Dead or Alive - The Complacent Church
Notes
Transcript
The Emperors Clothes
The Emperors Clothes
remember this story? thought he was wearing the best but was naked
Describes 5 out of 7 churches in Revelation and many today
We have all the bells and whistles
We are a pillar in our community
We are making a difference and getting along
When really we are - naked and empty, powerless and poor in growth
The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world, instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results, even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis. God, give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost! - A. B. Simpson
Today we finish up our journey through the 7 churches
Laodicea - in my opinion is the most dangerous of all - the lost their vigor, values, and vision
THis is warning to us as a church and people
Turn to Rev 3
Let’s pray
The Complacent Church
“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent. See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. “To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
The Complacent Church
Laodicea - Important trade city, but issues was the had pipe their water in - no fresh source made it vulnerable
Look how Jesus addresses Himself
“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation:
He is the truth that we measure all truth and the Architect of the church and creation
They were complacent
I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain. - A.W. Tozer
This is what happens when we forget who He is
The Complacent Church
Half hearted faith is good for nothing
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.
The Complacent Church
Half hearted faith is good for nothing
Remember - water was piped in
Hot springs near by and cool waters - piped in it was only lukewarm when it got to town
Many have heard this preached - Hot for Jesus, Cold in faith, never lukewarm
Truth is Cold water is refreshing , Hot water can bring healing
The church is supposed to be a place of refreshing or of healing heat
Laodicea neither refreshed or challenged, they just were -
When you are not meeting your use - your useless
The Complacent Church
2. When we depend on ourselves, it sets us up for spiritual failure
For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
The Complacent Church
2. When we depend on ourselves, it sets us up for spiritual failure
They looked around and saw they had - but reality it was nothing
We can not and will not make a difference without Christ
He is the source of all we do and have
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
The Complacent Church
3. What God offers is so much better then anything the world provides
I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
The Complacent Church
3. What God offers is so much better then anything the world provides
There is nothing we can gain or do of lasting value outside of Chirst
He is supreme
He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive
We have asked a simple question over this series -
Are we dead or alive
Are growing in faith and knowledge and making an impact in our community?
In the end it is not about buildings, bodies, and budgets
It is about us and Christ desire to have intimate relationship with us
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive
this verse is used so often for evangelism , but it is actually a message to believers
Painting in St Peter’s
No handle on outside - we open the door for fellowship and intimacy
Greatest picture of this is Communion
It is remembering and looking forward
It saying I have invited you in and want to know you more
It saying as a people we choose to be alive in you
Let’s pray - then we hand out elements - take time to examine your self