This letter gives us another secret to growth and change to those of us who are feeling a little bit complacent. Maybe we feel a little more bored than blessed when we connect with church … Perhaps we feel a lot more attached to this world than we’d like - (who doesn’t struggle with that?) and looking us straight in the eye Jesus says - “I want you to see your need as you never have before. Then I’d be able to meet your need as I never have before.”
John writes this way to the church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church of Laodicea write, ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds that you’re neither cold nor hot … I wish that you were one or the other … But you don’t realise you’re wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you get from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness salve to put on your eyes so you can see.” (Revelation 3:14 ff)
Not easy words from Jesus but they end with his remarkable promise - “Look! I am standing at the door and I’m constantly knocking. If anyone opens the door I will come in and I’ll fellowship with him; I’ll relate to him, I’ll dine with him and he’ll fellowship with me.” (Revelation 3:20 – Message)
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is the Greek word for “fiftieth day”. It’s the fiftieth day after Easter when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.
It’s the Spirit who keeps a church alive and vibrant? When the Spirit of God gives purpose to a church then it continues to thrive, lives are changed, people are put back together and situations get resolved. All kinds of miracles happen.
And everything we need to fulfil God’s purpose, everything we need to be a church that goes the distance was put in the DNAof the original church. A church that goes the distance – prays for God’s power, uses people’s everyday language, uses every member’s talents and is devoted to God’s word; its members love one another deeply, they worship with joy, they’re willing to sacrifice and bring people to Jesus.