This message resonated with me for a number of reasons:
1) Because that is what happened with the congregation I have the joy of serving in NW Illinois. It has also happened with other churches and seminaries (note for example Dr. Al Mohler/SBTS and the story of FBC, Durham).
In our context we examined the Word together and acknowledged areas of faith and practice that were not in harmony with the precepts of Scripture (1 Pet. 4:17). We confessed these shortcomings and asked God for wisdom, strength, perseverance, and grace to make the necessary changes. Some of the transformations that have taken place have been recounted in this revitalization blog. I have also sought to be candid concerning some of the challenges I/we have faced along the way. Biblical change is seldom easy. I promise you the last thing Satan wants is to witness a local church return to it's founding principles and to reestablish biblical priorities (Colossians 1:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-16; Matthew 28:18-20). The Evil One will throw all HELL against such efforts (see articles below; note the lyrics in Luther'sm A Mighty Fortress is Our God).
1) Because that is what happened with the congregation I have the joy of serving in NW Illinois. It has also happened with other churches and seminaries (note for example Dr. Al Mohler/SBTS and the story of FBC, Durham).
In our context we examined the Word together and acknowledged areas of faith and practice that were not in harmony with the precepts of Scripture (1 Pet. 4:17). We confessed these shortcomings and asked God for wisdom, strength, perseverance, and grace to make the necessary changes. Some of the transformations that have taken place have been recounted in this revitalization blog. I have also sought to be candid concerning some of the challenges I/we have faced along the way. Biblical change is seldom easy. I promise you the last thing Satan wants is to witness a local church return to it's founding principles and to reestablish biblical priorities (Colossians 1:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-16; Matthew 28:18-20). The Evil One will throw all HELL against such efforts (see articles below; note the lyrics in Luther'sm A Mighty Fortress is Our God).
2) Because Revelation 2-3 is one of the most relevant texts in the entire New Testament and yet it often overlooked.
Far too many professing Christians today worship and serve a Jesus that is void of any/all judgment (see 1 Cor. 3:10-15) and who is apparently not perfectly righteousness. In view of this they often say things like, "Well MY Jesus would never require this!" Or "MY Jesus would never say that!" On many occasions I have thought to myself (and in some instances stated), "Well, I guess you have never read Acts 5, 1 Cor. 11:30, Heb. 12:10-11, or Rev. 2-3 before." As Dr. MacArthur points out in his sermon Jesus Himself calls out shortcomings and congregational vices in Revelation 2-3. Of seven churches only two receive A's and B's on their spiritual report card. Those two churches were persecuted and poor but were rich in the sight of God. The remaining churches are publicly called out by the Lord of the Church and are warned what will happen to them if they do not repent and change their ways (for example see Rev. 2:5; 2:16-17; 2:22). "Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent." "MY Jesus would never say or do something like this to a church"...or would He?
Far too many professing Christians today worship and serve a Jesus that is void of any/all judgment (see 1 Cor. 3:10-15) and who is apparently not perfectly righteousness. In view of this they often say things like, "Well MY Jesus would never require this!" Or "MY Jesus would never say that!" On many occasions I have thought to myself (and in some instances stated), "Well, I guess you have never read Acts 5, 1 Cor. 11:30, Heb. 12:10-11, or Rev. 2-3 before." As Dr. MacArthur points out in his sermon Jesus Himself calls out shortcomings and congregational vices in Revelation 2-3. Of seven churches only two receive A's and B's on their spiritual report card. Those two churches were persecuted and poor but were rich in the sight of God. The remaining churches are publicly called out by the Lord of the Church and are warned what will happen to them if they do not repent and change their ways (for example see Rev. 2:5; 2:16-17; 2:22). "Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent." "MY Jesus would never say or do something like this to a church"...or would He?
At this point many object with questions like, "Isn't it embarrassing to admit past sins?" "Doesn't it hurt one's pride to admit corporate shortcomings?" The answer is "yes"- but the joy of obedience and blessing far outweigh the cons of not making the necessary changes of biblical reformation. One of the reasons why I felt led to come to FBC 8 years ago was because many of the key leaders manifested humility in their assessment of the ministry.
In view of these things the first verse by verse study our flock went through in 2008 was Revelation 1-5. I choose this expository study so that we could listen to the Lord of the Church address 7 real congregations. These congregations represent the kind of churches that exist in every century of church history. The rest as they say is now history.
In view of these things the first verse by verse study our flock went through in 2008 was Revelation 1-5. I choose this expository study so that we could listen to the Lord of the Church address 7 real congregations. These congregations represent the kind of churches that exist in every century of church history. The rest as they say is now history.
Suffice it to say, calling a church to repentance is one of the essential tasks of a church leader going into a church revitalization context. Dr. Harry Reeder III makes this same point in his book From Embers to a Flame but I'll save those thoughts for a future blog article.
Related Articles: 3 Characteristics of a Church in Need of Revitalization
Why We Must Revitalize Dying Churches and How (9 Marks)
Autopsy of a Deceased Church (Thom Rainer)
For this reason God called us to Freeport (Titus 1:5)
The Reform of the FBC of Durham (9 Marks)
8 Years- 8 Transformations
Establishing the Larger Context: Assessing Revitalization roadblocks
