Participants: John Bradshaw
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW001415A
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00:12 It has stood the test of time. God's book, the Bible.
00:21 Still relevant in today's complex world. 00:26 It Is Written, sharing hope around the globe. 00:41 Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written. 00:43 I am John Bradshaw. Have you ever noticed that 00:47 food products you so often see in advertisements don't 00:50 seem to bear much resemblance to the food you actually see 00:54 in restaurants and fast-food places? 00:57 These big glossy pictures you see in billboards and on signs 00:59 and in magazines and various ads here and there - 01:03 I've often heard people say, and I'm sure I've said 01:05 myself, "That doesn't look a lot like anything 01:11 I've ever purchased..." McDonald's in Canada recently 01:13 released a video showing how one of their burgers 01:15 is prepared for a photo shoot. For a burger to look good 01:19 in an advertisement it takes a whole team of stylists 01:21 several hours of preparation. The video shows 01:25 that the burger is prepared meticulously before being 01:27 photographed in a photo studio - the cheese is melted 01:30 down with a warmed knife and mustard and ketchup 01:33 are actually added with a syringe. 01:35 The bun is then strategically slanted to show off 01:38 the ingredients in the most attractive way, 01:41 and then comes - computer magic. The colors in the photo 01:45 are digitally enhanced, and all the imperfections in the bun 01:47 are smoothed out so that everything looks perfect. 01:51 [Music in the background] You might think you're 01:53 looking at the real thing, but you're not. 01:56 The real thing is far less perfect that the publicity 02:01 suggests. I haven't eaten one of these 02:07 in more than 20 years... Now, I hope you don't mind me 02:11 comparing a fast-food burger to the church, 02:15 but I'm about to. It isn't uncommon to have 02:18 an idea in your mind of what the church should be like, 02:21 and, then find out that like this burger right here 02:24 the church often appears to be more perfect than 02:28 it really is. You drive past a beautiful 02:31 big building and you might think to yourself, "Ooooh." 02:34 Or you hear the choir sing or the pastor speak or you hear 02:37 about the community programs and you might think, "Those 02:40 people must be so close to God!" And maybe some of them are. 02:45 I remember the first time I walked into a church after 02:47 I'd decided to be a follower of Jesus. 02:50 They sang! They prayed! 02:52 They acted the part! I thought they were all ready 02:55 to go to heaven right then. But before too long, the gloss 02:58 started to wear off, in that I discovered people weren't 03:02 as perfect as I thought they might have been. 03:06 And over the years, I've discovered that it's very 03:08 hard to find a perfect church. 03:10 In fact, I've never found one. 03:13 Never even come close. And this discourages some 03:16 people, you know? Here's the sad truth. 03:19 Church leaders and pastors and ministers and members 03:21 frequently get it wrong: there are moral failings, 03:26 financial messes, inter-personal friction... 03:28 and some of these things even make the headlines in the news 03:31 media. People are imperfect, they act 03:34 imperfectly, and yet Jesus rested the hopes 03:39 for the future of the church upon imperfect people. 03:43 And how does He feel about this? 03:45 Well, God's history with His people is sort of complex, 03:48 in a way. He created a perfect world 03:50 and put two perfect people in a perfect garden, and they 03:53 went astray! He would have to send His Son 03:56 Jesus to redeem the world and bring the human family back 03:59 into harmony with Him. Later, God called Abraham 04:03 to follow Him. But even Abraham didn't 04:05 always get it right. Then, like his dad, Isaac 04:08 lied about his wife; Jacob swindled Esau; and the sons 04:12 of Jacob were just plain dysfunctional at times. 04:15 And these were God's "leaders". 04:19 Israel was in the wilderness 40 years because of their 04:21 unbelief, and they were led by Moses, who was a murderer! 04:26 They finally made it to the Promised Land, and acquitted 04:29 themselves so badly 10 of the twelve tribes were 04:34 scattered and absorbed into the heathen nations around them. 04:37 Then, when Jesus came to Israel - His church, really - 04:42 He hardly got a great welcome. 04:44 There were hundreds of prophecies about His coming. 04:46 John 1:11 puts it this way. He came to His own, and His 04:52 own did not receive Him. The book of Isaiah says 04:56 in chapter 53:3, He is despised and rejected by men, A Man 05:02 of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 05:06 His own people called for His death, and had Him nailed 05:10 to a cross. His own people! 05:12 And you think YOUR church has problems. 05:16 Someone who was there when Jesus was crucified was 05:19 the apostle John. About 60 years after 05:22 the crucifixion, John wrote the book of Revelation. 05:25 John was a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, a tiny 05:28 island in the Aegean Sea, close to Turkey, measuring 05:31 just 13 square miles in area. Now for perspective, New York 05:35 City is 468 square miles. Patmos is just over half 05:39 the size of Providence, Rhode Island, and smaller 05:42 than Frankfort, KY. And there was John, 05:45 on Patmos, a prisoner, when God gave him the vision that 05:49 ended up being the Book of Revelation. 05:52 And John was aware that the early Christian church 05:55 was far from perfect! He'd seen it all - arguing, 05:59 theological debates, troublemakers in the church, 06:02 faulty church leaders... But I want you to notice 06:05 something - and that is, where John saw Jesus. 06:09 Let's look in Revelation 1, verses 12 and 13. 06:14 "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. 06:17 And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 06:20 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son 06:23 of Man." Now this is fascinating, 06:27 because we read in Revelation 1:20 that "the seven 06:31 lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." 06:36 Isn't that something? Jesus is shown as being 06:40 in the midst of His churches- His far from perfect churches. 06:41 What does Jesus say about these churches? 06:47 We're going to find that in spite of all her failings, 06:50 Jesus has a lot to say about the churches that is good. 06:54 In just a moment, we'll open up Revelation 2, and find our 06:59 what Jesus likes about His church. 07:04 [music] The Bible provides 07:09 all the information we need in order to walk with God 07:12 and be ready for the second coming of Jesus. 07:14 It outlines the signs of Jesus' return, and tells us 07:17 what to expect in regard to some major world events. 07:21 It also includes specific information related 07:24 to the United States, and its role in the final events 07:27 of earth's history. Let me send you a free booklet 07:30 called “The United States in Bible Prophecy.” 07:33 Just call (800) 253-3000 and ask for 07:36 your FREE copy of "The United States in Bible 07:39 Prophecy.” If you don't get through 07:42 the first time you call, please do try again. 07:44 And you can write to us at It Is Written, P.O. Box 6, 07:47 Chattanooga, TN 37401. We'll mail a free copy to your 07:52 address in North America. Again, you can call toll-free, 07:55 (800) 253-3000, or visit ItIsWritten.com. 08:02 [music] Planning for your financial 08:07 future is a vital aspect of Christian Stewardship. 08:10 For this reason, It Is Written is pleased to offer free 08:13 planned giving and estate services. 08:15 For information on how we can help you, please call 08:18 1 (800) 992-2219. To receive additional material 08:23 on the advantages of life income plans, such as 08:26 a Charitable Gift Annuity which could provide you with 08:29 tax benefits and income for life, call today or visit our 08:33 special website: www.hislegacy.com. 08:39 You may also write to: It Is Written, 08:41 Planned Giving & Trust Services, P O Box 6, Chattanooga, 08:46 Tennessee 37401. Our toll-free number again is 08:50 1.800.992.2219 and our web address is 08:54 www.hislegacy.com. In Revelation chapters 2 09:04 and 3, John writes to seven churches in Asia Minor - 09:07 today we'd call that part of the world Turkey. 09:10 Now these were literal churches in literal places - 09:13 Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, 09:17 Philadelphia and Laodicea. So the messages were 09:21 in the first place for those churches. 09:23 But that number 7 appears all over the book of Revelation. 09:27 You read about not only 7 churches but seven Spirits, 09:30 the seven candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps of fire, 09:34 a book that has seven seals, the seven horns and seven 09:38 eyes of the Lamb, seven angels with seven trumpets, 09:40 seven thunders, a dragon with seven heads and seven 09:44 crowns, a beast with seven heads, seven angels having seven 09:47 vials containing the seven last plagues, and the beast 09:50 with seven heads, which are also said to be seven 09:53 mountains and seven kings. This repeated use of the number 09:56 seven with so many different symbols suggests 10:00 there's a symbolic element to it. 10:02 Throughout Scripture the number seven, when used 10:04 symbolically, is generally understood to indicate 10:07 completeness, perfection. While the messages to the seven 10:11 churches applied to conditions in the church of John's day, 10:14 it also appears reasonable to understand 10:17 these messages as descriptive of the whole church at any 10:21 time during its history. A Christian writer wrote 10:24 in about 200 A.D. that "John writes to the seven 10:27 churches, yet he speaks to all". In other words, there's 10:31 something in there for everyone. The churches are listed 10:35 in the order a messenger carrying a letter from John 10:37 on Patmos would get to those cities. 10:40 And the churches, though they existed long ago, 10:43 are representative of the Christian church at various 10:45 stages down through history. Let's look at that, and let's 10:49 see what Jesus likes about His church. 10:52 First the church of Ephesus. The word 'Ephesus' 10:56 means "desirable". It represents the first 10:58 period of church history after Christ died. 11:01 Ephesus had been a stronghold of paganism where the apostle 11:03 Paul had taught and preached and worked miracles. 11:06 Now this era represented by the church of Ephesus was one 11:09 when the gospel message was pure and the church grew, 11:14 and Jesus commends the Ephesian church by saying 11:17 in Revelation 2:2,3, "I know your works, your labor, 11:20 your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. 11:26 And that you have tested those who say they 11:28 are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 11:32 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored 11:34 for My name's sake and have not become weary. 11:38 Jesus says, "I know your works." I'm aware of your deeds 11:43 as they give evidence of your moral character, and I know 11:46 how you've endured.. This was a time when 11:50 the church grew. Churches sprung up, 11:52 and paganism actually feared for it's existence. 11:55 Jewish leaders said believers had turned the world upside 11:58 down. And Jesus commends 12:00 the Ephesians by saying, "I know how you can not bear 12:04 them which are evil. You have tried them who claim 12:07 to be true believers, and you've uncovered them." 12:10 Now Jesus likes it when we have very little tolerance 12:13 for sin - especially in our own lives. 12:16 Not intolerance for evildoers, because there is an evildoer 12:19 inside all of us. Jesus says, What I like about 12:23 my church, is that they have accepted my standard 12:26 of righteousness. Now here's a challenge 12:30 for us. We live in an age of moral 12:33 relativism. Preachers are under immense 12:35 pressure to soft-peddle the Bible. 12:38 But some things are wrong, and always will be wrong. 12:41 Now you don't want to sound harsh, but there are some 12:43 things that aren't consistent with Christianity. 12:46 And surely it's okay to acknowledge that. 12:48 In fact, we have a responsibility to do so. 12:50 Now, on the other hand, if you're immoral, if you're 12:55 breaking the 10 commandments, If you're ... 12:58 whatever you're into ... you may know that you're 13:01 doing wrong, but you may not know how to fix that. 13:04 My friend, remember, Jesus is in the midst of his churches. 13:08 He identifies with His people. If you hear God's voice, 13:11 don't resist. If you know that God is inviting 13:14 you to make the simple request, Lord Jesus, come into my heart 13:17 and make me new, He will do that for you! 13:22 He really will. The Ephesian church actually 13:24 stood for something, and Jesus said, That's something I like 13:28 about My church! The next church mentioned 13:33 is the church of Smyrna, and we will look at the church 13:36 of Smyrna in just a moment. I'll be right back. 13:39 [Music] Every Word is a one-minute 13:41 Bible-based daily devotional presented by Pastor John 13:44 Bradshaw and designed especially for busy people 13:47 like you. Look for Every Word on 13:49 selected networks or watch it on-line everyday on our website, 13:52 itiswritten.com. [upbeat music] 14:04 Jesus often used agricultural metaphors to explain the 14:06 Christian life, and in Mark 4:28 He said, "The earth bringeth 14:10 forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, 14:13 after that the full corn in the ear." 14:15 He's saying that we *grow* spiritually. 14:18 We don't come to Jesus and suddenly have the whole 14:20 Christian life figured out. Now, I'm not saying that makes 14:23 it okay for us to stumble or fall or sin. 14:25 But I am saying it is good for a person to realize that in our 14:29 spiritual lives we have to GROW. Its good to get a little 14:32 impatient at maybe slow growth, but do recognize that we grow in 14:36 grace, and it is with Christ's help that we develop. 14:39 Recognizing that helps us to lean on Jesus for help, and to 14:43 realize becoming like Jesus is the work of a lifetime. 14:48 I'm John Bradshaw for It Is Written. 14:50 Let's live today by every word. [Music] 14:57 If you're a regular viewer of It Is Written. 14:59 I'd like you to know a little more about who we are 15:01 and what we do. Our ministry is dedicated to 15:04 sharing the gospel around the world. 15:06 And there are many ways we try to accomplish that goal. 15:09 To get an inside view through written and visual reports, 15:12 through photos and videos, visit our website: 15:15 itiswritten.com. And while you're there, 15:18 you'll discover the many inspirational resources 15:20 that are available to help you in your Christian walk. 15:24 I invite you to visit itiswritten.com. 15:27 And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 15:32 Thanks for joining me today on It Is Written. 15:34 Today we are looking at the churches mentioned 15:37 in the opening chapters of the book of Revelation. 15:40 The next church we're looking at is the church of Smyrna. 15:42 Smyrna - might mean "sweet smelling", which possibly 15:45 equates with the many who gave their lives for their 15:48 faith in Jesus. Some scholars say the church 15:51 of Smyrna correlates with the period of history from about 15:53 the end of the 1st century to about the beginning 15:56 of the 4th. What does Jesus like about 15:58 this church? Let's read Revelation 2:9 16:01 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you 16:06 are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say 16:09 they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue 16:13 of Satan." He goes on to urge them 16:16 not to fear, but to hold fast and be faithful. 16:19 These were people who were poor in this world's goods, 16:22 but Jesus called them rich because they were rich 16:25 in faith, and Jesus liked that about His church. 16:28 Jesus likes it when His church manifests faith in Him 16:31 no matter what the circumstances. 16:34 And that's what faith is. Faith is believing the word 16:36 of God simply because it's the word of God, and not 16:39 because of anything external suggesting that you should. 16:43 Anyone can trust God when things are good, but when 16:45 the chips are down, that's another matter. 16:48 I read the story of a man who'd been wrongly imprisoned 16:51 in the State of Oregon for over 20 years, for a crime 16:53 he didn't commit. When he was finally released 16:56 he was able to say, God is good. 16:59 No bitterness. You see, he never lost his faith 17:01 and he trusted in God, even when the chips 17:03 were down. And that's faith. 17:05 And that's what Jesus liked about the church of Smyrna. 17:09 Rich in faith, even when they had nothing else. 17:13 The third church is the church of Pergamos, which means 17:16 "elevation". What did Jesus like about 17:20 this church? When the Roman Emperor 17:23 Constantine embraced Christianity, the Christian 17:26 faith was elevated to a position of favor among the Roman Empire. 17:30 Church and state started to join hands. 17:32 And Jesus says to the church of Pergamos in Revelation 17:36 2:13, "I know your works, and where you dwell, where 17:41 Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, 17:45 and did not deny My faith." Jesus likes it because they have 17:51 not denied His faith. Not denied the "faith" 17:54 in Him, and therefore in His word. 17:57 You know, I don't have to have answers to all 18:00 the questions that the Bible raises, and I don't know 18:02 anyone who does, actually. I might have answers 18:05 for many, but I can't tell you how Jesus could raise 18:08 the dead. Or give sight to the blind. 18:10 Or turn water into wine. Or heal lepers. 18:14 But I don't have to know how He did it. 18:16 I simply believe that He did it. 18:19 It's that easy. You know today, a staggering 18:21 amount of churches don't believe in the Bible account of a 6-day 18:23 creation. Why? 18:26 Because certain scientific evidence raises questions 18:29 that can be difficult to answer. 18:31 Now it's wise to be as educated as you can be on different 18:34 subjects, but at the end of the day I might just have 18:37 to admit that I don't understand certain things, 18:39 but that I've understood I can trust God. 18:44 That's faith. I can't tell how God wrapped 18:47 rings around Saturn or painted that big red spot 18:49 right there on the side of Jupiter. 18:51 You know, a group of scientists calculated that 18:54 there are more than 70 sextillion stars in the sky. 18:57 And these are just the ones you can count. 19:01 You might ask, How many is that? 19:04 Well, I'll tell you. More stars than grains 19:07 of sand on all the beaches and in all the deserts there are 19:10 on planet earth. These are just the ones 19:13 you can see! In other words, the universe 19:15 is infinite. And so is God! 19:18 So when Jesus says, when the church believes, 19:23 has faith, I like that! We can understand 19:27 what He's saying. If you're wondering why 19:29 we're ignoring the 'bad' things about these churches listed 19:31 in Revelation 2 and 3, the things Jesus 'doesn't' like, 19:35 we looked at those things in another It Is Written 19:37 program. Yes, there are plenty 19:39 of things Jesus doesn't like about these churches. 19:42 But again, remember where He stands. 19:44 Revelation has Jesus standing in the midst of the churches. 19:48 Even when His people don't get it right, Jesus stands 19:51 with His church. The church of Thyatira 19:55 is said to correspond to the middle and dark ages, 19:59 a time of great persecution. Here is what Jesus says 20:02 in Revelation 2:19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, 20:12 and your patience; and as for your works, the last 20:17 are more than the first." The last were more 20:21 than the first. In other words, they experienced 20:23 spiritual growth. Jesus was able to say, 20:27 I like that about my church. They're growing. 20:29 They're pushing forward. They're becoming more like 20:31 me. They're not staying still. 20:33 There was plenty about Thyatira that wasn't so good. 20:37 But here's a key point: God wants us to be pressing 20:41 forward in our faith. You might not be what you 20:44 ought to be, but if you're not what you used to be that 20:47 could demonstrate that you're growing. 20:50 Faith in God is to be a growing experience. 20:52 A continual pressing forward. You don't want to get to 20:56 the place where you stop growing, where you quit 20:58 moving forward, where you've plateaued and you're not 21:02 becoming more like Christ. Remember what Jesus said 21:08 in John 8:31 & 32. "Then Jesus said 21:13 ..."If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 21:15 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you 21:19 free." The thought there is continuing 21:22 in God's word, not stagnating. How is it with you, friend? 21:27 Don't be satisfied with the status quo 21:30 in your experience. Keep on pressing forward 21:33 with Jesus. The church of Sardis is said 21:36 to be the church during Protestant reformation times. 21:39 Jesus says in Revelation 3:4, "You have a few names even 21:46 in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they 21:51 shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." 21:57 There were some here who stayed true to Jesus, even 22:00 though the majority had forsaken Him. 22:03 Jesus likes that! And that tells me that we can 22:06 stay close to Him even when those around us don't. 22:10 Many people have lived Christian lives in un-Christian 22:12 homes. Spouses who have weathered 22:15 difficult marriages to individuals who looked like 22:17 they'd never change or who would never make a spiritual 22:20 commitment in their lives. But Jesus is with His people 22:24 in those difficulties. Some in Sardis hadn't defiled 22:27 their garments, and Jesus liked that! 22:30 Then there's the church at Philadelphia. 22:32 Jesus says in Revelation 3:10, "Because you have kept 22:36 My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the 22:40 hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, 22:45 to test those who dwell on the earth." 22:49 There's something about just hanging on to God. 22:51 Here were people who had kept the word of His patience. 22:54 Jesus liked that. If we hang on to Him with 22:57 a faith that just refuses to let go, He will keep us from 23:00 temptation. You know, the spiritual 23:03 strength we need from day to day is found in God. 23:05 Really, ours is just to hold on to God and expect Him 23:09 to do what He wants to do in our lives. 23:12 The church at Philadelphia did that. 23:14 They persevered. And now the church 23:16 of Laodicea. Laodicea means "a people 23:19 judged", or "the judging of the people" This Laodicean 23:22 church correlates to the end-time church. 23:26 There's not much here that's very complimentary. 23:28 In fact, I can't find anything in this passage that would 23:31 constitute Jesus saying something positive, something 23:34 He likes, about His church. And maybe......maybe that's 23:39 what's most encouraging. When the church is failing 23:43 Him, Jesus still says, "That's my church." 23:46 I'm not trying to give a free pass to unfaithful churches 23:49 or church leaders. If you read the rest 23:52 of the letters to the 7 churches, you'll find that Jesus 23:54 doesn't give them any kind of free pass either. 23:57 But to a lukewarm church, the church of Laodicea, a church 23:59 that doesn't even know the seriousness of its lost 24:02 condition, Jesus issues an invitation. 24:06 In Revelation 3:20, 21 he says, "Behold, I stand 24:11 at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice 24:15 and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, 24:19 and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will 24:23 grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame 24:26 and sat down with My Father on His throne." 24:30 Even though the church has let Him down, Jesus issues 24:34 a gracious invitation. The invitation to repent, 24:38 and to have your life connected with His. 24:42 Even in this day when imperfect people often fail 24:45 to represent God as they could, or should, God offers 24:49 us the chance to be connected with Him. 24:52 In spite of our own imperfections, our own 24:54 failings, Jesus is gracious enough to offer us a seat 24:58 with Him in His throne. Jesus still sees things 25:02 He likes about His church. And about you. 25:05 The offer is open, to all of us, to open the door of our 25:09 hearts and let Jesus come into our lives. 25:15 I want to ask you, are you willing to do that today? 25:19 The church might be imperfect, we might be imperfect. 25:23 Yet, God finds something about us to rejoice in. 25:26 And perhaps it is simply this: That we are his. 25:31 Let's pray together. Our Father in heaven, 25:34 thank you. Thank you. 25:36 Thank you that we can look at these seven churches 25:38 so imperfect and yet find that Jesus says, "Here's what 25:41 I like about my church." Thank you, Lord, that you can 25:45 look at our lives and find something in us that is worth 25:49 redeeming, something in us that you wish to save. 25:51 I pray today that as you find something likeable about 25:56 these churches, as you find something to be joyful about 26:01 in the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, 26:04 I am grateful that you can find in us something that makes your 26:06 heart glad. Lord, would you take your 26:08 heart and let us be like these people invited 26:10 in Revelation to open up the door and let you come in 26:14 so that we might spend real time, eternal time, with you. 26:18 We thank you today for encouraging us 26:21 from your word and we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. 26:31 [soft music] 26:48 The Bible provides all the information we need in order 26:51 to walk with God and be ready for the second 26:53 coming of Jesus. It also includes specific 26:56 information related to the United States. 26:59 Let me send you a free booklet called “The United States in 27:02 Bible Prophecy.” Just call (800) 253-3000 and 27:06 ask for your FREE copy of "The United States in Bible 27:09 Prophecy.” If you don't get through 27:12 the first time you call, please do try again. 27:14 And you can write us at It Is Written, P.O. Box 6, 27:18 Chattanooga, TN 37401. We'll mail a free copy to your 27:22 address in North America. It Is Written is a faith-based 27:26 ministry and your support makes it possible for us to share 27:30 God's good news with the world. Your tax-deductible gift can be 27:34 sent to the address on your screen, or through our website 27:37 at ItIsWritten.com. Thank you for your continued 27:40 prayerful support. Again, our toll-free number is, 27:43 (800) 253-3000, and our web address is, ItIsWritten.com. 27:51 [Music] Thanks for joining me today. 27:54 I look forward to seeing you next time. 27:56 And remember - It Is Written: man shall not live by bread 28:00 alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth 28:04 of God. |
Revised 2016-06-30