June 29, 2022
Teaching Blog
Do you ever wonder how to deal with all the problems in churches today? Sex scandals, abuse of leadership, or misusing the finances-- these seem to be constantly in the headlines in 2022.
Maybe you have seen first hand in local churches how corrupt a congregation or its leaders can become, and felt the pain of spiritual fallout? In fact, in the Shenandoah Valley it is particularly to common to hear of 'church hurt'. How do we move forward, and grow in fellowship as God commands, when corruption in the church seems so common?
Jesus' letter to the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29 gives us the answer. And, it will bless you.
Here's what we see:
Jesus encourages the corrupt church, despite its brokenness. That means you and I should not hesitate to encourage even the most compromised Christian.
Jesus corrects them- not for having false teachers in their area but for allowing them to have influence. That teaches us that we can never escape lies this side of heaven. But we can, and must, refuse to give the lies an audience.
Jesus promises them future usefulness, despite the broken church they are in, if they hold on to Him.
So, are you tired of corruption in the church today? Good! Find out in our study from Revelation 2 how to respond in a Christ-like manner, and receive the eternal reward of faithfulness in the face of compromise.