Now let’s go to the last book in the Bible and discover some challenging comparisons.

In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus sends messages to seven churches. I am not here to debate whether these are seven specific churches or seven types of churches or seven prophetic pictures of future eras of the Universal Church or a combination of the three. What I do want to delve into is the correlation between the messages to these churches and Romans 12.

The church in Ephesus was commended for their perseverance (Ro. 12:12) even with their exposure to evil (Ro. 12:17) and their unwavering diligence (Ro. 12:9). But they were chastised for leaving their first love and commanded to renew that love relationship (Ro. 12:11).

The church in Smyrna was commended for their endurance through tribulation though they were poor, and they were warned that some among them would go through great trial. But God would be with them so they should remain faithful and have hope (Ro. 12:12).

The church in Pergamum was commended for holding fast to the name of Jesus even among the very essence of evil (Ro. 12:17). They did not deny their faith in Jesus (Ro. 12:21). They were chastised for allowing false teaching within their congregation which caused a stumbling block before the unsaved (Ro. 12:9).

The church in Thyatira was commended for their deeds (Ro. 12:13 & 20), their love, their faith (Ro. 12:11), and their perseverance (Ro. 12:12). They were chastised for allowing a woman, referred to as Jezebel, to lead the saints astray into ungodly living by disguising her immoral teaching as prophecy (Ro.12:21).

The church in Philadelphia was commended for keeping Jesus’ word (Ro. 12:11) and for not denying His name (Ro. 12:9). They are challenged to hold fast to what they have, so they would not lose their crown (Ro. 12:12).

The church in Laodicea was the only church not commended for anything, but rather they were chastised for their lukewarm love and service.   

Like the flawed marketing of my house, I believe many one anothers market the worst that is in us. Jealousy, bitterness, anger, envy, and even hate are the first things an unbelieving world sees within the family of God. Discontent, worry, and fear are the qualities we advertise in bold bright lights on the marquees Jesus has entrusted to us. It shouldn’t be surprising that unbelievers don’t want to open the door and see what’s inside let alone make their way through the corridors and witness the beautiful view of Christ’s love for them. 

There wasn’t much that could be done to the front of our house in St. Louis. A few bushes and flowers help, but the basic structure of the house is just odd. Unless the landlord wanted to tear the house down and start over, there is only so much that can be done to the current front view of this house. It doesn’t really matter any way. You see, once we were moved in and settled into the charm of our home, we didn’t even notice the odd look; in fact, it added to the overall appeal of the neighborhood. But there is one very important difference between my house scenario and living together as one anothers. 

Yes, as long as we tarry on this earth there will be sin and ugliness among us. Yes, from the outside we do look odd and peculiar and maybe a tad bit blah, but our structure has been totally rebuilt through the shed blood of the Master Carpenter! Our problem is we keep picking up those torn down and discarded pieces and try to paste them to God’s new structure and it just doesn’t work. The result is a hodge-podge marketing strategy that sends mixed messages to those around us so they never bother to open the door and see what is inside. We have to get out of God’s way and stop trying to re-do what He has already accomplished.

Our job is to invite people to come inside. Sure they will still see our sin and disobedience. But they will also see God’s amazing grace, forgiveness, and love. They will see the difference Jesus has made in our lives because we are His disciples. And they will see the radiance of His love and grace shining brighter than any marquee lights have ever shone on Broadway

Discussion

• Look up the following one another passages and give a one-or two-word phrase of their relevance to Jesus’ marketing strategy and the importance of Jesus’ marquee in your life.

• Romans 13:8

• Galatians 5:13

• Ephesians 4:2

• I Thessalonians 5:13

• II Thessalonians 1:3

• Hebrews 10:24

• I Peter 1:22-23

• I Peter 4:8

Paul gives another astonishing and practical list of how we are to love one another and be that marquee; that tent of refuge for those in our circle of influence. Keep in mind where the Roman believers lived and that they were surrounded by the very antithesis of the attributes given in this passage. 

Paul realizes this and reminds them in Romans 11:33-36 that through God all things exist and are made possible. He then connects the logical line to the first two verses in Chapter 12: because God is God, they, the Roman believers (and us), should not be like the world. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. But to what end? Often we stop at Romans 12:2. The end product of this renewal and sound judgment are the attributes described from verses nine through twenty-one.

v.9) Love is not hypocritical. It abhors evil and clings to what is good. What do we cling to? Do we abhor evil? Or do we call evil good and good evil?

v. 10) Love is devoted to one another and is friendly. It gives others preference and honor. Can we say we are devoted to and give preference to our one anothers?

v. 11) Love is diligent. It is fervent in spirit. Love serves the Lord. Do we realize when we love we are serving the Lord? Do we do that from deep within?

v. 12) Love rejoices in hope. It perseveres in trouble. It is devoted in prayer. Do we radiate hope as we rise from our knees? Or are we all gloom and doom? Are we even on our knees?

v. 13) Love meets the needs of the saints (one anothers). It practices hospitality. Do we see the needs? Do we want to see the needs or are they too easily ignored?

v. 14) Love blesses those who persecute. It does not curse. Do we wear the full armor of God to withstand the evil one who prowls around?

v. 15) Love rejoices with those rejoice. It weeps with those who weep. Can we rejoice when others succeed? Do we weep or rejoice when others get their due?

v. 16) Love is unified among one anothers. Love is not haughty. Love hangs out with the lowly. How well do the “classes” of society mingle in our local churches?

v. 17) Love does not repay evil for evil. It respects what is right. When was the last time we turned the other cheek? Do we really want what is right?

v.18) Love is at peace with all men. If it depended on us, can we be at peace with even one person let alone all people?

v. 19) Love does not take revenge. Love defers to God’s holy vengeance. Are we plotting on how to get others back? Are we anxiously waiting for God to get the other guy?

v. 20) Love feeds the hungry enemy. It gives the thirsty enemy a drink. Can we meet the needs of our enemies in the love of Jesus? Are we willing to try?

v. 21) Love is not overcome with evil. It overcomes evil with good. Are we overcome or are we overcomers?

Jesus was and is a marketer. That may seem way too secular, but it’s true. And, as with all things He is and does, He is a Master Marketer. Though I am sure He would fail even the most basic marketing exam given in today’s classroom. You see, Jesus doesn’t need millions of WWJD bracelets to be sold online. Nor does He need thousands of John 3:16 t-shirts to be distributed at sold-out concerts. He doesn’t need His name in lights. He doesn’t even need millions of Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest fans. Gasp! 

Jesus simply needs you and me to love another.

Simple? Well, probably not very simple since you and I are like stupid sheep and uncooperative clay. We complicate the whole marketing plan with our petty squabbles and unrighteous indignation when Jesus is calling us to let our light shine.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

That doesn’t mean we should never buy a bracelet or t-shirt. Nor does it mean we shouldn’t use every possible technology for the sake of the Gospel and God’s glory. What it does mean is that all of those things are dreadfully ineffective when our lights are hidden under baskets of sounding brass and clanging cymbals. (Remember I Corinthians 13?) 

I fear that we who claim Jesus as Savior have replaced loving one another with gadgets and gimmicks and programs, even good ones. And the world sees right through our façade…but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can tear down the walls of pretension and, with reckless abandon, love one another. Paul tells us how in Romans 12:9-21. I encourage you to read the entire context of Romans 12 as we hit the highlights in the next section. 

The origin of “marquee” goes back to 1690 and means “large tent.” It was actually a linen canopy placed over an officer’s tent to distinguish it from those of the enlisted men. It was first used to describe the canopy over a theater’s entrance in 1934 which often included the name of the film or play and its stars. In those days, it was the hope of every aspiring entertainer to see their name in lights on such a marquee. Even with today’s massive and instant technology, seeing one’s name in lights on a marquee still conveys a sense of “I have arrived.”

Now whether the person truly has arrived may or may not be accurate. In reality, that doesn’t even matter because his name is on the marquee so we believe he has arrived and we pay attention. We may even put down some hard-earned cash to see what all the fuss is about. We pass under the marquee and enter the venue with the unproven, yet strong assumption that said person has indeed arrived. If we are wise, we will also enter with a healthy dose of skepticism, looking for proof of “arrival.” Often, however, we lay aside good common sense and carelessly believe what is up in lights. And that is what every good marketer is hoping for.

I can say this without malice because I have spent a good portion of my adult life marketing everything from used cars to life saving messages to…well…myself. I have a knack for taking what might be considered ordinary and easily passed over (including me) and making it appear significant, desirable, and necessary. This skill isn’t bad or evil when mixed with integrity. In fact, I know I would have missed out on many great entertainers, authors, and causes if a good marketer hadn’t done their job. Conversely, many great books, music, and worthwhile deals go unnoticed because they are not marketed well. 

For example, the wonderful house we lived in while in St. Louis, MO would never have been our home if God had not intervened. Several years ago my husband took a job in St. Louis, MO and it fell on me to find a place for us to live. So I packed a suitcase, grabbed my favorite pillow, and made the eight hour drive. I had three days to find a home and settle the arrangements. With the help from the largest marquee of them all, the Internet, I had a formidable list of potential rental homes. I even found a realtor or two willing to show me a few properties.

By the end of day two, I had drilled down the list of dozens to two very nice, but very different properties. I had one problem though: neither was just right and I was conflicted. I made a final call on a property that seemed okay. It was realtor number three who answered. She would be glad to meet me the next morning at ten ‘o clock to show me the property, and she would bring some other potential properties she knew about. 

The marketing of house number three should’ve have excited me. The description, the pictures, and the location all screamed this is the one. But I was still conflicted. My daughter can attest to that thanks to the midnight phone call. Thankfully, she is a night owl.

Anyway, ten ‘o clock rolls around and I am walking through house number three. I could’ve saved myself time and just turned around after I walked through the front door because I knew instantly it wasn’t the right one. But I was afraid I was being too skeptical, too picky, and besides, I was running out of time. I sighed and so did the realtor at my disappointment. 

However, true to good realtor form she pulled out a dozen MLS sheets. I’d seen them all except for two. I really liked one of the two. She called the owner, but I couldn’t see it until two days later. That was two days too late. I was down to the last house.

I told her I had seen that house listed several different places on the Internet and it just wasn’t very appealing. Just one picture taken of the front and it was pretty blah…actually more like ugly. She assured me it was great on the inside and it had a nice view, something very important to me. As we pulled into the driveway, I decided I had been wrong; it was not that ugly. It was just odd, as were the rest of the houses in the cul-de-sac. They were best described as eclectic and so were their occupants, a wonderful diverting feature of the neighborhood as I later discovered.

I cannot describe the despair and sense of failure I felt as I dragged myself to the front door and waited for my new house guide to finagle the lock box and get the door open. Then I stepped inside! In front of me, looking through the massive L-shaped windows was the most magnificent view one could ask for in a big city in the Midwest. I walked onto the deck. I was in the tree tops and in my version of heaven on earth. This was it!

I remember walking through the rest of the house trying to concentrate on important things like structural integrity and running water, but all the while wondered why the owner didn’t show off that back view. The most important aspect of the house was never marketed. It was the worst feature, the front view that was publicized. I almost missed the perfect fit for us.