In Acts 4, there really is a great story of the Jerusalem Church. Due to the ongoing prayers of this church, notice what happened. “The place was shaken” (verse 31). Oh that we might ALL be filled or yielded to God’s Spirit! Their prayer was answered for “they spake the word of God with boldness.”

Thousands of believers were “of one heart and one soul.” They freely shared with each other and “had all things common.” God gave “great power” to the apostles and “great grace was upon them all.” What a church! Would you like to have a church like that today?

However, there is another case study of a church found in Revelation 3. We flash forward in time some 50 years. The gospel went out from the Jerusalem church to the entire Mediterranean world even to the Lycus valley of Phrygia to Laodicea.

About 100 miles east of Ephesus, Laodicea was at the intersection of three major highways, a busy center of commerce with many banks and financiers. They produced a highly demanded wool as well as many ancient medicines. They built theaters, a huge stadium, lavish public baths and shopping centers. It was a sort of Chase Bank, Park Place Mall and U of A football stadium all rolled into one.

The Church of Laodicea was never visited by Paul, but he mentions this church four times in the book of Colossians. At least early on, this was a great church for there is no correction from the apostle. Don’t miss tomorrow as we see a dramatic change in this church. May God help us.