Living Faithfully in a Corrupt World
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of living faithfully for Jesus in a corrupt and materialistic world. He uses Ephesians 2:2 to explain that before encountering Jesus and receiving the Gospel, individuals are simply going with the flow of the world. However, the Book of Revelation serves as a reminder to not get lost in worldly ways and to understand the spiritual reality. The pastor then discusses the importance of evaluating different beliefs and behaviors without being judgmental or hypocritical. He argues that tolerance is not always a virtue, using examples such as experiencing injustice in the workplace or dealing with children who constantly act out in hurtful ways.
The pastor then focuses on the church in Thyatira, highlighting three key points: diagnosis, danger, and destiny. The diagnosis is that the church tolerates a woman named Jezebel, which Jesus sees as intolerable. The danger lies in Jezebel's teachings, which mislead the church. The pastor encourages the congregation to confront the neverlessness of life and grow through the commendations and critiques given by Jesus. He then discusses the provocative nature of the Book of Revelation and its relevance in the 21st century. The pastor encourages the congregation to reshape their view of reality and the world in order to see and understand the things that are real but often overlooked.
The pastor addresses the difficulty and fear that often surrounds the book of Revelation. He emphasizes that Jesus loves his church and reveals things in Revelation because he wants to protect his people from being drawn into the emptiness, pain, and disillusionment of the world. The pastor then introduces the concept of "Cosmos," the Greek word for world, which refers to a system organized by Satan. This world system is characterized by force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. The pastor warns the congregation about the danger of being drawn back into this worldly flow and urges them to live their lives based on the reality of the spiritual world described in Revelation.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of holding on to Jesus as the source of victory in life, despite any doubts or challenges that may arise. The pastor highlights that Jesus has already won the victory through his death and resurrection, and as believers, we can find strength and hope in this truth. The pastor concludes by praising God for the victory that is available to believers and encourages the congregation to prepare for communion. The pastor then prays for the congregation to hold on to God's love and victory at the cross.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of holiness and separation from the culture around us. He reminds the congregation that as believers, they are the Temple of the Living God, and God desires to live with them and walk among them. The pastor explains that being separate does not mean being judgmental or isolated, but rather being a culture and community that looks different from the world because they are a family that resembles their Heavenly Father. The pastor concludes by reminding the congregation that they will serve someone or something, and if it is not God, it will be the course of this world.
Key Takeaways:
- Before encountering Jesus and receiving the Gospel, individuals are simply going with the flow of the world. Revelation serves as a reminder to not get lost in worldly ways and to understand the spiritual reality ([12:45]).
- Tolerance is not always a virtue. Experiencing injustice in the workplace or dealing with children who constantly act out in hurtful ways are examples of situations where tolerance is not beneficial. It's important not to compromise God's word ([24:30]).
- The concept of "Cosmos," the Greek word for world, refers to a system organized by Satan. This world system is characterized by force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. Believers are warned about the danger of being drawn back into this worldly flow and are urged to live their lives based on the reality of the spiritual world described in Revelation ([36:20]).
- Holding on to Jesus is the source of victory in life, despite any doubts or challenges that may arise. Jesus has already won the victory through his death and resurrection, and as believers, we can find strength and hope in this truth ([48:15]).
- Holiness and separation from the culture around us is important. As believers, we are the Temple of the Living God, and God desires to live with us and walk among us. Being separate does not mean being judgmental or isolated, but rather being a culture and community that looks different from the world because we are a family that resembles our Heavenly Father ([59:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Revelation 2:18-29: "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.’ 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. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
2. Ephesians 2:2: "in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
3. Matthew 4:19: "Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the specific criticisms Jesus has against the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29?
2. In Ephesians 2:2, what does it mean to follow the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air?
3. What is Jesus inviting people to do in Matthew 4:19?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What might be the implications of tolerating teachings or behaviors that are contrary to God's word, as seen in the church in Thyatira?
2. How does the concept of 'Cosmos' or the world system organized by Satan relate to the ways of the world mentioned in Ephesians 2:2?
3. What does it mean to 'fish for people' as Jesus invites us to do in Matthew 4:19?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify any teachings or behaviors in your life that you have been tolerating, which might be contrary to God's word, similar to the church in Thyatira?
2. In what ways might you be following the 'Cosmos' or the world system organized by Satan, as described in Ephesians 2:2? What steps can you take to resist this?
3. How can you 'fish for people' in your daily life, as Jesus invites us to do in Matthew 4:19? Can you think of specific people or situations where you can apply this?
4. Reflecting on the concept of holiness and separation from the culture around us, in what ways does your life resemble the culture of the world? What changes can you make to resemble more of our Heavenly Father?
5. What is one specific action you can take this week to hold on to Jesus as the source of victory in your life, despite any doubts or challenges that may arise?
Devotional
Day 1: Resisting the Flow of the World
Before encountering Jesus and receiving the Gospel, individuals often find themselves simply going with the flow of the world. This worldly flow can be enticing and easy to follow, but it often leads to emptiness and disillusionment. As believers, we are called to resist this flow and instead align ourselves with the spiritual reality revealed in the Book of Revelation. [12:45]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: What are some ways you find yourself going with the flow of the world? How can you resist this and align yourself more closely with God's will?
Day 2: The Virtue of Intolerance
Tolerance is often praised as a virtue, but it is not always beneficial. There are situations, such as experiencing injustice or dealing with harmful behaviors, where tolerance can lead to compromise and harm. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith and not compromise God's word. [24:30]
Proverbs 25:26 - "Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked."
Reflection: Can you think of a situation where you tolerated something that was against God's word? How can you stand firm in your faith in similar situations in the future?
Day 3: Living in the Spiritual Reality
The concept of "Cosmos," the Greek word for world, refers to a system organized by Satan. This world system is characterized by force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. As believers, we are called to live our lives based on the reality of the spiritual world described in Revelation, not this worldly system. [36:20]
1 John 2:15-16 - "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."
Reflection: What are some ways you see the world system influencing your life? How can you live more in line with the spiritual reality described in Revelation?
Day 4: Holding onto Victory in Jesus
Despite the doubts and challenges that may arise in life, holding onto Jesus is the source of victory. Jesus has already won the victory through his death and resurrection, and as believers, we can find strength and hope in this truth. [48:15]
1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What are some doubts or challenges you are currently facing? How can you hold onto the victory in Jesus in these situations?
Day 5: Embracing Holiness and Separation
As believers, we are called to live a life of holiness and separation from the culture around us. This does not mean being judgmental or isolated, but rather being a culture and community that looks different from the world because we are a family that resembles our Heavenly Father. [59:30]
1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Reflection: How does your life reflect the holiness and separation called for as a believer? What are some ways you can better resemble your Heavenly Father in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Tolerance isn't always a virtue. If you experience injustice in the workplace, say from your boss treating you grossly different from fellow workers, would you tolerate that? No, you wouldn't, you shouldn't." ([17:49])
2. "You're tolerating something that I'm not tolerating is what Jesus is saying. You're tolerating something that I see as intolerable for my church." #!!16:29!!#
3. "There is a world system that we lose sight of. Revelation is bringing us back to understand the reality of that and how to live within that faithfully for Jesus." #!!06:40!!#
4. "Hold on to what you have until I come... hold on to what's true and what honors the word of God and you're going to have to choose and what you decide to choose is going to be all important because it will... begin to affect you and your family and the people that you're closest to." #!!37:34!!#
5. "He's won the victory through the cross he gives us two things at the end he says I will give Authority and I'll give him the Morning Star... it's amazing in Isaiah there's a reference to Satan when he fell as being the Morning Star but then then Revelation 22: 16 at the very end it says Jesus Christ is the Morning Star he has overcome Satan." #!!40:19!!#
6. "The church is called to be a culture and a community that looks different from the culture around us why because we have a family we are to be a family that resembles Our Father in Heaven that's why or to be a family that resembles we're Sons and Daughters of the God and God is saying not to he's saying this not to limit our lives but to free us and fulfill us because there's a spiritual reality that exists he's pulling back the veil that's what he's doing for for the church at thyra they'd begun to drift."
7. "In the sense of the present World System, the ethically bad sense of the word refers to the order or the arrangement under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his Cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure."
8. "Revelation seems hard to understand perhaps it seems um you know it's it can be frightening to people it's frighting to pastors it's why a lot pastors don't teach on it but it's it's like Jesus loves his church Jesus died his church died for his church Jesus is saying the things that he's saying and revealing the things that he's revealing and Revelation because he loves you and he doesn't want you to get drawn into the world and the the results that happen when we do the emptiness the pain the hurt the disillusionment that happens to so many people."
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