The first three chapters of the Bible's last book picture Jesus standing in the midst of seven candlesticks (lampstands). In the apostle John's vision, those lampstands were identified as the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1:20). The two chapters that follow explore the conditions in those churches; and five were assessed as troubled, at the very least.

If the Lord decided today to perform a similar appraisal of the church where you worship, would the results be comparable to those for Smyrna and Philadelphia; or would they be more on the order of the results for Ephesus, or even Laodicea?

The question is worthy of our consideration, because the Ephesian church displeased the Lord enough to cause Him to threaten to "remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5) That fact suggests that a congregation can reach the point where the Lord no longer considers it to be carrying out its inherent function.

That leads us to a question. What then, is the church's purpose or mission? Today, this is an ultra-important issue, because most folks have little idea what is to be the real task of the Lord's church. Most see it merely as an organization to serve them.

In scripture, many figures of speech are used to describe the church. Each tells us something about its nature, or function.

• It is described as a "temple," focusing on its role in worship.
• It is spoken of as a "vineyard," pointing to its duty to bear fruit.
• It is called the "house of God," indicating that it is the place where God dwells among His people.
• It is also referred to as the "kingdom," establishing its form of government.

But what did Jesus intend to convey when he described the seven churches in Asia as candlesticks or lampstands? Did He not declare the fact that the church is to be an instrument to give light to a world steeped in darkness?

God described Himself as light (1 John 1:5). While still in the flesh, Jesus spoke of himself as "the light of the world." (John 1:1-5; 8:12) And now that Jesus has ascended back to heaven, the gospel reveals that same light. The Apostle Paul wrote, "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded; who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)

Christians, in whose hearts this gospel light is planted, are also to be light bearers. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8) Paul also declared that Christians are all "sons of light." (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

That, then, makes pretty clear what Jesus affirmed in the Revelation. The church is composed of Christians, people who are identified with Christ (the light of the world).

The church, therefore, must be projecting the light of the gospel, the light of God, in its respective communities. What Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, demanded of individuals, He also required from congregations of His church. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven."

We are aware that, like physical lights, not all churches shine as brightly as others. Smyrna and Philadelphia appear to have been bright and shining lights in the midst of a first-century world filled with idolaters and religious compromisers. But when we examine the other five churches, we see various degrees of light and dimness.

• Ephesus, because it had left its first love, was in danger of losing its lampstand.
• Pergamos, because it fellowshipped false teachers, was dim.
• Thyatira shone brightly in love, service, faith, and patience, but tolerated evil in its midst.
• Sardis was almost dead, but there were a few who kept the light burning dimly.
• Laodicea was lukewarm, making the Lord nauseous, which suggests that its light was almost gone.

So, that brings us back to the earlier question. What is the condition of the church where you worship? And what role are you playing in making it either a light bearer or a basket case? A congregation's light will be as strong as its members' cumulative efforts in carrying out the directions Jesus gave in Matthew 5.

None of us really knows the point at which the Lord no longer recognizes a church. But, we can do some assessing. Ask yourself how the church is viewed in the community where you worship. Is it seen as a powerful influence? Are its members perceived to be good Bible students, loving, caring, giving, people who have strong moral convictions? Or, are the church members viewed as fussers, unable to get along with one another, tolerant of sin, or lazy?

People, both those who are within the church, and those who are outside, tend to isolate themselves, to say "we're just minding our own business." But, my friends, the church is our business; and it is the church's business to shine, through word and deed, the gospel light.

Let me suggest that you conduct a light-intensity test. Make a list of the things you did last week to "shine the light" of God's word into the hearts of others. You can begin by listing your trips to the assembly. But also look specifically at your efforts, even if they involved just a few minutes in conversation, to teach friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

And do the same for the congregation where you worship. What is the church, as a group, doing to shine the gospel light? You can list what the preacher does, but look beyond that to what others, in fellowship, are doing to enlighten the dark world.

Now, we should acknowledge that we can't know what everyone is doing, or even fully assess the impact of our general demeanor on the folks around us; nevertheless, assessments are good. Just remember, as Revelation 2-3 makes clear, the Lord is performing his own assessment. And our lampstand's status is being weighed in the balances.

Let's also not forget that souls of lost men and women are at stake. Jesus is no longer walking, in person, on this earth. As He prepared to leave earth, he commissioned people, like us, to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." {Mark 16:16} Are you carrying out His commission?