Revelation :Obsticals to Revivel

Revelation 2:1–7 ESV

1 “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. 2 “ ‘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. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 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. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 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.’

Introduction:

Obstacles to Revival

An anemic vision of Christ

All seven churches had issues.

There were doctrinal issues

There were moral issues.

There were churches that thought they where really healthy but were desperately sick.

There were churches suffering under the persecution of Rome - some were losing there jobs, losing there families, loosing there freedoms…losing there lives.

The churches were struggling and some where considering throwing in the towel.

The seven Churches of Asia

I am convinced that the most tragic error plaguing the church is that she sees her God as so much less.

Less than what the scriptures teach.

Less than what God is.

Revelation 1:1 (ESV)

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ...

That’s why the entire first chapter of the book is giving us a great view of Christ.

John sees Jesus and has no ability to stand.

Renewal begins when we gain a Scriptural view of the greatness of Christ.

Our problem is that we have emasculated Jesus.

In the view of our culture Jesus has become a sissy that intimidates no one.

The God of the twentieth century is a helpless effeminate being who commands the respect of no really thoughtful man.

The God of the popular mind is the creation of a maudlin sentimentality.

The God of many a present-day pulpit is an object of pity rather than of awe-inspiring reverence.

Author Pink Put it this way.

In the Chronicles of Narnia, when confronted by the idea of Aslan, the lion, who is a picture of God, Lucy asks, "Is He safe?"

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."

Mr. Tumnus also says, "He's wild, you know. Not a tame lion."

How do we overcome the obstacle of an anemic vision of Christ?

Look to the Scriptures!

Revelation 2:1 ESV

1 “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.

See Christ through the lens of the Word not the perspective of the world.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim...

We will not experience corporate or personal renewal apart from grasping the glory and grandeur of Christ.

A second obstacle to revival is

Blindness to your own spiritual condition.

By blindness I mean

An obstacle to revival is the church’s inability to assess her own spiritual health.

Revelation 2:2–4 (ESV)

2 “ ‘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.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

If Christ were to write a letter to Bethel Baptist Church what would He say?

What would Christ commend you for?

What would Christ condemn you for?

Ignoring the spiritual maladies of your church is a recipe for death.

Revelation 2:5 (ESV)

5 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.

Spiritual renewal is impossible if we remain in denial.

How do we overcome our inability to assess our church’s spiritual health?

Pray for illumination.

Thom Rainer in his book an altopsy of a deceased church said we should pray this way.

God, open my eyes that I might see my church as You see it. Let me see where change needs to take place, even if it is painful to me. And use me, I pray, to be an instrument of that change whatever the cost.

Peruse a scriptural evaluation.

The goal of church is not to be traditional.

The goal of church is to be Biblical.