Sunday, February 18, 2018

THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA Part 2


Seven Keys
Living Life in Uncertain Times
RF, February 18, 2018
The Corrupt Church: Thyatira
The Key of Integrity, Part 2

CONNECT Bridge video…

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge suffered a catastrophic failure due to a lack of structural integrity. Integrity comes from a word meaning “intact”.

Five reasons for integrity failure…
1.     The structure is not strong and tough enough to support the load.
2.     Fatigue or corrosion.
3.     Manufacturing errors.
4.     Defective materials.
5.     Unexpected problems.

TENSION Can we stay intact when crisis comes? Carey Nieuwhof points out that “The tension is that no one sees the problem until the storm hits.” 

SOLUTION We need to make sure we build a life of structural integrity, so we can survive and thrive in times of crisis.

INSTRUCTION There is something we need to guard against in our own lives and in our church life.  There is a always the temptation to accept the morays of the present culture as normative in the church.  This is where the church at Thyatira is. Many will say that the church needs to be progressive in its outlook and re-interpret the sayings of the Bible in the light of this present age.  This is dangerous. Scripture may have many applications, but only one interpretation. When we apply the Word of God to our lives, it cannot contradict the clear teaching of the Bible! To do so will bring death.

Revelation 2:21-23 (NKJV) And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

This is so scary. When we dont hold to the basic principles of the Word, death comes in waves!

Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

When you look at the seven churches you see a gradual decline.  Ephesus loses their first love; Smyrna is dealing with intense persecution and poverty; Pergamos is compromising; Thyatira is corrupt; Sardis is dead! Philadelphia is persevering, but Laodicea is in danger of being totally rejected by God!

The scary thing is that all this is happening within one generation after the birth of the church! There had been a complete generational shift in the space of some 40 years.  Brothers and sisters, this could happen again at any time, any place, anywhere.  We must be on guard against it.

Each succeeding generation will exponentially increase what we leave them, either good or bad. It has been said that self-indulgence is allowing in moderation what the next generation will practice in excess.

TEXT Revelation 2:24-25 (NKJV) Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come.

There is always a remnant! They can turn the entire situation around!

The is the key for today: Hold fast, the key of integrity.

Proverbs 10:9 (NKJV) He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known.

Proverbs 28:6 (NKJV) Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

What is integrity? Merriam-Webster

1.     Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility

1 Peter 1:23 (NKJV) having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever...

2.     An unimpaired condition: soundness

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Corinthians 5:13 (NKJV) For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
3.     The quality or state of being complete or undivided: completeness

Colossians 2:9–10 (NKJV) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THE PROCESS

Do I have integrity?  Two questions…

Am I the same in private as I am in public?

If I lack integrity, how can I build it into my life?

I Corinthians 3:11-13 (NKJV) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

What are you building with?

The first three are permanent and eternal…

Gold - Revelation 3:18 NKJV I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fireGod’s righteousness…

Position... Practice...

Silver – Psalms 12:6 (NKJV) The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. The Word of God…

Logos… Rhema…

Precious stones - Revelation 21:19-21 (NKJV) The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones... Kingdom building…

Word… Worship… Witness… Work…

Wood, hay, straw: all temporary and temporal…

Are you living for here or eternity?

THE PRIZE

Revelation 2:26-29 (NKJV) And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power (authority) over the nations. He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels — as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star (Jesus). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

INVITATION

HASHTAG #integrity

No comments:

Post a Comment