Love in Action
Real love is seen in deeds, not just words.
“We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives for each other. If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God. Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.” (1 John 3:16-18 CEV) “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:20-21 ESV)
I dream of a church that exhibits love in action.
Contend for the Faith
Many wonder what is the standard of Christian faith. Jude makes no mistake about it, urging us all to fight for the faith already given.
“... contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” (Jude 1:3 NASB)
I dream of a church that understands the holy deposit laid down by Jesus and the Apostles as that which was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Seven Churches
One of the greatest lessons of the seven churches is that six of the seven had major problems, possibly a prophecy of the church throughout history. Ephesus left its first love, Smyrna was persecuted, Pergamos compromised, Thyatira was corrupt, Sardis was dead, Philadelphia was faithful and Laodicea was lukewarm. Each is told, “To him who overcomes … “ (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) and various rewards in eternal life are given. Even faithful Philadelphia has things to overcome.
Like the seven churches, church history does little to praise men and much to reveal how much grace God has shown.
I dream of a church that, no matter its local circumstances, is an overcoming church.
The Woman
The woman in Revelation 12 is more than Mary giving birth to Jesus, but also Eve and Israel and the Church.
“And I will put enmity between you [the snake] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 NIV)
The stars once pictured the tribes of Israel (Genesis 37:9-10) and so the woman is crowned with the twelve tribes and now the twelve apostles. I dream of a church that is crowned with the teachings of the apostles, that defeats the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony, and does not love their lives so much they are afraid to die. (Revelation 12:1-12)
Praise
John saw a great choir of overcomers in heaven singing.
“Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are your ways, you King of the nations. Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:3b-4 WEB)
I dream of a church that sings to God with greater heart than found at any sports event.
