The Death Of A Local Church Revelation 3:1-6. The Lord’s Church Will Not Be Destroyed From The Face Of The Earth. God promised and cannot lie. Hebrews

The Death Of A The Death Of A Local ChurchLocal Church

Revelation 3:1-6Revelation 3:1-6

The Lord’s Church Will Not Be The Lord’s Church Will Not Be Destroyed From The Face Of The Destroyed From The Face Of The EarthEarth..

God promised and cannot lie. God promised and cannot lie. Hebrews 6:18Hebrews 6:18

Prophecy. Daniel 2:44Prophecy. Daniel 2:44 Fulfillment. Hebrews 12:28Fulfillment. Hebrews 12:28

Yet, a local church may die or lose Yet, a local church may die or lose their identitytheir identity. Revelation 3:1-6. Revelation 3:1-6

Churches established by Paul, Churches established by Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy.Barnabas, Silas, Timothy.

Churches here that are 80-100 years Churches here that are 80-100 years in existence.in existence.

The Death Of A Local The Death Of A Local ChurchChurch

Loss Of “Old HeadsLoss Of “Old Heads.” .” ““counsel with the old men …” 1 Kings counsel with the old men …” 1 Kings 12:612:6

Death.Death.Joshua 23:14 “I am going the way of Joshua 23:14 “I am going the way of

all theall theearth …” cf. Judges 2:8, 10.earth …” cf. Judges 2:8, 10.2 Peter. 1:15 “after my decease …”2 Peter. 1:15 “after my decease …”

Moves. Moves. Acts 20:29 “after my departing …” (cf. Acts 20:29 “after my departing …” (cf.

verse 32)verse 32)


Failure Of LeadershipFailure Of Leadership.. Qualified elders, preachers and Bible Qualified elders, preachers and Bible

class teachers.class teachers. Elders are to watch. Hebrews 13:17Elders are to watch. Hebrews 13:17

VisionVision. . Proverbs 29:18 “Where there Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” KJVhe.” KJV

Preachers. 1 Timothy 4:16Preachers. 1 Timothy 4:16


Loss Of EvangelismLoss Of Evangelism. 1 Timothy 3:15. 1 Timothy 3:15 Gospel is for all. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16Gospel is for all. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16 Paul’s concern for the Jews. Romans 9:1-3; Paul’s concern for the Jews. Romans 9:1-3;

10:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:1610:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:16 Gospel to be preached to every generation.Gospel to be preached to every generation.

2 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 2:2 Other communities.Other communities.

All Asia heard. Acts 19:10All Asia heard. Acts 19:10 Thessalonians had sounded forth the word Thessalonians had sounded forth the word

(Macedonia, Achaia, every place) 1 (Macedonia, Achaia, every place) 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8Thessalonians 1:7-8


Loss Of Those “BaptizedLoss Of Those “Baptized.” Matthew .” Matthew 28:19-2028:19-20

Cares and pleasures of this life, ever Cares and pleasures of this life, ever present danger. Luke 8:13-14present danger. Luke 8:13-14

We are too busy!We are too busy! School activities, recreation, etc. School activities, recreation, etc. Evidence: Lack of study, lack of preparation Evidence: Lack of study, lack of preparation

for Bible classes, children not prepared for for Bible classes, children not prepared for classes.classes.


We Are ToWe Are To:: Study & meditate on God’s word. 2 Timothy Study & meditate on God’s word. 2 Timothy

2:152:15 Visit the fatherless and widows. James 1:27Visit the fatherless and widows. James 1:27 Teach our neighbors and our children the Teach our neighbors and our children the

gospel. “Go preach …” Mark 16:15gospel. “Go preach …” Mark 16:15 Encourage the brethren. 1 Thessalonians 5:14Encourage the brethren. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Be hospitable. Romans 12:13Be hospitable. Romans 12:13 Restore the fallen. Galatians 6:1Restore the fallen. Galatians 6:1 Care for our aged parents. 1 Timothy 5:4Care for our aged parents. 1 Timothy 5:41 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that

we keep his commandments: and his we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”commandments are not grievous.”


Poor AttendancePoor Attendance.. Progressive: Progressive: “drift” Hebrews 2:1“drift” Hebrews 2:1 Promise of becoming partakers of Christ.Promise of becoming partakers of Christ.

Hebrews 3:14Hebrews 3:14 Exhortations to be diligent. Hebrews 4:11; Exhortations to be diligent. Hebrews 4:11;

6:11-126:11-12 Danger of Danger of “divers and strange teachings“divers and strange teachings.”.”

Hebrews 13:7-17Hebrews 13:7-17 Promise of reward. Hebrews 10:35-36Promise of reward. Hebrews 10:35-36 Neglect. Hebrews 10:24-25Neglect. Hebrews 10:24-25


Our FriendsOur Friends.. Jesus and sinners. Matthew 9:10-12Jesus and sinners. Matthew 9:10-12 Friends were the disciples. Matthew 12:46-Friends were the disciples. Matthew 12:46-

50; 50; John 11:1-5; 15:14John 11:1-5; 15:14

1 Corinthians 15:33 The more we are 1 Corinthians 15:33 The more we are separated from our brethren, the more likely separated from our brethren, the more likely our love for them will grow cold. cf. our love for them will grow cold. cf. Matthew 24:12Matthew 24:12

We are to exhort one another daily. Hebrews We are to exhort one another daily. Hebrews 3:133:13

The Death Of A Local The Death Of A Local ChurchChurchLack Of DisciplineLack Of Discipline..

Two things: instruction as well as correction, Two things: instruction as well as correction, chastisement or punishment. (Webster)chastisement or punishment. (Webster)

The church in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 5; cf. The church in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 5; cf. Ephesians 5:8ffEphesians 5:8ff

““A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.” A little leaven, leavens the whole lump.” (Verse 6)(Verse 6)

Accept into fellowship those who are Accept into fellowship those who are practicing sin.practicing sin.

Imported leaven congregation will destroy a Imported leaven congregation will destroy a church just as fast as the home-grown variety.church just as fast as the home-grown variety.

Social acceptance results in lack of militancy, Social acceptance results in lack of militancy, watered-down preaching … entertainment and watered-down preaching … entertainment and humorous stories. cf. Jude 3; 2 Timothy 4:1-2, humorous stories. cf. Jude 3; 2 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.etc.


Breakdown Of The FamilyBreakdown Of The Family.. In America – one divorce every 13 In America – one divorce every 13

seconds.seconds. 6,646 divorces per day.6,646 divorces per day. 46,523 divorce per week.46,523 divorce per week.

(http://www.mckinleyirvin.com/blog/divorce/32-shocking-divorce-statistics/)(http://www.mckinleyirvin.com/blog/divorce/32-shocking-divorce-statistics/)

Matthew 19:3ff Why does the church have Matthew 19:3ff Why does the church have an issue with Marriage/ Divorce/ an issue with Marriage/ Divorce/ Remarriage?Remarriage?


Breakdown Of The FamilyBreakdown Of The Family. . Break all the rules for a happy home. Break all the rules for a happy home.

(Think like the world.)(Think like the world.)1.1. Selfishness. cf. Ephesians 5:20-21; Selfishness. cf. Ephesians 5:20-21; cf. Matthew 16:24cf. Matthew 16:242.2. Disillusionment. Haven’t prepared.Disillusionment. Haven’t prepared.3.3. Communication ceases, love fades, Communication ceases, love fades, bitterness invades, we give up to be bitterness invades, we give up to be miserable. Believing we have the right miserable. Believing we have the right to be happy, we divorce and “move on.”to be happy, we divorce and “move on.”


What Can I DoWhat Can I Do? ?

1.1. Look in the mirror. cf. James 1:23-24Look in the mirror. cf. James 1:23-24

2.2. Talk to someone who is not a Talk to someone who is not a Christian.Christian.

3.3. Talk to those who are weak.Talk to those who are weak.

4.4. Study your Bible every day.Study your Bible every day.

5.5. Pray frequently and fervently every Pray frequently and fervently every day.day.

6.6. Pay attention to the announcements.Pay attention to the announcements.

What will be the future of the church here?What will be the future of the church here?

Documents

The Death Of A Local Church Revelation 3:1-6. The Lord’s Church Will Not Be Destroyed From The Face Of The Earth. God promised and cannot lie. Hebrews