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As we conclude our series on Radiance: A Practical Study on the 7 Churches of Revelation, I want to end with a conclusion that will help tie things together. You know, I set out on this journey, asking God to open my mind and heart to understand what He wants from His church. I expected God to speak through His Word, through prayer time, through studying, and through those of you who have joined on this quest with me. I sort of came at this with a blank slate – no hidden agenda, no preconceived ideas. I wanted to push aside any traditional ideas I held and take an honest assessment to see what God’s desire was. So, what did I learn?
First, I didn’t come away with any revolutionary church models or program ideas. What I came away with was a compelling call as an individual to live a life of radiance. How can I expect the church in which I participate to be a radiant lampstand, if I myself am not reflecting the glory of God? It’s amazing that so often we have expectations for the Body of Christ that we’re not even willing to live up to. Jesus calls individuals first, and then He brings them together to form the Body of Christ. The lampstand – the seven branch menorah – that we’re told represents the church – is a reminder that there are multiple lights that make up the candlestick.
In each letter, Jesus begins by introducing Himself in some way that reiterates John’s vision in Revelation 1 and speaks to a particular issue in the churches. Jesus doesn’t end the letter with Himself; He begins with it. In other words, it should clue us in on the fact that Jesus is and should be the purpose of the church. Often in a church’s life, there are talks about strategic plans, mission, vision. Each church has its distinction whether its outreach, fellowship, worship, teaching, etc. Those aspects are not bad in and of themselves, but sometimes we get so caught up on doing something because that’s what we do and that’s what we’re good at instead of asking, “God, what do you want from us?” He may give us resources to nudge us in a different direction, and we may push them away because they don’t fit with our church culture. Remember this is God’s Church – not mine, not yours. We’re just humble servants invited to participate with the Lord in His Kingdom on earth.
Not only should Jesus be the purpose of the church, but He should be the purpose of our lives. What is your purpose? Is it to go to work, to provide for your family, to be an excellent spouse, or an excellent parent, or to live the American dream? Those things aren’t bad at all. But does your life center around the Lord, or do you try to fit the Lord around your plans for your life? If you were to say to yourself, “My purpose to exist, to live out today, in what I do this week, this year, this lifetime is centered around the Lord Jesus,” what things might change? Jesus desires to be the apple of our eye. Just as He laid aside all of His desires of self-preservation, self-boasting, selfish gain for the redemption of your heart, so He desires that we live, and move, and exist in Him.
Throughout this study, we’ve seen some drastic differences in the churches. We’ve seen churches that seemed to grasp their understanding that they were citizens of a different world and kingdom. We’ve also seen the churches that appeared to have a desire to live out the pleasures of the Roman world. Jesus tells us that we are citizens of Heaven – not just after we die but the moment we believe. Because when we believe, we are adopted, sealed, and set apart from this world. Let me ask a question, if you went around thinking every moment, “I am a child of the King of kings,” what might change? Would your thoughts change, your desires, your plans, your problems, your purposes? Paul tells us in Romans 12 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In other words, when we realize we’re a child of God, it becomes much easier to live like one.
Something marvelous happens the moment we believe: we are infused with the Holy Spirit. God Almighty dwells within us, transforming our lives to look more like Him. When I read about Moses’ relationship with God, I get envious. I want to have those glowing Sinai experiences. You know what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3? What Moses had paled in comparison to what we have – the indwelling of God Himself. It means my life really can be radiant. I may not see it, but others do. Oh boy do they ever. In a dark, desperate, lonely, sin-driven, selfish world, you better believe that someone infused and radiating the light of Christ will be as noticeable as a lighthouse at the edge of the ocean. Like a florescent night light you hold up to a lamp to initiate its radiance, your walk with God will change your life.
So how does church fit into all of this? Well, if my personal life is centered around the purpose of Jesus and I get together with others who have the same mindset, we will have unity in Christ. If I’m radiating the glory of God, and I get together with others who are also radiating the glory of God, then we are going to collectively radiate the glory of God. We may look different, have different mannerisms, have different gifts, but we will be driven by a passion for the purpose of Jesus. What should we accomplish together as a Church? God will let us know. When we seek Him, He communes with us and gives us a heart that reflects His love, mission, and desire. That is what it means to be a radiant person. With God as our focus, our light source, together we can be a radiant church.