Look at that picture carefully. What do you see? What was once a hustling, bustling mall is now an abandoned, lonely, dead complex. The escalator no longer functions. The foliage is dead. The stores are all gone. And, most importantly, no shoppers will ever frequent this mall again. Its only function now is to be a place to explore and think about what was.
Abandoned, forsaken, deserted, discarded, left, or shelved. All of these words describe the act of leaving behind something that we once held dear. A place that once teemed with people is replaced with newer places and the old is discarded. Why? Why did this mall close? Why did people stop coming. Why did it happen that on a day years ago the doors were closed for the last time?
The same questions can be asked of so many places like amusement parks, malls, office buildings, entire cities and homes. We have terms for them; ghost towns, haunted houses, relics of the past, and urban decay. No easy answer exists that could cover all of these situations. But, in the end, they are all the same. They are left to deteriorate until they final collapse under the weight of neglect.
Can this happen to a church? Can churches become a “relic of the past”? Can a church that once was full of life and worship be closed and left to rot? They sure can. Without properly guarding the body, a church can be filled with cancer and die out.
I’m sure you know the word “zombie.” It is a mythical figure that though it is dead it seems to be alive. Obviously no zombies actually exist, right? Well, Jesus said some interesting things to the Church in Sardis. Revelation 3:1-6 describes for us this church that Jesus said looks alive but is actually dead. We could call it the “Zombie Baptist Church.” They are signs of life like activities and gatherings. But, though an appearance of life is seen. it is actually DEAD. What a sad account.
Sunday we will conclude our look at the Church of Ephesus. We will center our thoughts on the conclusion of the matter. I would love for you to be here to study this final lesson with us. We will learn some lessons that we may never be described by the words spoken to the Church in Sardis.
One thing we can be assured of is that if we are not on guard to the threats to our existence, we as First Baptist Church will simply suffer the fate of the Church of Ephesus, and Sardis. Oh may it never be said of us that we the “walking dead.”
Over 20 years I found this book and it saved my life! If you desire to read it after reading this article it is available on Amazon for as little as one penny plus shipping! It’s a great read!
Let’s face it, perfection is never attainable in any part of life. No perfect wife, no perfect house, no perfect job and certainly no perfect husband exists. Perfection in this life is just a myth and fairytale. No matter how perfect husbands appear to be on TV and in the movies, no such person can be found. So, when I read this book hope was stirred for a normal life.
Sunday we will examine the passage in Ephesians 5:22-33 to see what it says to husbands. We’ve taken time to see what it says to wives. Now, we must be sure to closely note what it says to husbands. One thing that is perfectly clear is that husbands are to love their wives. What does this love look like? How should it be expressed? These and other questions will be answered.
Between now and Sunday a good exercise for each of us as husbands is to ask ourselves what our shortcomings are. Honestly look into the mirror of your soul to see what your wife sees. That kind of honesty will result in stringer marriages and better relationships between husbands and wives. Then, acknowledge these shortcomings and begin to go to work on them.
The Bible has much to say about believers in the Church. Different pictures were used to describe the Church. Some of these are a building, a bride, a body, and a bastion. But, the one picture that might be most endearing is the picture of the brethren. The New Testament draws lessons from the relationship in a family for our relationship with each other. Just like in a family sibling rivalry exists, at times a little misunderstanding can happen in a local church. And, just like in a family, we will defend our family to the end, so also in a local church we should be prepared to stand up for one another. Families are a great metaphor for the Church.
Many years ago Bill Gaither wrote a song we sing quite often. Some of the words are, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” This family is precious to us. We have members of our family around the world that we haven’t met. Yet, this is not the family I want to talk about.
I doubt anyone would disagree with me that the family is under attack. More than ever the family unit is being maligned and redefined. Society is pushing the make up and purpose of the family unit far from a biblical model. G. K. Chesterton once said, “The family is the test of freedom.” Where did the family come from? Why does it exist? How is it formed? These and other questions will be considered as we continue our way through Ephesians 5.
Two main functions will be seen in these verses. The first one is the roles of the husband and wife. Paul will spell out how this relationship should function. Remember, he was addressing a culture quite immoral and pagan. Ephesus was the headquarters for the worship of Diana. The people who made up the church were coming from lives of debauchery and depravity. They did not grow up in a “christian home” or a “christian society.” They had to learn first hand how the home should be a reflection of Christ and the Church. What a change this represents for them. What a testimony it would have been to see the dramatic difference their families would make.
The second relationship referred to is the parent and child. Some married couples will not have children. God is the One who opens and closes the womb. But, those who are blessed with children carry a huge weight of responsibility. The home should the breeding ground of faith as the children see genuine faith being lived out. One author said this, “The family circle is the supreme conductor of Christianity.” We as parents are to be raising our children to love the Lord. Will they all follow the Lord? No. But, it is our responsibility to be the first one to share the Gospel.
Family; we all have one. It may not be the best, and it may not even be Christian. But, we can change that cycle. Love your family and give thanks for them.
What a crazy picture, right? Have I lost my mind? Have I misread my calendar? Could it be Thanksgiving Day already? What happened to our summer vacation? What happened to Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, and Labor day? I must be really confused.
Well, not exactly. I’m just trying to get your attention! Do I have it yet? For the next few minutes please give me your undivided attention.
We have so relegated giving thanks to a day on the calendar that sometimes we have forgotten that we are to be thankful all the time. Every day of our life should be a day of thankfulness. Regularly and continually we should be offering our praise to God, our Heavenly Father. Thanking Him should be more than a yearly exercise.
And, even more forgotten is that giving thanks isn’t designed just for the good things in life. Of, believe me, we are to give God thanks for all those “good and perfect” which come down from Him. But, thankfulness should emanate from our hearts even when things are not as we expected. Difficulties as well as blessing are to be received with a heart of thankfulness.
Maybe the most familiar account in the Word of God concerning thankfulness or the lack thereof, is the account of the ten lepers. Luke 17:11-19 records this event. Jesus gave healing to ten desperately needy lepers. Yet, when the healing was received only one returned to give Him thanks. Is 10% really the right percentage of thankful people? Shouldn’t it be 100%?
What about us, do we give God thanks everyday for every thing? Sunday morning we will look at this important subject as we continue to proceed through the Book of Ephesians. Come to worship with us.
Have you ever asked someone this question, “What kind of music do YOU like?” Wow, “them’s fighting’ words, pardner.”
As we have progressed through Ephesians 5:18-20 we have come to the subject of music. Every Spirit filled believer will have music in his or her heart. No one can be filled and controlled by God’s Spirit who will not have a song in their soul. This music is the response of our heart to the grace and love of the Lord. We can see life through the eyes of Him who leads and guides our walk. Here is a song you need to listen to. It’s a great song about a “Song in my Soul.”
Sunday morning we will return to the subject of singing and music. We will look at some different types of music and the audience of our songs.
Do you have music in your soul? Do you overflow with joy as you are led by the Spirit of God? Come Sunday to study this important subject with us.
Bacchus was the god of wine. He was also known as Dionysus. He was seen as the god of the grape harvest which led to the fermentation of the wine. He provided for his “worshippers” a frenzy or ecstasy that brought them back time and again. Ephesus was one of the centers of the worship of Bacchus. Historians tell us that the celebrations associated with Bacchus were so out of hand that the Roman Senate forbid these celebrations! Now, that is saying something.
This detrimental and debauched lifestyle was normal fare for the citizens of Ephesus. They were known as partiers who knew how to have a “good time.” Even associated with their worship of the goddess Diana, Bacchus would provide a better time.
And, it was out of this kind of lifestyle many who made up the Church in Ephesus were saved from. These former drunkards and abusers were now being taught a new way to live. The Apostle Paul comes to this topic in Ephesians 5:18-20. He will call the believers to be controlled by something new, or rather Someone new. He tells them to stop being controlled by the provisions of Bacchus. Rather, be controlled by the Holy Spirit Who was given to each believer.
In our day we are being told that a “teetotaler,” one who completely abstains from any use of alcoholic beverages is out of step with modern culture. More and more Christian voices are calling for a relaxation of of the old “legalistic” stance against the moderate use of alcohol. Is this a good step? Is this the path we as believers should be taking?
I believe not. Call me “old fashioned” or “stuck in the past,” but I still believe the path of total abstinence is the best way to live. Sunday we will approach this very controversial subject as we enter the passage in Ephesians. We will look at what Paul is saying to his original readers and to us today.
As you try to answer this question for yourself may I ask you one thing? If I never drink, will I ever have to worry about drunkenness or alcoholism? I think the answer is obvious, isn’t it? Come Sunday so we can study this important subject together. Let’s choose wisely.
How many of you have ever tried to fool a person on their birthday with “never blow out” candles? You know the kind, the ones that can be blown out, but, soon reignite! No matter how many times they blow them out, the candle comes right back on. It is a fun trick to play on the unsuspecting.
Sunday we will look at the fact that we are light. The text says we not only walk in light, but that we ARE light. Now, we are not light in ourselves. We are simply a reflector of light. But, we are light and no longer darkness.
Remember the children’s song maybe you sang or taught to your children, “This little light of mine”? One verse says, “Don’t let Satan blow it out..” We are built like the “never blow out candle” in that Satan can look like he blew out our light. But, soon, it will reignite. As we stay close to the real Light our light can never permanently go out.
Sunday come to study with us the concept of us as light-bearers.
