I want to speak to you about the expectations of Christ of us and his church. The Lord speaks of some key things that he expects of us and members of his body.
[Revelation 1:10-11 KJV] “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
I found out that although the Lord seeks works, He does not just seek any work at all but works which are refined and built on great foundations. The Lord told all the churches that He knew their works, but He expected more than mere works. Remember that He is the Lord and there is nothing too hard for Him. He can do all the things He wants done, He, therefore, expects quality works.
You can take your time and read Revelation 2 and 3, and you’ll notice that to all the churches He commended them on their works. He knew their works but expected more. Works are not enough to please God. The works must have certain qualities.
The key expectations of the Lord are to seek and hold fast to;
- First love
- Faithfulness even unto death
- Sound doctrine or sound beliefs
- Sound teachings
- Watchfulness
- Patient steadfastness
- Sound judgement
1. Seek and hold fast to first love in doing the first works:
(See Revelation 2:4-5). One of the bitter truths all of us will soon learn is that the Lord is not just interested in your works. You may have works, you may not even tolerate evil people, you may labour and all that, but the Lord is more interested in your first love and first works.
2. Seek and hold fast to faithfulness even unto death:
(See Revelation 2:10). The Lord is looking for people who will be found faithful at all times. Whatever you do must be done full of faith. Faithfulness is important. It is a key truth and a foundation of what must drive your life. Until you have decided to be faithful to the end; your effort is stinking to the Lord. Faithfulness is an important foundation
3. Seek and hold fast to sound doctrine:
Doctrine is the thought pattern of the church. Doctrine is the foundational principles of life. No man should sit in the pew and think like Balaam nor cast a stumbling block before another (See Revelation 2:14-15). It is possible to belong to a church with sound teaching and still hold false doctrines. Many people hold false doctrines in churches with sound teaching.
4. Seek and hold fast to sound teaching devoid of seduction:
We should not allow Jezebel to teach. (See Revelation 2:20) The Lord expects us to uphold sound teaching. Apostle Paul left both Timothy and Titus in locations to ensure that none teach any other doctrine. The pulpit must teach soundly and not allow Jezebel to teach in the pulpit.
5. Seek and hold fast to watchfulness:
(See Revelation 3:2-3). This is the fifth foundation that the Lord expects of us. Each of us must watch to strengthen the things that remain. Vigilance and watchfulness are master keys. We cannot be negligent; we must be watchful if we can please the Lord.
6. Seek and hold fast to patience and steadfastness:
(See Revelation 3:10-11). The Lord expects us to be patient and steadfast to the end. We must learn to be patient and press on to the end.
7. Seek and hold fast to sound judgement free from delusions:
(See Revelation 3:15-18). Many of us are not pleasing the Lord because of our spiritual blindness. Our judgements are impaired because of the way we think and see issues. Many think too highly of themselves and have become too stupid to heed counsel. The Lord entered the last church and marvelled at their pride. This was a church that had grown wings because they had false judgement. What they thought was gold was fool’s gold, and what they called riches were rags.
I pray without doubt that each of us will arise and return to the first love, faithfulness to the end, sound doctrine, sound teaching, watchfulness, patient steadfastness, and sound judgement. None of us will fail. You will rise and win.
I love you
Pastor Noah Simpe Bediako
