Practice biblical tolerance

I. Reinforce loving tolerance

* Biblical tolerance demonstrates attractive Christian virtues!

  1. "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:" (Revelation 2:18).
  2. "I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first" (Revelation 2:19).
  3. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love (Ephesians 4:1b, 2).

II. Reject worldly tolerance

* Biblical tolerance does not condone sin to be politically correct!

  1. "But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols" (Revelation 2:20).
  2. "Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds" (Rev 2:22, 23).

III. Repent of unholy tolerance

* Biblical tolerance invites people to repent and enjoy holiness!

  1. "I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality" (Revelation 2:21; See Romans 2:4).
  2. "But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them - I place no other burden on you. Nevertheless, what you have, hold fast until I come" (Revelation 2:24, 25).
  3. "He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:26-29).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, April 7th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Practice biblical tolerance"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: We need to be discerning of what constitutes biblical tolerance and expose the compromising ways of this world (Ephesians 5:10-13). Discuss in your Life Group how you can balance "loving tolerance" while rejecting "worldly tolerance".

Getting Started:

  1. What do you think most people's view of "being tolerant" looks like?
  2. How would you define the differences between "The museum of Tolerance" that promotes respect and human rights due to the Holocaust AND "The Politically Correct Agenda" of Tolerance that promotes a relative view of truth and a non-discriminatory attitude toward morals?

Discussing Truths:

  1. How does Jesus self-description (2:18), counter the false worship of Apollo and the compromising Trade Guilds of Thyatira?
  2. The church of Thyatira had learned the oft-forgotten lesson that the Christian life is one of growth, progress, and maturity (2:19): How is your spiritual growth?
  3. Which of the 5 compliments given (2:19) is most represented in your spiritual journey and which needs to be developed more?
  4. What is a common compromise in churches today that "tolerates" a Jezebel spirit?
  5. Do you need to repent of any unholy tolerance in your own life?
  6. How will we rule the nations with a "Rod of Iron" with Jesus' authority (2:27)?
  7. What do you think Jesus is promising to give to overcomers (2:28)?

Now What? Application:

  1. How will you overcome and keep Jesus' deeds until the end (2:26)?
  2. What can you do to value Jesus more than anything else, regardless of the price - how does the illustration of retail marketing use of "Loss Leader" apply?