This Week at Hope: Toleration in the Church of Thyatira
Dear brothers & sisters,
Not too far down the road from Pergamos, the courier now takes the Lord’s letter to the church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – a city of guilds. There is much to commend here (:19), but with those eyes as a flame of fire, the Son of God pierces through to a devastating sin: the toleration of false teaching that has led some of His servants into immorality and idolatry. There’s a Jezebel in this church that is dominating the scene, causing it to be in an even worse place than Pergamos. And while the elders of Thyatira tolerated this, Christ will not.
Jezebel will reappear throughout the church age in varying ways. What practices exist in our culture that place us as a church under pressure to conform and compromise? How should we respond to false teachers today? What about idolatry and sexual immorality?
The Lord Jesus will teach a vital lesson not only to Thyatira, but to all churches for all time: “and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.” (:23). Thankfully, there is a faithful remnant in the church, who has yet to bow the knee to Baal, and they are comforted by their Master. May the Lord give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Tomorrow, there is women’s mentor at the Brown Barn.
Prayer on Wednesday evening will be held at the Burkes.
In the Sunday afternoon study on the Attributes of God, our elder Mike Davenport will be speaking to us on the Immutability of God.
Here are the songs we will be singing this coming Sunday:
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee
Holy, Holy, Holy!
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee
O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
Thy people long to greet Thee,
My hope, my heart’s delight!
O, kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.
Love caused Thine incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!
Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o’er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.
Sin’s debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your soul distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover by His grace.
He comes, for men procuring
The peace of sin forgiv’n,
For all God’s sons securing
Their heritage in heav’n.
Holy, Holy, Holy!
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy – there is none beside Thee
Perfect in pow’r, in love, in purity
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky, and sea
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity
Psalm 51
God, be merciful to me,
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just,
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Saviour art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to Thee;
Saviour, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.
Amen
Not in Me
No list of sins I have not done,
No list of virtues I pursue,
No list of those I am not like
Can earn myself a place with You.
O God, be merciful to me
I am a sinner through and through!
My only hope of righteousness
Is not in me, but only You.
No humble dress, no fervent prayer,
No lifted hands, no tearful song,
No recitation of the truth
Can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death,
My weary load was borne by Him
And He alone can give me rest.
No separation from the world,
No work I do, no gift I give
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands;
I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again
The power of death is overthrown!
My God is merciful to me
And merciful in Christ alone.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death,
My weary load was borne by Him
And He alone can give me rest.
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within!
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold
Threaten the soul with infinite loss
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide
Whiter than snow you may be today
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face
Will you this moment His grace receive?