Seven Seven Golden Golden

LampstandLampstandss

Revelation 1:9-Revelation 1:9-2020

IntroductionIntroduction

•Lampstands representing churchesLampstands representing churches– Seven churches in Asia MinorSeven churches in Asia Minor– Each one (candlestick, KJV) a churchEach one (candlestick, KJV) a church

•Important lessonsImportant lessons– Local churches open to GodLocal churches open to God– Strive to keep our candlestick (2:5)Strive to keep our candlestick (2:5)

The Churches Were VisibleThe Churches Were Visible

•Meaning of “church”Meaning of “church”– Not the buildingNot the building– Not representing brick and mortar Not representing brick and mortar – Much more than thatMuch more than that

The Churches Were VisibleThe Churches Were Visible

•Represents peopleRepresents people– Make up the church (Acts 5:11; Make up the church (Acts 5:11;

11:22)11:22)– No automatic membership (Acts No automatic membership (Acts

9:26)9:26)– Voluntary association Voluntary association

(Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:10)(Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:10)– Can lose recognition (2:5, 16; 3:3) Can lose recognition (2:5, 16; 3:3)

Two Sides To The ChurchTwo Sides To The Church

•Divine and humanDivine and human– Divine side: Jesus, the sinless Divine side: Jesus, the sinless

Savior, is the head (Ephesians Savior, is the head (Ephesians 5:23)5:23)

– Human side: Members less than Human side: Members less than perfect, forgivenperfect, forgiven

Two Sides To The ChurchTwo Sides To The Church

•Seven churchesSeven churches– Number for perfection, or Number for perfection, or

completenesscompleteness– Room for improvement on human Room for improvement on human

side (Philippians 3:12-16)side (Philippians 3:12-16)– Divine side is fine the way it is Divine side is fine the way it is

(Acts 2:42; Galatians 1:12) (Acts 2:42; Galatians 1:12)

Preciousness of The ChurchPreciousness of The Church

•Lampstands made of goldLampstands made of gold– Symbol of great valueSymbol of great value– Purity as well (1 Corinthians 5:2-8)Purity as well (1 Corinthians 5:2-8)– Not ours to do with as we pleaseNot ours to do with as we please

•Jesus walked among themJesus walked among them– Made them feel safe (1:17, 18)Made them feel safe (1:17, 18)– Purchased by Him (Acts 20:28)Purchased by Him (Acts 20:28)

Holds Up The LightHolds Up The Light

•Truth taught by the Lord’s churchTruth taught by the Lord’s church– It alone supports the Truth It alone supports the Truth

(1 Timothy 3:15) (1 Timothy 3:15)– Truth sets us free (John 8:32; 17:17)Truth sets us free (John 8:32; 17:17)

•Let it shine forthLet it shine forth– Function of a lampstand (John 3:19-Function of a lampstand (John 3:19-

21)21)– No substitutes (2 John 9-11)No substitutes (2 John 9-11)

Conclusion Conclusion

•What kind of example are we?What kind of example are we?

•Change begins with individualsChange begins with individuals