A Tale Of Seven Churches: Thyatira Series

The fact remains today that as we lower our standards in a few things it becomes increasingly easier to lower them in all things. An old middle eastern proverb says “Once the camel puts his nose in the door of your tent if won’t be long before he is sleeping in your bed.” I’m sure that the phrase that Jezebel used was “everyone else is doing it.” And the major downfall of this church was their toleration of sin.

Regardless of the outward appearances of religiosity, regardless of the wonderful things a church does, regardless of how accepted a church is, if it‘s clergy has gotten to the place where sin is tolerated and indeed encouraged then the church has become apostate and adulterous, and all we have to do is look around the ecclesiastical landscape to find examples.

Once we forsake the Bible as the ultimate authority for our beliefs, our actions and our morals we have lost the right to be called a Christian church. The warning then is this: a church that is crowded with people and overflowing with activity is not necessarily a real church. It is possible for a church to be crowded because it’s people come to be entertained, not instructed. To be soothed instead of confronted with their sin and the offer of salvation. It may be a highly popular Christian Country Club rather then a real Christian congregation.

And then we read in Revelation 2:24-26 But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, really). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.

“ To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.

7) Their Promise There it is again, hold tightly, be victorious, don’t give up. You see what happened to the church in Thyatira isn’t limited to churches; individuals can fall as far and as hard as an entire congregation. Men and women who once accepted the authority of Christ and the direction of the word of God, who began to falter and one sin led to another, and another until finally they were no different then the world. But they refuse to give up the title “Child of the King.” Whether they are entitled to heaven or not will never be resolved this side of eternity, but they are not entitled to smear the name of Jesus with their actions. Again the promises of Christ are to those who overcome and are obedient until the end.

In closing here are words from the book of Hebrews 11:40 For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. So where you at? How’s the race going? You’ve started are you still running?

PowerPoint may be available for this message contact me at denn@bccnet.ca

If you could build a church for a dollar. . .

Would you?