Revelation 2-3: Jesus ministers to believers and the world through local churches
Many people neglect their local churches; some have turned to social media as their place of worship. Our focus today is encouraging believers to pay attention to their local churches.
What the local church is.
This is where two or three believers gather in the name of Jesus. Your local church is where God has placed you to worship (Matt 18:20; Luke 17:20-21; ).
Text Revelation 2-3
In Revelation 2-3, Christ speaks to each church uniquely through the angel (messenger) of the church; this is the primary leader of the church. Christ knows each church and every member’s situation in each church. At CHC, Christ speaks to us through sermons, daily bible readings, Weekly home fellowships etc.
Consequences of neglecting your local church: You will not grow to maturity; have no support from genuine believers; struggle alone in your faith; and you will backslide.
Areas you benefit from your local church
24/7 Welfare support, prayers, baptism, food, wedding, dedication, and burial. (James 5:13-16).
You receive discipleship: training, commission to serve (Acts 13:1-13).
You receive encouragement, love, correction, rebuke, encouragement
Your faithfulness to your local church contributes to God’s kingdom
Why do people neglect local churches? 1. Running away from responsibilities 2. bad character 3. unrepentant sin 4. prodigal living (spending their resources in the world).
What you can do in your local church
Use your gift to serve in your local church; attend church service regularly; give offerings and tithes; promote love and unity; avoid gossip in your local church.; win souls to your church.