Faithful Community: Nurturing Growth and Loyalty in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Communal Responsibility in Baptism

Baptism is a sacred act that signifies the beginning of a spiritual journey within the community of believers. It is not just an individual event but a communal responsibility. When someone is baptized, the entire community pledges to support and nurture the baptized person in their faith journey. This means living as examples of Christ, surrounding the baptized with steadfast love, and helping them grow in faith so that they can one day profess Jesus Christ for themselves. This communal responsibility strengthens our faith and binds us together in love. [28:51]

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 (ESV): "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

Reflection: Think of a newly baptized member in your community. How can you actively support and nurture their faith journey this week?

Day 2: Loyalty to Christ Over Worldly Powers

The book of Revelation challenges us to choose between loyalty to worldly powers and loyalty to Christ. This choice is not just historical but remains relevant today. Revelation was originally written to seven literal churches in the first century, under the oppressive Roman Empire. The overarching message is a call to loyalty—will we be loyal to the Empire or to Christ? We must examine our lives to see where our true loyalties lie and strive to remain faithful to Christ, even in the face of societal pressures. [42:07]

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV): "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel societal pressure to conform. How can you demonstrate loyalty to Christ in that area today?

Day 3: Faithfulness Amidst Powerlessness

The church in Philadelphia was commended for its faithfulness despite having little power. This teaches us that true strength lies in our faithfulness to God, not in worldly power or influence. The church in Philadelphia had not joined the economic guilds of their city, choosing instead to remain faithful to God. Even when we feel powerless, our commitment to Christ can make a profound impact. This balance of risk and security in following Jesus is crucial, as there is eternal security in Christ, but following Him also involves taking risks. [45:41]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Identify a situation where you feel powerless. How can you demonstrate faithfulness to God in that situation this week?

Day 4: The Danger of Lukewarm Faith

The church in Laodicea was criticized for being lukewarm—neither hot nor cold. Laodicea was a wealthy city, known for its medical community and textile industry, but it lacked a good water source. The hot and cold water brought in through aqueducts would become lukewarm by the time it reached the city, making it an apt metaphor for the spiritual state of the church. They were self-sufficient and complacent, thinking they needed nothing, yet they were spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. They were urged to repent and seek true riches and spiritual sight from Christ. [50:34]

Revelation 3:17-18 (ESV): "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have become complacent. How can you seek spiritual renewal and depend on Christ for true riches and spiritual sight?

Day 5: Sacrificial Love in Action

The early Christians' response to the Antonine Plague, where they stayed to care for the sick while others fled, exemplifies sacrificial love. This love and care for the helpless were instrumental in the rapid growth of Christianity. By the third century, Christianity had spread so widely that it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Our actions of love and kindness can have a transformative impact on the world around us. This sacrificial love is a powerful testimony of Christ's love and can inspire others to follow Him. [01:01:01]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show sacrificial love to someone in need this week. How can your actions reflect the love of Christ to them?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate a baptism, a sacred act that reminds us of our communal responsibility to guide and nurture one another in faith. Baptism is not an isolated event; it takes place within the community, and it is our collective duty to live as examples of Christ so that the baptized, like young Charlie today, can grow in faith and one day profess Jesus Christ for themselves. We all pledged to support Charlie in his spiritual journey, promising to surround him with steadfast love and to help establish him in his faith.

We then transitioned to the conclusion of our series on the book of Revelation, a journey we've been on since right after Easter. Revelation is often misunderstood and misused to predict future events, but it was originally written to seven literal churches in the first century, under the oppressive Roman Empire. The overarching message of Revelation is a call to loyalty—will we be loyal to the Empire or to Christ? This question is as relevant today as it was then.

We explored the messages to the last two churches, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The church in Philadelphia was commended for its faithfulness despite having little power. They had not joined the economic guilds of their city, choosing instead to remain faithful to God. This church exemplifies the balance of risk and security in following Jesus. While there is eternal security in Christ, following Him also involves taking risks, as Jesus Himself said, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."

In contrast, the church in Laodicea was criticized for being lukewarm—neither hot nor cold. Laodicea was a wealthy city, known for its medical community and textile industry, but it lacked a good water source. The hot and cold water brought in through aqueducts would become lukewarm by the time it reached the city, making it an apt metaphor for the spiritual state of the church. They were self-sufficient and complacent, thinking they needed nothing, yet they were spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. They were urged to repent and seek true riches and spiritual sight from Christ.

We also reflected on the early Christian response to the Antonine Plague, a devastating epidemic that killed about a third of the Roman Empire. While many fled, Christians stayed to care for the sick, embodying the love of Christ. This sacrificial love and care for the helpless were instrumental in the rapid growth of Christianity. By the third century, Christianity had spread so widely that it became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

As we celebrated Holy Communion, we were reminded of the early church's devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These simple yet profound practices sustained the early Christians and can sustain us today. We confessed our sins, acknowledging where we have failed to love God and our neighbors, and received the assurance of God's forgiveness.

In closing, we were encouraged to remember the high moments of worship—baptism, communion, and the fellowship of believers—as we go out into a world where following Christ involves both risk and security. These memories will sustain us and give us life as we share God's grace with others.

Key Takeaways

1. sufficiency. We must continually seek spiritual renewal and depend on Christ for true riches and spiritual sight, avoiding the trap of thinking we need nothing. [50:34]
5. Sacrificial Love in Action: The early Christians' response to the Antonine Plague, where they stayed to care for the sick while others fled, exemplifies sacrificial love. This love and care for the helpless were instrumental in the rapid growth of Christianity. Our actions of love and kindness can have a transformative impact on the world around us.

** [50:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:51] - Baptism and Community Responsibility
[40:24] - Introduction to Revelation
[42:07] - Loyalty to Christ Over the Empire
[45:41] - Faithfulness Amidst Powerlessness
[48:16] - The Danger of Lukewarm Faith
[50:34] - Wealth and Complacency in Laodicea
[56:33] - Spiritual Blindness and True Riches
[58:17] - Early Christian Response to Suffering
[61:01] - Sacrificial Love in Action
[65:28] - Holy Communion
[71:10] - Invitation to the Table
[79:19] - Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Revelation 3:7-13 (Church in Philadelphia) — > "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

2. Revelation 3:14-22 (Church in Laodicea)
> "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

3. Matthew 25:35-40
> "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Observation Questions

What commendation did the church in Philadelphia receive from Jesus in Revelation 3:7-13?
How did Jesus describe the spiritual state of the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22?
According to the sermon, what was the early Christian response to the Antonine Plague, and how did it impact the growth of Christianity? ([01:00:08])
What are the four practices mentioned in Acts 2:42 that sustained the early church, as highlighted in the sermon? ([01:04:38])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have chosen to use the metaphor of hot, cold, and lukewarm water to describe the spiritual state of the Laodicean church? ([50:11])
How does the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia, despite having little power, challenge our understanding of strength and influence in the context of faith? ([45:28])
What does the early Christian response to the Antonine Plague teach us about the nature of sacrificial love and its impact on the community? ([01:00:08])
How can the practices of the early church, as described in Acts 2:42, be applied to strengthen modern Christian communities? ([01:04:38])

Application Questions

Reflecting on the communal responsibility of baptism, how can you actively support and nurture the faith of new believers in your community? ([28:51])
In what ways can you examine and realign your loyalties to ensure they are with Christ rather than worldly powers or influences? ([42:07])
How can you demonstrate faithfulness in your daily life, even when you feel powerless or insignificant, similar to the church in Philadelphia? ([45:28])
What steps can you take to avoid spiritual complacency and seek continual renewal in your faith, as warned in the message to the church in Laodicea? ([50:11])
How can you embody sacrificial love in your community, especially in times of crisis or need, following the example of early Christians during the Antonine Plague? ([01:00:08])
Considering the early church's devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, which of these practices can you focus on to deepen your spiritual life? ([01:04:38])
How can the memories of high moments in worship, such as baptism and communion, sustain you in your faith journey and encourage you to share God's grace with others? ([01:19:19])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "You know, and most of us here, if not all of us, we have some measure of success. We live in America where we have freedom of worship. Most of us have food, running water. We have those things and it's very easy to get comfortable and to leave behind those things. When we talk about risk, to try to kind of live our lives, even our spiritual lives, in low risk ways. And so lukewarmness can be something that can be infected into us as well." [56:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "Why did it take off the way that it did? And Rodney Stark addresses several things, a couple of things he talks about, is that the old pagan gods, they really had no resolution, no... When people suffered as human beings, it really was sort of something that those gods didn't really give any hope for. And as you see in a second there's going to be a lot of suffering that's going to happen. He also talks about the equality that was in the churches. Paul wrote that there is no Jew nor Greek, there's no slave or free, there's no male or female. And so that was appealing." [59:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "And so John again, he uses this as an illustration that they would understand. You know, yeah, your city is known for this magic salve that they have that are curing our problems. You know, but you're blind, you're blind, you're pitiful, you're blind. You need another kind of salve, the salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. So the word to the church of Laodicea was harsh. There was a lot of words of encouragement because as I said of all the churches he's writing to this was probably the most affluent. This is the church that had a lot of self-sustaining things and a lot of natural resources and a lot to repent of." [56:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

2. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

3. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

4. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

5. "And so another book has to be written that says the same things. And my approach is, that's not the way the Bible works. And that's really, like I don't mean to sound patronizing, but it's really not very good scholarship as we approach the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation was written to seven literal churches right in the first century under very, very crushing difficult circumstances in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire has a lot of good things that came out of it. A lot of advancements was made, roads, plumbing, lots of things, medicine. A lot of things came out of the Roman Empire, but for Christians, particularly in the first century, it wasn't because what Christians believed as Jesus is Lord, flew into the opposition of the Roman Emperor, who also believed he was God, he was Lord, and also what had been the tradition in the Roman Empire of the Roman and Greek Gods that they worshipped." [42:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Download vertical captioned clip)

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