What has God been saying to you lately?

Have you been considering what words Jesus would write to our church if he wrote a letter to us today?
As we continue our sermon series on the letters Jesus wrote to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, as written in the Book of the Revelation, let us continue to reflect and share with one another what He might be saying to us. Please feel free to send me an email or put helpful feedback, visions and words of knowledge on paper in the Narthex and I'll collect from the box provided there.
 
This Sunday we look at the letter to the Church in Pergamum which begins with saying  ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword'. The sword symbolises Christ’s judicial power to judge all things according to the truth of God’s word, and it warns the apostates within the church of Christ’s impending judgment upon them.

In this letter the sword was also symbolic of something else at the time of John's writing. In those days, Roman governors were granted the “power of the sword” by the emperor in order to put to death those Christians who refused to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar. So in this letter, Jesus Christ uses the same symbol to remind His church of just who it is who wields the real sword of justice and power.

The message is clear:  All of those who persecute Christ’s people with the sword in this life will themselves face the judgment of Jesus Christ in the next. But the warning of judgment is also aimed at those individuals within the church who seduce Christ’s people through false doctrine.  They, too, will face His sword of judgment because Jesus is a jealous bridegroom who will do everything in His power to protect his bride. Thus, we need to look at ourselves and see where/ how/ if we might be leading people away from Christ by our beliefs, rituals, traditions, complacency, lifestyle and influence.  

There is much more in this letter which we will cover on Sunday but for now I'll skip to the end of the letter which says that those who overcome will be given a white stone with a new name.  The white stone not only symbolizes purity, which was a source of comfort to those who had fallen victim to sexual immorality, but the name which appears upon it is known only to the one who receives it. Just like Jesus Christ, the rider of the White Horse of judgment in Revelation 19 has a name known only to himself. The white stone therefore binds the recipient to the Saviour, who will one day come with His sword to execute judgment upon those nations who have persecuted Christ’s people, as well as judging all those who seek to lead Christ’s people away from Him through the seduction of spiritual adultery.

Take comfort that those who possess the white stone need never fear the sword of justice, for they are Christ’s, and He knows those who are His!  He has taken their judgment upon himself in the cross of Calvary.

So, be encouraged that you are His protected, purified and preserved child today. If you aren't sure and confident regarding your salvation, please speak to Amy, me, or another trusted Christian as we would love to talk and pray with you for Christ's assurance.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you safe and protected at all times.

Tanya
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Earlier this year I preached on these words from Psalm 78:

  4 ...we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
5...he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.

Last week I led on a youth camp called 'Leaders in Training'. In case you missed the awesome review Rufus gave it on Sunday, he attended and loved it!

The spirit of this camp IS to do what this psalm commands, but in such a way that encourages and equips the youth themselves to own their faith and pass it on to their peers and the next generation.
On camp, they learned to read and apply the bible to their own lives and others, they discussed the bible talks in small groups and the impact of Jesus' crucifixion on their personal lives and its implications for servant leadership. They had all sorts of workshops to equip them with skills to serve Jesus in their own context.

For Rufus, this involved a focus on sharing faith and character of a Christian leader. 
Rufus mentioned one of the things he loved most was the community that formed so quickly. The 29 youth made fast friends, welcomed each other, and made it easy for those coming alone from other churches to be included. Praise God for that experience! May our churches be places where these young people are welcomed, included and given opportunity to contribute to the body of Christ. 

As you see young people come and go in our church, please make every week a chance to welcome and include them - not just the first week you see a new young family. Make every effort not just to talk to your friends after church, but to say 'hello, tell me about yourself' to at least one other person. Learn the names of the young people and take that first step as the mature adult in the room to ask them about their week and their faith in Jesus. Let us not become a church of separate 'huddles', but one where people visit, feel the love, want to return, and feel the love again!

Each week, as we see what John writes to the churches in Asia-Minor about something they're doing well or not so well in, we'll have a chance to think about what kind of church we are and what kind of church we want to be. What will we be in 10 years? What will we be known for? I certainly hope that it's a welcoming one that includes all ages as together, we are outward looking, passing on the faith to those outside the church. 

Amy
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​Do you remember when everything you did for God was motivated by your love for Him?

In new relationships it's easy to be motivated to put love into action, but over time, I think that things can seem like they take a bit more effort or intentionality. Our good intentions can be replaced by just "going through the motions". But our love for God ought to always remain the motivation for everything we do for him.

In his letter the church at Ephesus, Jesus says "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." Revelation 2:4 NIV. This is the first of the seven letters we will be looking at over the next 7 Sundays, and it's the one that hits me the hardest.

The Church at Ephesus seemed to be doing everything right. Jesus acknowledged their labour, their testing of false prophets, and their endurance. Yet he had one problem with them; they had abandoned the love for Christ that they had at an earlier time. It would appear that as time went on, they had focused more on the outward activities of being a church. And they had drifted away from their relationship with their head. Because of this, Jesus warned them severely, saying; "If you don’t return to me, you will lose your place as a church."

How many churches today seem to be doing everything right? But they do it in a legalistic fashion rather than out of love. And how many individuals are the same way? They seem to be good examples of the Christian life. Yet they have lost their intimate relationship with Christ. I am sure Christ’s warning to Ephesus is just as applicable to us today. Return to your first love before it’s too late.

If we love God, we want to worship. If we love Him, we want to give an offering. If we love Him, we want to serve, and tell people about Him. When we do these things because we love God, in response to His love for us, and not out of habit or obligation or guilt, or duty, Jesus is honoured, and God is glorified.

That's what the Lord was telling the church at Ephesus. He told them "You’re doing all this 'stuff;' that’s all good. But you don’t have the one most important thing: you’ve left your first love.” Your heart is not in it — and more than that, your heart is not with me!

Therefore, we ought to examine our own hearts and motivations for serving, worshipping and tithing, and intentionally put our relationship with God and love for Him as our highest priority. All good things will flow from that love and be pleasing in his sight. 

Yours in Christ,
Tanya

​Last week I began our new sermon series in the book of Revelation. This Sunday Adam Copeland continues with a message from Revelation 1:9-20.

This passage describes John’s vision and encounter with the glorified Jesus Christ and emphasizes the ultimate authority and power of Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega. It reminds us of the eternal reign and presence of God.

In the passage we read that John was praying when he suddenly heard a loud voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing among seven golden lampstands. His appearance is radiant, with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like rushing waters. The vision is overwhelming, and John falls to the ground in awe and fear. Wouldn't we all!?

Surrounding Jesus are seven stars held in his right hand, symbolising the seven angels of the seven churches mentioned in the following chapters of Revelation. Jesus speaks to John, reassuring him and commissioning him to write down the visions he will see and to send them to the seven churches. Over the coming weeks, we will look at what God said to those churches and seek to discern what he might be saying to ours.

I encourage you this week to reflect on this passage of scripture and be reminded that Jesus has ultimate control over life and death, and that through Him we can find eternal life and salvation.

Let this vision of Jesus inspire and strengthen our faith, knowing that He holds the keys to our eternal destiny and offers us the gift of everlasting life.

These words bring special comfort at this time as we remember and give thanks for the life of John Tatman.  Please uphold his family in prayer.

God be with you.

Rev. Tanya