This message series was initially inspired by my observation that I was missing many people who used to be regular attenders at this church. I genuinely missed seeing them and getting

updated on what was going on in their lives. I missed their presence during worship and afterward during refreshment time and lunch events. I had gotten used to seeing them almost

every week, even if it were only for a brief hello and an exchange of smiles. The more I thought about all the people that I was no longer seeing the sadder and more melancholy I became.

This turned into a certain level of frustration and disappointment. I began to ponder why so many people are missing from our church and is there something that we, as a church, or as

church leadership, should be doing differently?

Well, I took these feelings as a prompting from the Spirit that this should be a topic to bring to the entire church. Maybe God wants His church to take some time to reflect on this. As I

began to dig deeper into what scripture says about God’s Church and what scholars and pastor/authors had to say about this topic I discovered that this phenomenon is not just a Pathway Church issue. There is an exodus occurring within Christian churches in America. Currently there are more people leaving the church than at any other time in U.S. history. As I was preparing and researching for this series, I read a preview for a book that was not yet published called, “The Great Dechurching,” by Jim Davis, and it was singularly dedicated to this topic. I took this as further affirmation that we should fully commit to this topic as the next

message series for Pathway church. This series will explore the major reasons given by people who have stopped coming to church on Sundays. We will see how God’s Word applies to the

various situations.

It is important to know your history. When it comes to a family: where did you come from? What is your culture? Why do you do the things you do? When it comes to an organization, you can ask the same questions. Pathway has a distinct culture with established practices and focuses. We love to study God’s word and pour out our hearts in worship. Pathway has always loved breaking bread together to fellowship too. Some other things we do have been around since the beginning of our church and other things have changed with the times and talents of our amazing church body. Pathway’s organizational origins may be documented as starting in 1997, but the core of this church began in the book of Acts.

Taking time to know and remember the start of the early church, how this two thousand year old movement launched, will recenter us on some essential foundations of the church and

also push us forward as we reconnect with our call to be witnesses in our current contexts, their surroundings, beyond our comforts and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Can we reconnect our modern church to a church that is led by the Holy Spirit, speaks boldly in the face of opposition, sacrificing readily for all who have need, gathering together daily to study the

teachings of Scripture, and going beyond our comforts so that the important and urgent message of the gospel is known? 

“Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches - to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

In the book of Revelation, while on the island of Patmos, John has a vision. Most of us will immediately think of some incredible imagery, judgments, tribulation, end times and the final battle when we think about the last book of the Bible. But like many biblical prophecies, there are elements of foretelling the future as well as many elements of forthtelling truth. Foretelling looks to future, unseen events, but forthtelling speaks divine revelation to current issues that

need to be addressed, revealing God’s plan or delivering a message.

John has been commissioned to write seven letters to the seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches are real churches going through specific issues that need to be addressed and are also receiving encouragement for faithfully enduring trials. But we must not read these letters merely as direct encouragements to specific churches at a certain time in history. These letters were meant for all of the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 23) and are challenges to individuals, “To those who overcome.” We know that “no temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13), so whatever situation the seven churches found themselves in, there was likely another church experiencing something similar: false teachings, false apostles, church leaders abusing power, loss of focus, lack of passionate faith.

The letters contain 7 elements in each letter:

1. A destination church

2. A description of Jesus (Ref Revelation 1:12-20)

3. Commendation

4. Criticism

5. Exhortation

6. Punishment

7. Promise to those that overcome.

Not all letters have all 7 elements as each church is unique in its own situations. "Churches 1 and 7 are in grave danger; churches 2 and 6 are in excellent shape, churches 3, 4, and 5 are middling, neither very good nor very bad." (Morris).

“While two letters contain no unfavorable verdict (Smyrna, Philadelphia) and two no word

of commendation (Sardis, Laodicea), yet since all seven letters would be sent to each church together with the entire Book of Revelation (cf. 1:11), we may assume that Christ intended that all the churches hear words of both commendation and blame.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

“But the Lord was also speaking to individuals, and this is where you and I come in. “He that hath an ear, let him hear.” Churches are made up of individuals, and it is individuals who determine the spiritual life of the assembly. So, while reading these messages, we must apply them personally as we examine our own hearts.” (Wiersbe “Be Series”) While we see seven letters, with seven elements in each letter, for the seven churches to read, we can all be challenged by each letter. Maybe in one letter the criticism resonates in us and in another, we find hope in the promise to those who overcome. As we read it is important to understand the condition and situation of each church, but also how the challenges to them

can be growing moments for us.

Take time to read Acts 17:1-15. This gives the context of the church in Thessalonica,

where it started, the trouble that it experienced, and why Paul had to write this letter. Paul spoke in the synagogue for three weeks (“on three Sabbath days” Acts 17:2) but he most likely stayed longer than that “in view of what he wrote that he had done there (e.g., 1 Thess 2:9; cf. Phil 4:15-16).” (Constable’s Commentary)

(v.1-5) Paul was there sharing as the Thessalonians turned to faith, but he did not take the credit. Their faith was “in the presence of our God and Father,” and “in power in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.” What made their faith so great? Their openness to the gospel and hope of Jesus, in the presence of the Father, in the deep conviction with the Spirit. It is so easy to overlook verses like this with “churchy” phrases, but taking time to realize that their faith is based on a genuine connection with God on multiple levels reminds us to do the same.

(v.6-9) The resounding impact of those who live out genuine faith is incredible. It is not just about how each individual speaks and evangelizes, but the changing of a culture, shaping a community of faith can be a shining example to surrounding areas. Paul imitated Christ and the Thessalonian church imitated Paul. “As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” (v.7) “[I]n every place reports of your faith in God have spread.” (v.8) “For people everywhere report. . . how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true

God.” (v.9)

 (v.10) Throughout the letters to Thessalonica, Paul continually brings up parousia, the second coming of Christ. We have to keep a focus on how we live on earth, but keep in mind the eternal things before us. The Thessalonian church has some questions that will be addressed in these letters, but most of them live faithfully now in anticipation of what is to come.

Overall the message from Paul is to:

Keep growing, and keep going, because the Day of the Lord is approaching.

There are many stories that pop into our minds when we think about Joseph from the Old Testament: being sold by his brothers, time with Potiphar’s wife, interpreting dreams in jail, being elevated in Egypt to save the land from famine, and reconciling with his family 20 plus years later. Taking all of these stories into consideration, we see that Joseph was a man who lived through incredibly trying circumstances with a steady faith.

In his commentary of Genesis, Dr. Constable wrote, “Students of his life have made judgments about Joseph’s character, that are both positive and negative. Most have concluded that he was one of the greatest men in history. A few have contested this view, and believed that he was selfish and manipulative. I believe the textual evidence favors the former view, primarily, though some of Joseph's early actions seem to have been unwise, at best, and arrogant at worst.” This series we will take time to look at the faith of Joseph and the circumstances he found himself in. Hopefully we can learn from his trust in God’s plan and live as intentionally as he did. Hopefully we can also learn from his mistakes and missteps as well. 

Ultimately our faith is dependent on the object that we trust in. God is powerful, constant, intentional, and will always accomplish what He sets out to do. Even with as many detours and zigzags that humanity can throw in, God’s plans will not be thwarted. We begin to see the promise to Abraham unfold, as Jacob’s (Israel’s) children begin to become a great nation and as Joseph becomes an initial fulfillment of the nations being blessed. But as siblings, and faulty human beings fueled by jealousy and bitterness, Joseph’s brothers set out to harm him. Joseph may have flaunted his favored status over them. Potiphar’s wife manipulated the situation causing Joseph to be imprisoned.

 What was intended for harm, what was done for pride, and what was acted out for indulgence and self preservation, God meant to use for good. It does not matter where we find ourselves (Genesis 50:20), having faith in God’s plan will always bring us back right to where God plans on using us for His purpose and glory.

Koinonia is translated to the word “Fellowship” which can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Fellowship hour in the fellowship hall makes us think of refreshments in the side section of church. The fellowship of the ring is a group of vastly different warriors and adventurers brought together for a common cause in Tolkein’s “Lord of the Ring” series. But true Biblical fellowship has many elements, layers, and mutual commitment. 

Koinonia fellowship is a “close association involving mutual involvement and relationships” (NET Bible Notes). We use the phrase “intimate and committed fellowship.” More than some crackers and juice after a worship service, true koinonia is well rounded in scripture, worship, shared life experiences, and deep understanding of the person next to you.

This exemplified unity of life, even among people with different perspectives, not only affects the feel of those inside the fellowship, but gives a good testimony of God’s love to those

who are not yet in fellowship.

We hope this series will challenge our church to grow in how we open our lives to each other, and through that, open up the doors to experience God’s love through fellowship to those outside of our walls.