"Going Further - Week 3"

 GOING FURTHER

 

Week 3 - ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF "SPIRITUAL CREEP"

This week, the readings are taken from the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation to John. In addressing the issue of "spiritual creep" we'll find in each of these addresses by the angel to the Seven Churches, areas of ministry which are commended and praised, along with areas of ministry that need to be addressed. Sometimes it's so easy for things to "slip" a little, that we find ourselves in a different place after a time. The message of the Angel for the Seven Churches can help us to address this matter of "spiritual creep".

 

Day 1. Revelation 2:1-7. The Church at Ephesus.

Here at Ephesus, the angel states that he knows their works, their toil and their patient endurance. Acknowledgement is made that they do not tolerate evildoers, that they endure patiently and that they have not grown weary. But the angel says that in the midst of all this they have lost the love that they had at first. It is so easy to get involved with things that sometimes we do lose our "first love" for the Gospel and "creep" from the basics.

1. What are some of the areas that you can be commended for in your ministry? Is it patient endurance? Is it waiting patiently? Is it not having grown weary? Is it being faithful in your toil for the sake of the Gospel?

2. Recall a time when you were enthusiastic for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Has that enthusiasm passed over time? Why did it pass? How can you recapture that enthusiasm?

 

Day 2. Revelation 2:8-11. The Church at Smyrna.

Motivation. In this particular section the angel states that he knows their troubles, he knows their poverty, though he does acknowledge that, even though they claim to be poor they are rich. He knows of the evil things that are said against them and the suffering that they've had to endure.
However, they are exhorted to be faithful. Sometimes having "too much" can cause creep to occur because we take things for granted.

1. Have you endured any frictions in living out the Gospel? Has this time been a time of growth? Also, in this particular Church, people were falsely accused of things. How do you address the matter of being falsely accused?

2. There's the exhortation to be faithful. What does this say to you in your life and ministry at this time? What challenges are before you?

 

Day 3. Revelation 2:12-17. To the Church at Pergamun.

In addressing this particular Church the angel acknowledges that the message of the Gospel is like a sharp two-edged sword. Also, the angel acknowledges that they have been true to the Gospel, and that they have not abandoned their faith, even at times of persecution. However, there are a few things against them because they followed the teachings of others, they ended up leaving or doing things that were contrary to the will of God, and there is the call to repentance. Repentance can assist us in addressing "spiritual creep" within our lives.

1. Do you find living the life of the Gospel like living on a "sharp, two-edged sword"?

2. How do you prepare for the Confession each week in the liturgy?

 

Day 4. Revelation 2:18-29. To the Church at Thyatira.

Here the angel acknowledges their love, their faith and their patient endurance, but the challenge is that they have followed somebody who has led them into false teaching, and also practices contrary to the Gospel. This is a form of "creep" that we need to be aware of in living the Christian life.

1. Do people know me by my works, my love, my faith and my patient endurance?

2. Are there areas of my life where I find myself following other ways and other practices, not always being true to the Gospel? What are some of the issues that I need to address if this is the case?

 

Day 5. Revelation 3, 1-6. To the Church at Sardis.

This particular address by the Angel to the Church at Sardis is an interesting one, because it states that the angel knows their works and knows their reputation of being alive, but in actual fact, they are dead. The issue here, in terms of spiritual creep, is that we can give all the outward appearances, but inwardly, things are not right "inside".

1. Is it easy to give an outward appearance when the soul or the heart is not in good health?

2. There has been a lot of comment of late that the Church has been dead. Are we a part of a Church that gives the outward appearance of being alive, but inwardly, is not alive? What challenges does this raise for me as a member of the Church, as a disciple of Christ?

 

Day 6. Revelation 3:7-14. To the Church at Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:14-22. To the Church at Laodicea.

To the Church at Philadelphia, the angel wrote that he acknowledged that they had little power, but they kept the Word, and they did not deny the name of Christ. But what the Angel exhorted them to endure and to hold fast..

At Laodicea the angel states that he knew their works but they were neither hot nor cold. The angel wanted them to recognize that they were neither hot or cold. Complacency can be a form of "spiritual creep".

1. In this day and age, when life is so busy, it is sometimes easy to be "very lukewarm" about a number of things, including our faith. Are there areas of your Christian life where you are "lukewarm"?

2. Sometimes, people can be "put off" by people who are very "hot" about their faith, and also at times they can be "put off" by people who are "cold". How do you relate to people who are so enthusiastic that it is "off-putting", and how do you relate to people who seem to have no interest?