I say choose to be spiritually discerning and healthy as you follow the Lord.
Be born again if you are not. Scripture does not explicitly identify one local church or denomination as "the devil's favorite"; rather, it warns that false teachers and spiritually compromised churches do sadly arise in many places (See Acts 20:28-31; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:6-9).
Likewise, externally religious practices, investments (the exotic garb), the rituals with ornamentation, the incense are not condemned merely because they are external; the Bible simply condemns sin. i,e,, trusting in outward religion and.in their dead inside religious leaders while neglecting true faith and obedience to God's living Word (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8-9).
1.) IT LOOKS SPIRITUAL, SOUNDS SPIRITUAL, BUT IT HAS LEFT TRUE SPIRITUALITY BEHIND. Some embrace beads, kissed statues, ornamentation religious aesthetics, investments incense & religiosity. Who has all that helped?2.) IT REPLACES OBEDIENCE WITH SO-CALLED RELEVANCE. It tries to reach the world but forgets to obey God. THE GOSPEL ALWAYS HAS BEEN RELEVANT AS IT CALLS US TO OBEDIENCE.3.) IT PREACHES GRACE WITHOUT REPENTANCE OR SAVING FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE. It offers forgiveness butnever calls for a changed life.4.) IT CELEBRATES ATTENDANCE MEMBERS MORE THAN TRANSFORMATION. When individual Christians grow spiritually, they bring their friends. Biblical healthy churches grow bigger--God alone saves and adds to their number. Many dead religious churches don't address the real needs of people and they shrink. Another worldly churches measure success by mere numbers, not by new hearts on fire for Jesus.5.) IT AVOIDS OFFENDING THE FLESHLY NATURE OR WORLDLY AND CARNAL ATTENDEES. It downplays sin to keep people comfortable and coming back to give. It gives an over emphasis to you giving to support the ministry. False teachers fleece the flock while true shepherds fee the flock.6.) IT ENTERTAINS INSTEAD OF EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR WORKS OF REAL MINISTRY. It keeps people coming WITH ALL KINDS OF EXOTIC TRENDY TACTICS, but never sends them out to win people to Christ, domestically or across oceans.7.) IT HONORS LEADERS MORE THAN THE LORD. It builds platforms for people instead of altars to God. (I like it apart from all the padding on the back and bragging about men.. when the minister after the time of worship simply says: Open to a certain book in the Bible and starts his sound verse by verse expository edification and evangelism).
There is a chiastic structure, or concentric circles, to these seven letters. Notice how the first and last churches are the least healthy; the second and sixth churches seem strongest; and the middle three are mixed. We will see that there is first a commendation to Thyatira, and then a corrective word.
According to one scholar, “All of the letters deal with the theme of faithfulness to Christ in the midst of an often-threatening pagan culture” (Greg Beale, Revelation: A Shorter Commentary, 54). This is particularly in Thyatira prone to spiritual compromise in tolerating sin.
Come as you are. Remember Jesus' words in Verse 19: “I know your works.” Verse 20: “I have this against you.” Verse 23: “I am he who searches mind and heart.” Verse 25: “until I come.”
In Revelation 2-3 we see that judgment begins at “the house of God” (1 Pet. 4:17). Yes, Jesus deals with the seven local churches before He deals with the lost people of the world. Liney and I are about to sail where these churches were. They illustrate the good and the bad in local churches everywhere around the owrld and in every age. We all need heart to heart fellowship upwards first and then outwards with other growing believers. If you were looking for a church to join, which of these seven would you select and why?
Ephesus (2:1–7). There is so much good in this church that we are surprised to discover they had left (not lost) their first love. The honeymoon was over (Jer. 2:2)! No amount of separation, sacrifice, or service can make up for your lack of love toward the Lord. The word Nicolaitans means “conquer the people.” Apparently a group in the church lorded it over the people and promoted a separation of “clergy” and “laity.” (See Matt. 21:20–27; 23:1–12.)Smyrna (2:8–11). The name Smyrna comes from “myrrh,” which is a bitter herb, a suitable name for a church facing persecution. Would the believers be fearful or faithful (v. 10)? Suffering can enrich us, even if we think we are poor; and what people think is riches might turn out to be poverty (3:17)! What difference does it make if people slander you so long as you have the Lord’s approval?Pergamos (2:12–17). These believers held to the faith even when it might have cost them their lives. But they were too tolerant of false doctrine and were in danger of having the Lord declare war on the church. Balaam convinced Israel to compromise with their unbelieving neighbors, disobey the Lord, and indulge in immorality (Num. 22–24). Being willing to die for the faith is no substitute for living the faith.Thyatira (2:18–29). Verse 19 gives you the impression that all is well in the church, but keep reading! Like the saints in Pergamos, the believers in Thyatira tolerated sin in the church. Idolatry and immorality usually go together, and Jezebel personifies both (1 Kings 16:29–34; 21; 2 Kings 9:30–37). Not everybody in the fellowship was guilty of sin, and the Lord did not warn them. Instead, He encouraged them to hold to the truth and be faithful.Sardis (3:1–6). This church had a great reputation, but close examination showed that its ministry did not live up to its name. In fact, the church was ready to die! What was the cause? Many of the people were defiling themselves by compromising with sin (2 Cor. 6:14–18; James 1:27). The “Book of Life” contains the names of all living persons; and when a person dies without Christ, the name is blotted out. Believers have their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life and can never be blotted out.Philadelphia (3:7–13). The name means “brotherly love,” and Jesus had a special love for these people (v. 9). Weak as they were, they were given an open door of service; and the Lord urged them to take advantage of it. When God opens a door for you, nobody can shut it; but you can ignore or neglect it.Laodicea (3:14–22). This church did not know how bad off it was! It was a working church, but its service was lukewarm. The members lacked spiritual enthusiasm. It was a wealthy church, but it was really poor—and did not know its own sad condition. Worst of all, the Lord was outside the church trying to get in! If only one member would yield to Him, the church could be changed.God’s people must be open and honest with the Lord and humbly submit to His spiritual diagnosis. No church or Christian is so far gone that He cannot bring renewal, but we must be willing to repent and return to Him.
So, what Kind of Church Does Christ Commend?
Jesus never measured a church by its size, its popularity, its budget, or its entertainment value. He measures it by its faithfulness to Him. Throughout Revelation 2-3, Christ walks among His churches, praising what honors Him and exposing what has drifted from His truth. His concern is not outward success but inward reality.
Every believer should prayerfully ask: "Is my church becoming more like Christ—or merely more like the culture?"
What are Marks of a Church That Has Drifted from Biblical Faithfulness
1. It preserves the appearance of religion while neglecting genuine spiritual life.
A church may possess beautiful architecture, elaborate ceremonies, impressive traditions, or polished productions, yet still lack humble obedience, heartfelt worship, and a passionate love for Christ. Religious activity can never replace spiritual reality.
Jesus warned:
"This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." (Matthew 15:8)
God has never desired empty ritual. He desires hearts surrendered to Him.
Scriptures: Isaiah 1:11-17; Isaiah 29:13; John 4:23-24; Matthew 23:23-28.
"The greatest enemy of true Christianity is often religion without Christ." — Anonymous
2. It substitutes cultural relevance for biblical obedience.
The gospel has never needed to be reinvented. Every generation needs the same message: repent, believe the gospel, follow Christ, and obey His Word.
A church should speak the language of its generation without changing the message entrusted to it.
Paul wrote:
"Preach the word...in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2)
The church's mission is not to mirror society but to lovingly confront it with God's truth.
Scriptures: Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 1:6-10; James 1:22.
I say that the church must never lower God's standards to gain the world's applause, numbers or bucks. Get rid of the overemphasis. Let the Bible and Holy Spirit emphasize what God wants emphasizied ..as you move through a letter or text.
Believer, it's time to return to expository teaching and simply relying on the Holy Spirit rather than adopting worldly marketing tactics or watering down the Bible's message.
3. It offers grace without true repentance and saving faith in Christ alone.
The Bible proclaims salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet the same grace that saves also transforms (Titus 2:11-14).
Jesus' first recorded sermon began:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17)
Biblical grace never excuses sin; it rescues sinners from it.
Scriptures: Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 20:21; Titus 2:11-14; James 2:17.
Billy Graham often reminded audiences:
"The cross shows us both the seriousness of our sin and the greatness of God's love."
4. It measures success by crowds instead of changed lives.
Crowds are easy to count.
Disciples are harder to make.
God rejoices whenever people are saved, and healthy churches often grow numerically (Acts 2:41, 47). Yet numerical growth alone is never proof of spiritual health. Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples, not merely gather audiences (Matthew 28:18-20).
A thriving church is filled with believers who increasingly love Christ, obey His Word, serve others, and share the gospel.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 1:28.
Barna Research has repeatedly found that regular church attendance alone does not necessarily produce biblical discipleship; intentional spiritual formation, biblical teaching, prayer, and active obedience are far more closely associated with spiritual maturity.
5. It avoids confronting sin in order to keep people comfortable.
Love tells the truth. Speak the truth in love or shut up (praying silently), Kurt.
Faithful shepherds warn because they care.
When churches minimize sin to avoid offending people, they withhold the very message that leads to freedom.
Paul instructed Timothy:
"Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)
A church that never speaks about repentance eventually loses the joy of redemption.
False shepherds exploit God's people for personal gain.
Faithful shepherds lovingly feed God's flock with God's Word.
Scriptures: Ezekiel 34:1-16; John 10:11-15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Peter 5:2-4.
Charles Spurgeon wrote:
"Feed the sheep, and the Good Shepherd will supply the lambs."
6. It entertains spectators instead of equipping servants.
The church is not a theater where a few perform while many observe.
It is a training ground where every believer is equipped for ministry.
God calls pastors and teachers to prepare His people for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16).
Healthy churches send people into neighborhoods and nations with the gospel.
Their greatest victories are not what happens on Sunday morning, but what happens Monday through Saturday as believers live on mission.
Scriptures: Matthew 9:37-38; Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 1:8.
"The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning." — Emil Brunner
7. It exalts personalities instead of exalting Christ.
When celebrity becomes central, Christ is gradually pushed to the margins.
Paul confronted this very problem:
"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants..." (1 Corinthians 3:5)
Faithful pastors point people to Jesus, not themselves.
There is something refreshingly beautiful about a pastor who simply prays and opens God's Word saying,
"Please turn with me to today's passage..."
Then, verse by verse, he (CIA with context, sound interpretation, and wise applications) moves through.. explaining the Scriptures, exalts Christ, strengthens the believers, and pleads with unbelievers to reason with God.. yes, to be reconciled to God through Christ.
That is timeless, and healthy ministry from a saved pastor.
I love to talk about Jesus most and about His bride. He saved me, no church did.
Read more...
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Colossians 1:28-29.
John the Baptist said it best:
"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)
Need a Picture to Help ya Remember?
Imagine two orchards.
One hangs artificial fruit from every branch. From a distance it looks impressive, but no one is nourished.
The other tree quietly draws life from deep roots. Season after season it bears genuine fruit that feeds hungry people.
Hey Sport, Jesus is not looking for nice leaves or churches decorated with artificial plastic fruit. He wants your whole heart and faithfulness. He wants each of us bearing fruit. He wants you living forever in heaven. Yes, come now as you are. Here and now come to Him asking for His free forgiveness. Here is good for that repentance. KnowGod.org
Christ is looking for sinners, and for churches filled with growing people who abide in Him and naturally bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:22-23).
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
Christ's Desire for His Church
Jesus is not impressed by religious performance.
He seeks hearts that love Him.
He builds churches that faithfully proclaim His Word, boldly preach the gospel, make disciples, pray fervently, serve sacrificially, and glorify God alone.
May every local church strive to be both faithful to Scripture and fruitful in ministry, lovingly reaching the lost while steadfastly standing upon the truth.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)
Remember the hymn "Trust and Obey" -- it reminds us:
"Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
Take time to prayerfully read Revelation chapters 2-3. There Christ Himself evaluates seven churches. All of His words in the Bible remain the perfect standard for us and for every local church. He, the Father, His Holy Spirit, and the whole Bible are what we each need.
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