Blogging w/Purpose II

VisitChurch Communications Pro.Com to find out everything you ever wanted to know about blogging.

Blogging about blogging; that's something like being taught how to teach.

For more on the subject of blogging, particularly as it relates to pastors; see
Pastor Steve Weaver's blog. There is lots of other great material there, definitely worth adding to your favorites.

My latest find is The Blogging ministry by Michael G. Davis. The following is an excerpt from the 'about' section:
"We plan to post articles about how Blogger might be used as a platform for Ministry and how to get started."
Be sure to go to his home page for additional links and resources.

And the Answer is...

Throughout our study of the 7 churches we have made observations concerning their flaws/failures/sins. Granted not all flaws and failures are sins, but when they obstruct the flow of God’s blessings/approval they become sin. Therein is the parallel of their flaw to the short coming of many churches today.

The Ephesians had lost their first love, their zeal, their desire to progress. The church of Sardis was in a similar state; sleeping and neglecting the work of the ministry. Pergamos and Thyratira each had tolerated false doctrine and the prophets who brought it into their midst. The Laodiceans were blind to their own wretched state and indifferent to the evil that proliferated within their body. They were satisfied with themselves and thus deceived into believing a lie.

Pinning the common flaw/fault on Smyrna and Philadelphia requires more than a glance at the scriptures. As previously stated, the church of Smyrna had a poor self-image and was perhaps fearful of uncertain future events. These things had caused them to stagnate. The same could be said of the Philadelphians. They were just holding on rather than actively moving into what God had for them. They had not caught the vision, therefore they were just existing.

Each flaw exposed has it’s root in a compromise against the Truth. The faults of: lost zeal, indifference, blindness, slothfulness, lack of vision, fear, toleration of heresy and false prophets, as well as blatant perversion can all be attributed to what I call PASSIVE CHRISTIANITY. It is a killer, subtle and invasive. The best counter agent is to be actively engaged in the Truth, the Life, and the Way.

Though I am not a scholar of the Greek language: I understand that when Paul said, “I press toward the mark”, he in fact was saying, “I keep on pressing.” Church, we have to keep on pressing toward the goal that Christ has set before us.

Blogging with Purpose

When I first heard of blogging I wasn't too impressed. I thought it was just a means of escaping reality, anonymous venting, or simply writing a diary on-line. I had no idea how fulfilling and valuable it could be. I have been blogging for 3 months now and wonder why I wasn't doing it sooner. It has forced me to hone my communication skills and to be more internet savvy.

Rich Tatum gives some insight to the value of blogging. The following is an excerpt from the linked post.
"Blogging, in some ways, is like an interest-bearing savings account. As long as your ideas are only spoken, they’re being spent as soon as you generate them — just like spending your entire paycheck the very week you get it. But if you can “bank” some of those thoughts, they’ll go to work for you on your behalf, influencing more than just the handful within earshot. And like money in the bank, your blog-published ideas compound their influence week after week after week."

Julie says "Every idiot has an opinion, but not every person takes the time to translate what is observed before shouting out an opinion."

That is what blogging has done for me. It has caused me to look at my opinions and thoughtfully consider whether or not they are consistent with the actual meaning of scripture. Pray for me as I endeavor to post the messages of timeless text.

Church of Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22

Christ’s Introduction: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, and ruler of creation.
Reveals: Christ has the final say so. He is one that will always speak the truth. He is the one with authority and control over all creation.

Affirmations: None concerning their works, but He did show his love to them through rebuke and discipline vs19

Faults/sins: Not hot or cold. No zeal. Works were ineffective. vs. 15,16 They were deceived in believing they were blessed when they were not in a righteous position to be blessed. They were self-satisfied and indifferent to their need for authentic discipleship and ministry. The Laodiceans were puffed up in their self-sufficiency. Their faults were obvious to everyone but themselves. They were blind to their own deficiencies. vs. 17,18

Penalties/Instructions: They were soon to be excluded from the Lord’s presence if they did not change.vs16 Christ counseled them to obtain gold, white raiment, and eye salve from Him; rather than the material wealth that they possessed. In doing so they would cover their shame with purity and their eyes would be open to discern the truth. vs. 17,18 With His rebuke he exhorted them to be sincere in their repentance.

Promises: To the repentant who invited Him in, Christ would enter and engage in sweet fellowship. Vs19 The overcomer would receive the right/privilege to reign and rule w/Christ.

Link of intro w/penalties &promises: Christ has all authority to enforce penalties or grant rewards. He is the One who speaks to God on behalf of the people.

Application: Self-reliance =Self-satisfaction=self-deception. Self-deception leads to loss of zeal and complacency. Complacency leads to ineffective service and lack of progress. If a church is not maturing it is going backward. Rather than leading others to salvation it will pull others into it’s deception.

This church could be characterized as magnet of materialism for those having no incentive to actually work in and for the kingdom. One with an 'anything goes' message requiring no commitment.
Additional reference: Luke 16:15 NIV “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

The ? Revisited

"While John records the characteristics of seven distinct churches, I believe they had one common fault. That fault is the same one that plagues the church today. That fault is without question, the reason the church has removed herself from the fight. It is why she can not even muster a good argument against the evil practices that proliferate in our society. Can you name that one characteristic, that one flaw, that one sin, that has given rise to the degradation of our nation?" Excerpted from my 03/25/07 post, the beginning of this study on the 7 churches of Asia.
____

The church of Laodicea is the last one of the 7 mentioned in the first three chapters of Revelation. Of the seven, I believe it failed more miserably than the rest. Certainly the one common flaw/sin of the churches was more blatant in the Laodicean church.

Until I can finish that post, The Thunderer has suggested two excellent posts to augment this study. See the following links:
Chet Swearingen's 04/16/07 post
and the 04/27/07 post of PyroManiacs

Shane writes of a church that would fit right in the mix. See his 02/02/07 post at Caffeinated Thoughts.

Lazy Way Wednesday

Check out the April 14,2007 post at A Steward of Secret Things . There you will find some more helpful tips for preaching and teaching. John Brand a preacher for over 25 years, provides insightful reviews of preaching related books.

Also, please visit godzheart atLessons for Life. She is currently posting from the book of Nehemiah. She offers both exposition of the text and practical applications. She is a serious student of the Word, and dedicated to quality posts.

Milton's Daily Dose gives compact posts that deliver a big punch. Easy to read and thought provoking. He has a couple of other blogs that I enjoy as well.

Church of Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

Christ's Introduction: The Holy One, the true One, the One w/the key of David
Reveals: His purity and righteousness, His control over the doors of the kingdom. vs 7

Affirmations: Some strength, faithfulness to the Gospel and to the name of Christ vs8,
patience vs10

Faults/sins: No direct indictments against them. Verse 8 could indicate that they had a dim vision of what God was calling them to do. He declared plainly that the door He had opened, no one could shut. Somewhat like saying I have cleared the way, now complete your journey.

Instructions: He warned them of the coming trial/testing vs10 and of His coming. vs11
He exhorts them to hold on to what they possessed. (see affirmations)

Promises: He would humble the liars/counterfeiters and cause them to acknowledge that the church of Philadelphia was loved and chosen by Him.vs9
The overcomer would be more than a resident in His kingdom, he would be a visible testimony of strength and steadfastness. A pillar of stones was often used as a memorial to a divine appearance or intervention; like the 12 stones taken from the Jordan in Joshua 4:2-9 Furthermore the overcomer would need never to leave or be driven from the presence of God. Christ promised to write upon the overcomer 3 names; the name of God, the name of the city of God, and Christ's own name.

Link-Intro w/promises: The Holy and True possesses the key/power of the kingdom. He is the one who denies or grants the privileges of citizenship.

Application: To become a citizen of the heavenly kingdom, one must be an overcomer. To be an overcomer, one must keep the Word of God, be loyal to Christ, be patient, endure temptation, and be diligent to hold on to what they have in Christ.

This church could be characterized as spiritually sincere but existing with little progress. A church that was long in patience but short in vision.