Deception comes in many forms.  There is the deception of the World (1 John 2:26), the deception of false teachers (1 John 4:1), the deception of the eyes, flesh and mind (1 John 2:16; Titus 3:3), the deception of the Devil (John 8:44; Revelation 20:10).  People can be deceived by philosophy (Colossians 2:8), science (1 Timothy 6:20), pride (Obadiah 1:3; Jeremiah 49:16), sin (Romans 7:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9), anti-Christ (Luke 21:8).  Deception comes from unbelievers (2 Timothy 3:13).  They may be educators, musicians, entertainers, pushing either an unbiblical, ungodly philosophy, or false teaching not found in God’s Word. Deception can come in the form of busy-ness, where one feels that being busy in this world is honoring to God.

We live life surrounded by “those who try to deceive.”  In fact false brethren tried to deceive the early believers into accepting a false gospel (Galatians 2:4).  Thus not only do people need to guard against the deception of the world, but also deception in the assembly by false believers who sit, and may even have positions among us.

How to guard from deception?  The only guard is to know the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:15).  In a generation which is biblically illiterate, deception is very ripe.  The believer is to study it (1 Timothy 2:15), meditate on it throughout the day (Psalm 1:2); observe it (Deuteronomy 6:7), and live by it (Matthew 4:4).

MAS 10.23.08 (Revised 04.21.11)

For unity, there needs to be a common foundation. I suggest 3 things: A local assembly should be Christ-centered, Bible Focused, and Pilgrim in character.

The implications of these three things is we are not denomination or Holy Spirit or traditional or ecumenical or evangelical centered, we are not music focused, brethren focused, people focused, numbers focused, and finally, we are not of the world, we are not ecumenical.

Some will find unity in signing a document that says we are united. But that does not unify people. A common purpose, common foundation, common goal unites people. I would thus suggest that these 3 things need to be the foundation not just of the teaching of the assembly, but the practice of the members of the local meeting if there is ever going to be unity.

We live in a generation where many have settled down in this world. Many in Christendom today say “God is building a kingdom” and this language lends to the idea that this world we live in is God’s kingdom and we should settle in it, build it, be part of it etc.

But the Scriptures seem to indicate otherwise. God is not building a kingdom. He has a kingdom…”My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Lord Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). We are called to come out of the world system and come to Christ. Thus, first, individually, we are to live pilgrim lives. We are on a pilgrim journey, passing through this world onto an eternal home. While passing through, we are to be reflecting the light of Christ in hopes that others will be attracted to Christ and leave (as Abraham did) this world to follow him.
If all the individuals in our local assembly grasped this concept, there would be unity. But when we have an assembly where some live for the world and others live for Christ,…some settle for this world and some settle for Christ…how can there be unity in decisions, in purpose etc? (MAS 12 08 08)

Matthew 2:11 “…and when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh.”

Luke 22:19 “ …This is my body which is given for you.”

The wisemen came to present from their treasures, something to the Lord. It was an act of worship. Precious gifts…created gifts…presented to the Creator. The great apostle Paul, in writing to believers, preached that mere gifts or talents is not all we should give to Him. We should present our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. What a great act of worship. To give Him our lives, our all. That is not easy to do. The Lord Jesus is our example. His whole life was a sacrifice. He left the glories of Heaven to work the dusty roads of this sin cursed world. “This is my body….given for you.” He presented His body as a sacrifice to God. It was an act of worship. MAS 10/16/99

What’s wrong with the church today?  In our generation, we find churches plagued with various problems ranging from self-interest and a negative self-image, to communication breakdown and open conflict.  We find immaturity reigns and the Word of God a sealed book to the minds of many believers; a generation which does not know the Lord, nor His power, once exhibited in  the past.  What has happened to the church in our generation?

Over the centuries, the church has seen new movements arise, seeking to bring life where formalism and lack of life prevailed.  The reformers of the 16th and 17th century and the revivalists of the 18th and 19th, were part of a string of movements, led by God’s Spirit which indwells the church, to encourage a return to first principles, and fresh vitality.  The church is one body, sharing the same Spirit, controlled by the same head, which is Christ, who is Lord of all.

But what leads to this situation?  What are the causes behind such a moving of the Spirit?  The book of Revelation records for us a list a seven churches in the Asian provinces of Rome, where the Spirit of God addressed the church.  Perhaps in this clarion call, there is a message for us today.  “He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Ephesus  (2:1-7)

Here was a church that had left her first love.  It had a great beginning  (Acts 19-20).  It was a church where there was life and vitality.  They labored hard for the Name of Christ and were patient in their service.  But their was something wrong.  Satan had stolen the hearts of those whose affections were once set on Christ.  This is what Satan loves to do.  He likes to steal our hearts away from God.

What is wrong with the church?   Some complain that it is dull and routine.  Some say the format is wrong and needs changing.  Others may say that the church has lost touch with reality.  God says they lost their affections for Christ.  It is always easier to blame the structure, than it is to look at the heart.  “Love not the world.  Neither the things that are in the world… for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life… is passing away”  (1 John 2:15-17).

Smyrna  (2:8-11)

Here was a church that was persecuted.  They faced tribulations and poverty.  They were suffering for their faith.  Satan is out to destroy God’s people.  If he cannot steal the heart away, he will bring persecution, seeking to stamp out the work of God in the church.  In this church as God speaks, He mentions nothing wrong.

No one likes to suffer persecution.  Yet they who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution; those who stand for what is right in God’s House will suffer persecution; those whom God uses will suffer persecution.  If we who make up God’s church give in to pressure from without and forsake the principles that are foundational to Christianity, then Satan will have achieved his goal in persecuting the church.

Pergamos  (2:12-17)

Here was a church caught up in false doctrine.  They had it rough.  They were situated in a city were Satan was active, and God was aware of their hardships as a result.  In a world dominated by the forces of Satan, God commends the local meeting for their faithfulness to the Name which is above every name.  Yet the temptations were great.  If Satan cannot steal our hearts, if he cannot overthrow us through persecution, then he will do his best to get God’s people to sin.  This is what happened at Pergamos; a church were sin was tolerated; where the Lord’s people drank the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; where idolatry was able to creep into the very structure of the church.

Thyatira  (2:18-29)

Here was a church which listened to the wrong authority.  That the Lord cherished their devotion to service and work, faith and love is evident from the commendation given here.  Yet all was not cherished in Thyatira;  for here, there was an authority (human authority) that replaced God’s Spirit.  The result was a formalized system of false doctrines believed to be true, and a church that kept God’s people spiritually immature.  The sad thing here was that it was allowed to occur.  It’s so easy to sit back and let others do the work, and even take control.  There are churches today that want power to rule the nations, and even the nation where we live. They want to have authority over people, and to do so, they will play ecclesiastical politics, supplant God’s Spirit, and keep God’s people immature.

Sardis  (3:1-6)

Here was a church with a name.  How we love to be noticed and lift our names and creeds, boast of our historical ties, and organizations.  It is within our human nature to want a name; to be recognized and noticed.  Satan’s tactics continue here.  He is out to destroy all that is valuable to God; and there is nothing of greater value to God than the church.  He gave himself for it; He purchased it with the blood of His dear Son.  Now pride was threatening the very life of the church.  It had a name, but was dead.  Recognized as vibrant and full of life in the surrounding community, but spiritually unable to bring about the moving of the Spirit.

Philadelphia  (3:7-13)

Here was a church which kept God’s Word.  A church where Christ could feel at home.  They loved the Lord  (they did not deny His Name); and there was an open door which no man could shut (the Spirit had freedom of movement to work).  Here is something Satan does not like: a church where the Word of God is honored and known. There is no talk of deadness here.  The Spirit is alive and working in this place.  No talk of formalism or creeds; the simple keeping of God’s Word was what kept God from saying anything wrong about this church.

Laodicea  (3:14-22)

Here was a church whose door was closed.  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” How sad that Christ is on the outside!  There was no real need for Him.  The church had increased in goods and were not in need to depend on the Spirit of God.  Filled with self-confidence, they were ignorant towards the things of God.

Conclusion

Through these seven churches, the Spirit of God speaks to our generation.  Their messages stand as the clarion call rings out.  In a world where Christ is rejected, the church stands as a beacon of light which Satan seeks to extinguish.  His tactics have little changed since the days of the early church.  What’s wrong with the church can in part be found in the message that the Spirit communicates here.  Where are our hearts?  Have we given in to the pressures of persecution?  Do we tolerate sin within the church of God?  Has God’s Spirit been supplanted by human authority?  Have God’s “movements” become names to which we hold our heads up in pride?  Have we forsaken God’s Word?  Have we increased in goods and self-confidence, that we no longer need God’s Spirit or God’s Head?  “He that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” MAS 11.10.96

The fine linen are righteous acts. What a day it will be when the bride of Christ will be arrayed in beauty, ready for her bride! How beautiful she will be for Christ! All the work He had done…all the suffering…for Him, the sight of the bride will be most beautiful. But the bride eyes not her garments, but her dear Bridegroom’s face. She will not be gazing at glory, but on her King of grace. It is not the crown He gives that she will be looking at, but rather His pierced hands…the Lamb will be all the glory…and she will be ready. TAS 11/14/99

The King is coming…He is coming to take charge. He is coming to take control. He is coming for the Church, His bride. He will demand submission and obedience. But in His absence, He is looking for evangelists who will spread God’s news. He is looking for shepherds who will care for and feed His flock. He is looking for submission from His bride, the Church. Mas 12/28.03

This verse is talking about how it is unbecoming for a Christian to live a life of ease while our Lord Jesus walked a different path. Many are starving of hunger. Many go to bed without the basic necessities of life. Many have never heard the clear message of the gospel. Is this the time to live in luxury and ease?  If we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, God will give us all we need to live on earth. He will bless our lives and we will reap treasure in heaven. We need to be careful not to live for self; but to live for others. Not to live for comfort; but to follow the Lord in the path He took, leaving us an example that we too, should follow in His steps. MAS 05/89

Her name is listed among the greatest examples we have of faith. She was an overcomer, a believer, moved with fear. Rahab recognized Israel’s victories were the result of Israel’s God. She responded in faith (Josh 2:11). While others heard about Israel’s God and were preparing to fight, she heard, and chose to surrender to Him. Josh 6:25 tells us she dwelt in Israel. How difficult it must have been to dwell as a foreigner in Israel! God honored her faith. Rahab marries Salmon (Matt 1:5) from Tribe of Judah. Their son is Boaz, who married Ruth, another foreigner who put her trust in God. For her faith, God saved her. He raised her out of the dust and put her in the line of David and Christ. MAS 6/27/99

This verse helps us to understand that the path of faith means that we are not to ‘settle’ in and for this world.  It seems easy for believers to forget that this world is only temporary and it is not our home. I grew up in America but live now in Poland. I do not feel at home in Poland and I no longer feel at home in America. But it is where my relatives live; and where many friends are. It is a land that will always have a special place in my heart because it was the land where I learned of sin and my deep need for Christ; and it is the land where I first trusted the Savior and began my sojourn with Him. Yet in my years of sojourning, the charm and glow of this world fades more and more and the eyes see the celestial city and the Savior in greater light. We are not home. God help us never to feel comfortable in this world. We live in it; but we are not of it; it is not our home. It is our field of labour; our place to occupy until He comes; it is the place where we can demonstrate (in a world that is hostile to Christ) our appreciation for the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Many ‘Christians’ are settling in this world. There is false teaching spreading that says that we are to take over this world for Christ and usher in His reign. In one form, it is called ‘kingdom now’ theology.
For many, their eyes are focused on changing this world into the kingdom of God. This is dangerous teaching. What this world needs and what the believer is to wait for is the intervention of Christ. He is coming…and coming soon. He is coming for the believer; He is coming to judge this world; He is coming to take us home. MAS 07.04.06

How often we find ourselves putting our trust in things other than Christ. The world might attract us, a relationship that we so much desire might keep us from trusting Him. It was John who warns us to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21) and to cling simply to Him. We see Christ as a servant and we learn that the life of this Servant was the life of faith. We can look at Abraham who trusted God in offering up his Son. We can think of Isaac, a type of Christ who put his trust completely in Abraham, a type of the Father. Isaac knew his father knew best and he put his trust in him. God not only wants us to put our trust in Him when we ask Him to come into our lives and change us, but he also wants us to walk through the cloud of faith and trust Him who is Faithful to meet our needs. His word shall not fail for he has promised it so. He simply wants us to turn our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ and to put our trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) MAS