Dead or Alive - The Faithful Church
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Church Alive
Church Alive
Friend once told his church they would see Christ first - dead will rise first
It is a shame when the church itself is a cemetery, where the living sleep above the ground, as the dead do beneath. - Thomas Fuller
We have spoken so much about churches that are dying or about to die.
But what about an church that is alive
What about a church that is faithful and not only alive externally
Alive in their growth, vision and impact
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
This is when we do it His way, obey no matter the cost
I believe Christ is standing before our churches today saying...
“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:
We just need to listen.
Today as we continue through our study of the Seven churches -
Philadelphia - Rev 3
Let’s Pray
Alive Church
Read with me as we look at an Alive Church
I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God—and my new name. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Take a closer look at what makes a church alive
Alive Church is
Faithful to HIS Name
I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Alive Church is
Faithful to HIS Name
This is not a big church - not a lot of resources
They knew whose name is the most important
They knew whose kingdom would last
It was not about building themselves up
It was about knowing Christ and making Him known
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Christ and the Churches, Part 2 (Revelation 3)
It is not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and command of the Lord.
We go in His name
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Alive Church is
2. Faithful to His Word
Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Alive Church is
2. Faithful to His Word
Said it over an over - these words are all that matter
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
Alive Church is
2. Faithful to His Word
We cannot come up with better plans or strategies
Guards our hearts and directs our actions
If we are faithful to His name and His word...
An amazing thing happens
Alive Church is
3. He will be faithful to us
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God—and my new name.
He is the one who strengthens us and sustains us
He is the one who positions and provides for us
He is h one who opens the doors and leads us through
We are shaped by His presence and filled with His power
Church Alive
Church Alive
We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world. - G.K. Chesterton
Church Alive
Church Alive
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
I believe this is a call to each of us and to the church
Have we allowed the thief to come in a steal our life?
Have we stopped being faithful as people or a church?
Let today be the day we come alive
Let’s pray