Church is Messy

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to three churches in modern-day Turkey.
  • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church.
  • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. 
  • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus.
 Today, we spend quite a bit of time looking at practical steps to reflect Jesus properly so we stand for him and don't stand against him.

Message Scripture Passage:
Revelation 2:12-17

Series Thesis:
KNOWING the truth doesn’t change anything. SUBMITTING to the truth changes everything.

Topics Discussed Today:
  • 00:00 Intro
  • 01:36 Symbolism in the letter to Pergamum
  • 02:50 Jesus shows his intimate familiarity with each church
  • 05:31 John's isolation lends validity to the message from Jesus
  • 05:45 Which John wrote this letter
  • 08:49 Bringing out unexpected messages in this series
  • 12:02 This passage beautifully plays out our series thesis
  • 13:41 Practical steps to reflect Jesus properly
  • 14:52 Loving well
  • 18:12 Navigating loving and kindness in the workplace
  • 22:12 Using wisdom to engage instead of affirming or celebrating
  • 25:49 The emphasis is on what's happening inside the church, not outside the church
  • 27:37 The big problem with the American church is lovelessness and rudeness
  • 30:24 We love to focus on the sins of the "out" group, not the sins of the "in" group

What is Church is Messy?

Church is messy podcast recorded at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN