The Dying Church: Pastor Rajiv's Message

What causes the death of a church? For example, the Church at Sardis? In this 5th letter, today we will explore the history and outcome of the Church at Sardis and the parallels we see today.

I want to share with you a quote from William Ramsay, a renowned historian, and biblical scholar. He explored the decline and death of churches particularly in his work on the "letters to the seven churches of Asia". This is what he wrote -

‘A church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its own past….when it is more concerned with forms than with life….when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ….when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things’.

This sounds so familiar when we look at the churches around us. Today we will study the 5th Letter to the Church at Sardis and what we can learn from them, to NOT do. 

Decisive Leadership

Genesis Chapter 14 is a rich narrative that offers several important lessons. Here are some key takeaways:

A. Courageous and Decisive Leadership: Abram (later Abraham) demonstrates remarkable courage and decisive leadership when he learns that his nephew Lot has been captured. Despite being significantly outnumbered, he gathers his trained men and allies and pursues the victorious kings to rescue Lot. This highlights the importance of acting swiftly and boldly, especially when those we care about are in danger.

A. Loyalty and Family Ties: Abram's immediate response to Lot's capture underscores the strong bond of loyalty and family ties, as an extension of his leadership style. Even though Lot had previously chosen to separate from Abram and settle in a potentially dangerous area (Sodom), Abram risked everything to rescue him. This emphasizes the value of family and the responsibility we have to one another. 

C. The Importance of Preparedness: Leaders are always prepared. Abram's ability to mobilize 318 "trained men" suggests that he was not only a man of faith but also a prudent and prepared leader. He had a disciplined household, ready to respond to unexpected challenges. This teaches us the value of being prepared, both physically and spiritually, for whatever life may bring.

D. Acknowledging God's Sovereignty: Abram attributed his victory to God's intervention, Despite the overwhelming odds. This reminds us that ultimate victory comes from God, and we should trust in His power and sovereignty even in the face of daunting circumstances. "The battle is the LORD's" (1 Samuel 17:47) is a recurring theme in the Bible, and this chapter provides an early example.

E. Righteousness and Humility in Victory: After his triumph, Abram is met by two kings: the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem (who is also a priest of God Most High). Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils, acknowledging God's role in his victory and recognizing Melchizedek's spiritual authority. (This is the first mention of tithing in the Bible and highlights the principle of acknowledging God as the source of our blessings).

F. Ethical Wealth Source: Abram refuses to take any spoils from the king of Sodom, stating that he does not want it said that the king of Sodom made him rich. This demonstrates Abram's integrity, his reliance on God alone for provision, and his refusal to be associated with ungodly influence. It teaches us to be careful about the sources of our wealth and to ensure that our motives are pure.

G. Consequences of Association: Leaders know the value of associates. Lot's presence in Sodom led to his capture and involvement in the war. While Abram rescued him, Lot's continued return to Sodom (as seen in later chapters) ultimately led to further difficulties. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of associating with ungodly environments and the potential consequences of compromising one's values for worldly advantages.

In summary, Genesis 14 offers profound lessons on courageous leadership, family loyalty, preparedness, divine assistance, and the importance of maintaining integrity and faith in God amidst worldly temptations.

Righteous Action

We humans are great visionaries and planners. At least that's what we think.

When we envision something, maybe a job, or great wealth, social standing, maybe a visit abroad, we set about planning for it and working on schemes to achieve it. 

As we continue our study of Genesis, we once again, focus on Abram, learning about human nature of planning, scheming and strategizing. An ancient reflection of what we do till today, leading to the saying - "Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit" or man proposes but God disposes.

Abraham had immense wealth - and as all wealthy people, he needed an heir. So he set about planning for it.

First, he plans for his wealth to go to Eliezer of Damacus as he is called, a trusted steward and member of his household.

Then he tries to get a son through Hagar, Sara's maid.

Though Eliezer is a role model of an ideal elder son, a manager or a caretaker, and Ishmael (Abram's first born and Hagars son) does become a nation, neither were God's choice or His will.

So all of Abraham's plans come to nought. But what does fructify is Gods promise in the form of Isaac.

This situation is echoed throughout the Bible. We can plan and plan and scheme to the best of our abilities, but it is finally God who decides and decides for the best.

So, what does that mean? Does it mean we sit with folded hands or lay on the couch waiting for God to do something? No. As we had said in an earlier post, Gods works through people. 

God's plan often involves human beings actively participating. Your efforts, choices, and actions become the means through which God's plan unfolds. It's not about God doing everything while you wait, but about God working through you.

In Abram's case, his responsibility was to keep trying for a child through Sara, not fall prey to finding other ways to get a child. His human responsibility was to pray and take "righteous action" not alternative means. To fulfill His will, God does not need our help but needs righteous action in line with His will.

The action God needs will always be within our capabilities and abilities. He will never ask more than we can do.

Second is "Waiting on God" which often means seeking His wisdom, direction, and strength through prayer, contemplation, and studying sacred texts, rather than passively doing nothing. It's about discerning His will so you can act in alignment with it.

And then we have Faith and works: we know that faith without works is dead. While believing in God's plan is important, it's often seen as a catalyst for righteous action, not a substitute for it.

Bible Fact

Job's Daughters: In Job 42:15, it's mentioned that Job's daughters were not only beautiful but also received an inheritance along with their brothers, which was unusual for that time.

The Essence of Leadership: Honoring God

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

A once-great Christian nation—respected for its leadership, scientific excellence, and technological innovation—sought to reclaim its lost position in the world. They gathered under a powerful slogan, aiming to restore their past glory. Yet, in their pursuit of greatness, they overlooked the very foundation of true leadership: wisdom of honoring God. 

Wisdom, as Scripture reminds us, begins with honoring God. They forgot His promise: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." – Malachi 4:2

The act of honoring God was once the cornerstone of their greatness. It remains the cornerstone of a purposeful life for anyone. True leadership, whether within a nation or in our personal lives, flows from a heart that reveres and obeys Him.

How to Honor God in Leadership and Life

1. With Our Heart (Inward Devotion)

Love God above all – Give Him priority in every decision.

Trust and obey Him – Respect His authority through faithfulness.

Humble yourself – A contrite spirit is valued by God (Isaiah 66:2).

Practice gratitude – Acknowledge His blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Seek His presence – Spend time in prayer, reflection, and His Word.

2. With Our Lips (Verbal Expression)

Praise and worship – Honor Him through songs and declarations.

Give thanks – Express gratitude openly and often.

Guard your words – Speak life, encouragement, and truth.

3. With Our Life (Actions and Behavior)

Live with integrity – Maintain honesty and ethics, even in secret (Proverbs 11:3).

Use your talents for His glory – Serve with excellence and purpose.

Be a witness – Inspire others through your faith-filled actions (Matthew 5:16).

4. In Specific Areas of Life

In our work – Strive for excellence and diligence in our professions.

In our relationships – Treat others with love, respect, and kindness.

In our home – Foster a God-honoring environment through prayer and hospitality (Romans 13:1).
5. Through Faith and Humility
Walk humbly before God – "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
Fear the Lord (reverence and awe) – "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10)
Put God first in all things – "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
Honoring God is not just about outward actions—it's about a life transformed by His love and grace.

True leadership therefore, is not found in ambition alone, but in the wisdom to honor God first. May we remember that greatness is not reclaimed by slogans, but by faith, humility, and obedience to Him.

Till We Meet Again

As one gets older, most of us may wonder what will happen to us. What next? We look forward, and depending on faith, we hope we will live with God. But as we look back, we wonder what will happen to our families. Will we see them again? Or is this it?

This short message from Ms. Francis Taylor answers that. But when you think deeper, Jesus' life itself is proof of what happens. He lived, died, was resurrected, and taken to heaven in His physical form. What more proof or assurance do we need?

Let's read what Ms. Taylor says -

Acts 1 9- 11

"Don't you sometimes wonder what was going through the minds of the apostles as they looked up to heaven watching Jesus disappear from their sight. Despite what Jesus had told them about the sending of an Advocate – the Holy Spirit – they must have felt abandoned. I know I would have. They had already suffered the loss of his presence once, and now they had no idea how long his absence would be. But it is interesting to think about the fact that Jesus's ascension involves his physical body. It is a sign of what he had been teaching about the resurrection, that it is not just a resurrection of spirit but of the total person. How this will be, we can't begin to imagine. We read of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelations, but it is a concept so far beyond our experience that it is difficult to comprehend. However, the ascension of Jesus gives me hope and consolation. Hope that I will be reunited with those whom I have loved and lost, and consolation for the grief I have felt on losing them. I hope it does the same for you".

A Wake-Up Call - Pastor Rajiv

Why Revelations Still Matter - Pastor Rajiv 

Read Revelations Chapter 2 

Today as part of Pastor Rajiv's series of the letters to the 7 churches mentioned in Revelations, we expand on the 3rd letter because it is important for us. Why?

Rev chapter 2 verses 6 and 15, talks about Jesus hating the works of a section called Nicolaitans. Hate is a strong word and coming from the Lord it assumes the form of a judgement.

So, first let's understand who the Nicolaitans were and what did they do. 

The Nicolaitans were a heretical sect in the early Christian church, specifically mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2:6, 15). Jesus strongly condemned their "works" and "doctrine." While the Bible doesn't give a detailed theological treatise on their beliefs, the general consensus among scholars and early church fathers points to the following aspects of their doctrine:

1. Antinomianism and Moral Compromise: This is the most consistently identified characteristic. The Nicolaitans likely taught a form of antinomianism, the belief that Christians, being saved by grace, are no longer bound by moral laws. This led them to believe they could indulge in sinful practices without spiritual consequence. They likely twisted the concept of "freedom in Christ" into a license for sin.

2. Sexual Immorality: enticing Israelites to commit sexual immorality and idolatry.

3. Eating Meat Sacrificed to Idols: This was another practice associated with them, as it was with the followers of Balaam. In the Greco-Roman world, much of the meat sold in the markets had been offered to pagan idols. While some early Christians grappled with this issue, the Nicolaitans likely taught that it was acceptable, perhaps viewing it as harmless or a way to avoid persecution by compromising with the surrounding pagan culture.

4. Compromise with Paganism: Their teachings encouraged a blend of Christian faith with pagan practices, blurring the lines between the two. This syncretism was a significant concern for the early church, which emphasized separation from the world's ungodly ways.

In short, the Nicolaitans were persuading the believers that there was nothing wrong with conforming to the world’s standard.

Sounds familiar? It should because we are today constantly bombarded with persuasive communication to conform to today’s world standards, ways and practices and many don't find it a problem at all. 

But as Christians we are instructed to be Holy in all aspects of our lives because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

The other negative influence was that of Balaam's philosophy- if you can't curse them then corrupt them. This theory is as valid today as it was then. When Satan can't hurt us due to God's protection, he fills our lives with temptations to try and corrupt us in our day to day lives thereby hurting ourselves. 

When we look around, we can see churches and preachers and people who have diluted the essence of religion to suit themselves in this world today. We all do it, in varying degrees.

But Jesus explicitly states that He "hates the works of the Nicolaitans" (Revelation 2:6) and that some in the church at Pergamum held to their teaching, which He also hated (Revelation 2:15). Jesus strong condemnation (“I hate the works of the Nicolaitans") highlights the grave danger these teachings posed to the spiritual purity and faithfulness of the early church and even today to ourselves as well. 

Jesus, therefore, goes on to encourage the Church to persevere and not get swayed by such influences, as He does today as well. The stated rewards of such perseverance indicate how important and critical it is.  

Verse 17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat (hidden manna is the manna God gave the Israelites in the wilderness which brought physical blessing. The manna that Christ gives is the manna of eternal life). And I will give him a white stone (white stone is a widely used symbol for victory or special privilege for those whose faith is steadfast), and on the stone a new name written (new name is the new glorified existence in the age to come) which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Therefore, to summarize - “Three things marked the heresy of Pergamos: idolatry, immorality and infidelity. The overcomer kept himself from all three, and the reward was commensurate with his conduct. 

To those who kept themselves from idolatry and refused to eat things offered to idols, the Lord gave hidden manna to eat. 

To those who kept themselves from immorality the Lord gave a white stone, a symbol of changeless purity.

And to those who kept themselves from infidelity, the Lord gave a new name – knowledge of Himself that no one else can share” a unique part to play in god’s eternal kingdom.

The Church That Should Be - III: Pastor Rajiv Kumar

Today we continue with our series on the church that should be based on the seven letters dictated by our lord to john the revelator in the book of revelation.
So far, we have looked at two churches the church at Ephesus whom Christ called the loveless church because they had lost their first love that fervent personal uninhibited and openly displayed devotion to Christ.

In my last message we looked at the church at Smyrna whom Jesus called the persecuted church. This was one of the two churches with whom Jesus found no complaint the other one being the church of Philadelphia which we will be looking at in a later message.

Living Epistles

                                                  

What would you do if you received a letter from Jesus? Sounds far-fetched doesn't it? But is it?

Today, Jesus still writes letters but now He writes them on our hearts and not on tablets or scrolls. We become a living Testament to Jesus. When we do become a living Testament, we attract people because they get curious about what is it that makes us peaceful, joyous, trustworthy, honest and in short, when we exhibit those famous 9 traits called the fruits of the Spirit. And when they find out the source, they find Jesus and we become a light to the world and salt of the earth as Jesus wanted us to be. (2 Corinthians 3 verses 1-3)

But what is the objective in being an epistle or salt or a light?

Research has discovered that more people are drawn to a faith by the witness of the lives of people than by doctrine. What our research tells us today is what Jesus and later Paul knew then.

What is quite clear is that while sermons and preaching maybe good to maintain a faith, it is the living of a Christian life that attracts people to the faith.

Therefore, our responsibility is to live a life, which is a life based on what Christ has said, as an example of the Christian way - and become a living Testament to our Lord and God.

Our job is to bring hope, kindness, love and grace into this world. Every person we meet is carrying heavy loads and burdens in life. And being followers of Christ, it is truly a blessing for Him to use us to bring hope, encouragement, and peace to such people through our words and kind gestures.

And that is how we become a living epistle of Jesus Christ.

Francis Taylor says - "Until we meet him (Jesus), we aren't interested in learning about him. The best way to meet him is in the lives of those who follow him. Living epistles!"

An Honest Confession

                                         
By Ms. Francis Taylor

"Do you honestly confess to your sins? On the surface of it, it is easier to confess and own up to the largest errors when one has clearly been caught, for these sins are the most blatant and glaring. 

However, for the true follower of Christ, who knows there is no realm which may hide or obscure itself from God's light, real courage comes in facing the darkest desires of one's heart, even if they have not yet been committed, or have instead been covered up. In asking for forgiveness not because one is caught, or for fear of retribution, but rather in clearing one's conscience, in obedience to a moral order of purging one's heart before one's maker, this is a mark of the truly faithful, the truly courageous. 

Evil often stems from weakness, of not being able to look it in the eye fully or giving it a disguise. With God's divination, we may trust and find this power to purge it from our souls.

Lord Almighty, in your infinite wisdom and glory, you know and see me better than I do mine own self, therefore grant me the courage to face my sins and wicked desires. Let me not give them shelter in secret and in shadow, to harbor their temptations and will, where they may grow stronger; but help me purge them in your light, and cast them out of your Eden in Heaven. Amen."

The Implications of a Choice

 

Read Genesis Chapter 13 

The Bible indicates that being wealthy is no sin, but wealth seriously increases a believer's responsibility. God's people should therefore view wealth with a sense of stewardship rather than ownership. (1 Tim 6 9-11). 

We see an example of this in Genesis chapter 13. We need to keep in mind that wealth, at that time, was counted by cattle, silver and gold, of which Abraham and Lot had plenty. So much in fact that the "land could not support them", basis which Abraham suggested a split. 

This is where we now see how our choices play out and implications of those choices. 

Abraham had the first right to choose but he gave that choice to Lot. He entrusted His future to God, walking by faith. 

This act by itself is an ideal for us to follow, living our life in such a way that others see the love we share for one another. 

Lot "lifted up his eyes" to see carefully and identify the best land for himself, without a thought for Abraham. 

Lot chose selfishly and his selfish choice would prove disastrous because in the long-term Sodom, which was situated in the same area, would draw Lot into its fold and its ways. 

However, Abraham left that choice to God and he was blessed. 

What an ideal lesson for us today. How do we choose? How do we decide? Is wealth and our interest the main consideration? Will our choice not include the well-being of others? 

When we allow God to guide us in the choices we make, making our desire, will and human logic subservient to His, those choices and decisions are blessed. When we let our own minds and desire rule those choices, we are bound to end up in dangerous situations, as did Lot.