Message 6: The churches as lampstands shining to the world

 

The church’s purpose is to reach the world, not to merely make the members happy. This is why the church is called a lampstand, not a roman bath (or spa). The lampstand is the shining of the spirit (oil) as the lamps burn to illuminate the golden (Fathers) shape of the stand (the Son). The only threat to take away the lampstand is when love disappears. Thus, the lampstand is the shining out of the Lord’s love. This means church can never be an institution that is only concerned for its own survival. This is the religious systems that Jesus met when He was with the Jews. Instead, the church as a lampstand is an Inn where the beat-up man is brought by the Samaritan. It is the Father’s house where the prodigal son returned.

 

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Revelation 1:20 - "This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

Revelation 2:4-5 - "But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."