The Changing Church - Part 4

The Changing Church

Part 4

Revelation 3:14-22

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

            Now that we have talked about our failures as a church of Jesus Christ, what can we do to turn it around to the power of success that we hold in our hands?  The scripture above says it all: “Repent and be an Overcomer and spend eternity with Jesus.”   However there are things we can change in our churches today and I will try to address some of these.

        
    #1. Let’s examine our own hearts to see where we are and why we go to church.  God never asked that we be entertained. You will not find it in the Bible.  The plan was to gather ourselves together as we see when we read in Revelation about Jesus view of the seven churches.   Hebrews 10:24-25 says it plainly, “ Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”   

  
          #2.  The Word of God will feed your soul.  In Acts 13:44 we see how important it was to these believers to hear the Word of God because “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.”  Why would they do that; what is so important about hearing the word of God?  Think about this. “But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”  Luke 4:4.  The only way to really live is to fill up on the Word of God morning, noon and night.  The Word is God and Jesus himself was so filled with the Word of God, “He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”  Luke 4:43.  This leads me to #3.

    
        #3.  Respect for God’s house.  If the sanctuary in your church is not a place of holiness and respect, try sitting quietly with your eyes closed and head down praying for others to honor God. When it’s time for Communion do the same thing even though others are walking around talking.  Jesus asked that we take Communion in Remembrance of Him. Think about it; we cannot be visiting with each other and remembering Jesus at the same time.  It’s impossible!

      
      #4.  We must stand on the Word of God.  If the Bible says “It’s wrong; it’s wrong.  No matter what the world accepts and says that we are ‘hater’s’ if we don’t agree those who do these things. Stand up like a man or woman of God, they are at fault, not you.  You have the power of God behind you while those who practice these sins have nothing backing them up.

         
    #5.   Repent of those things in your life that are holding you back from serving God like you should. No matter what great movements tell you not to repent, do it anyway.  God tells the churches to repent before it’s too late.

        
    #6.   Last but not least, is the need to praise and worship God.  “Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.”  Psalm 63:3.  To be thankful even for our life, we need to praise God.  “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”  Psalm 95:6.

          
  These are some things that can help individuals stop the church from changing what is happening to what should happen.  Stand for what you believe and know is true, in the Word of God.  God will never fail you!