The Companionship of the Church Age

Temple Baptist Church - 9-1-2019

Revelation 1:4-11

Introduction:

A.  The verses that we have read tonight apply to the entire Church Age from its commencement in the days of the Apostles to its consummation at the Rapture of the Church.  That means us too!

B.  As John begins to deliver the Book of Revelation to the seven churches of Asia, he reminds them that grace and peach come from Jesus Christ who was and now is.  “Grace and peace from Him!”

1.  A God of Grace to suffer.  Satan and the world are not friends with God’s local churches.  Live for God, suffer persecution; live for the world, suffer chastisement!  I HAD RATHER SUFFER FOR CHRIST!

2.  A God of Peace to endure.  God give peace through His revealed revelation.  John is writing to these seven churches to show them was has been, what is, and what is coming.  I THANK GOD THAT I HAVE READ THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE!

C.  As John writes, he gives these seven churches a three-fold breakdown of the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 1:19  Write the things (1) which thou hast seen, and the things (2) which are, and the things (3) which shall be hereafter;

1.  The things which thou hast seen.  Chapter 1.

(a)  Christ has loved us and gave Himself for us.

(b)  Christ has washed us from our sins in His own blood.

2.  The things which are.  Chapter 2-3.

(a)  Hath made us kings.

(c)  Hath made us priests.

3.  The things which shall be hereafter.  Chapters 4-22.

(a)  “Behold, He cometh!”

(b)  “Every eye shall see Him!”

(c)  “They also which pierced Him.”  Israel!

(d)  “All kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.”  Judgment.

(e)  “Even so, Amen!”  Eternity will begin.

D.  The uniform characteristics of the Church.  Verses 9-10.

1.  The brotherhood of the church.  “your brother”  All of these seven churches had problems with some of them what we would call “very liberal.”  John let them all know that he was their brother and loved them.  A good lesson for us all. 

2.  The companionship of the church.  “companion”   I am not condoning liberal churches, but we are all supposed to be on the same side.  Paul said that if Christ was being preached, he rejoiced.  (Philippians 1:18)  Thank God for every soul reached and saved!

3.  The tribulation of the church.  “tribulation”  Satan attacks all churches that preach the gospel.  The attack is a planned attack and a manned attack as Dr. Harold Sightler once said.  We have a common foe.

4.  The patience of the church.  “patience”  Just keep on keeping on the same way.  Churches go through “seasons” of growth, falling off, good times and bad times.  Never give up or let down.  He’s coming and we are leaving and want a “well done, thou good and faithful servant” at His coming.

5.  The persecution of the church.  “Patmos”  All that live godly shall suffer persecution.  This world hated Christ, tried to kill or destroy the prophets and apostles, beheaded John the Baptist, and will be our enemy too.

6.  The witness of the church.  “word of God”  Our message to the world needs to be a consistent one, the Word of God!  We are to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered, preach it faithfully, and never compromise it.  The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the Book for me; I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!

7.  The testimony of the church.  “testimony”  The church is a “lighthouse” on the side of the road.  The world may not agree with us, but we need to live in such a way as to gain and keep their respect.  Temple Baptist has had to live some things down that were not our fault but, by the grace of God, you have done it.

8.  The Spirit of the church.  “Spirit”  The blessed Holy Ghost of God.  Subject to the Holy Spirit in living, worship, and preaching.  I could do a series on the subject because of the day in which we live but I am preaching to Bible believing people tonight, so you understand what I am saying.

9.  The worship of the church.  “the Lord”  The praise of the church belongs to the Lord, not to man.  YOU ARE NOT HERE TO SEE ME; YOU ARE HERE TO SEE THE LORD!  “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, BLESS HIS HOLY NAME.”

10.  The assembly of the church.  “the Lord's day”  Upon the first day of the week, we assemble because it is the “Lord’s Day.”  Unfortunately, in the Bible Belt, Sunday has become just another day to many.  It is His day and should be respected and treated as such.

11.  The authority of the church.  “a great voice”  In Genesis, chapter 3, we saw the “voice of the Lord walking.”  That great “Voice” still walks among us tonight.  Jesus Christ walks “in the midst” of the “candlesticks” today just as He did 2,000 years ago.

Conclusion:  John was writing to all the “seven churches of Asia” and he was writing to Temple Baptist Church also.