THE FEATURES AND FUNCTION OF THE END TIME CHURCH!

Sunday, April 28, 2019

THE FEATURES AND FUNCTION OF THE END TIME CHURCH!

Rev 3:14-22

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

First – The Features of this church!

It is a “tepid” church. It is a “room temperature” church because it has settled down to the temperature of the times. It has become fashioned like the world it is supposed to change. It makes God want to throw up! If it were hot then God might honor and bless it. If it were cold then God might be challenged to condemn it but it is neither and simply serves to create nausea in the belly of the Divine. It is today’s church.

It thinks itself to be rich! It boasts of the finest facilities with lavish lighting and productions that rival the professional theaters. Its leaders are so educated they need an enlarged hat size! Disdain is heaped upon volunteers in favor of professionals. They are specialists in their field and enjoy multiple leaders in each church.

It is unaware of its true poverty! It is full of spiritual paupers who are unchanged, unclothed and unseeing! God suggests that this church invest in the Gold of salvation, the raiment of righteousness and the eye salve of repentance. These are the true riches it has discarded for fool’s gold.

It is the church with God at the door!  Although He stands outside, yet He is knocking to enter. Why is the Master not invited to the celebration? Why must we make Him knock?

Now the Function of this church!

It is the church of “any man”! While the general congregation is unresponsive there is still hope for the individual who will answer the knock at the door. Jesus will then come in an sup with HIM [the individual]. It is these individual ones that provide any spiritual temperature. Since they are in a fellowshipping relationship with the Master, their opinion is often the same as His. They are sick of their church as it is but feel compelled to continue to promote spiritual revival.

The Lost may still find Christ here! The message has not completely changed. The truth, although watered down, is clear enough that the desperate may still find relief.

It may yet be revived – but through discipline!

Rev 3:19

19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT

Dear Lord, I pray for my church because I see it in these verses.  I pray for myself because I am there too. Revive my church and revive my heart. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!