We Are Not Alone

 

 

 

"¹² Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; ¹³ and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. ¹⁴ His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. ¹⁵ His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. ¹⁶ In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength."

Revelation 1:12-16 

 

Good Morning my beloved,

 

We welcome you to worship in the name of the Lord. Thank you for joining us today, we're glad to have you here. We are especially grateful for those of you who have been sharing the ministry website with all of your family and friends. Your faithfulness to share God's Word with others continues to bring about tremendous results. We are grateful to each of you and your prayers. Prayer is powerful, and the greatest weapon we have. And through your sharing, God has brought a number of people to Christ. Praise God! May He continue to use you and this ministry mightily to effect change in even more lives.

 

The church today should by and large, be classified as dysfunctional. I am deeply concerned that evangelical churches, seeking acceptance from the culture in which they live, are more than prepared to compromise the doctrine of faith. In fact, I am convinced that many churches have departed from the faith a long time ago. Most are irrelevant in influencing the culture, but are instead influenced by the culture, and see compromise with the world as acceptable.

 

Furthermore, many professing Christians generally appear to be ignorant of the Word of God, with no clue as to what is or is not biblical. And, quite frankly, most are incapable of articulating what they profess to believe. Many professing Christians give little evidence that they even understand why or from what they were saved. I fault those of us who occupy the sacred office, who have often done an repugnant job of declaring the Word of God. Those bear the name of pastor are reluctant to declare the revealed will of God. And, if we are being completely honest, we must confess that God works among His people not because of us, but in spite of us.

 

Many seem to have little time for study of the Word and sadly, even less time for prayer. Much of what they do doesn't even count in the summation of Kingdom work.

 

Self-centered, comfort seeking church members appear to be the general rule. I believe that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is in the midst of His people, observing their actions and grieving terribly over the exaltation of the self. I am afraid the glory has departed long ago. We seem to have forgotten the  reason that a church is identified as the Body of Christ.

 

When the world hears the voice of the Lord, they will hear His voice emanating from the midst of the churches, for that is where He stands!

 

Let us pray

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Father, we thank You for Your Word for us today. Thank You for sharing with us this incredible vision, what a privilege and honor we've been blessed with. Lord, help us to realize that the message we proclaim, either by our voice or through or cations, or the manner in which we live, is identified with the voice of Christ. And If our lives speak of casual, ingenuine faith, the world will not be drawn to Christ. But if our message boldly proclaims His grace, the world will hear His voice. Our service to Your kingdom will not be overlooked, but we will stand before You and give account. It will be judged not by the rambunctious convocation of our shouting, but by our lives, and the way in which we have adorned the doctrine of God our Savior. 

 

When we become discouraged, let us be encouraged with what Christ is doing in this present day. I pray that You can use every one of us here in Your church, to build Your church, for Your glory, and for Christ's sake.

Amen

Today's Message: We Are Not Alone

 

As I think about the things in the life of the church that deeply concern me, I am most concerned about the relationship, the communion that the people in the church have with Christ, that it would deep and profound. I am as well concerned that they would experience His presence, His power in their lives. I believe that's very, very important.

 

Secondly, I am concerned their spiritual strength. That they will be able to stand against the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, that they will be able to discern satanic influences that abound. I pray that the church would submit themselves to the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ.

 

Then, I am concerned bout the holiness and purity of the church. Those of you who know me, know it is a passion for me. I am content with a kind of Christianity that tolerates iniquity and celebrates sin. In fact, I detest it. my passions burns for the righteousness and virtue of the church.

 

Lastly, my heart is burdened for the church, being under the influence of ungodly leaders, who are less than devoted to teaching sound doctrine, pointing the lost to Christ. I am very concerned about the effectiveness of the ministry. These grievous wolves have  come in the church, promoting satanic doctrine, not sparing the flock, but leading them astray. Much of what is heard from modern evangelicalism echoes society, rather than the Word of God.

 

I believe that every genuine pastor carries those same heavy burdens in his heart. We can stop fighting against the wiles of the enemy! For the time being, I'll not pursue this any further, I just needed to get that off my heart. It has been a very, very heavy concern as of late.

Open your Bible with me to the book of Revelation chapter 1. As we return to the study of God’s Word in the marvelous book of Revelation, our text today begins in verse 12. 

 

I invite you to follow along with me as I read to you from verse 9 through the end of the chapter, to refresh the text in our minds, as we prepare our hearts for what the Spirit is saying to each of us. Revelation 1:9-20.  

"I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

Let's pick up where we left off, at verse 12, "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands." 

John turns to see who is speaking. When he turns, he sees sees the vision of the glorified Son of God, in the middle of seven golden lampstands. As we noted in our last message, the seven lampstands represent the seven churches who were to receive this letter. In the middle of the seven lampstands is one like the son of man.

In those days, lamps were made of clay and sometimes metal, they had a wick and you poured oil into them. If you wanted to elevate the light in the house, you would put the lamp on a stand. Again, this is to remind us that the church is the light in the world. 

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus said "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

We are the light, and the church is to carry that light.

So John sees the seven golden lampstands, remember, seven is the number of completeness. It is symbolic of the whole people of God, the whole body of Christ. He sees the glorified Lord in the midst of His precious church. I believe that the significance of this must not be overlooked. Mark it in your minds, that before he sees the Risen Christ, John sees the seven churches. This is because the world always sees the churches, identifying Christ with the body through which He is revealed. The followers of Christ, united in assemblies, form the imperative connection between Jesus Christ and the world.

The tendency among many Christians today, is to emphasize the individual pursuit of Christ. Because we are charged with knowing the Word of God, each believer is responsible to study the Word for himself. However,  the Great Commission is a Christian charge, obligatory upon each individual who names the Name of Christ. Those of us who are redeemed, are therefore, responsible to unite with the assembly in advancing of the Kingdom of God, as described in Acts 2:42-47.

Then, in verse 13, he says, "And in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash."

You will remember that "Son of man" is the messianic title for the Lord Jesus Christ and he sees Him, the Lord of the church. In Daniel 7:13-14, we read about the Messiah, called "one like the son of man," who comes in the clouds to the Father, called "the Ancient of Days." The one like the son of man, Who is glorified, risen Christ, is standing in the middle of the seven lampstands. 

The significance here, is His presence amidst the church. In Matthew 28, Jesus said "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." That is the great promise that Jesus gave His apostles. So, we see a picture of the exalted, glorified Christ, there to empower His church. We are empowered by the indwelling of the living Christ. We do not worship a dead religious leader, but the One true Living God! 

The voice of the Lord is heard through the life of His churches today, where His people are gathered so that they may be instructed in the truths of God’s Word and responds to His voice to change his world. When the church does its holy work on earth and only two or three are gathered there in that holy work of confronting sin, the Lord promises, "There am I in the midst."

Our world is filled with a multitude of voices, each clamoring to be heard. Politicians promise deliverance from the problems of our world, but their voice errs. Tragically, those listening to these voices are being misled and doomed to disappointment.

In Matthew 16, Jesus challenged this when He said "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

In verse 13, John says, "He was clothed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded across His chest with a golden sash." The Greek word used "podērēs," in the Old Testament Septuagint refers to the robe of kings. Kings were clothed in robes reaching to the feet. This indicates Christ’s kingly role, it also illustrates His prophetic role. 

In Daniel 10, the messenger of God had a robe made out of fine linen that was all the way down to his feet. 

What we see here is Christ in His priestly role, moving among the lampstands, Who has the capacity to sympathize with us in all our dangers and sorrows and trials and temptations, He is there to purify His church. Notice that John has gone from the seven golden lampstands to the clothing, to the very features of the exalted Lord of the church.

Verse 14, "His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire."

The white, is the word "leukos," is a brilliant, bright white. A blazing, glowing, white light, John is seeing His glory here. It is the symbol of eternal, glorious purity and absolute holiness. 

The flames of fire, represents the exalted Lord with searching, penetrating gaze, looking to the depths of His church, to reveal to Him everything He wants to see. There is nothing that will be hidden from Him. His all-penetrating sharp gaze sends warmth into the good but discomfort and terror into the hypocritical and godless.

The writer of Hebrews 4, says "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." The holy Lord of the church sees everything, and He’ll deal with the sin of His church. The picture of His purifying work becomes more clear.

In verse 15, John says "His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters."

"His feet were like burnished bronze," this is a very clear reference to judgment, all of the temple and all of the tabernacle furniture that was in any way used in a sin offering was always brass. Refined by the holiness and the glory of God, He is ready to deal out judgement, and pain, if need be, to the sinning Christian and the sinning church, that He might sanctify and cleanse her, that she might be presented  glorious without wrinkle or blemish  He will cleanse His church. He will purge His church. This is not a damning judgement, but one of purging judgement of sin. Judgment begins with the household of God!

You know, I just cannot understand how Christians, and pastors, the people of God, who are to be representing Christ to the world, can live the kind of lives that they live, as if the Lord cannot see what their doing. As if there are going to be no consequences for their actions. Allow me to assure you, the Lord Himself is fully aware of it and He is going to deal with it! There is nothing in your life, my life, or this church that is unknown to the Lord. Absolutely nothing!

At the end of verse 15: "His voice was like the sound of many waters."

This clearly indicates to us that the Lord is not only interceding in His church, that He’s not only purifying His church, but He’s speaking to His church, authoritatively commanding His church. He’s not any longer speaking in a still, small voice.

I believe that what we need is the voice of God speaking to the heart of each individual; and that voice is heard through the Word of God declared from the pulpits of His churches and magnified through the lives of His people as they conduct their daily lives to the praise of His glory. Without that voice, the world will continually moving toward destruction and desolation. The world desperately needs to hear the authoritative voice of God. 

This is why Paul wrote in II Timothy 4, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."

God calls those who preach, those who guide His churches through the message they deliver, to be men of faith, declaring not only the sound theology presented by our spiritual forebears, but also pointing to the presence of the Living Son of God in the midst of His churches. His voice will be heard through the churches where the Son of God walks and where He lives among His holy people. We who preach the Word, are never to deviate from that. Let no man evade that authority.

Verse 16, is impacting. "In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength." 

In the Bible the right hand represents authority and control. This speaks of those who are responsible for the churches. The stars of the churches are His ambassadors, the pastors or ministers over whom the Lord exercises absolute authority, and those whom He protects when they obey Him and are faithful in His service. Those Christ protected leaders are to project a guiding light as stars do that the church might follow their Lord.

I believe this is very encouraging today when there’s so many ministers who fall into heresy and error, they have abandoned the truth. Woe, to that preacher who reads the Word of God and fails to hear the clarion voice of the Lord, how dreadful the condemnation. Far too many churches today have the reputation of being alive, but are spiritually dead, attempting to promote their personal kingdoms. They have miserably failed to obey the Gospel. He who faithfully preaches the message of the gospel must do so at the direction of the Risen Lord. 

Many churches follow an apostate path, the unconverted church is massive, filled with these people who are not God’s people, who are not the true church. They’re led by pastors who are not in His hand, entertaining the church, pandering to the spirit of the age. Rest assured, Christ still has His true church in the midst of the untrue church. He is bringing the true leadership, the truth to His people, that people might see the church and see, through the church, the glory of the Lord of the church.

We preach the risen Lord, the Savior, who gave His life as a sacrifice for our sin. His Name stands for hope for the hopeless, help for the helpless and a home for the homeless. He saves, sanctifies and satisfies  He is able to give sight to blind eyes, hearing to deaf ears and strength to weakened arms.

 Deuteronomy 7 says "You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God. The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you. But the Lord your God will deliver them before you, and will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed."

"And out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword," as faithful pastors, we work very hard to carry the sword of the truth so that we can make the truth clear and people don’t fall into error, but the Lord is far more capable in protecting His true believing people. This is the Lord protecting His church. He wields that sword and cuts the true church off the church which apostatizes. He will destroy the enemies of His church. He will build His church.

At the end of verse 16, John sees His face, "and His face was like the sun shining in its strength." Christ displays His glory through His church. We let our light so shine that men may see His glory. The pastor who understands that he is appointed and not hired, can know that he is invincible until he has completed the service which the Lord has assigned him. 

In Closing.. 

Christ will be glorified because our testimony was believed. By all of you who have believed, I pray that includes all who hear this message today. If by chance, you are still outside the life of Christ the Lord and Savior, I want you to know that He died because of your sin and He was raised from the dead for your justification. And, if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ believing in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be set free. 

God wants to speak to you! Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. I pray you will be included in that number of those who have listened and believed.

May it be so..

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;


the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen

 

 

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