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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 7

Church in Philadelphia

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the last few weeks, we have been seeking to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we continue with the Church in Philadelphia

The church at Philadelphia is the one church of the seven that seems to be getting it completely, this is despite facing the opposition and challenges the other six churches face

Life isn’t any easier for the people at Philadelphia, they are simply more faithful, more loyal, and, by implication, obedient.

Here we will see Jesus offers no condemnation, only commendation and comfort.

Revelation 3:7-13

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Charles Swindoll

“Whatever I entrust to Him, He can take care of better than I…

Nothing under His control can ever be out of control.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“To rely on Christ’s word and cling to it offers greater security than all the securities in the world.”

Spiritual effectiveness is not measured by capability or capacity, It is measured by commitment.

Hebrews 10:36-39

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Ray Stedman

“Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.” As the times get harder and it is even more difficult to be a Christian, as hostility increases and the world becomes more and more secular and casts aside much of the trappings of Christianity that it had formerly practiced, then we must be careful that we do not give up and go along with worldly attitudes and worldly pursuits. We must not allow a desire for status, prestige, fame, a beautiful home and the things the world lusts for, to become central in our thinking.”

Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Pastor Brian Michaels

“Each and every day we hear the command of God. It may be something amazing, some ministry to engage, some miracle to perform, and we have no ability to accomplish the task. God does! He has every ability to accomplish through you whatever He would command to be done! More likely, the command will be more daily, perhaps even seemingly mundane: Love your wife; disciple your kids; be kind to your coworkers; serve your brother; forgive your neighbor. How many times have we encountered the impossibility of these tasks? And yet His word commands it! What a great time to fall on our face in humble submission to Him, asking for His Spirit to fill us and empower us to stand to our feet in simple, but profound, obedience. If we know He’s commanded it, we know He will enable us to obey it!”

Warren Wiersbe

“Its not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and commandments of the Lord.”

A CHURCH THAT IS FAITHFUL

WILL RECEIVE CHRIST FAVOR

Today, are you following Him faithfully?

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 7

Church in Philadelphia

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the last few weeks, we have been seeking to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we continue with the Church in Philadelphia

Esther 4:12-14

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Throughout Esther’s life, God’s had been upon her. Guiding her, providing for her and she had been faithful to follow him. Now before her was an opportunity, an open door to step into God’s redemption story for his people.

Mordecai says, “Hey don’t think that just because you’re the queen that you won’t be killed too.” “Esther if you don’t do anything, God’s plan of redemption will come from somewhere else.”

“But what if, what if Esther God has so orchestrated your life that you are in the Kings house for such a time as this?”

Will you be faithful?

As we continue in our teaching series The Seven Churches of Revelation, we will hear Christs words of encouragement to the Christians who in the face of persecution and challenge remained faithful to the Lord.

The Church at Philadelphia was facing just as much difficulty as the churches around them – Yet Jesus commends them for a job well done, and encourages them to hold on, to keep up the good work.

In fact, of all of the letters to the seven churches, the one before us today is, by far, the most positive. The most affirming.

What made them different than the other Churches?

What can we learn from the Church in Philadelphia that might change our church here in Elkton?

Revelation 3:7-8

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

The opening of the message to the church in Philadelphia begins with a focus on Jesus. He is the Holy one, pure, righteous, and true. He is sovereign and in control over all things, including his Church.

Many times, in the New Testament the phrase “open door” speaks of an opportunity to share the gospel of Christ. Jesus wants them to realize the opportunity that’s before them- It’s for such a time as this- I have given you this opportunity to take part in my redemption story and nobody can cut you off from that.

When it might have been easy for them to feel that they were too insignificant to make a difference- Jesus says, “I’m holding the door, I have a plan for you, let’s GO!”

Their lack of strength did not dis-qualify them from being used mightily by God.

While so many of the other churches in Revelation are called out for compromising with sin and denying Christ- The church in Philadelphia had been faithful.

Revelation 3:9-10

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

We see that these faithful believers found themselves amidst the heated contention between some professing Jews and the Christian community.

We read about this tension throughout the New Testament, especially in the book of Acts. Jewish leaders, more zealous for the law than for God, persecuted Christians severely, and it appears that was happening here too.

But, in the face of that opposition God makes it clear “I’ve God you. I will sort this out and they will know that you are my beloved”

Revelation 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Jesus’ one command for the Church in Philadelphia? HOLD ON! Keep doing what you’re doing, I am coming soon.

At his coming, the reward of the faithful will be realized for all eternity.

Revelation 3:12-13

The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The message to the faithful church ends with the hope filled reality of Christ, and the culmination of his redemption story. They will be safe and secure in the presence of God for all of eternity.

Revelation is a Jesus Letter, and in that there is great hope for those in Christ. We have the steadfast hope of eternity in heaven. The Church had Philadelphia had a hope they could rejoice in, and so do we!

We began this morning asking two questions:

What made Philadelphia different than the other Churches?

What can we learn that might change our church here in Elkton?

I want to propose 3 simple, yet important things we can take with us for the church in 2023:

i.Remain faithful

ii.Rely on God

iii.Rejoice in Hope

Esther 4:15-16

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther realized the opportunity God had placed before her in that moment. In calling her attendants along with Mordecai and all the Jews to fast- she relied on the Lord. And through her faithfulness, God spared the Jewish people from certain death.

And about 600 years later, Jesus speaks to the church at Philadelphia: “I know that you have little strength, “Yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name”

We don’t know what was on the other side of that open door of opportunity for the Church in Philadelphia- We don’t know the specifics of what God was calling them to do.

But what we know beyond any doubt is that God was pleased with the faithfulness of his people in Philadelphia. In their time, in their city, they were faithful.

Will that be said of us? In our lives, at home, at work, in our community- will that be said of us?

Let us remain faithful, rely on God, and rejoice in hope!

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Church in Sardis

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we continue with the Church in Sardis, found in Revelation 3:1-6.

Revelation 3:1-6

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

-Imagine hearing this from Jesus: “You have a reputation of being alive but you are dead.”

-Jesus is saying there is a huge and terrible distance between what is on the outside – what people see – and what is on the inside – what God sees.

-It’s worth considering that at one point, this church was alive. That’s the implication of the work that is ‘unfinished’. At one point, it was alive! But not anymore.

2 Timothy 3:5

having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

-Two verbs are central to the message to Sardis. And really, this is what Jesus means when he says, ‘wake up’: “Remember” and “Repent” (verse 3).

-Remember what you once did, more than what you did, who you were. Remember who God is. Remember what’s at stake. Remember the call.

-Repent of any standard than is less than His standard. Repent of any form of religion that looks alive and is really dead.

Some of the hardest words Jesus ever speaks are also filled with hope.

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! “

The letter to Sardis doesn’t say, “You’re dead. (Period)”

It says, “You’re dead, wake up!”

The resurrected Jesus is saying, “You are dead. Now come on, let’s get up! I am the resurrection and the life. I am your resurrection and your life.”

SCRIPTURE FOR FURTHER STUDY/REFLECTION:

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 23:27-28

1 Samuel 16:7

Revelation 3:1-6 (The Message)

3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks:

“I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.

2-3 “Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.

“If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.

4 “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 6

Church in Sardis

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we continue with the Church in Sardis found in Revelation 3:1-6

Matthew 21:18-19

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

This fig tree, beautifully adorned in leaves, having all the appearances of life, failed to produce what mattered most.

This was exactly what Jesus saw in the temple at Jerusalem. A place with all the outward appearances of religious life and fervor, but void of the true life, the fruit of relationship with God.

The outside was beautiful, but the inside was dead.

What do you think mattered most to Jesus? What matters most to him today?

Revelation 3:1-6

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Can you imagine a more alarming or dreadful declaration from the Lord? You are dead… Think about that

Some of the other churches in revelation have received some harsh words, but Sardis is declared DEAD

“To be called dead by the one who brings LIFE, is a very serious inditement” – Beth Elyard

For the church, the people who are supposed to bear the name “Christian” to be declared dead by the giver of life, that is a serious problem.

Jesus said of himself in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that to the full”

So, what happened? Perhaps we might even ask- what was the cause of death?

What should we learn as we listen into the message to Sardis today?

Thankfully for you and for me- Jesus, the giver of life, is here. Speaking through is word, searching our hearts by his spirit- inviting us to partake in the life that only he can give.

Revelation 3:1

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

As we would seek to understand the cause of death as it were for this church, it becomes tricky to nail down specifics.

In the scripture, there is no doctrinal error highlighted.

There is no specific heresy mentioned, when that was true for many of the other churches in Revelation.

There is not even any persecution or pressure.

Later, Jesus will refer to a few that have remained pure- so we can assume that sin has crept its way into the church- but we don’t know specifics.

Whatever happened in the first century church of Sardis, faces us with this truth today: Outward appearances are meaningless without true life in Christ.

All of the things a church can be known for, a warm welcome, big parking lot, dynamic band, awesome preacher, works in the community- all of those things are no substitute for relationship, earnest seeking of the person of Christ.

Revelation 3:2

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.

For the Church in Sardis, it was not that they never started the work- It’s not that they weren’t ever alive- it’s that they have stopped pursuing Christ and settled for religious busyness instead.

Jesus in rousting them from their slumber, calling them back to their life at the beginning.

Revelation 3:3

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Jesus calls the church in Sardis to remember the message, remember the life they experienced when they first encountered Christ.

The call out of a religious slumber is to remember and hold fast to intimacy with Christ Jesus.

Jesus says to the church- if you don’t wake up, if you don’t stand guard and be alert to this warning- I will come like a thief, when you least expect it. Wake up! Repent of your empty ways!

Revelation 3:4-6

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

We begin to understand the desperate state of the church when we realize that there were only a few that had not embraced sin and forfeited their purity.

In the churches we have covered so far, it was only a few embracing the false teaching or idolatry. We begin to realize- Sardis was all but dead…

But Revelation is a Jesus letter- and in that there is hope for those who will seek Him. To this nearly fatal church, Jesus invites them back to life.

Whoever has ears let him hear- Wake up! Repent! Remember and return to the life you had at first.

The thought of looking alive and having great things happening yet being dead causes me to come to a full stop and reflect on that possibility.

That was the message to Sardis, and the severity is still relevant for us today.

One of the most haunting passages in the new testament for me doesn’t come from revelation, but the sermon on the mount.

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Do you think they realized that they were missing relationship with the Lord in the midst of all their success? Did the Church at Sardis realize anything was wrong amidst their seeming success?

Friend, would you want to know that hard truth today?

Would you want to know that the comfortable place you are in is actually void of the power and life of God?

Would you be willing to hear his call to purity, to leave sin behind in pursuit of him?

The very fact that you are here this morning says one thing: You aren’t dead yet. And the author and giver of life is holding out His hand…

His spirit is here, He is calling you to life- will you wake up and repent?

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If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org

Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ!

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Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Church in Thyatira

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”

Over the next several weeks we will seek to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.

Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.

Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor

Today we continue with the Church in Thyatira, found in Revelation 2:18-29

What do we know about Thyatira?

-It was a commercial center in the Roman Empire.

-It was most well-known for its many trade guilds: these associations of artisans, makers of bronze, leather, wool and linen. In today’s world we would call them the unions.

-Unlike today’s unions, these guilds were religious – tightly connected to the pagan religion of the day. So if you wanted opportunities to work or do business, you could renounce Christ and follow paganism, or risk losing your living.

Revelation 2:18-25

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

Jesus begins by commending the church. The four “L’s” of Thyatira

1. A laboring church…”I know your deeds…”

2. A loving church… “…your love…”

3. A loyal church… “…your faith…”

4. A longsuffering church… “your service and perseverance…”

-While much is right with the church at Thyatira, Jesus has significant problems with them. Specifically, the problem is what they ‘tolerate’.

-The church tolerates sin, specifically sexual sin. They tolerate idolatry, placing something else, anything else, before the Lord.

-Jesus declares that He is the ultimate judge.

As you read these words, words of judgement, words of suffering, you might be asking…

‘Where is the hope?’

Jesus ends this specific letter pointing to hope. There is victory in Christ. It is an invitation to find hope in Him alone.

The obvious application of this text is to ask ourselves:

Where am I compromising?

What sin is present in my life?

What am I tolerating?

But there is a deeper issue present here than just our actions.

Revelation 2:26-28

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

The Psalmist models an ‘inside-out’ transformation. It begins first in our hearts.

The root of the problem for the church in Thyatira is the same problem we face: we are called to be holy. A holiness begins from within.

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Holiness is the perfect love of God poured out into our hearts and through our hearts.

-We don’t achieve holiness, but instead we receive it.

-If you pursue holiness you will never find it. But if you pursue Jesus you will find holiness every time.

“If you think you can walk in holiness without keeping up perpetual fellowship with Christ, you have made a great mistake. If you would be holy, you must live close to Jesus.”

-Charles Spurgeon

“Purity is too deep down for me to get to naturally; but when the Holy Spirit comes in, He brings into the center of my life the very Spirit that was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit, who is unsullied purity.”

-Oswald Chambers

Bottom Line:

God wants all of us

SCRIPTURE FOR FURTHER STUDY/REFLECTION:

-Acts 15:20

-Acts 16:13-14

-2 Kings 9:33-36

-Song of Songs 2:15-17

-Psalm 2:9

Revelation 2:18-29 (The Message)

18 Write this to Thyatira, to the Angel of the church. God’s Son, eyes pouring fire-blaze, standing on feet of furnace-fired bronze, says this:

19 “I see everything you’re doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence. Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day.

20-23 “But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion? I gave her a chance to change her ways, but she has no intention of giving up a career in the god-business. I’m about to lay her low, along with her partners, as they play their sex-and-religion games. The bastard offspring of their idol-whoring I’ll kill. Then every church will know that appearances don’t impress me. I x-ray every motive and make sure you get what’s coming to you.

24-25 “The rest of you Thyatirans, who have nothing to do with this outrage, who scorn this playing around with the Devil that gets paraded as profundity, be assured I’ll not make life any harder for you than it already is. Hold on to the truth you have until I get there.

26-28 “Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You’ll rule the nations, your Shepherd-King rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave me; I pass it along to you—and with it, the Morning Star!

29 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

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Thank you for your partnership in the Kingdom of Christ! https://www.cotnaz.org/giving/