What if NLBC received a letter from Jesus?

A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend about identifying his favorite book. Obviously this friend enjoys reading. It was easy to see from his expression that the question was very difficult because he loved reading so trying to determine a favorite book was no easy chore. His response was “trying to identify my favorite book is like trying to choose your favorite kid.” I have that same frustration when I try to determine my favorite sermon series. ​

My favorite sermon series is always the current series. I guess part of the prep work has a process of tying you close to the author, the people and the circumstances of their day that everything about the current day is filtered through that lens. I do however like to determine Gods overall message to New Life as I work through a particular passage of scripture.

As we conclude the Seven Churches Series I have often considered if we were to get a letter from Jesus what would He say? What specific message would Jesus give to our church? I wonder if He would maintain His outline and include a description of Himself, words of comfort, criticism, course correction, and conclude the content with a picture of our great reward? The thought of a personal letter from Jesus is both terrifying and exhilarating. To have Jesus speak to our little church with His authoritative voice is amazing!

Here are a few things I’m almost certain Jesus would include in His letter to New Life:

• I know your deeds: Make know mistake Jesus knows everything there is to know about New Life. He knows more about New Life than we know. An astounding 5 out of 7 churches in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, Jesus stated early in their letter “I know your deeds.” For a few of the churches the knowledge that Jesus had was positive. The church at Philadelphia for instance received encouragement that Jesus had “opened a door” because of their faithful dedication to His word and their faithful proclamation during during hardships of standing up for Jesus. They stood for Jesus under enormous opposition.
  
  
• Words of comfort: I think Jesus would remind New Life of His providence in bringing a church plant together with an established congregation. It was a divine act of God that brought our congregations together and out of that reality we should have great confidence that He is faithful to continue His work no matter the obstacles we may face. Paul told the church at Philippi For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6. I think Jesus would remind us that He brought us together for a purpose, and no mistake, He has a plan.
  
  
• Words of criticism: If Jesus offered any words of criticism I think He would tell our congregation to get serious about pursuing the deeper things of Christ. In the same book of Philippians Paul say “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippines 2:12-13. We must be serious about working out our salvation. Paul’s message here is that you need to pursue the life transforming things of God. You need to do this with a sense of urgency and it must be your main objective. Healthy people live in healthy families and grow together with others in healthy churches. The issue that we must consider as we listen to the voice of Jesus is an issue of church health. As a church are we dying to self or do we live for self? Are we convinced that we are slaves living together on purpose for our master? The course correction becomes obvious. Are we broken over our personal sin. Do we really know what it means to repent? Do we honor God in our relationship with others? Jesus would remind us that He didn’t die to make us good moral people. He purchased us with His own blood to forage His image into our lives.
  
  
• Hold to the truth: As we consider the words for future reward, Jesus would say do not place your hope in the things that are fleeting! Make sure you are anchored in the truth of the gospel and place your life in the mighty hand of His protection. In these seven letters, Jesus provides great reward for the one who overcomes. His reward is not for those who faithfully attend, not the busiest person at the church or the one that seems to have everything together. Those are the criteria that we typically look at to gauge success. Not Jesus! Remember, He knows everything. My prayer is that by God’s grace we hold fast to the truth of the gospel.

​Pastor Billy