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!

If these outlines are of some benefit to you,

a note, postcard, or phone-call would be most welcome!


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