I read recently that every year 3,500 to 4,000 churches in this country close their doors forever.3 Let me say this as lovingly as I know how: There are many, many more that may as well close their doors because they have no light. Their lampstand has been removed.
That doesn’t mean that believers lose their salvation or that the church as an institution ceases to exist. It just means that the church or the individual no longer shines forth the light of the gospel. Their light stopped shining. They may keep on meeting, singing songs, taking offerings, preaching messages, having Bible studies. They may still be busy. They may have a lot of activity, a lot of programs for every age group. They may be flourishing as far as the world is concerned. They may be orthodox, but they no longer have the spiritual impact and influence on the community. Lives are not being transformed. Captives are not being set free. People are not being saved and experiencing the transforming presence and power of God.
Whether it’s you as an individual or as collectively as churches, if we will not repent, Jesus says, “I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
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