The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (99)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on December 13, 2011
Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.5.1)
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we focused on the condemnation of the church in Thyatira by the Lord. We noted that although the Lord commended this church in very many areas (their charity, service, faith, patience, and continual growth and improvement), His condemnation was especially instructive. The church had not just tolerated erroneous doctrines being taught (the passive act of the church in Pergamos), but it had actually given authorisation (an active involvement) to a Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce its ministers with erroneous doctrines!
We noted the apparent similarity between the Jezebel in the Book of Revelation, and Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab. We thus looked at the nature of both Jezebels, as a means of understanding what a typical New Testament 'Jezebel' would be like. We noted that the New Testament 'Jezebel' may either be the wife of a church leader or a very influential individual in a church. She may be involved in the teaching ministry, worship team, children's church, or any other area of ministry in the church. So strong would be her influence that, she would be able to seduce even the ministers of God in the church, and get them to be involved in sexual immorality and idolatry. We also noted that the New Testament 'Jezebel' would have many followers, and would be unrepentant. We said that God would eventually destroy the New Testament 'Jezebel' and her followers, because they would not repent, but would forgive those ministers who repent and return to Him.
Of particular note was the fact that in both the case of King Ahab's wife, and the Jezebel in the church in Thyatira, their influence did not overtake everyone. There were those individuals who were victorious over their seduction; hence, we noted that if a person submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit, no New Testament 'Jezebel' will be able to seduce him! Other lessons we learnt as it relates to the church today were:
1. We should not recommend or authorize people to preach or teach in the church, unless we can vouch for their purity, integrity, and humility.
2. We should be very careful about who we allow to minister in the church, because they influence listeners, not only by what they say, but particularly, by their lifestyle.
3. We should avoid men and women we don't know anything about, speaking into our lives, in the name of the Lord.
4. The fact that a church is doing great things for God does not mean that it cannot harbour and authorize a 'Jezebel' to minister; so, let us beware!
5. We should avoid popular opinions which contradict the word of God; as well as popular ministers whose lives do not reflect the glory of God.
6. We should hold fast to the sound teachings which we already have in Christ, and not go about seeking 'new revelations' or so-called 'deep teachings' which have no biblical basis, because there really isn't anything new about such teachings! They are the doctrines of Satan, and have been around for a very long time!
7. We should remember that only Christ can give us 'power over the nations'; and that will be at the end of the age, to those who hold fast to Him and His doctrines until the end. So, don't be fooled by the devil into believing that he (the devil) can give you power over anyone for that matter.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-22; Revelation 3:1-6
We shall be studying the message to the church in Sardis tonight and next week. Our focus for tonight is the Lord's condemnation of this church; and next week, we see the basis for the eternal rewards promised the church if they repent. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to prepare us for eternity, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
It is very interesting to note that there really wasn't any commendation for the church in Sardis, but a scathing remark about their reputation which they probably thought was okay, but which the Lord had a different view about.
John 3:36; 1 John 5:12; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 3:36; 1:4-5; Psalm 34:5; 19:7a, 8b; 119:130; John 6:68; Ephesians 5:8-9, 11-20; Isaiah 60:1-2; Hebrews 5:11-13; 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-25; Luke 12:35-40.
Conclusion
The church in Sardis had a reputation as a living church, but in the Lord's eye, it was a dead church! This was not because its meetings and programmes were not filled with people who were boisterous and frenzied; but because, the Lord (Who is Life and Light), and His word (which gives life and light to those who hearken unto it) were possibly not acknowledged in the church!
The Lord's warning and condemnation couldn't have come at a more dire and urgent time, as it did; for, what was remaining of worthy account in the church, was about to die. Hence, the Lord challenged the church to wake up and arise from slumber, and the sleep of death; and, to begin to seek out the life and light of God which is in Christ and His word. To this end, He counselled them to return to the first principles of the Christian foundation (turning away from things that lead to death; turning to God in faith; knowing and living in the truth that we are to be one with Christ in His Body, His death, His Spirit, and His suffering; knowing and living in the truth of the laying on of hands for the purpose of true service and real spiritual blessings in heavenly places, rather than for things which have no eternal value; knowing and living in the truth that those who die in Christ will be raised up to eternal life, while those who die without Christ will be raised up to eternal death; and, knowing and living in the truth that those who die in Christ will receive eternal rewards of crowns, joy, etc., whereas those who die without Christ will receive their just punishment of eternal damnation in hell).
The lessons for us, today’s church, are:
1. We ought to focus on God's assessment of the church, rather than men's accolades or the clichés we ascribe to churches.
2. We need to ask the Lord for an assessment of our local assemblies, when men begin to give us accolades, so that we can have a proper assessment of our standing before God, and not be lost in the applause of men to our shame and detriment.
3. We need to awake to righteousness and ensure that we are hearing the unadulterated word of God, rather than be involved with the unfruitful works of darkness, and secular humanism.
4. We ought to firmly establish the first principles of the oracles of God (the Christian foundation), so that we can move on to perfection, and not keep laying again and again, the same foundation.
5. We should be aware that the Lord can return at anytime; hence we ought to walk circumspectly, and, seize every opportunity to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.
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