Christianity today--and not simply American Christianity--has been defined (whether by design or by default) by four megachurches whose collective influence has dominated the landscape for the past forty years. These include Hillsong United from Australia, Bethel Church of California, Elevation Church from North Carolina, and Passion City Church from Georgia. If we were to characterize these churches, the features would be essentially the same--thus, the possibility of lump

The Church at Laodicea: Revelation 3:14-22 Introduction We say perception is reality, but that depends upon whose perception. Jesus knows the difference between appearance and reality when the whole world has gone insane. When moral blindness calls light darkness and darkness light, only Jesus can end the scam. The Church at Laodicea is the second among the Seven Churches of Asia to have a reputation that is unwarranted. Sardis had a reputation of being alive but Christ

The Church at Philadelphia: Revelation 3:7-13 Introduction What a breath of fresh air this little church is amid a sea of corruption claiming to be the Bride of Christ! If your church is tiny but alive, this is one of the rarest blessings you will find this side of heaven. What makes your church alive? Everything that our Lord Jesus did not find in the churches He lovingly chastised in first-century Asia: unconditional love and devotion to Christ Himself; love for and f

The Church at Sardis: Revelation 3:1-6 Introduction How can a church be sordid? Isn't that the ultimate oxymoron? And yet of the Seven Churches of Asia, two were very bad--so bad that Christ had almost nothing good to say to them. Unlike His uniform greeting, "I know your works," in which He first commends what He finds worthy in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and even Thyatira, He greets Sardis with a definitive thud: "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou liv

A silent sweetness reigns amid the homey things-- Exalted hope, enduring faith, a love that sings-- A promise holding fast through all my days, A future pure, triumphant, filled with praise. For all the pain and sadness that full obedience brings-- The parted ways, the broken dreams, the torn heartstrings-- Christ brings the chariot of peace, the height of mountain views, Amazing grace

God's grace is like a flower-- Here today but not tomorrow, But the seeds of the last bouquet Survive what fades today. And so- to bloom with daily grace Must I ever seek His Face. Like manna morning-fresh with dew, I find today's provision new-- Shades stronger than the day before As deeper roots seek out the LORD. --CJW--

The Church at Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29 Introduction Christ's shortest letter to the Seven Churches of Asia addresses the suffering Church of Smyrna, for whom He has nothing but words of commendation, comfort, and courage. His longest letter, however, goes to the Church at Thyatira, the worst case of spiritual adultery thus far. One of five churches whose false teaching Christ condemns, Thyatira is also one of three who receive words of praise and affirmation. The tho

The Church at Pergamum: Revelation 2:12-17 Introduction Imagine pastoring a church in Salem, Massachusetts--the international headquarters of the Satanic Temple and the historic hotbed of the Salem Witch Trials. Also the cultural center of American Wicca, Salem has renounced its Puritan past by opening its apostate arms to the witchcraft its forebears routed with ferocious zeal. Now picture the world of Pergamum, which Christ identifies as "Satan's seat" in Revelation 2

The Church at Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11 Introduction The Church at Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11 is one of only two of the Seven Churches of Asia that Christ does not censure for sin and warn with impending judgment. This by no means, however, guarantees this church smooth sailing. On the contrary, the Church at Smyrna, unlike the Church of Philadelphia, is told some very bad news: it will continue to suffer. But is this really bad news, after all? To an escapist staking

"He leads us till this life is o'er; Trust and obey." To think my journey has an end-- A destination sure, though veiled, Communion with my dearest Friend, And comfort when my feet have failed-- Suffuses every day with grace, With purpose guides my heart. For one day when I see His Face And joyously behold the chart Of all my travels through earth's dust, I will not find my failures logged But only f