The book of Revelation is difficult, mostly because of its apocalyptic language.  However, the first three chapters, while it does contain some symbolic, apocalyptic language, reads pretty much like the rest of the epistles of the New Testament.  In those chapters, we have letters written by Christ to seven churches located in Asia Minor.  These letters are filled with commendations and condemnations from Christ, revealing to us different congregational characteristics that we should either develop ourselves or, regarding things condemned, avoid.

While each one of the churches addressed was a unique, autonomous local church, there are a few things that Jesus says to each one of them.  One such thing is, “I know…”  To five of the churches, Jesus said, “I know your works.”  To the church at Smyrna, He indicated that He knew their tribulation, poverty, and the slander that they had to endure.  To the church at Pergamum, He said that He knew that they dwelt amid Satan’s seat, yet, they held fast to His name and did not deny the faith, indicating that He knew their works.

Nothing has changed today.  Jesus still knows the work of every local church that belongs to Him.  This is something of which we should never lose sight.  One of the churches, that is, the church at Sardis, had a reputation that they were alive, but Jesus told them they were dead (Revelation 3:1).  What others think of us should be of no consequence.  We do not want to be a church that looks good to men by having outwardly impressive characteristics, all the while being viewed by Jesus as less than adequate.

Adequacy with the Lord begins by being scriptural in all that we do as local churches.  That means we have authority for the work that we do  (Colossians 3:17).  Churches today do all they can to make a big splash in society by engaging in activities that are praised by men, but they lack sufficient scriptural authority.  Remember, Jesus knows our work, and since He is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18), He knows whether we are authorized to do what we are doing.  If you belong to a church that does not have book, chapter, and verse for everything that it does, you should be looking for a scriptural church that does everything in the name of the Lord.

An adequate church in the eyes of the Lord is a church that stands for the truth, defending the gospel against those who would pervert it.  Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for not tolerating those who claimed to be apostles but were not (Revelation 2:2).  Paul told the church at Rome that they must mark those who taught things that were contrary to the doctrine they had been taught, that is, the doctrine of Christ (Romans 16:17).  Churches that are pleasing to the Lord are churches that contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), and the Lord knows who they are.

Adequate churches are churches that do not tolerate sin in their ranks.  Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for arrogantly tolerating a sexually immoral member (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).  Jesus condemned the church at Thyatira for accepting a woman called Jezebel, who was seducing members to be sexually immoral.  He warned them to repent, reminding them that He searches the heart and will give to each according to their works (Revelation 2:20-232).

We should all want to be members of local churches that are adequate in the eyes of the Lord, and we should never forget that whatever we do as local churches, Jesus knows!

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.