When Christ Rejects a Church

When does Jesus Christ reject a church? Answers to that question are found in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of The Revelation. In Revelation 2;1-7, Jesus speaks to the Church of the Ephesians. Jesus makes the following statement:

Revelation 2:4-5 4 “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

Jesus warns the church that they have left their first love – the love for Christ! With all the activities that occupy the time of a church, it is easy to get side-tracked with its love. Jesus needs to be the central focus in the life of a church. It is love for Jesus that provides motivation to follow Him in the life of a church, as well as the life of a believer. When the emphasis is placed more on the programs of the church, rather than the Person of Jesus, a church, as well as a believer, can fall into the same trap as did the Ephesians’ church.

In Revelation 2:12-17, Jesus speaks to the Church of Pergamum. Jesus makes the following judgment:

Revelation 2:14-16 14 “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

Jesus warns the church that they are wrong in tolerating error and outright heresy in the church. To inject anything of the world, or any religious traditions which do not have a biblical base, is to promote humanism and man-centeredness in the Christian faith. This action by a church makes it anti-Christ in its practice, and heretical in its teaching. Pro-abortion and supporting a gay-lifestyle are two such practices which are contrary to the Scriptures. Christ opposes such humanistic expressions; churches should follow His example.

In Revelation 3:1-6, Jesus speaks to the Church of Sardis. The problem this church had related to spiritual deadness. Jesus declared,

Revelation 3:1-2 "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being 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.”

Programs with no life, business as usual, form with no substance – these are the characteristics of a church that Jesus will reject. Do you belong to a church like this? Is your church spiritually asleep; is everything running alright, but you have no real life? Heed the warning of Jesus:

Revelation 3:3 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.”

Jesus is coming soon. Is your church ready? Are you ready? Repent and return to Jesus.