What Kind Of Church Are We

1. What Kind Of Church Are We?

2. I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10�I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11�saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." Rev 1:9-11 (NKJV)

3. 1. Jesus is looking for people who are passionate about � Jesus. To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2�I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3�and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4�Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Rev 2:1-4 (NKJV)

4. Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29�So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. Acts 19:28-29 (NKJV)

5. The Church at Ephesus had a GREAT past. History is a great place to visit� a terrible place to live.

6. You see we can be: Forgiven by Jesus but not passionate about Him Follow Him with our head and not our heart.

7. People who are passionate about Jesus : Seek to obey Him. Love the Word of God. Want to tell others about their best friend. Spend time with Him.

8. 2. Jesus is looking for people who are faithful even in tough times. "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9�I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10�Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:8-10 (NKJV)

9. This church refused to compromise. They were faithful even at great cost!

10. 3. Jesus is looking for people who unashamedly profess Christ and who are committed to living a holy life. know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14�But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15�Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16�Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth Rev 2:13-16 (NKJV)

11. The Nicolation deception said; You can serve Jesus and live any way you want� Does this sound familiar?

12. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4�that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5�not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6�that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7�For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 1 Thess 4:3-7 (NKJV)

13. 4. Jesus is looking for people who will do Gods� will to the end. 25�But hold fast what you have till I come. 26�And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- Rev 2:25-26 (NKJV)

14. It is important to start well, but we need to finish well. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption Acts 13:36 (NKJV)

15. The Apostle Paul also finished well. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:7 (NKJV)

16. 5. Jesus is looking for people who are spiritually alive. "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2�Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3�Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4�You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5�He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6�He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Rev 3:1-6 (NKJV)

17. Saris was a church that at one time had been on fire. Problem was this, they were living off of their reputation.

18. Followers of Jesus who are alive in the spirit are; A. Alert � Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

19. B. Courageous � And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NKJV)

20. C. joyful � 52�And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52 (NKJV)

21. D. Produce fruit � �But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23�gentleness, self-control. Gal 5:22-23 (NKJV)

22. E. Anointed � �But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

23. 6. Jesus is looking for people who will repent of being lukewarm. There are three types of hearts listed in the Bible: Burning, cold and lukewarm.

24. �Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18�I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Rev 3:17-18 (NKJV)

25. 7. Jesus is looking for people who faithfully walk through the doors God opens. "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8�I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Rev 3:7-8 (NKJV)

26. The key to an open door: They don�t open by accident, or hard work alone. Having great intellect will not open spiritual doors. God holds the key. Will we use it?

27. 9�For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Cor 16:9 (NKJV)