13 VIII 2017 [Preacher: Leon Johnson]
Leon sets the scene and talks about bringing up his children. As a Dad, he finds himself asking: “Am I going to let them [my children] get away with that [bad behaviour]?” He doesn't want to be a strict or intolerant father.
> How would you feel if someone called you intolerant?
> What do you understand by the word?
(In)tolerance is a big issue in today's society - its definition has been ‘changed’: it seems as though if you don't accept everyone's beliefs and support them, you can be accused of being bigoted or similar. There is a pressure to accept, without challenge, every view, lifestyle and so on that is dissimilar to your own. Today's tolerant society is very intolerant of having a (strong) view or conviction.
The letter to the church in Thyatira [Revelation 2:18-29] shows the church’s struggle with this issue. [*see bottom of page for extended notes*]. The church was being compromised from external pressure (society/trade guilds) and internal pressure (Jezebel). Leon makes reference to an OT story about another ‘Jezebel’: Jezebel persuaded her husband (Ahab) to build an altar to Baal, and then a further altar to another god. Jezebel raised up hundreds of false prophets. Her message was one of compromise - living for God and living for Baal. She knew the message she was spreading wasn't true [1 Kings 18:21].
Jezebel in this (Revelation) passage was doing something similar. Jesus says the tolerance of this false teaching is unfaithful to him. He offers her time to repent, but on her refusal He strongly condemns her [v.21 & 23]. In the gospel the church is warned to ‘watch out for false prophets’ [Mt 7:13-15].
> Do you see this happening in your life?
> Where/How have you compromised your relationship with God?
> What part of it is suffering as a result?
> What steps could you take to stand your ground for Christ?
Jesus calls us to become holy, sanctified. He calls us to be set apart. Jesus calls us to love. He was so intolerant of our failings (sinfulness) that he left heaven, became a man, took on sin. He came to show us another way to live. Jesus operates on a level higher than intolerance - one of love. He doesn't call us to be intolerant of beliefs, but he does ask us to stand up and propose our beliefs to the world.
> How do we love people we disagree with?
Jesus was/is an instrument of hope to the world. We’re not called to mimic the world, but to be loyal to Jesus in whatever place or circumstances we find ourselves. It starts with us. Hold on, hold fast to what you have until He comes again. Don't compromise [v.24-25]. When the ‘morning star’ [v.28] (Jesus) appears he brings the kingdom of God in behind him - fix your eyes upon Him.
> How can you seek out God in all of life's circumstances?
> What practical helps can you share with the group that help you to 'hold on' in the midst of life's struggles?
Leon’s references:
Revelation 2:18-29
Hebrews 4:13
1 Kings 18:21
Matthew 7:13-15
1 Peter 4:17
*EXTENDED NOTES*
Read the passage and/or listen to Leon’s full message here: http://kerith.church/media/sermons.php)...but first, note:
> Jesus identifies himself as the Son of God - emphasising His divinity. He is all seeing, all knowing and the judge.
> Jesus’ eyes that are ‘blazing fire’ [v.18] see everything. He sees the good and the bad in our lives. ‘Nothing in creation is hidden from God’s sight’ [Hebrews 4:13]
The church in Thyatira are comprising themselves by tolerating Jezebel. They’re not just tolerating it/her, but rather they are living happily, absorbing it. The idolatry, the sexual immorality [v.20]. They were doing some good things too [v.19] - and growing in their faith - but they were conforming to live a certain way. As Christians, they were trying to swim against the tide but they were struggling against the pressure of the ‘real world’.
By following Jesus they were going against the grain as they lived in the city of Apollos (the god of sunlight). Christians were ‘forced’ to get involved in the culture of the city: It was a prosperous city, but it was difficult to get a job if you weren't a skilled person - you had to be a member of the trade guild. The guild heavily influenced the lives of people in the city. Idolatry was part of it as were sacrifices to false gods.
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