

Message

So, let’s dive in. In Revelation 2 and Revelation 3, Jesus through John writes seven letters to seven actual churches that existed at the time. In these letters, we find some ancient truth that is still applicable to the modern church. We are going to see Jesus through John encourage faithfulness, confront compromise, expose spiritual drift, and call for His people to repent and renew their devotion to God and their commitment to the mission of the Gospel.

Just to give us a little bit of structure at the beginning here, all seven letters follow what Pastor Robby Gallaty calls The Five Fold Formula: (this is the structure we will see for every letter) 1. He begins with a Statement about Christ. Jesus, in speaking to John about these churches, begins by making a decisive statement about who He is. 2. There’s a Statement of Commendation. There’s a word of praise given about the good and Godly things that are happening in the church. This could be something they are currently known for or something they were known for in the past. 3. There’s a Statement of Concern. This usually begins with the phrase “But I have this against you...” It’s an identification of something in the church that is causing it to stray from the mission God has given it. 4. There’s a Statement of Counsel. This is what Jesus is telling the church and the people of the church that must be done to correct what’s wrong and get them back on mission. and 5. There’s a Statement of Commitment. This is a promise that Jesus says will be fulfilled if they do what He is calling them to do.

And this structure will guide every letter. Every letter that Jesus dictates to John for these seven churches follows this formula. One other fact about these churches is that they were all located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and they are on a major route that runs in a counterclockwise order from the coast to the interior. And John writes to these churches because he knows them and has a relationship with the members and at one point it is believed that he probably pastored or had a significant role of leadership in all of them.

So, today we begin with the first letter to the first church which is located in Ephesus. Look at what Jesus says through John to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7...

So, let’s talk about Ephesus to get some context: Outside of Rome, Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire. At the time of John writing this letter, it was estimated that there was a half a million people living in Ephesus. Religiously, Ephesus was the center for the worship of the fertility goddess Diana or Artemis and the temple that was dedicated to the worship of this false goddess was so large and beautiful that it was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was so large that it took thousands of priests and priestesses to serve in the temple. And it’s in the midst of this vanity and immorality that the church of Ephesus was begun by the Apostle Paul.

And today, as we look at this letter written to the church in Ephesus, we are going to see some things we need to pay attention to as well-individually and as a church. For it’s in this first letter that we find a church who is doing a lot of things that are right but are also in need of some sobering correction. Doctrinally they are on point but the problem Jesus identifies is pretty serious-they have “abandoned the love they had at first.” You see, the church in Ephesus reminds us that it is possible for the church to be doctrinally and theologically correct and still cold to the community God has placed it in. It is possible to know the truth of God’s Word without allowing it to shape the heart of the mission the church is called to. And what this letter ultimately reveals is that God never intended for it to be that way. God never intended for truth and mission to be separated. What God calls us to as a church is for the truth of His Word, the Gospel, to fuel the mission of the church. The more we understand the Gospel and the more it transforms us, the more we should love the people who desperately need to experience it like we have.

Which leads us to our main idea for today: When biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, God’s people faithfully hold to sound doctrine while passionately and lovingly pursuing those in their community who desperately need a relationship with Him.

Today in Revelation 2:1-7, we see four characteristics that are present in a church when Biblical truth fuels mission:

1. When Biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, there exists A pursuit of the presence and power of Jesus. (vs. 1)

So, following the formula we talked about earlier, Jesus begins with Himself. He begins by making a statement about who He is. Look at vs. 1...

So, let’s pause there for a moment. Before Jesus addresses anything-before any accolades or bragging on the church at Ephesus begins and before there is any correction given, Jesus, through John writing this letter, makes an incredible statement about Himself-that He is present in the midst of the church at Ephesus and He is moving in power. Jesus says, “I’m the one who holds the seven stars in my right hand”-He has divine authority and power over His church. It does not matter how great the evil is in the community around this church. It does not matter how dark the culture around the church gets, Jesus is more powerful than the evil and the darkness that surrounds the church. Remember, this church and it’s members have been planted in the midst of one of the most pagan and godless societies in the ancient world at the time. There’s a heavy presence of pagan worship going on. And Jesus begins by reminding the members of this church that He is powerful that He has divine authority that is greater than anything they are surrounded by in the culture. And that He holds the church at Ephesus in the palm of His powerful hand.

Not only is He powerful but Jesus is present among the church as well. The presence of Almighty God dwells in the midst of the church in Ephesus. Jesus says, that “He walks among the seven golden lampstands.” (the churches) He is dwelling among His people, His church. He’s not distant or far off, He is right in the middle of His people working and moving in mighty and powerful ways. He is an up close, personal, and intimately present God.

And from the beginning of the church in Ephesus’ existence when the Apostle Paul had established it in the midst of this city that so desperately needed the Gospel, there had been an active pursuit of Jesus and His presence and power among His people. The Gospel had gone forth with explosive power so much so that the idol making economy of Ephesus had been financially threatened. People in the city had publicly repented and turned to the one true God. God, through His power and His presence, had moved in mighty ways. And in pursuit of God, the church in Ephesus had been used by God to make an eternal difference in the hearts and lives of the people around them.

And for us to continue to be the church that God has called us to be, there must continue to exist in us and in our church a pursuit of the presence and the power of Jesus. We have to keep at the forefront of our minds that God has established Stone Ridge Baptist Church to bring Him the glory and the honor that only He deserves and to reach the lost and to make disciples. But the only way we will be effective at accomplishing the vision and mission God has given us is to be in constant pursuit of the presence and the power of Jesus. Because without the presence of Jesus working in us and through us, we’ll accomplish nothing. Without the power of Jesus working in us as through us, we strive in vain. The effectiveness of our church is solely and completely dependent on the presence and the power of Jesus working in us and through us. So, what does this pursuit mean? It means we draw close to Jesus and stay close to Jesus. It’s us recognizing that without Him walking among us, we can accomplish nothing. And that in everything we do, we are completely dependent on Him instead of solely placing our confidence in ourselves and our methods. Before we can reach the lost in our community, we have to draw close to Jesus. Before we can proclaim the Gospel effectively, we must be captivated by our Savior.

A church whose mission is fueled by Biblical truth must be in pursuit of the presence and the power of Jesus. Next...

2. When Biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, there exists A grounding in sound Biblical doctrine. (vs. 2-3)

And this is what the church of Ephesus is known for. This is the claim to fame for this church. Look at vs. 2-3...

The church of Ephesus was a who’s who of the early church. The Apostle Paul planted the church and spent around three years there pouring into it. Then Paul handed it off to Timothy to pastor. Timothy handed it off to the Apostle John and it is believed that because Jesus, while He was on the cross, had given the responsibility to John to care for Mary His mother, that Jesus’s mom, Mary was also a member of this church. So, you have this deep tradition and theologically rich history in the church of Ephesus. In fact, there are more letters in the Bible written to the church of Ephesus than any other church-1 and 2 Timothy, Ephesians, and then here in the Book of Revelation. So, this is a solid, Biblical church. This is a church who knows there theology. In fact, Jesus in this letter John is writing, commends them for several good and Godly things-a. They tested false teachers. The believers in the church of Ephesus refused to accept self-appointed apostles at face value. They were theologically discerning. They had extensive Biblical knowledge. b. They endured hardship for the name of Jesus Christ. They had suffered for the sake of the Gospel. Because of the heavy presence of secular philosophy and pagan worship, these followers of Jesus in Ephesus would have endured physical violence, being ostracized by their community, and economic and financial hardship. And Jesus says “I know that this has happened, I’ve seen it as I have been present among you.” c. They were committed to the cause of Christ. They had endured all of this and it had not deterred them from their beliefs and commitment to their Lord and Savior.

There was no question about the doctrine and beliefs of the members of the church in Ephesus. They were solid to the core in their theology and their commitment to the truth of the Word of God. They could debate and expose false prophets, they could remove people from their fellowship who were teaching and preaching heresy. They had all the theological boxes checked. And Jesus says “I love that about you. That is incredible. That is important and as far as being grounded in sound Biblical doctrine, Ephesians, you’ve got it down.” He commends them for that.

Because, listen to me, correct Biblical theology and belief matters. It matters. As a church, we have to know what we believe and why we believe it because if we don’t, we will be swayed and moved by every crazy theological idea that comes along. And we have to be able to defend that belief in a culture where theological lines are getting blurred more and more. You see, for us to continue to be the church that God has called us to be, the Word of God must continue to be the foundation of everything we believe and everything we do. Sound Biblical doctrine must be the core on which everything else stands. We must continue to grow as disciples of Jesus who know the Word of God and stand on the truth. And even when the culture around us tries to blur the lines, we stand on the truth of God’s Word because that truth is hidden in our hearts.

But that’s not where it ends. You see, sound Biblical doctrine is the foundation but it’s not the destination. It’s not the end all be all. Biblical truth has an even greater purpose, because when Biblical truth is properly understood, it always leads us towards the mission of the Gospel.

Which leads us to a third characteristic we see...

3. When Biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, there exists A recognition of spiritual drift and a response of repentance. (vs. 4-5a)

It serves no purpose for our heads to filled with sound Biblical doctrine if it does not move us to the mission of reaching the lost. And that’s the problem that Jesus has with the members of the church in Ephesus. And boy does He point this out, look at vs. 4-5...

So, here’s what’s happened among the membership in the church at Ephesus and what Jesus is pointing out-they new their Bibles, they had sound Biblical doctrine as their foundation, but somewhere along the way their passion for Jesus they once had had faded, their burden for people had diminished, their mission had gone to the wayside, and they had drifted from what they had originally purposed to do. They had “abandoned the love they had at first.” Their doctrine was right and their theology was in tact so they believed they were right with God. But then, Jesus makes a sobering statement in this letter to the Ephesian church. He says, “You have the right belief but the way you are living your lives by not loving the community around you is displeasing to me and if you don’t repent, that is grounds for removal as a church.” That’s scary. The Church of Ephesus had deep theology and they were doing everything right doctrinally, but where Jesus said they needed to change was the area of living out what they said they believed. And Jesus tells the church that if that doesn’t change, they will cease to exist as a church. You see, the problem is not that they’ve fallen out of love with God and His Word, the problem is that their love for God and His Word has not translated into a love for the people around them-they had lost the love they had when they first became a church. And the lampstand that Jesus is threatening to remove is their witness and presence in the city they were called to minister to.

And this is a huge wake up call to us as individual Christ followers and to us as the church. Theology matters. Correct doctrine and belief matters. If we don’t get that right then we don’t have a solid foundation, but if our beliefs and our theology don’t move us to love the lost people in our community, then Jesus says we run the risk of removal as a church in the community. And what’s interesting is that out of all seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, Ephesus is the only church where Jesus says “if you don’t repent and change this about you, I will come and personally remove your lampstand, I will shut the doors.”

Biblical truth is vital, and when it fuels the mission of the church, then we, as individual Christ followers and as a church, will constantly recognize when we are drifting from the vision and mission God has called us to and we will respond with repentance. And here’s what repentance requires: it requires self-awareness-It requires us truly realizing as Christ followers and as the church, where we are in our spiritual lives. And that doesn’t come from comparing ourselves to others and how good we think we are compared to them or how spiritual we think we are. Self-awareness comes from holding our lives up to the truth of the Gospel and seeing the true state of our lives. And when that happens, if there’s a spiritual drift in our lives, it requires a return to God-that’s the heart of repentance. It’s a total and complete 180 degree turning from the way we are living our lives. We are drifting spiritually, we see that and we return to God. Which requires living differently-that’s the goal of repentance, it’s a complete change of heart and action. Jesus says this, “there’s only two options for the church in Ephesus” and it’s the same option for Stone Ridge Baptist Church and us as followers of Jesus-when we recognize spiritual drift in our lives and in our church, “we can choose to repent or the other option is ruin.”

For us to continue to be the church that God has called us to be, there must continue to exist in us a recognition of spiritual drift and a response of repentance.

Which leads us to the final characteristic we see...

4. When Biblical truth fuels the mission of the church, there exists A focus on the Gospel as central to the mission. (vs. 5b)

And that really is what we as individual Christ followers and as the church should be all about-the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good News of salvation that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to live the perfect life, to die on the cross for the sins of all humankind, He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the grave conquering death and sin and hell forevermore. That’s the driving force behind the church’s mission. And that is what Jesus, in this letter to the church in Ephesus, is calling them back to-a focus or refocus on the Gospel as central to their mission. Look at what He says in vs. 5, one phrase “repent, and do the works you did at first.” That’s the key to the restoration of this love that they have abandoned. It’s going back to what fueled their fire as a church in the first place-the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because that’s what the Gospel does-it produces ministry that overflows from a life that the Gospel has transformed. It’s ministry that flows from people in the church of Jesus Christ who have been radically saved by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, the problem with the church in Ephesus was not that they lacked Biblical truth. The problem was that the Biblical truth that had changed their lives had stopped fueling the mission of reaching the lost people in the community around them.

When their is a focus on the Gospel that remains central to the mission of the church, here’s what happens, we never forget that at one point we were lost with out the hope of Jesus Christ. That at one point, we were separated from God by our sin. That at one point and still to this day, we were and are in desperate need of the grace of God. And because Jesus pursued us and saved us, we now are called to be a people fueled by the truth of the Gospel on mission to pursue others in the name of Jesus Christ. We as the church, exist to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to a community who desperately needs Jesus to transform their lives. And the more we understand God grace in our lives, the more we passionately pursue others around us who need that grace as well.

Closing

You know, the older I get, the more nostalgic I am. What I mean by that is the more I remember how good things used to be in life and how different they are now. And I think nostalgia can be a good thing because it draws us back to a time when things might have been simpler or what we might refer to as “the good ole days.” But let’s never let that be the case for the church. And the reason is is because we want to keep moving forward, we want to reach more people with the Gospel, we want to see more lives transformed by Jesus; and the only way that happens is by continuing to be a church who pursues the presence and the power of Jesus, who is grounded in sound Biblical doctrine, who recognizes when we might be drifting and responds in repentance, and who focuses on the Gospel as central to our mission.

And this morning, I think we have an incredible opportunity to come to this altar and ask God to continue to do something fresh in us as individual Christ followers and as the church. And today, if you’ve never surrendered your heart and life to Jesus as Savior and Lord, we want you to take that step today and become a part of what God is doing here helping us reach this community with the Gospel. God desires to continue to use us, let’s be a church where the Gospel fuels the mission God has called us too.