A Word about Turning Points

Today I want to share a word about turning points, as I comment on Revelation 2:1-7. This Scripture reads: 

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

One of our enduring ministries in the CBA is our partnership with Samford University in hosting classes for the Samford Ministry Training Institute, through which we offer Bible college-level classes here in our county. Pastor Ed Ganus was the founding director of our center nearly 40 years ago, he and served faithfully as our director until the end of 2017. I have been trying to fill his shoes for the past four years, and I believe that SMTI is a great equipping ministry. I wish more of our church leaders would take advantage of it!

 Prophetic Turning Points:

I am currently teaching on the Minor Prophets, and the author of our text, John Phillips, noted four turning points in prophetic history in the Old Testament: 

1. Urbanization and a change to a mercantile economy caused greater contact with other nations for the Children of Israel.
2. Assyrian Imperialism changed the face of foreign affairs for the Children of Israel.
3. The captivity and deportation of the Kingdom of Israel left Judah vulnerable and it ultimately capitulated to the Assyrians as well.
4. When Judah returned from exile to Jerusalem their spiritual condition did not materially improve.

Potential Turning Points:

God led me to apply those same turning points to our current situation in America:

1. Urbanization and a change to a mercantile economy has caused greater contact with other nations.
2. The rise of militant Islam and a return to an expansionist policy in Russia has changed the face of our foreign affairs.
3. National debt and competition from China left has left our national economy vulnerable.
4. When COVID-19 transformed from a pandemic to endemic, will the spiritual condition of God’s people materially improve or not?.

So, where does that leave us and our churches?

Points To Ponder:

In many ways, I believe we are like the church at Ephesus. Our doctrine is sound, our missions organizations are strong and innovative, our seminaries and Christian universities are filled with great professors, and our prosperity is such that we can fund any ministry we decide to to support. These are all great aspects of our ministry and our churches, but I wonder, are we excited about church anymore? Are we excited about worship? Are we excited about missions and evangelism? If not, why not?

As we learn to live with COVID-19 we are approaching a critical turning point for our churches. We may not have any influence over the first three items on our list of potential turning points, but we can affect the last point. It is up to us to reengage spiritually and to rededicate ourselves to evangelism and discipleship. 

The overarching message of the Minor Prophets is that since Biblical Israel had lost their love for God, they would be replaced. We know now that God has chosen to work through the church as He brings His plan to its ultimate fruition. 

While God will not replace the church as His instrument, our Scripture for today tells us emphatically that God will replace individual churches. We need to take the warning to the church at Ephesus seriously, and evaluate our love and commitment to God on both a personal and a corporate level.

The stakes are high! We have a choice to make! Which will you choose?

Every blessing,

Dr. Otis Corbitt