Authentic Encounters: The Church as a Lampstand
Summary
Pastor Justin Michael of Apostolic Church Dallas delivered a sermon emphasizing the importance of an authentic encounter with God over mere religious spectacle. He stressed that the church's purpose is to be a lampstand that showcases the light of Jesus, not to be "cool" or to put on a show. The church is to be a place where people can truly see Jesus and experience His presence, which is more important than the building itself. Pastor Michael warned against becoming self-centered and losing sight of the church's purpose, which is to hang the light of the glory of God for the lost.
He discussed the rebukes given to the churches in the book of Revelation, interpreting them as expressions of God's love and a call to purity. The churches are encouraged to repent and to listen to God's voice, with the remedy for a loveless, compromising, corrupt, dead, or lukewarm church being to have an ear to hear God's voice. The speaker shared a personal experience of seeing a different spiritual reality while preaching and urged the congregation to focus on God rather than the gods of this world.
The speaker also highlighted the importance of faithfulness in spiritual growth, noting that many people fail to grow despite engaging in religious activities because they lack faithfulness. He encouraged the congregation to focus on growing themselves through prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers. Faithfulness, not talent or performance, is what God requires, and it is demonstrated through actions such as serving others and rejecting compromise.
Pastor Michael shared his belief in the Acts 2.38 message and the existence of one God, anticipating a revival where people from various faiths will turn to Jesus. He expressed confidence in the church's resilience and its ability to move forward regardless of circumstances, and he emphasized the church's mission to be a lampstand, seeking God's presence above all else.
Key Takeaways:
- The church must prioritize creating an environment where individuals can have a genuine encounter with God, rather than focusing on external appearances or performances. The true agenda of the church is to have God enthroned and for people to see Jesus, which is the essence of being a lampstand that shines His light. [01:39:27]
- Rebukes in the scripture are not merely criticisms but are expressions of God's love, intended to guide the church back to purity and devotion. A church that listens and repents after receiving a rebuke demonstrates a love for God and a desire to align with His will. The churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia are examples of faithfulness that caught the Lord's eye. [01:54:46]
- Spiritual growth is intrinsically linked to faithfulness. Engaging in religious activities is not enough; what matters is a consistent, faithful walk with God. This includes daily practices such as prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship. Faithfulness in small things leads to significant growth and maturity. [02:30:48]
- The church's resilience and ability to overcome any obstacle are rooted in its foundation on Jesus Christ. Regardless of external circumstances, the church is called to stand firm as a lampstand, shining the light of God's love and truth in a dark world. This steadfastness is a testament to the church's divine purpose and calling. [01:30:02]
- The church's mission is to advance and take territory for God's kingdom. It is not about the physical building or the artificial displays of glory, but about being a vessel for God's presence. The church must reject complacency and strive for the manifestation of God's will, being a beacon of hope and salvation for the lost. [01:33:14]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 3:7-13 (Church of Philadelphia)
2. Matthew 5:14-16 (Light of the World)
3. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (Faithfulness)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus commend the church of Philadelphia for in Revelation 3:7-13?
2. According to Matthew 5:14-16, what is the purpose of being a light in the world?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 4:2 define the requirement for stewards?
4. In the sermon, what does Pastor Michael say is the true purpose of the church? ([01:21:08])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is faithfulness highlighted as a key attribute in the church of Philadelphia? How does this relate to the overall message of the sermon? ([01:59:44])
2. How does the metaphor of the church as a lampstand in Revelation 3:7-13 and Matthew 5:14-16 help us understand the church's mission?
3. Pastor Michael mentions that rebukes in scripture are expressions of God's love. How does this perspective change the way we view correction and guidance from God? ([01:46:35])
4. What does it mean to be a faithful steward according to 1 Corinthians 4:2, and how can this be applied to our daily spiritual practices?
#### Application Questions
1. Pastor Michael emphasized the importance of creating an environment where individuals can have a genuine encounter with God. What steps can you take to ensure that your personal worship and church involvement focus on this goal? ([01:39:27])
2. Reflect on a time when you received a rebuke or correction. How did you respond, and how can you see it as an expression of God's love and a call to purity? ([01:46:35])
3. Faithfulness in small things leads to significant growth and maturity. Identify one small, consistent action you can take this week to grow spiritually, such as daily prayer or Bible reading. ([02:03:33])
4. Pastor Michael warned against becoming self-centered and losing sight of the church's purpose. How can you guard against self-centeredness in your spiritual life and focus on serving others? ([01:44:56])
5. The sermon mentioned the church's resilience and ability to overcome obstacles. Share a personal challenge you are facing and discuss how your faith and the support of your church community can help you overcome it. ([01:30:02])
6. Pastor Michael spoke about the importance of rejecting compromise. Is there an area in your life where you have been compromising your faith? What steps can you take to address this? ([01:49:05])
7. How can you contribute to making your church a "lampstand" that shines the light of Jesus in your community? Identify one specific action you can take to support this mission. ([01:21:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Encounter Over Spectacle
Genuine encounters with God transcend the allure of religious spectacle. The church's role is to facilitate these encounters, allowing individuals to experience the transformative presence of Jesus. This is the essence of being a lampstand that shines His light, not to impress but to illuminate the path to the divine. [01:39:27]
Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."
Reflection: How can you make room for authentic encounters with God in your daily life, beyond Sunday services?
Day 2: Love in Rebuke
God's rebukes are acts of love, calling us back to purity and devotion. When the church listens and repents, it aligns with His will, demonstrating a love for God that surpasses the desire for comfort or approval. The churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia serve as beacons of faithfulness that pleased the Lord. [01:54:46]
Revelation 3:19 - "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."
Reflection: When was the last time you felt convicted by God's Word, and how did you respond to that conviction?
Day 3: Faithfulness Fosters Growth
Spiritual growth is not a product of religious activity but of faithfulness in one's walk with God. Daily practices like prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship are the soil in which faithfulness grows, leading to maturity and a deeper relationship with God. [02:30:48]
Luke 16:10 - "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
Reflection: What 'small' act of faithfulness can you commit to today that will help you grow spiritually?
Day 4: Resilience Through Divine Purpose
The church's resilience is anchored in its divine purpose and calling to be a lampstand, regardless of external circumstances. This steadfastness shines the light of God's love and truth in a dark world, demonstrating the church's unwavering commitment to its mission. [01:30:02]
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the church's mission of being a steadfast lampstand in your community?
Day 5: Vessel for God's Presence
The church's mission is to be a vessel for God's presence, advancing His kingdom and being a beacon of hope and salvation. It's not about the building or displays of glory but about manifesting God's will and rejecting complacency. [01:33:14]
2 Corinthians 4:7 - "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Reflection: How can you, as part of the church, actively reject complacency and strive for the manifestation of God's will in your life?
Quotes
"Faithfulness catches the eye of the Lord. You might feel like your walk with God is boring and monotonous, and you're doing the same thing over and over again. You are catching the eye of the Lord." [02:00:06] (Download)
"Jesus loves to hang his light on the lampstand of the faithful. That church was a poor church, but he said, I'd rather hang my light on you, and I think I can get my light out further with not a lot of money in your church than I can in this rich church over here." [02:01:32] (Download)
"Don't turn out the light when darkness comes. You are the lampstand. You are the lampstand and he is the light in the lamp. And a world that is lost in darkness needs the lampstand standing." [01:32:09] (Download)
"We are not focused on being a cool church. We are focused on being a lampstand. A lampstand." [01:27:39] (Download)
"Smyrna, the pressure and the persecution came, but you didn't flinch. You were faithful. Philadelphia, you weren't the strongest of the group. You had just a little strength, but you kept on moving. You kept my word. You did not deny my name." [01:59:11] (Download)
"The key is faithfulness. I've watched so many go in circles, round and round and round again, and never spiritually grow. There's always one missing link. It's just faithfulness." [02:30:48] (Download)
"Faithfulness isn't something that requires a gift or a talent, by the way. You can be the least talented person in the room, but the most faithful." [02:33:04] (Download)
"Fellowship with Jesus is faithfulness. Serving others is faithfulness. Rejecting compromise is faithfulness. Doing the small things is faithfulness." [02:10:15] (Download)
"I want this to be a place when people walk into this church that there is only one thing that happens. They see the Lord high and lifted up and the train of his robe fill the temple." [01:39:27] (Download)
"This church must be about one thing, and that is to be a place that hangs the light of the glory of God. We are nothing more than a lamp stand for the lost." [01:44:56] (Download)
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