Visiting

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
09/10/06 - Sunday Morning

Visiting

During the summer Christians are often traveling and in the process visiting other congregations. Visiting Christians in other places is certainly not a new phenomenon, we find Christians in the First Century traveling and interacting with Christians in different areas (Romans 16:-2; 3 John 10; Acts 18:27-28). In this lesson I want to address the various types of congregations one might encounter while traveling, our spiritual obligations in selecting which congregation to visit, and what we can do if we encounter something that is not right. As the template for this study I want to use the churches that we find in Revelation chapters two and three.

Ephesus: Revelation 2:1-7

A congregation like Ephesus has fought the good fight (2:2), and is enduring (2:3), but has forgotten the reason why. After a tough spiritual battle and even during trying circumstances we must continue our love affair with God. It is somewhat similar to a couple keeping the romance alive while the children are small. Congregations can endure and yet lack their passion for God (Psalm 42:1).

Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11

When one talks about being cautious and circumspect concerning the congregations that one attends while traveling, some might be tempted to dismiss this need by saying, “Well, all congregations have problems, and no congregation is perfect”. The example of the church in Smyrna contradicts such a claim. Smyrna did have problems, they were poor and they were suffering persecution, yet none of their problems were Scriptural problems, that is, problems that involved sin on their part. There is no mention of apathy, false teaching being tolerated, immorality, inactivity, and so on. Thus, we cannot simply lump all congregations in the same category and we must avoid making sweeping statements like, “All congregations are in error on some point---so it doesn’t really matter where I attend”.

Pergamum: Revelation 2:12-17

Like Pergamum, there are congregations today who are tolerating “some” among them who are aggressively teaching error (2:14-15). Even though “most” in this congregation did not hold to these teachings, this is what this congregation was becoming known for (2:14). Notice that there were only two false doctrines here, and yet that was two too many for Christ. We should note that Jesus has a far different standard of faithfulness and acceptability then men often have. I find that this example contradicts such attitudes as:

· “Well, they are sound except for one or two issues”

· “The leaders are in error, but most of the members believe differently, so they are still basically sound”

· “They are very active in evangelism (or some other good work) so this makes up for their being in error on some point”. Even though Pergamum had been previously faithful (2:13), this fact did not excuse the present toleration of error.

Thyatira: 2:18-29

Notice that this congregation was in trouble with the Lord because they were tolerating the false doctrine of one lone individual (2:20). At times professed Christians will overlook or put up with the false opinions of one member and that member will be viewed as the local curiosity. We might be tempted to say, “Well, that is just his way and everyone ignores him or her”. Yet the truth is, he or she is influencing other members (2:20 “She teaches and leads my bondservants astray”). Instead of viewing some member as “eclectic”, the Bible teaches, “Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17). We might be tempted to think that some false doctrine is so off-the-wall that no one here would ever believe it, while the Bible warns us otherwise (Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 2:18 “Men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some”).

Visiting and Fellowship

At this juncture in the lesson I want to address a couple of common attitudes:

“Fellowship only applies to the local congregation where I have my membership and so it does not matter where I attend while traveling or on vacation”

Yet I do not find the Bible teaching such a concept, rather I find that as a Christian I not only have fellowship with the Christians where I regularly attend, but I also have fellowship with Christians in other areas as well.

· We are to “love the brotherhood” (1 Peter 2:17) and that certainly includes more than just the local congregation where I regularly attend. This would certainly involve loving exposure as I see sin being tolerated among Christians in other places (Ephesians 5:11).

· Paul “shared” in the Lord’s Supper that was observed in other congregations (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

· Paul had fellowship with other congregations and Christians who financially supported him (Philippians 1:5).

· One reason why the apostle John wrote to Christians in other areas is so that, “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3). John clearly understood that Christians in other areas who held to God’s truth were in “fellowship” with him.

· Even though Paul and Barnabas worked among different congregations than did Peter, John and James, the text says that Paul and Barnabas were given “the right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:7-9). Thus all Christians who are preaching the gospel are in a fellowship.

· The very fact that one is in Christ means that one is in fellowship with all others who are in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9).

· It does not make any sense to argue that “geography” is what determines fellowship, rather than something far more important, that is, walking in the Light (1 John 1:7). If we have a “common salvation” then clearly we have the most important thing in common (Jude 3).

“It really does not matter if I visit a congregation in error, because I will only be a couple of hours with them and my presence will not make a difference one way or another”. In response:

· Of first importance, it matters to God. God says, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 10-11). If God does not want us overlooking error when people come traveling our way, then certainly we cannot overlook error when we are the one traveling.

· Error clearly severs our fellowship with God (2 John 9; Galatians 1:6-9). Why would I want to attend a congregation that the Lord is against? “I have this against you” (2:14; 20). Or, why would I want to attend a congregation that is refusing to repent? (2:16,21).

· In addition, people do notice our presence. At times someone who is not faithful will argue, “Well, you claim that we are in error, but you have no problem worshipping with us while traveling or on vacation”. The message this inconsistency sends is that the “error” under consideration must not be that serious, or, the “error” is just a matter of opinion. Congregations which are in error often operate under the assumption that given enough time this issue will just die down or go away and eventually people will “get over it”.

· This is one reason why God commands us to sever fellowship at times (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 John 10-11). God knows that people can be rather dense when it comes to sin. As long as we are acting like there is nothing wrong then others tend to think that nothing is wrong.

Sardis: 3:1-6

Someone may recommend a congregation that is no longer living up to its former reputation (3:1), and when we visit we find it otherwise. There is no error here, just inactivity (Mark 4:19). Yet like here in Sardis, often there remains a small core of dedicated people that one can work with and hopefully change this situation.

Philadelphia: 3:7-13

One might be tempted to avoid what seems like a small struggling congregation (3:8), and yet we might just find ourselves among some of the hardest working and most faithful Christians around. Do not judge a congregation by its “cover”. Smyrna was a poor congregation (2:9), yet it was faithful.

Laodicea: 3:14-22

Like Laodicea we might encounter a group that is prosperous (3:17), and yet spiritually lukewarm (3:16). Evidences of this might be:

· Large attendance on Sunday morning, but small attendance the rest of the week.

· Young people uninterested in the back pews.

· Very little visiting after services; everyone just kind of leaves.

· Some large “programs” yet very little individual and personal initiative.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017