What Christ thinks of the Church

‘What Christ thinks of the Church’ has been the sermon series title for the last few months at the evening services held in the Cathedral. The title and basis for this short series has come from a book of the same name written by John Stott. The book is an exposition of the first three chapters of Revelation. It is in these early chapters that Christ reveals what he wants his Church to be like. His words apply to all places and indeed at all times and for this reason it is important that we explore what Christ has to say and teach about his church. Having considered these things, it is imperative that we make every effort to live them out, too. 

The hallmarks of the true church of Christ can be uncovered from the letters to the seven churches in the province of Asia which dominate the opening chapters of the Revelation. Letters are written to Ephesus , Smyrna , Pergamum , Thyratira, Sardis , Philadelphia and Laodicea . Persecution of the church was a very real issue at the time that these letters were written. Christ is both the head and the source of life for the church that he knows and loves completely. 

The hallmarks of the Church of Christ can be summarised most effectively by teasing out the things that the various churches were not doing. Collectively, when these traits are worked out in a local church, the Church of Christ will function as it was intended. 

• The Ephesians have lost their first love for Christ and it is this that they are encouraged to rekindle. The Christian life is essentially a love-relationship with Christ and the church must live this out. 

• At Smyrna, the reality of suffering is spelt out. As Christ suffered, so his church will suffer too, but we will be invested at the end of the race with the crown of life. 

• In Pergamum , the need to hold to the truth is highlighted. It is the truth about Christ that is in question. To be a Christian is to accept Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. The irreducible minimum of Christian belief is that Jesus of Nazareth is the unique God-man who died for our sins and was raised from the dead to be the saviour of the world. 

• At Thyratira, holiness is highlighted. Holy living must be our goal. Nothing else should be tolerated. That which is evil must be confronted, recognised and repented of. 

• The church at Sardis learns that a reputation for greatness in human minds is of no value in the eyes of God. He sees the reality of the situation, not the reputation. There is no place for nominal Christianity! 

• The letter to the church at Philadelphia reminds us that the church is to present the opportunity for salvation to the world and to live a life of service in the world. Mark Guy has said: ‘Unless our faith saves us out of selfishness into service, it will certainly never save us out of hell into heaven’. 

• Half-heartedness is roundly condemned in the church at Laodicea . It is instead encouraged to be wholehearted for Christ, with reflection and commitment to make Christ known to those they meet. 

The marks of the Church of Christ, then, are love for Christ and willingness to suffer for him, truth of doctrine and holiness of life, inward reality and evangelistic outreach, with an uncompromising wholeheartedness in everything. If this is what Christ is looking for, this is what we need to measure up to. With God’s help, we will succeed. 

Ken McGrath   

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