Stewardship
Stewardship
(Revelation 2:29)
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelations
2 and 3
God
told John to write in a book of Revelations concerning our Lord and
Savior. Our Lord Lord Jesus dictated seven poignant letters to a
selected and representative seven different churches. There could
have others but these seven matched the condition of the seven ages
to come historically. They also uplifted Christs expectations of
these worship groups that we call churches. They not only received
justified praise but also earned. Two he praised and justified. Two
he condemned. There he both praised and condemned. Some got it
basically right, some failed pitifully and three was “wishy washy.”
One of the three was lukewarm; a condition God will not allow. Two
received warnings. There are none perfect but it is possible to get
close enough to it that Christs blood covers the blunders.
Smyrna
(Revelation 2:8-11) was faithful in the midst of terrible persecution
and was promised a “crown of life” for its steadfast testimony.
Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) was commended because of its
attention to the Word that was given as an “open door.” These
served with favor and were given a promise for victory. Ephesus
(Revelation 2:1-7) was doctrinal
sound but had a love that had grown cold and was in danger of losing
the “lamp stand”—the very church relationship that kept them
tied to service in the Kingdom. Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) was
oblivious to its danger of expulsion. It was neither “cold nor hot”
and had assumed that being successful and well thought of by the
world was the goal of the church; wrong!
We
serve in the seventh and last age. The “age of the gentiles’ is
coming to a close. We are the church period called Philadelphia.
Revelations 1:7-11:
7
And
to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith
he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he
that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8
I
know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no
man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my
word, and hast not denied my name.
9
Behold,
I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews,
and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10
Because
thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try
them that dwell
upon the earth.
The
opposites attitude
reflect
the reaction among today’s evangelicals concerning
the foundational issues of biblical creationism and the pervasive
impact of the approach to biblical inerrancy.
Some stand firm in in
the face of
denominational disdain, social ostracism, or limited resources.
Pressed
by decreasing membership, funding and true interest, they are
faltering like an uncontrolled ship on the rock. Meanwhile, the
larger
“Philadelphian” period
churches
boldly minister within their spheres of influence, heedless of the
pressure to yield to the world
majority.
To
many
“Philadelphian”
age (now) are
like Ephesus and Laodicea in
their time,
so concerned over doctrinal technicalities that they have lost their
love for the Word, the lost, and the Kingdom. More are caught up in
the neutrality of acceptance and are concerned with “the praise of
men” (John 12:43) rather than “sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3).
The
love of money has turned many to apostates. Of
all the resources available to us, God’s Word is the most precious
and requires proper stewardship. One day, we will give an account for
how we used it. Know
God, know peace. Amen 11-03-2019 BLL
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