The Message to Thyatira

The Message to Thyatira

Book of Revelation Chapter 2 Verses 18 through 29

Thyatira was another city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia. Its modern name is Ak-hissar which means "white castle."

It is here where we find another one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation.

Lydia, the seller of purple, or rather of cloth dyed with this color, was from this city.

Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

This city is still to this day is famous, for its dyeing. Among the ruins, inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in that city in ancient times.

What will we find in this church as the main problem? Compromise!

To compromise between two different parties is to allow concessions to the claims of one or more of those parties.

What do we know about the Word of God? God will never yield to the teachings of man!

God will never compromise for any reason.

The Lord Jesus will never alter the "Gospel" to allow for compromise with sin.

The Holy Spirit will only lead people to Jesus. He will never lead anyone astray!

Let's listen to the Lord Jesus Christ.

*****Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

What is the one thing we had better get straight about the Lord Jesus Christ?

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Jesus knows everything that is going on in every church.

Jesus knows everything that is going in every Christian.

Jesus knows everything that is going on in every person.

Jesus knows everything that is going on in this world and He always will.

Jesus is the only One we have to please in this world and in our lifetime!

Jesus says to this Pastor, "I just want you to know who is speaking to you".

This Pastor is the recipient of these words from our Lord.

It is the Pastor who is responsible for the direction of the church.

It is the Pastor in charge, who received this message who is to preach this message from the Lord, to his congregation.

This letter is a letter of knowledge, "Jesus Knows" and then a commandment "to repent"!

If the members of a church begin to compromise the Word of God and give in to the world, it is the Pastor or Minister or whatever He is called, to preach the truth of God and warn those who are giving in to the world!

What is the truth of people? They will sell their souls for possessions, or for power, or for the so-called pleasures of this world!

What is the reality? We owe our lives to Jesus Christ!

We cannot jeopardize our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by giving in to the world and still be considered to be a child of God.

How did the Holy Spirit put it?

2Co_6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

This is why we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the same Father!

If we look back at the Church of Ephesus, they had left their first love and a church is not a church if they do not love the Lord Jesus Christ above all else!

The church at Thyatira was a busy church.

The church at Thyatira showed the love of God to everyone.

They supported missions.

They had a great youth program.

They had a great senior program.

They supported orphaned children.

They supported single parents.

They fed the hungry.

They would help the poor.

This was a great church! Their faith was strong! They loved the Lord and it showed!

This church was growing, but here lies the problem.

*****Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

This church was growing so fast, that they did not have enough qualified teachers and this church allowed teachers to teach who compromised with the world.

They allowed the newcomers to be baptized, without a confession of faith.

They allowed newcomers to be accepted into the church, without repenting and separating themselves from the world.

So who is this Jezebel?

First the original Jezebel: Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab of Israel. She was the daughter of a heathen king who claimed Baal as her god.

She was crafty, she was malicious, she was revengeful, she was cruel, and she hated God's people.

She had no fear of God, nor did she fear any man, and she ruled her own husband.

She spared no pain in maintaining idolatry all around her!

Her idolatry was the most debased and sensual kind!

She was a seducer!

She was the daughter of Satan in her actions as seducer and murderer.

When the Lord says Jezebel, this is the type of persons that had been allowed into this hardworking church at Thyatira and in a short time this church was ruined!

It seems that this hardworking church had been contaminated through the seductive influence of a corrupt woman.

We should remember that it was a corrupt woman who had prayer and the Bible removed from our schools and the schools are now just as corrupt as she was.

There is another corrupt woman who is now in her 80's but she does not miss a chance to slander the Word of God and the American women listen to her. I believe her name is Gloria.

We see that she called herself a prophetess. This meant that she claimed her message was from Jehovah when it was a false message made up from listening to Satan.

he claimed that it was Jehovah who had called her and ordained her and because of the great love this church had, she was allowed in to teach all the church.

She taught contrary to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

John wrote:

2Jn_1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2Jn_1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

The church became contaminated with the world and began sinking!

It was the Pastor that allowed this to continue!

The members of the church began to associate with the world.

They would attend the feasts where animals were offered to false gods.

They would then eat from the tables of those feast sitting before the altar of a false god.

Thyatira was known for its trade guilds and unions because dying of cloth and wool industry.

Act_16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

The church at Thyatira had begun in her home. It was a house church at first.

Act_16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

The church members were encouraged to attend those union gatherings to be secure in their jobs.

These were some of the things that this Pastor had to contend with, when he prepared his sermon.

If these people lost their jobs they could not tithe!

This church decided that they needed to fit in with society.

They decided they would be politically correct.

We must remember idols are anything that we put in place before our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, still the foundation of the Church.

Listen to this message to the church and the Pastor from the Apostle Paul:

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

What did Jesus say?

*****Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

This person knew that what she was doing was wrong!

This person knew she was teaching against the Word of God.

This person had felt Holy Ghost conviction and rejected Him!

The Lord dispatched the Holy Spirit to this woman to show her the error of her ways.

Num_32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

She rejected the Holy Spirit and everything that Jesus stands for.

Her intent was to permanently ruin this church!

Her father was Satan!

Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

So, here comes the warning, or the "or else".

*****Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

One man wrote, "the bed of her sin shall be the bed of her sickness and anguish".

There is an old saying, "she made her bed, she can lie in it" meaning she brought about her own destruction.

Everyone who rejects the Word of God, do bring about their own destruction!

As we see this Coronavirus as it goes from nation to nation, it may be that God is nearing the end of His patience!

Yes, we must not be confused, God did say these things would happen!

Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

It can also be called a plague or epidemic.

Lev 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

The "judgment" of this Jezebel will match her sin!

Sadly the teaching of this "Jezebel" has caused many more to place something terrible in the place of our pure God!

What happened to the Jezebel of the Bible?

2Ki 9:7 And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

2Ki 9:8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

2Ki 9:9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

2Ki 9:10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.

Before anyone could get to her dogs had eaten her and deposited her remains

2Ki 9:36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:

2Ki 9:37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel.

There comes the judgment of God upon all those who give in to Jezebel's seduction and lifestyle. Those who refuse to turn to Jesus Christ and separate themselves from the world!

There is a warning to all those who feed at the table of Jezebel today!

Still, even such a woman is offered a chance to repent!

As long as we are alive and as long as the Holy Spirit comes to us with conviction, we can accept the truth of Jehovah God and be saved!

Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Act 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

We must remember Jezebel is a person of the Antichrist inside the church.

What did Jesus say to this Pastor?

*****Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

God will judge all those who compromise with the world. This is His truth!

So many today have twisted the truth of God into making Him a good old grandfather that would never harm His creation and they are fools!

Jesus Christ is the Sovereign Head of this universe and we will live or die according to the Words He has given to us!

This meaning is a Spiritual death without God or Eternal life in the presence of a Holy God!

Jesus told this church if they would just leave off compromising with the world and hold on the the truth of the Gospel and have patience, He would surely come and take His church home and out of this world of compromise.

I get tired of seeing our government and others doing what Europe does, when not much in Europe ever works very well.

I get tired of seeing our government compromise with things that have never worked, when the only thing that has ever worked in our nation is the Gospel and Freedom.

We fought to separate ourselves from the tyranny of England and gained our freedom. Why in the world would we want to give up our freedoms?

We cannot change to way the world thinks, but we can tell those we cross paths with, that there is a better way and patiently wait on the Lord to return!

He does not ask much from us but our commitment!

He says just be an overcomer!

*****Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Who is an "over comer"? A Christian who keeps all the works of Jesus Christ, until he takes us home, either by our own death or the Rapture of the Church.

Now I do not know what that power over nations really means, but I do know what the Scriptures say.

Rev_1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev_5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

The "overcomer" will be given some power over nations.

This is then, ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ throughout eternity!

Jesus will return to conquer all the forces of evil.

To prove all those who will be with Him throughout eternity!

To give the overcomer the "morning star"!

What is this "morning star"?

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

If we open our eyes and our ears and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say knowing He will only lead us to Jesus, then all we have left to do is to overcome the weakness of our own flesh and let the will of God be our own will!

It is really a great time to be a Christian. Instead of looking down at all the wickedness in our world we just need to look up!

Luk_21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Amen

Let's Pray!

What it Means to be Called of God, The Pastor

Faithful Behavior

Book of 1 Timothy 3:1-16

As we know the two Books of Timothy and the Book of Titus teach how the Holy Spirit wants the Church to be organized.

There are only two offices determined by the Holy Spirit and they are Pastor and Deacon even though they may different names in many denominations and many other offices.

In these passages we will learn about the Biblical qualifications for these positions.

The very first qualification of the Pastor is that he is saved and then called of God!

When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended back to Heaven, He began to call those who would serve in the spreading of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ"

Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

When God calls a Pastor, God will then equip that Pastor for the work that lies ahead of Him.

There also some other qualifications that must be met to be a Pastor or a Deacon.

*****1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

That word bishop in our area would mean the Pastor.

That word Pastor means a shepherd who serves according to the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Joh 10:16 And "other sheep I have", which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

It is those "other sheep" that are to be the work for the Pastor seeking to save Gentiles.

So, then the work of the Pastor is very clear!

He cares for the flock of sheep that the Lord has called for him! He guides them, he guards them, he protects them, and he provides for them.

1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

**1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

1Pe 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

All the Jewish sheep combined with the Gentile sheep will be the heritage of God.

There is absolutely no one or nothing that can keep God's heritage from joining Him in Heaven, when He calls us home!

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

These things are important because it is the work of the Lord!

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The heritage of God was purchased by the blood of our Savior!

The work of the Pastor is then a good work because he is stirred to commit his life to the ministry "by the Holy Spirit".

In the precious words of our Lord Jesus:

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

So, what are these qualifications?

*****1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

All Pastors must meet the qualifications as laid down in the Word of God!

As we go through these things we must realize that each "Born Again" child of God begins his new life "after salvation".

All sin before this time has been washed in the blood of Jesus.

All after this time will also be forgiven. The Lord Jesus Christ paid for all the sin in this world past, present, and future for every believer. He said this thing was finished!

Heb_8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Heb_10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Anyone who is capable, and God called, must be blameless, (without fault, above suspicion) since being "Born Again"!

The husband of one wife in the Word of God, which neither means that a Pastor must be married, nor that he may not marry a second wife.

According to the Scriptures, it is just as lawful for Him to do, just as the marriage of his first wife. (1 Corinthians Chapter 7). These Scriptures cannot just be tossed aside in order to fulfill some imaginary law of God!

1Co 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

Having said these things, it is true that each Pastor must be a person of great Christian character as described here!

We must realize that the first and most important qualification for the Pastor to meet is "that they be called of God by the Holy Spirit".

This is the most important fact written in the Scriptures!

What we must also remember here, is what Peter found out, "what God calls clean, is clean" and God is no respecter of persons!

We must also say that this "good work" is not about power, not about esteem, not about honor, and not about a profession as many see it today.

The work of the Pastor is totally about the work of the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

How many have forgotten this today, "only those who are false Pastors"!

Those who reject this calling of God, have said no to God! They have missed their purpose in the work God has given us all to do!

The Pastor's job is to proclaim the true Word of God and not some butchered up version!

The Pastor who is called can verify that calling, when they go to the Lord seeking the meaning of these qualifications in one on one prayer with our Father who art in Heaven!

This thing is not just for the Pastor but for every believer and in every Church.

We will know the meaning of these qualifications, remembering it is always best to accept a literal reading of the Scriptures also knowing, that what God says, He will never contradict in some other passage!

Those who fail to meet the qualifications a Pastor may still have a purpose in evangelism, or teaching.

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

That Pastor called of God, must be vigilant to watch over and control his own life and the lives of his people being an example to the flock the Lord has given to him.

The Pastor called of God, must be sober-minded, (having a sound mind). When the mind is controlled, the body and behavior is controlled.

That Pastor must be of good behaviour, composed, orderly, and honest.

That Pastor must be given to Hospitality. Showing love for all brethren, being a friend to all believers.

But this does not mean he will open his own house or the house of God to the world!

That Pastor must be apt to teach. He should be able to teach the Word of God as well as Preach the Word of God!

Making sense of the Word!

We must all remember, that our duty to teach the Word of God is not near as important as to live the Word of God!

When we talk the talk, we must also walk the talk!

In both methods we are to teach the things of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things "whatsoever I have commanded you": and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

That Pastor must not be given to wine.

*****1Ti 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

We could say a lot of things here but let's just say what the Lord said:

Pro 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

**Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

Pro 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

Even those Jews who drank of wine mixed it two parts wine to three parts water.

A drunkard was considered a disgrace even in the Gentile societies of that day!

That day has come and gone and most societies of today partake of alcoholic beverages.

Grape juice was also mixed with water and was used because the water supplies were so bad.

The Roman army drank of vinegar mixed with water for this same reason.

This is understood, if you have traveled to foreign countries and become sick because of the water supply!

A striker is someone who becomes combative or violent or quarrelsome but not someone who strikes out to injure someone.

The Pastor cannot be someone who is easily aggravated with others!

We already know how dangerous a weapon that a tongue can become.

Jas_3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

And the one we see so abused today, that Pastor must not be a lover of worldly gain or possessions. (This is the true meaning of filthy lucre)

The ministry of the "Gospel" is not to be a profession or a livelihood!

This does not mean that the church is not to support that Pastor, if they are able, for this too is a command of God!

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

That Pastor is to be patient, gracious, kind and gentle. That word tender also comes to mind.

That Pastor must not be some brawler, because he must be a man of peace!

That Pastor must not be covetous, because every sin of God begins with covetousness. Desiring something worldly in the place of God!

Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

That Pastor is also to rule his own house. When we look at this we should also keep in mind the Christian family with the father the head of that family. These things do not change in the Christian family it is just that the world will have their eyes upon that Pastor!

*****1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

The Pastor is to rule his own home, but he is not the only one, this rule applies to all the parents in every Christian home.

It is in the home, where we are the most tested, but this is also the place we can best glorify God!

We should be able to see that the Pastor is held to high standards, but these are much the same standards that apply to all Christians!

Remember God, is a God of order and every husband is to be the pastor in his own home and willing to be discipled by that Pastor God has placed in the Church where he brings his family to worship and be discipled.

We must realize that every church that has a bad name aids in the worlds opinion of the world-wide church!

Those that hate God the most, will certainly point out every problem they see in the church, even though they can never have a spiritual understanding of the Word of God!

Here, as much as can be denied, the Bible says a bad parent will make a lousy Pastor.

God is very serious about this thing!

1Sa 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

1Sa 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

1Sa 3:13 "For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth"; "because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not".

1Sa 3:14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

If we remember Eli was the High Priest of Israel on this day and went about his business knowing that his sons were evil and did nothing to try to stop their evilness.

God expects every Pastor to the head of their own home!

And God says we are never to allow that babe in Christ to be the Pastor of any Church.

*****1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

We should understand that a newly converted Christian is not spiritually qualified to take on the job of a Pastor.

We should completely understand how Lucifer fell into condemnation:

Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

We can see that "pride" was the beginning of the downfall of Lucifer, best known as Satan or simply the devil!

If we are going to be a child of God, we need resemble Jesus as close as we possibly can, which also means "we must be as far as we can away from the ways of Satan"!

There are always those who are keenly watching the Church, so it would not be good to have such a novice as a Pastor, or really any part of Church functions until some discipling as taken place.

Some Christian babies, will grow at a faster pace than others, but it will still take some time.

We should understand the we are all God's children and God works on each of to reach maturity but that will only happen when we go home by death or by the Rapture of the Church!

It takes some time to become rooted and grounded in the Lord.

It takes some time to prove a testimony for Jesus Christ.

It takes some time to be able to Pastor any church and disciple others in that church.

The truth is, it does not take much pride to destroy your ability to preach, if you think of yourself exalted above the Saints of God!

Pro_16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

It takes some time to know the "mind of Jesus Christ"!

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The next qualification causes harm to many young preachers of today.

*****1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

A Pastor should have a good report outside the church. We all are just sinners saved by "grace". God throws all our sin into the deepest part of the sea and He remembers no more but those outside the doors of the church who knew us before we got saved will not be not that generous.

In fact, many a man of God cannot be a Pastor of the local church in the neighborhood of his raising. God will send them somewhere else and maybe some time later they can return home.

What did Jesus say?

Mat_13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Mat_13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Many in this world do not accept conversion nor repentance simply because they do not know how to forgive!

There is no one, besides the Lord Jesus Christ, that is not capable of falling into some snare of the devil and mocked by our enemies!

A good testimony before the world is essential for every Christian but especially for the Pastor and even the elders of the Church.

God has this saying that just keeps coming true:

Num_32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Remember, the world cannot have any voice in the selection of our Pastors, but that Pastor must be respected in their day to day acquaintances.

And finally, we see this thing about Deacons.

*****1Ti 3:8 "Likewise" must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

That word deacon means to be a servant in the church body. The first deacons were appointed to help the Pastor in day by day duties of the Church, to give that Pastor time to prepare his sermons.

Act 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables".

The function of the deacon is to relieve the Pastor, so he can give his time to the study of the Word of God and to prayer.

Likewise, the Deacon as the Pastor, must have a good report from those in the world and those in the church:

Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Act 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The number of deacons should be according to the size of the congregation.

A deacon should be someone who is qualified, and who is honorable, who is looked upon as a solid respectable Christian, keeping in mind God is no respecter of persons!

The true deacon will be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and not go astray of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The true deacon will next commit to the church and the mission of the church!(the mission of the church is to make disciples)

The true deacon will assist the Pastor but must never be a hindrance to the Pastor, who is the shepherd just under the true Shepherd.

The true deacon will never be double-tongued and will never be involved in church gossip, as they are to be involved in the work of the church.

The true deacon would be available in every way to the Pastor!

The true deacon will be a man of integrity!

Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

We should also notice here that God will good gifts, but He will never send bad gifts!

A deacon must be steadfast in "faith", holy in his heart, like Christ in his life!

A pure conscience is a conscience that is free from all immorality!

A deacon must be proved!

The way we do this is to bring them before church in an actual vote, so it does not happen on the buddy system.

*****1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

The faith claimed by a deacon must also be tested, their knowledge of the Scriptures must be consistent, as much as possible they must be involved in the ministry the "Gospel".

They must cling to basic Bible truths!

The deacon must cling to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ is the God of the Bible!

The must be found blameless in every situation that involves the church and the world.

The deacon must be available to perform the duties of a deacon established in these passages from the Book of Timothy!

The deacon must also fulfill his family obligations!

*****1Ti 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

In other words, a deacon who has a wife who lacks the same qualities that are required of him, should not be chosen!

That word slander comes from the Greek word "diabolos" which means a false accuser, a devil. This wife is to honorable just as her husband.

This wife must be faithful in all things of the church and all things of the home!

Just so we know, a deaconess is the wife of a deacon and not some woman who has been chosen to be a female deacon!

The pure truth of this passage means, that when the deacon must respond to the needs of women, then his wife would be with him, as someone who would have the same message as her husband and to keep down false accusations.

A good example would be Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and wife to Zacharias.

Luk 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Luk 1:6 "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless".

In none of these things, do we see that God does not see the male and the female on equal standings, it is just that there will be a certain order in the Body of Christ, where Christ Jesus is the Head of the church and Christ Jesus is the Head of the home!

Again, back to the deacon.

*****1Ti 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Do we not see repeatedly that the church must be based upon the godly family?

Every man should be able to hold the offices of the church, except for the Pastor who must be called of God. Every woman should the same as that wife who had a husband that would be a deacon.

Here again we are presented with the ideal situations about a man being married, or a man having had a divorce and having remarried.

We all know that the things that happened before we were "Born Again", God has forgiven, and he has chosen not to remember any more so why should those who are in the same congregation.

The same man (the Apostle Paul) who was inspired to write these Scriptures by the Holy Ghost was also inspired by the Holy Ghost to write 1 Corinthians Chapter 7.

Much prayer and meditation should be spent in answering these qualifications of the elders of the Church.

Remember even the teachers must be God called.

There is no perfect church just as there is no perfect family, but these are to the goals and the laws we are to reach for to be perfect before God!

1Pe 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

It is the Holy Ghost who will lead us in the ways of Jesus Christ. He will never take us down a false path!

Those who have held the office of deacon with that wife for support, will be recognized as those who can be trusted to the others in the church!

*****1Ti 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

In the days of the apostles that word purchase meant to win, to acquire, and not because it was a bargain.

In many denominations there are offices for men to fill above the office of deacon. At the Church that I attend the office of deacon is normally only 3 three years and others are voted in to replace those.

There also offices in places that a local government may require, and the qualifications of these men should be nearly the same as that of the deacon.

Those who have served in the office of deacon will learn to respect the functions of the working church!

Each one who has held this position in the church do earn a certain respect from the other members and the number of deacons should reflect the membership of the church.

We now see that the apostle Paul felt he would be released from his bondage.

*****1Ti 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The most important thing that each member of the church should know is, how to behave in the House of God.

This extends from those babes in Christ as soon as they understand the Word of God and go all the way to the Pastor.

We see then that these "Pastoral Epistles" begin with how believers should behave in their relationship to God the Father, through His Son, and by the Holy Spirit.

Not only this, but also how to deal with each other in the church body and to all believers in this world at any one time.

Paul wanted to join Timothy, but the Holy Spirit said no!

We must clearly understand that the church is the household of God, but these words do not refer to a building.

The church is the "Body of Christ", a group of people who have committed themselves to a family centered on God the Father and His relationship to God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church is the family of God, built around the Holy Trinity or better said the Triune God!

The Church is a group of people who have committed themselves to live for the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Church is a group of families who take their stand upon the truth of God and will continue to stand!

The Church is a group of families who base their beliefs upon the sure promises of God!

The Church is to be filled with the adopted family of God!

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Remember all the lessons of the Book of Ephesians in how we learned about of the perfect family, we are to put those lessons in place in the church.

1Jn_2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

The church is the assembly of God, which means, those believers who gather together, who have been called of God, the Living God and not some sack of bones still in the grave!

The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth of God!

The True Church proclaims the truth of God to an evil and dying world without be ashamed of God's Word!

The Church holds the truth of God up for a world that misbehaves and dies but who do not have to if they would only repent and turn to the truth of God!

So why do we do these things as believers? Because we know the truth!

*****1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The truth is never a mystery!

A mystery spoken of in the Scriptures is the something in the Old Testament that was pointed out in the New Testament!

What is another truth, all man-made truths end in the grave?

The truth of God cannot die because God is eternal, so His Words are eternal!

It is this truth, written here in these Scriptures, that explains the entire life of Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior!

God actually became man, Jesus the Messiah, still a stumbling block for most of our world today!

God was 100% God and !00% Man the entire time He was upon this earth!

By His human side He experienced all the trials and sufferings of humanity.

Because Jesus Christ was a "sinless" man, He was able to take away all the sin of humanity that has lived since His death.

Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

It is a fact, that God came to this earth many times but at the appointed time, He came as the Messiah (the Christ).

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

When Jesus walked upon this earth even He proclaimed this truth and verified it by God the Father.

Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Heb 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

The Father allowed the Son to be murdered but the Father, by the Holy Spirit, would not allow the Son to stay dead!

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

How are we to be saved?

We must truly believe on the work of Christ Jesus for our salvation!

We must rest our past, our present, and our future upon Him!

We must give Jesus the control of our souls!

We must totally give our lives to the Father by Him!

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Salvation is not a mystery because it is just the truth of God!

Amen

Let's Pray!