One is leaders quit learning and growing. Contentment is a killer. In second place is character weakness. Third, leaders stop living according to their convictions. The fourth factor is they stop living and leading for the sake of the long-term and settle for the short-term. Fifth, they forget their influence and purpose. Finally and most critically, leaders who end poorly lose their vibrant relationship with God.
The same truths could be said for the failure of people to live the Christian life successfully. First, after salvation they quit learning and growing in Biblical truth. They stop reading the Bible, get lax in church attendance, Bible study opportunities, and find little time for prayer. They become content in a false sense of God's grace. Secondly, they never completely surrender their character flaws and sin issues to God. If Paul had to die daily to his sinful nature, surely all of us have to too. If we don't, they will rise up to destroy us. Thirdly, their convictions are less and less founded on God's truth. Conviction then becomes a blend of personal taste, human wisdom and worldly influence. Fourthly, they settle for the temporary aspects of life and forget the goal for all believers is eternity. They settle for treasures on earth that are corruptible rather than the incorruptible treasures of heaven. Fifthly, they forget the purpose of all Christians is to love God ultimately, love others passionately, and reach people with the Good News of God's love and forgiveness continually. Lastly, they have lost their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As in the Ephesian church in Revelation 2, they have lost their first love.
Our study of the seven churches of Revelation is to help us overcome and finish well in the last days. This week we will explore the church at Sardis that was a contradiction in that they were not what the world said they were and they were not what God designed them to be.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Jeff
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