## What Can Kill A Church

## Revelation 3:1

(Rev 3:1) "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."

The church at Sardis was described as a "dead" church. That means that churches can die. Where are the congregations we read of in the New Testament? At some point in their history, they died. There are at least two ways a church may die. It may cease to exist (Victory Baptist Church of Portland, Oregon) or it may die inwardly, even while it still lives outwardly.

We all understand that as Christians, we have an enemy. This same enemy desires to destroy the local church as well. Satan can use many things to destroy a church. We want to consider a few of them this evening.

I. Persecution

A. Satan has often resorted to physical persecution...

1. For example, against the church at Smyrna.

(Rev 2:9-10) "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. {10} Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

2. The enemy attacked many churches in the first century.

(1 Pet 5:8-9) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."

3. We should not be surprised if he does so today.

(1 Pet 4:12) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

B. People respond to persecution differently.

1. Some are silenced by it.

(John 12:42-43) "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: {43} For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

2. Others rejoice in it.

(Acts 5:41-42) "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. {42} And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

C. How we react will determine our future as a church.

1. A church that is silenced by persecution will soon die.

2. A church that rejoices in persecution will not go unnoticed by the Lord.

(Mat 5:11-12) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

3. The Lord took note of the church in Pergamos and Philadelphia.

(Rev 2:13) "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."

(Rev 3:8) "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."

II. False Teaching

A. Satan has used this tactic to threaten many churches...

1. The church at Ephesus was threatened by it, but they overcame.

(Rev 2:2) "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:"

(Rev 2:6) "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate."

2. The church at Pergamos was threatened while handling persecution faithfully, they were floundering with error in their midst.

3. Note: Rev 2:13-15

4. Both Paul and Peter warned of the danger of error.

(Acts 20:29-30) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

(2 Pet 2:1-2) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

B. Two things will guard against error.

1. We must not turn away from sound doctrine - 2 Ti 4:3-4

(2 Tim 4:3-4) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

a. Sound doctrine involves preaching the Word, which includes both negative ("rebuke") and positive ("exhort") elements.

(2 Tim 4:1-2) "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; {2} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

b. We must beware of "pop" preaching which simply entertains rather than instructs

2. We must not support those who teach contrary to the doctrine of Christ

(2 John 1:9-10) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. {10} If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:"

III. Indifference

A. The most effective weapon used by Satan.

1. It jeopardized the standing of the church at Ephesus, who had left their "first love" cf Re 2:4

2. It is what characterized the church at Laodicea, making it repulsive to Christ. Cf Re 3:15-17

3. We do not have to oppose the church to kill it, just be indifferent!

(Prov 18:9) "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster."

(Mat 12:30) "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

B. Symptoms of indifference...

1. Irregular attendance of services

2. Lack of participation in the services

3. Consistently arriving late to services

4. Lack of participation in outreach and ministry.

5. Lack of faithfulness in areas of stewardship.

6. Failure to pray consistently and be involved in personal Bible study.

C. Fervent service is the only antidote to indifference.

1. We must replace our indifference with involvement.

(Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

2. Chris preached on 'It's never too late to change" the other evening.

3. Nothing could be more true.

(Heb 10:24-25) "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: {25} Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

What can kill a church?

- Persecution, and how we handle it.
- False doctrine, if we embrace it.
- Indifference, if slip into it.