THE DEATH OF A PASTOR’S WIFE
II Corinthians 11:2-4 NKJV
I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!
THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
THE ENGAGEMENT
THE WAITING
THE WEDDING
II Thessalonians 2:1-3 NKJV
“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…”
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition”
Annually in the United States
3800 Churches open
4500 Churches Close
(According to LifeWay research)
THE DEATH OF THE PASTOR’S WIFE is a truly devastating story of a woman who was groomed by a calculating and sinful man who used his position as Pastor to satisfy his lustful desires while a congregation witnessed the sinful events and an eldership chose to cover up the sin.
Character is more important than gifting. Fruit first.
The word of God was not given to control but to correct, comfort and edify
Spiritual authority does not exist to manipulate people, but to protect them
Fear of loosing an earthly kingdom should never be placed over faith, hope and love for the heavenly kingdom
When man is lifted up above the Messiah, a king of flesh will serve to enable a culture of compromise and removal of conviction.
Sexual immorality in leadership is a disqualification. They are called to a higher standard. Grace does not eliminate accountability.
Every one in leadership should be accountable without exception. No leader deserves the trust,devotion and loyalty that belongs to Jesus Christ alone.
2 Corinthians 2:11
“…we are not ignorant of the strategies of Satan.”
THE DE-CHURCHED
U.S. attendance and church has dropped 30% over the last year.
66% between 18-22
(LifeWay research)
2.7 million became inactive in Church
(LifeWay research)
40% to 50% of professed Christians in the United States do not attend church
Matthew 16:18 NKJV
“And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…”
Matthew 16:18 NKJV
“…and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
CONFESSION & IDENTITY
1 Corinthians 1:11-13 NLT
“For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul?
THE MAN
THE MOVEMENT
OR
THE MESSIAH
Acts 1:9 NKJV
“….when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV
“…whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Revelation 1:20 NKJV
“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.”
THE 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION
7 (number of perfection)
EPHESUS -Desirable
THE BUSY CHURCH
🔥Remember -Repent - Return to your First Love
2. SMYRNA -Myrrh (Sweet Incense)
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
🔥Overcome Your Fear & stay faithful unto death
3. PERGAMUM -elevated by marriage
THE COMPROMISED CHURCH
🔥Turn from false doctrine & Sexual Sin
4. THYATIRA -Perpetual sacrifice
THE HERETICAL CHURC
🔥Repent from Idolatry & Sexual Sin
5. SARDIS -denomination
THE DEAD CHURCH
🔥Strengthen What Remains & Wake up
6. PHILADELPHIA -Brotherly Love
THE LOVING CHURCH
🔥Hold Fast To Your Faith & Persevere
7. LAODICEA -The peoples rule
THE LUKEWARM CHURCH
🔥Zealously Repent And Open the Door
Revelation 3:1 NKJV
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
Revelation 3:22 NKJV (7X)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 1:10-18 NKJV
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV
“And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
CONFESSION
IDENTITY
AUTHORITY
THE SOLID ROCK CHURCH PASTOR
JESUS IS ALIVE
-He was dead & was risen
(In The Spirit on The Lord’s day)
JESUS IS GOD (Son of man)
-He knows all (hair like wool, white as as snow)
-He sees all (eyes like fire)
-He is above all (golden sash)
JESUS IS IN THE ROOM
-He stands in our midst (7 L.Stands)
-He touches us (His right hand)
-He Holds us in His Hand (7 Stars)
JESUS IS OUR AUTHORITY
-He will judge sin (feet of bronze)
-He speaks Grace & Truth
(2 Edg. sword/ voice of many waters)
-Holds all the keys (Death & Hades)
JESUS IS OUR PEACE
-His faces shines upon us (countenance like the sun)
Revelation 2:1 NKJV
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:”
I John 1:1 NKJV
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—”
I Peter 1:8-9 NKJV
“whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
I Peter 4:17 NKJV
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
‘
Psalms 91:1 NKJV
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Numbers 6:22-27 NKJV
“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.”