A Wakeup Call to the Church

American culture has been changing rapidly and the rate of change is increasing exponentially.  

For example, just one group, the so-called “nones,” who are those religiously unaffiliated people, have grown from a relatively insignificant few historically to more than 16% of the population in 2007 and then to almost 23% of the population in 2014. Pew Research Center’s massive 2014 Religious Landscape Study makes it clear that this trend is real and accelerating – particularly among the young and younger adults. 

These trends should be a wakeup call to the Church.  I’ll step out on a creative but also theological limb and say that this trend is actually predicted in scripture.  My premise is based on historical Christianity as well as the prophecies concerning this very time known as the latter days.  It is during these latter days that the Church is told to wakeup.

If we are talking about the latter days that means we have to take a quick tour through one of my favorite books of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, officially known as the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Here’s my premise:

1. Revelation is best understood as a unified prophecy – not a number of prophecies: One continuous prophecy dealing with three specific elements:  ‘that which you have seen, which is, and that which will be’ (Rev 1:19)
2. It’s not unusual that prophecy in the Bible has not one singular fulfillment but often two or even three fulfillments.  We see this in the Messianic prophecies, the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD and during the tribulation, Isaiah 61 with the scroll given to Jesus, the first and second coming of Jesus.  The coming of Elijah before the coming of the Messiah.
3. In particular, the seven churches taken in order paint a very clear picture of what we now understand as seven periods of time.  If they are discussed in any other order, or without specific mentions to that specific church or time period, it makes no sense at all particularly as prophecy.
4. The names of the cities, specific instructions, warning, admonitions and encouragements fit to the last detail.
5. In these seven ages of the church, Jesus says that he will come back during the ages of the last four churches which all overlap: Thyatira (Roman Church), Sardis (The denominational churches of the Reformation), Philadelphia (the Missional Church) and Laodicea (The Lukewarm church)

So why does the church need to WAKEUP?

Let’s read the letter to the Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

It is specifically the Church in Sardis that is told to ‘wakeup’.

Each of the Churches in the Book of Revelation have a name and like many names, there is a meaning to the name.  For example, we know that Philadelphia means “Brotherly love”, The word Smyrna is taken from the word Myrr, that was used in burial.  The name Sardis comes from the Greek word ‘sardeis’, the plural form of ‘sard’, and the meaning of the name is "those who come out.”   This is significant because the idea of coming out is one of the key identifiers of this particular church age.

1. The name Sardis 'came out' of the word Sard, former city
2. The Sardis of Apostolic times 'came out' of the former Sard due to population growth
3. Sardis represents the Reformation church period when it 'came out' of the Roman Church

Historically, many theologians believe that the church at Sardis was representative of a segment of the overall church beginning in 1517 A.D.  This Church age began when Martin Luther nailed his “Ninety-Five Theses” on the door of the Church of Wittenberg in Germany, outlining his grievances against the Papacy and Roman Catholicism.  From 1517 forward, the Protestant church came out of the Catholic church.

“that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev 3:1)

  

Let's look again at the specific words being used.  Strongs 3686 is the Greek word onoma that is being translated here as the word "name". 

Onoma in Greek is used in the same manner as our word "name."  Many have heard the political word RINO (Republicans in Name Only) and also 'Nominal' Christians using the same root word. 

Note that this church is referenced by this word onoma which is the same root word we have in Denominations.   The church becomes DEAD when more people are interested in their particular denominational difference than the fullness that is found in the essential gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Onoma indicates a church made up of people who outwardly professed Christ -- probably many of them thinking of themselves as believers -- but who actually possess no spiritual life. They are Christians in name only.

"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent." (Rev 3:2)

When you are living in a PAGAN society, it is very easy to begin to embrace the PAGAN ways

Ancient Corinth was infamous for its wanton sexuality. Paul included among the common sinful lifestyles in Corinth "the sexually immoral," "adulterers" and "men who practice homosexuality" (1 Corinthians 6:9). Some Corinthian believers were even among those groups before their conversions. But when Paul preached the Gospel there, "many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8).

Repentance is not a common practice in the church today. It is thought to be something for the nonbeliever, a once-for-all action that is primarily an act of the will necessary for salvation.  But is this actually to be our experience with repentance? 

We need repentance rather than reactive disengagement or reactive entanglement

How do we live in a society that is becoming activity hostile to Christians?  I would say it is neither through reactive disengagement or reactive entanglement.  That is however a conversation for another time. 

The immediate response from many is "then who are we to associate with?"   Paul answers this question in First Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV)

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

Back to the church of Sardis

“Repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

“Come like a thief”…do those words mean anything to you? here is a refresher: 

"Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.…(1 Thes 5:1-3)

Yes, this is an end time Church.

Let's quickly look at these four churches..

Thyatira (Roman Church) “Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds”.…Rev 2:22

Sardis (Denominational/Dead church) “I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you. Rev 3:2

Philadelphia (the Missional Church)  ”Because you have kept My command to endure with patience, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev 3:10)

Laodicea (Lukewarm Church) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:20)

Its Time to Repent: 

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Tolerance Redefined in Cultural Wars

It was interesting but perhaps not surprising to see Cocoa-Cola, Disney, the NFL and the NCAA quickly huddle and threaten to boycott Georgia if the Governor signed the Religious Freedom Bill.  The Governor caved to the pressure and vetoed the Bill.  

This is just the latest and certain to be not the last time that the new definitions of tolerance, fairness, equality and inclusiveness trumps what many to believe are constitutionally protected rights in our Constitution.

Cultural wars have been discussed academically and sometimes even rationally for years but the present impact of cultural change in America is profound.  Few savvy political sages and seers would have guessed as little as five years ago that the Supreme Court of the United States would rule this past June 5-4 that the Constitution requires that same-sex couples be allowed to marry. 

The question for many theologically and culturally conservative individuals and organizations is, "What's next?"

The answer is obvious: The culture is not just changing but with the change, the actual definitions of moral truth, integrity, respect and values have been redefined.   Those that embrace the LGBT agenda out of being non-discriminatory don't care if their agenda tramples over the rights of the majority of American citizens.   Political correctness now trumps not only freedom of speech but also parental rights.   Tolerance has been completely redefined as only benefiting those who feel the most offended by traditional or conservative moral values.

Like the sexual revolution of the 1960's and 1970's, some witnessed, some participated, and some even won individual battles; but it's obvious now in retrospect that we lost that war.

Once a Catholic, always a Catholic

Historic St. Anne's Catholic Church on
Mackinac Island, Michigan.  Baptism, death
and marriage records date back to 1695

 Perhaps you have heard this: “You have fallen away!” Or perhaps, “What are we going to tell the family?” These are the comments people hear when they are no longer attending the Catholic Church. People who grew up Catholic and stopped attending can attest that the saying “once a Catholic, always a Catholic” has been likely used and probably abused.

            

         For a time in my life, I heard those words. I was brought up in a Catholic family and educated in a Catholic school, and I embraced Catholicism as an adult. However, soon after we were married and had our children, my wife and I started attending a non-denominational church. My mom and dad as well as many in my family questioned our newfound faith and the reason why we were seemingly abandoning our religion.

One day when I was traveling through Indiana for business, I took the opportunity to visit my favorite aunt and uncle. The conversation over dinner quickly turned to religion. It was a good conversation, and I gave them all of the reasons why we felt it was important for us to attend a great church in our neighborhood.

My aunt turned to me and said, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” It was not a statement of reason but an emotional appeal she was making to her nephew. She knew only the Catholic Church and believed it to be the one and only true church.

From my perspective my wife and I hadn’t converted or abandoned anything; we were actually embracing our faith and growing closer to God. To us, moving from one location on Sunday to another wasn’t about converting to another faith but reaffirming what we knew to be true.

Our journey as Catholics had started with baptisms as infants decades earlier. However, our deep and personal relationships with Jesus Christ in reality had started during a ninety-day period, from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost Sunday, just a few years prior. It began when our Catholic priest, whom we had gotten to know, invited us to a Catholic charismatic group meeting on Tuesdays starting the first full week of Lent. We had asked a few questions about getting to know some other couples and growing in our faith. He told us about this little group and said there was a break at Easter, so if we didn’t feel the group was for us we could easily just drop out.

We didn’t drop out, and because of this group of committed, charismatic Catholics as well as a number of other things that seemed to be calling us to more, God changed our lives during those ninety days. We purchased our first Bible and started reading it on a daily basis. After the ninety days, we found a similar and even larger group that met on Fridays in a gym and occasionally in a park. We enjoyed the fellowship and the scripture reading. Someone always had a guitar, and we learned new songs and began to experience worship in a new and meaningful way. We loved meeting and getting to know other Christians who were as excited about their faith as we were.

The Friday group included young and old, married couples, singles, and a few younger children. For the first time, we heard about having a personal relationship with Jesus. We knew what that was and could look back to that ninety-day period and feel how much our hearts had changed. The language we were using about our faith was also changing. It wasn’t as much going to Mass as it was being in fellowship with other believers. The group was primarily Catholics, but they referred more and more to themselves as believers or spirit filled and even born again. We found we had everything in common with these people as well as other Christians who read the Bible for wisdom, devotions, and personal growth and desired to have living relationships with Jesus Christ.

That was in the early 1980s, and the charismatic renewal of the Catholic Church was in full swing. It seems like every family had one of those kinds. In our family it was my wife and I. We were the ones who seemed always to find a way to turn any conversation into a conversation about Jesus. It seemed like our favorite activities were reading our Bibles and listening to Christian radio and Christian music. Our kids were still very young, and we wanted the very best for them. We started looking for a church that could help us grow, that would be a great place for our young children to learn about God, and that would give us an opportunity to meet other couples who were just as passionate about their relationships with God as we were.

            

        In the beginning I had more passion and enthusiasm than common sense. I was insensitive, rude, argumentative, and no fun to have at a party. My wife was much more pleasant. She didn’t like arguments and was a natural peacemaker. In time God was able to smooth out some of these rough edges in my life, and my family eventually forgave me. Surprisingly, and over time, they started to see, through my gentler and humbler self, that my faith in and love for God were real. I’ve found this approach to be better when we want to share the Gospel. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”[i]

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to read and grow and have taken some classes in theology, the Bible, and history. I’ve learned a lot about my Catholic heritage. Had I known then what I know now, I would have had better answers to people who asked about me falling away or abandoning my religion. To me Catholicism was a great inheritance, and it was in the Catholic Church that I came to believe the essential truths I continue to believe today. The faith, the history, the traditions, and even the doctrines contributed greatly to who I am.

I am writing this book because of these experiences. I am much more than a former Catholic. I have an appreciation of my Catholic heritage, the Catholic members of my family, and all of the wonderful members of the Body of Christ who attend Catholic churches. This is my story, but I will also be sharing the story of the church through history, which influenced my thinking and clarified my thoughts. The history of the church will include the dates and the people and the places, but it will also be the story, the narrative of how the church has evolved. My evolution, however, began more than forty years ago, when I was still in Catholic school.

Except from "Roaming Catholics: ending the wandering to embrace the wonder" by Kenneth Behr, available at Amazon and your local Christian Bookstore

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[i]. Susan Henderson McHenry, Therapy with God: Wonderful Counselor, Comforter, Friend (Xulon, 2008), 25.

"Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic”

Perhaps you have heard this: “You have fallen away!” Or perhaps, “What are we going to tell the family?” These are the comments people hear when they are no longer attending the Catholic Church. People who grew up Catholic and stopped attending can attest that the saying “once a Catholic, always a Catholic” has been likely used and probably abused.

     

For a time in my life, I heard those words. I was brought up in a Catholic family and educated in a Catholic school, and I embraced Catholicism as an adult. However, soon after we were married and had our children, my wife and I started attending a non-denominational church. My mom and dad as well as many in my family questioned our newfound faith and the reason why we were seemingly abandoning our religion.

     

From my perspective my wife and I hadn’t converted or abandoned anything; we were actually embracing our faith and growing closer to God. To us, moving from one location on Sunday to another wasn’t about converting to another faith but reaffirming what we knew to be true.

     

In the beginning I had more passion and enthusiasm than common sense. I was insensitive, rude, argumentative, and no fun to have at a party. My wife was much more pleasant. She didn’t like arguments and was a natural peacemaker. In time God was able to smooth out some of these rough edges in my life, and my family eventually forgave me. Surprisingly, and over time, they started to see, through my gentler and humbler self, that my faith in and love for God were real. I’ve found this approach to be better when we want to share the Gospel. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.”i

     

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to read and grow and have taken some classes in theology, the Bible, and history. I’ve learned a lot about my Catholic heritage. Had I known then what I know now, I would have had better answers to people who asked about me falling away or abandoning my religion. To me Catholicism was a great inheritance, and it was in the Catholic Church that I came to believe the essential truths I continue to believe today. The faith, the history, the traditions, and even the doctrines contributed greatly to who I am.

From an excerpt from the book, "Roaming Catholics: ending the wandering to embrace the wonder" by the author.  Available at Amazon