Revelation 3:7-13
Background: The city of “brotherly love” was 25 miles southeast of Sardis. The city was known as the gateway to the East.
A mission-minded church is a church that is USEFUL
“Churches that please Christ are those Great Commission churches that take seriously His final marching orders given just before He ascended into heaven.” – Danny Akin
“Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist.” – Oswald Smith
Understands the Authority of Christ v.7
Matthew 28:17-18 “17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Colossians 1:15-18 “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
Seizes Opportunities to Give God Glory v.8
The word “power” here means of little secular influence. Small in size, but there was desperation for the power of God to save souls. Power comes from God, not man!
A churches’ vision must be determined by the power of God, not location, limit of budget, or lack of size. God is the author of Kingdom work! A prayerless church equals a powerless church
Evangelizes v.8
The phrase here meant they stood with courage! They did not cave to the compromise of the day. Could they have been killed, sure! They heralded God’s praise, His glory. It reminds of us of Peter and John in Acts. They were before the council about healing a lame man. Listen to what they said: “18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20
Faces The Enemy v.9
Unharmed by the Wrath of God v.10
Lives for the Lord’s Return vv.11-12
How do we become useful?
Devotion to Christ– Are you serious about your relationship with Jesus, or is He just an afterthought. Is He your Lord and Savior or your Lucky Charm? Do you know Him?
Development in Christ– Yet serious about your development in Christ. Are you growing? Made your spiritual growth a priority. Be involved in Bible studies, small groups, and prayer groups. Are you thirsty to grow in your faith?
Deploy for Christ– You don’t have to leave the country, share Jesus at the Ramey’s. Go!
When you do all of these it’s called doing church in 3D
