Churches can die Revelation 2:1-7 January 23 - PM How to KILL a Church Churches can die Revelation 2:1-7 January 23 - PM

Introduction Jesus wrote 7 letters to churches Ephesus – left their first love OR ELSE – candlestick will be removed Candlestick = church (Rev. 1:20) Sardis – “You are dead” How would you go about to kill a church?

Allow False Teaching A false doctrine allowed to go unchecked will destroy a church Titus 1:9-11 - 9holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Allow False Teaching A false doctrine allowed to go unchecked will destroy a church Galatians 2:4-5 - 4And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Backbiting & Gossip Rumor – unproven statements – gossip – backbiting These will take the heart out of a church 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 - 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Backbiting & Gossip Rumor – unproven statements – gossip – backbiting These will take the heart out of a church 1 Peter 4:15-16 - 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Brotherhood Watchdog Some set themselves as the standard Everyone must match their view We must learn how to disagree without being disagreeable We can warn, alert We cannot control others

Low Value on Unity Unity MUST be desired Unity can be costly You can lose friends You must set aside personal wishes We must NEVER compromise truth Many have not learned the difference between doctrine and method

De-Emphasize Missions “We have lots to do here in Athens.” “Why waste time and money going to other nations?” Many have become navel-gazers (just looking internal) Many church budgets are “us” centered rather than “other people” centered

Tolerate Sin Revelation 2:20-23 - 20Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Tolerate Sin Joshua – Achan – Joshua 7:13 - There is an accursed thing in your midst, As long as there is “sin in the camp” the church will not grow and prosper

Cold, Spiritless Revelation 3:15-16 - 15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Too many Christians are just going through the motions

Soft on Responsibility Leaders have defined areas of responsibility Each individual Christian also has personal responsibility Don’t blame everyone else for your failure to live a pure, moral life Each will stand before God – as individuals – not as a church

Emphasis on Recreation Nothing wrong with having fun I remember having fun one time We must learn the REAL FUN in: Service – rake leaves, share joy, visit, help Worship – meaningful, personal Truth – stand for right

Programs Above People Many think a new program will fix problems – make the church grow Programs don’t care Programs have no compassion Programs require people – dedicated people - to make them work

Churches Can Die In this area – churches are dying A church can die from many causes – most of them are internal The purpose of Jesus’ letters in Revelation 2-3 was to prevent them from dying away

Churches Can Die WHICH ARE YOU? Someone said, “Either you are part of the problem or part of the solution.” WHICH ARE YOU?