REALITY CHECK – Chapter 3, The Condition of the Church in the Twenty-First Century

 

Chapter 3

The Condition of the Church in the Twenty-First Century?

You can visit any of the approximately 1,000 church websites or visit any of the 350,000 to 400,000 churches in America for an example. You will find that the focus, training and preparation (or lack thereof) for the saints of God for His return.

Almost all churches are trying to attract people and to retain members and attendees through, among other things, (1), a stage presence, (2), loud, entertaining music (often called worship music), (3), depending on their ‘legacy’, (4), participating in secular and pagan holidays.

Largely missing are the days when Biblical preaching was useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness for the purpose of (1), equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, (2), for the building up of the body of Christ, (3), to attain to the unity of the faith, and (4) for the knowledge of the Son of God to mature believers into the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Many if not most churches fall into one of seven categories: (1), Those that have lost their first love, (2), the suffering church, (3), the compromising church, (4), the corrupted church, (5), the dead church, (6), the faithful church, and the (7), lukewarm church. (See Revelation chapters 2 and 3).

(1). The ‘Legacy church’ or religious church, meaning they exist solely as a sanctuary church. Their motto is “come grow with us”. They rarely go out to make disciples. (In fact, discipleship training, to them, is nothing more than a bible study by another name). They pander to their own crowd and their culture, and they are exceedingly proud of the 100 plus year’s history as a church – but their membership is growing old. They have forgotten that they are the Church, so they just “do church”. They may use the Bible and agree with its doctrines, but are more like the Church at Ephesus: “I know your deeds and your labor and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people, and you have put those who call themselves apostles to the test, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured on account of My name, and have not become weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

The “first love” is best understood as the wholehearted love, devotion, and affection for Christ that naturally expresses itself in obedience, worship, and love for others.

The Ephesian church had not abandoned truth; they had abandoned the loving devotion that should accompany truth. Jesus’ warning reminds believers that Christianity is not merely correct doctrine or faithful service—it is a living relationship with Him.

The church at Ephesus had remained rooted in truth, but Jesus was calling them to be rooted once again in love. This is descriptive of the “Legacy Church” today. Jesus calls them and is calling us back to the expressions of love and devotion that once characterized their walk with Him. “And do the deeds you did at first.”

(2). The Suffering Church is much like the church at Smyrna. It is often overlooked because it is not ‘fancy’ by today’s standards. Instead, it is considered to be plain and ordinary by many. No ‘big band orchestra’, no flashing or colorful stage lights, limited technologies. But it serves God according to His Word and decrees and is faithful amid persecution. It is spiritually rich despite material poverty. It has no obvious weaknesses, faithfully follows Christ’s commands and does not fear the suffering that follows their obedience to God and His Word – and remains faithful even unto death. This church is like the church at Smyrna. It is one of only two churches receiving no rebuke.

(3). The “moderate” or compromising church, like the church at Pergamum, tolerates false teaching. It allows compromise with worldly teachings on social, political or medical issues, among others. It is influenced by the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitans and try to follow Christ without repentance. The doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans both represent spiritual compromise – the attempt to unite devotion to Christ with participation in the sinful values and practices of the world. They think they can embrace worldly values without consequence. They separate faith from obedience. They Ignore biblical sexual ethics. They participate in idolatrous or sinful practices while claiming spiritual maturity.

The specific forms may change, but the underlying temptation remains the same: to make Christianity more comfortable by reducing the call to holiness.

Jesus’ message to Pergamum is that a church can remain orthodox in its confession while becoming compromised in its conduct. Therefore, believers must guard not only what they believe, but also how they live. “Those who practice such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of heaven”.

(4). The Corrupted Church. You can see this church among many ‘Word of Faith’, Pentecostal and ‘name-it-and-claim-it’ churches; it is also found in liberal-progressive congregations advocating for same-sex marriages, ordaining homosexuals and transgenders. They tolerate false teaching, and in fact advocate for anti-Christian policies. They allow false teachers to influence the church and fail to exercise proper church discipline. Although they can appear to be loving and active, they tolerate serious error. Jesus admonishes them to repent and reject false teaching. This is a church like the church at Thyatira. (Why do you call me Lord and do not what I say?)

(5). The Dead Church is recognized by a small remnant of churchgoers. The once had a reputation of being an active and alive church, but is now spiritually dead and have incomplete or no works before God. They may even be outwardly impressive, but are inwardly dead, like the Church at Sardis. Jesus says for you to wake up, repent and strengthen what remains, or you may be left behind.

(6). The Faithful Church is recognized and commended for its faithfulness in keeping Christ’s Word, proclaiming His Name, and persevering in His purpose, commands and commission, despite its limited strength. Like the Church at Philadelphia. Jesus encourages you to “Hold Fast”.

(7). The Lukewarm Church is comfortable, self-satisfied and spiritually indifferent. They are easily identified by its lukewarm spirituality, its self-sufficient complacency, and its blindness toward its true condition. They may be materially rich, but are spiritually poor.

Christ admonishes them to repent and seek true riches from Him; to open their doors to a renewed fellowship with Him.

This has been a word on the condition of The Church not just for that day (which was written in or around A.D. 96), but for historical reasons. And it is important to say that since it is found in the Word of God it is inerrant, incorruptible, unchanging and is still true today. (What was, is, and forevermore shall be). What comes next in history as it relates to eschatology (matters concerning the End of Time) and this profiling of the Church can be traced by reading and studying the rest of book of the Revelation.

So, now we have an abbreviated version of the historical and developmental track of the Church. Next is a track of the main events that have led us to this day.

(Next) Chapter 4 – God’s Plan of Perfection through Tribulation – An Illustrated Timeline