New Year 2012

1. Inward transformation drives external change.
Internal change in the believer happens only through the preaching of the gospel. People become willing to extend themselves to reach others as they learn more about God and what he has done.
There is a time to push change and a time just to preach Jesus. It takes wisdom to know what to do when. A church that has forgotten its “first love” is likely to undergo even the most uncomfortable changes to complete the mission. That mission is to see soul saved for Gods kingdom.
Before we read the scriptures this morning I want say a few things.
1. Jesus told John to write about specific people, places, and events.
2. He praised believers for their successes and told them how to correct their failures.
3. Just as Jesus cared for each of these churches, He cares for ours.
4. He wants us to reach our greatest potential.
5. The group of believers we worship and serve with are Gods vehicle for changing the world.
6. Take it seriously- God does.

Revelation 2:1-7:
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lamp stands :( is the seven churches back then)
2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
Christ commended the church for working hard, patiently enduring, not tolerating evil people, critically examining the claims of false apostles, and suffering without quitting.
Each church should have these characteristics. But these good efforts should spring from our love for Jesus Christ. We need to always look at our motives when we ever we do anything in the name of Christ.

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.
You see this church here in scripture was a busy church – the members did much to benefit themselves and the community- but they were acting out of the wrong motives.
Work for God must be motivated by love for God, or it will not last.
Just as when a man and woman fall in love, so also new believers rejoice at their newfound forgiveness. But when we lose sight of the seriousness of sin, we begin to lose the thrill of our forgiveness.
Do you love God with the same fervor as when you were a new Christian?
If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place among the churches.
For Jesus to remove your lamp stand from its place would mean the church would cease to be an effective church.
6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.
The Nicolaitians were believers who compromised their faith in order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of their society.
When we want to take part in an activity that we know is wrong, we may make excuses to justify our behaviors, saying that it isn’t as bad as it seems or that it won’t hurt our faith.
We need to note that they didn’t hate the people, just their sinful actions. We should accept and love all people but refuse to tolerate any evil. God cannot tolerate sin, and He expects us to stand against it.
The world needs Christians who will stand for Gods truth and point people toward right living.

7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.
As we develop a love for the lost changing our structure to reach more people will become relatively easy.
2. Lead your people to yearn.
to have an earnest or strong desire;
Someone once said, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders.
Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” As people yearn for the salvation of the world, that’s when the church is really revitalized.
Again, it is the preaching of the gospel that creates this yearning. The gospel makes us stand in awe of Jesus, who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor.
It moves us to pour ourselves out for others as he has poured himself out for us. The gospel awakens people from their middle-class slumber to follow Jesus as he seeks and saves the lost. It moves them to love the poor, the stranger, and the outcast.
The gospel teaches us to see the world through the lens of the compassionate God demonstrated at the cross and revealed in the resurrection. The gospel fills us with audacious faith, making us to “expect great things of God and then attempt great things for God.”
The gospel makes us yearn to see the glory of God cover the Earth like the waters cover the sea.
It gives us a passion for his kingdom that outweighs our comfort with the status quo.
As the gospel becomes more of the center of our lives, we see our people do the most amazing things.
So personally dwell on the gospel. Meditate on it until it burns in your heart and you can’t contain it.
This year 2012 I want to challenge you to do something.
The first sentence of the Bible introduces us to one of Gods notable characteristics. In the beginning, God did something.
God took action. Sometimes you and I need to step up to the plate and swing the bat.
There is a time for waiting and a time for doing. This is our year for doing. What has been lying on your heart for perhaps many years that you have just been keeping bottled up; this is the year to make it happen.
In our desire to strike a balance, we often fail to act in a timely manner. We wait for one more opinion, one more sign when we know that perhaps we should move, and now!
Perhaps you’re facing something today that just needs to be tackled. Look to Gen 1:1 for encouragement.
When the time was right, God stepped through the front door of time and did something.