Title: Church, Defend Truth!
Text: Rev. 2:18-29
Tracing: Preached on 6/10/90 at SDCC.
Topic: False teachers
Theme:
Nutshell: Even an otherwise strong church can be crippled by a false
teacher.
Objectives:
Prim Goal :
Intnd Aud.:
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Intro.: ÿWhat must it be like to stand before a divine being with head and
hair of the purest white, ÿwith eyes as bright as fire, ÿwith feet
glowing like white-hot metal, with a voice as loud as a waterfall?
It would be rather awe-inspiring wouldn't it?
And ÿthen ÿ- to have this divine being begin speaking of ÿYour
church in this way - "I know your deeds, your love and faith, your
service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you
did at first."
Wouldn't we have our heads in the clouds? This is just the way
that ÿJesus ÿbegins his letter to the church in Thyatira ÿin ÿRev.
2:18. Read v.18,19.
The ÿchurch ÿat ÿEphesus was criticized for a lack of ÿlove ÿ-
Thyatira ÿhad love. ÿThe church in Smyrna was comforted in a time
of ÿpersecution - Thyatira was not experiencing persecution. ÿThe
church ÿin ÿPergamum had the misfortune to be located in ÿa ÿmajor
center ÿof idolatry with idols to Caesar, ÿAsklepios, ÿand Zeus ÿ-
Thyatira had no major temples of idolatry.
Not ÿonly that but they were producing fruits - commended ÿfor
their ÿlove and the service which flows from love - commended ÿfor
their faith and the perseverance which comes from faith.
And they were still improving! Growing, maturing, ministering
more and more.
They ÿwere a STRONG CHURCH! ÿBut then the Lord continues with
His statement to them v.20
Jezebel - sidonian wife of Ahab, idolator.
perhaps more Nicolaitanism.
evidently already confronted by John or someone else.
Sarcasm from Jesus! "She wants a bed ... I'll give her a bed!"
Probably adultery in both senses - lit. and fig. for idolatry
Punish those who compromise, kill those won over by her
History ÿgives us further clues: ÿtrade guilds with individual
"gods". ÿÿParticipation ÿwas perceived to be mandantory ÿfor ÿthe
successful ÿoperation ÿof ÿa ÿbusiness or ÿtrade. ÿÿIdolatry ÿwas
involved and, as with virtually all idolatry, sexual immorality of
all kinds followed.
2
Main point of this is that EVEN AN OTHERWISE STRONG CHURCH CAN
BE ÿCRIPPLED ÿBY ÿA ÿFALSE ÿTEACHER. ÿAnd ÿnow ÿwe ÿcan ÿsee ÿthe
significance ÿof the description of Jesus. ÿHe went ÿthrough ÿthe
refining ÿfire (can either remove impurities or test for them) ÿÿ-
now, so would Thyatira.
What to do about False teachers?
Body:
I. DON'T BE MISLED.
How to recognize:
Justify ÿsin (Homosexuality, ÿfornication, ÿdivorce, ÿÿcorrupt
business)
Rely ÿÿon ÿ"Experience" ÿÿover ÿscripture, ÿÿsubjective ÿÿover
objective.
Supercede or contradict Scripture
Divisive in character and conduct
II. REMOVE THEM IF POSSIBLE.
Only ÿin ÿthe ÿearly ÿstages - ÿnotice ÿthat ÿwhile ÿthey ÿare
criticized ÿfor tolerating Jezebel, ÿthey are not told ÿto ÿremove
her!
III. HANG ON THROUGH THE TURMOIL.
Damage to reputation and tranquility but no other burden.
continue to the end and we will rule with Jesus.
Conc.:
Comments:
Prepared by Scott L. Purcell
Minister of Stokelan Drive Christian Church
1501 Stokelan Drive
Malden, MO 63863
(314) 276-2343
Reproduce, modify, and use freely
for the glory of God and the Growth of the Kingdom!
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