“And to
the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen,
the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know
your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or
hot. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit
you out of My mouth. “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— “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. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and
repent.” Revelation 3:14-19 NKJV
Sometime
this past week the thought occurred to me that I have never actually put
together a list of my personal “top ten” reasons to believe we are living in
the end times. I still haven’t but I
will admit that I am thinking more and more about doing so because while it may
or may not be the same as others, comparing notes on the subject can be very
revealing. One sign that I am sure,
however, would make most peoples’ list is the current state of the Church. Now this is a subject I have discussed
before, and without a doubt will continue to cover as it would certainly rate
very high on my own list of signs, as well as being one that Jesus told us
specifically to watch for by virtue of His description of the Church at Laodicea.
Although
the church at Laodicea believed it was rich and in need of nothing, it was in
reality poor because the “riches” they were so confident in were of their own
efforts, and not from God. Rich in the
eyes of the world, they were poor in the eyes of God as a result of the absence
of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in their church. The error of the Laodicean theology is that
your eternal security can be assured by simply being a “follower” of Christ. While this belief was obviously very popular
by the size and success of the Laodicean church, unfortunately it is in direct
opposition to the Word of God which states plainly that we must believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ to receive eternal life.
The end result of this mistaken teaching is an entertaining and apparently successful church full of followers,
but no true believers.
As
I studied and researched this subject anew this week, I happened to stumble
across one of the most accurate and revealing commentaries on the current state
of the Church that I have read in quite a long time. The most surprising facet of this commentary
was not the content itself, but rather the fact that it was written over one
hundred years ago by one of the most influential preachers of his, and our own
time. I thought I would let you read his
words on this subject today, and decide for yourself if it seems to be an
accurate description of what we see in all too many of our own churches today.
Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?
by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
1834-1892
“ An evil is in the professed camp of the
Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to
notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even
for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil
has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their
mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning
them.
From speaking out
as the Puritans did, the church has gradually toned down her testimony, then
winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in
her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.
My first
contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in
the Scriptures as a function of the church.
If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
That is clear enough So it would
have been if He had added, "and
provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words,
however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to him.
Then again,
"He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and
some pastors and teachers ... for the work of the ministry" (Eph.
4:11-12). Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning
them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because
they refused? The concert has no martyr roll.
Again, providing
amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all
his apostles. What was the attitude of the church to the world? Ye are the
salt" (Matt. 5:13), not the sugar candy---something the world will spit
out not swallow. He was in awful earnestness.
Had Christ
introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into his mission, he would
have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of
His teaching. I do not hear him say, "Run after these people, Peter, and
tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short
and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the
people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick Peter, we must get the
people somehow." Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but
never sought to amuse them.
In vain will the
Epistles be searched to find any trace of this gospel of amusement! Their
message is, "Come out, keep out...!" Anything approaching fooling is
conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and
employed no other weapon.
After Peter and
John were locked up for preaching, the church had a prayer meeting but they did
not pray, "Lord grant unto thy servants that by a wise and discriminating
use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are."
If they ceased not
from preaching Christ, they had not time for arranging entertainments.
Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They
turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). That is the only difference! Lord,
clear the church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and
bring us back to the Bible.
Lastly, the
mission of amusement fails to effect the end desired. It works havoc among
young converts. Let the careless and scoffers, who thank God because the church
met them halfway, speak and testify. Let the heavy laden who found peace
through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic
entertainment has been God's link in the chain of the conversion, stand up!
There are none to answer. The mission of amusement produces no converts. The
need of the hour for today's ministry is believing scholarship joined with
earnest spirituality, the one springing from the other as fruit from the root.
The need is biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on
fire.”
“Behold,
I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. “To him who overcomes I
will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne.” Revelation
3:20-21 NKJV
I
learned this verse as a child in Sunday School, and like many of you, have
never forgotten it. It has long been
used as a tool in witnessing and sharing the good news with those who have not
yet accepted the gift of eternal life, and presents a beautiful picture of the
love that Jesus has for all of His children.
Yet it was quite a long time before I personally understood the context
of this verse, and exactly how Jesus was using it to send a message to a church
empty of true believers. Although
seemingly unaware of their need, Jesus stands at the door knocking to come in
and anyone who hears and invites Him in will receive the free gift of
salvation.
Have
you opened the door of your heart and invited Jesus to come in? If not, you can do that right now wherever
you are. Simply pray a prayer like this
and begin a new life with Jesus, and know you will spend eternity with Him.
Dear
Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I
turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my
personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.
Keep
watching.
