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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

An 1800 Year Old Quote about Modesty


 John Chrysostom, c. 347 – 407 said, 

“You carry your snare everywhere and spread your nets in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not, indeed, by your words, but you have done so by your dress and your deportment. … When you have made another sin in his heart, how can you be innocent? Tell me, whom does this world condemn? Whom do judges punish? Those who drink poison or those who prepare it and administer the fatal potion? You have prepared the abominable cup, you have given the death dealing drink, and you are more criminal than are those who poison the body; you murder not the body but the soul. And it is not to enemies you do this, nor are you urged on by any imaginary necessity, nor provoked by injury, but you do so out of foolish vanity and pride.” 

John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, J. H. Parker, 1843, p. 257



Monday, March 30, 2015

Sunday's Sermon Thyatira: The Tolerant Church Revelation 2:18-29


While the world extols tolerance as the queen of all virtues and pressures the church to be tolerant, in His letter (with 7 sections) to the church in Thyatira, Jesus commands us not tolerate Jezebels, immorality, and false teaching.

1st  The Address to Thyatira: A small pagan city that worshipped Apollos. Rev. 2:18a

2nd The Character of the Speaker: Jesus is the Son of God who sees all and will judge all, Rev. 2:18b

3rd The Commendations for their love, fidelity, service, perseverance, and progress, Rev. 2:19

4th The Condemnations for their tolerance of Jezebel, her false teaching, immorality and refusal to repent, Rev. 2:20-21

5th The Judgments against Jezebel (death), her followers (disease), the faithful remnant (to hold fast)     Rev. 2:22-25

6th The Promises to the Overcomer: to reign with Christ and to have Him; He is the Bright and Morning Star, Rev. 2:26-28

7th The Concluding Command to Hear and Heed the Letter, Rev. 2:29

God is just and will judge those who practice immorality and who tolerate sin, yet He is merciful and will forgive all who repent. His grace is effectual to enable His church to obey.