Message: “Challenges To The Churches” from Pastor Joe

Challenges to the Church Lesson Objective:  To identify several of the challenges facing the Church today and identify ways to combat these challenges Scripture:  Matthew 16:18  Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 Definition of Church Church is not a building (church building not identified in the New Testament) Church are believers of Christ as the Messiah Matthew 16: 16-18, You are theMessiah, the Son of the living God Simon Peter answered Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it Challenges to the Churches Ephesus- Revelation 2: 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Pergamum Revelation 2: 14-15 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans- False teachings. Thyatira Revelation 2:20-21  Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Tolerating sin and teachings that are not biblical. Sardis- Revelation 3: 1-2 I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Laodicea- Revelation 3: 15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Body of Christ- the Church symbolized as bride of Christ and not a building . Challeges to the Church Do we worship out of habit or out of true love Do we try and circumvent what we know God wants us to do Do we tolerate sin Do we say one thing and do another or actually do nothing Are we actually attendees or participants in Church Summary The letters to the Churches in Revelation is actually written to each of us individually as we are the Church    

More Messages from Joe Summers | Download Audio

From Series: "Sunday Service"

These are the regularly scheduled Sunday lessons