Sermon Central
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Almost Perfect
Contributed by Andy Grossman on Aug 14, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: This church was almost perfect - but not quite
“Almost Perfect”
August 8, 2013
“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.”
What a wonderful week at Family Camp we had. Twelve of us from our Church were able to go. It was amazing how God worked everything out. There were 12 bunks and 12 of us. The cabin had a divider in it - 4 on one side – 8 on the other. We had 4 guys and 8 girls. The preaching was phenomenal. The activities were awesome; Zip line, Rock climbing wall, swimming in the Yuba River; Water color painting and wood carving. The spiritual activities included morning Bible Study at 7:30am; Chapel at 10:00am, then an evening service at 7:00pm. We also got the chance to visit with old friends. Monica got reacquainted with friends from her childhood. What stories they had to tell! What spiritual battles were being fought! It was just an absolutely awesome week.
The staff sounded like they were right out of the Bible; Jeremiah, Elijah, and Steven were our leaders. God’s hand was on them as they led us in worship and to a deeper spiritual walk.
Our Chaplain or Evangelist was Jeremiah Bolich – and what an awesome job he did. He shared from his book, “Jezebel – a portrait of Sin”. Every message was awesome. He has such a simple and unique way of sharing God’s Word. Even the kids could understand and enjoy the messages. What a blessing to see all of us down at the alter seeking a closer walk with God.
Jeremiah used the churches in Revelation as the background for his messages. He did an awesome job of researching the Greek and then delivered the message in such a fun and understandable way. I am not going to copy what he did – I couldn’t do it. But as I read about the churches and took in what Jeremiah had to say- it brought some thoughts to my mind. I want to share with you my take on the Church that was almost perfect – Thyatira.
This is Jesus talking and his description of Himself is,
“...eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.”
Jesus didn’t really look like this. It was symbolism. The bronze feet represented the firm foundation of Christ – strong, solid, and unmovable. The eyes represented holiness. Jesus looked through eyes of purity. I want to see as Jesus saw – don’t you? I want to look at people and the world through Jesus’ eyes. I don’t want to see through selfish, sinful eyes. I want to see through eyes of love and compassion – as Jesus did.
The part that caught my attention in this section of Scripture was that nineteenth verse.
“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.”
WOW! That’s some pretty nice things Jesus is saying about this church! He knows our deeds. Deeds are important. Jesus’ brother, James, says;
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
