God's Word for the Local Church

2009 May 01

by Tyler

The book of Revelation is written to 7 local churches that existed in the late first century. It was likely written by John, but we don’t need to argue about that right now.

Towards the beginning of the letter John, in the apocalyptic writing style, speaks about God’s praise and condemnation for those churches. Eugene Peterson sums this up perfectly:

“The churches are affirmed for untiring, unflagging, and vigilant work (Ephesus); for brave suffering (Smyrna); for courageous witness (Pergamum); for growing and developing discipleship (Thyatira); and for brave steadfastness (Philadelphia). But they are corrected for abandoning their first zestful love of Christ (Ephesus); being indifferent to heretical teaching (Pergamum); being tolerant of immorality (Thyatira); being apathetic (Sardis); letting luxurious riches substitute for the life in the Spirit (Laodicea).”

Could this be any more applicable to today?

I look around at today’s churches and I see a lot to celebrate about. But I also see so many areas where we need rebuking.

What stands out to you?

Filed under: the rest...

http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

ultimately this is something we discuss everyday on your blog…we debate and go back on forth on the state of the church today….so absolutely, these are concepts presented to john that are applicable for every generation in one context or another.

the idea of heretical teaching…what do you think the church is indifferent to?
b/c i think we could probably go both ways on saying indifferent: perhaps sometimes the church worries too much and goes into uproar too quickly when the world gives another opinion opposing jesus christ (say for ex. divinci code).
http://seth.heasley.net/blog Seth

I always find interesting the threats for the churches that don’t reform. The threat: the church going buh-bye (Rev 2:5). I think in America we don’t really believe that Christianity could go away. But nobody would’ve thought that about Ephesus, either. And look at Ephesus today.
http://brentinworship.com/blog brent(inWorship)

I agree. But you know what stands out to me here, is that churches are all different and in turn their ministries have different focus and different strengths. Not to imply we shouldn’t be everything God has commanded us to be, but, some are servers, some are evangelistic, some are disciple makers. It bums me out that the local body of Christ doesn’t work better with each other. We all have so many strengths that would accent each other nicely and inevitably would lead to a greater witness.
Josh

you know, I tend to see this like Brent does. I believe it’s one of the main things that I don’t understand about the local church these days, especially in our American culture. We look at what another “successful” church has done in a completely different community and then try to duplicate the exact thing in an entirely different community with different needs. I just don’t get that myself.
http://manofdepravity.com/2009/05/08/left-with-nothing/ Left With Nothing « man.of.depravity

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