Revelation 2:18-29
Thyatira: For a Compromised Church
Messages
Sunday sermons
8th Aug 2021 – Dr Steve Dunn – Sardis: Wake up or Die
Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis: Wake up or Die
NB: Because Pastor Dr. Brian Krum is not well today, we have missed the letter to Thyatira. Next week we will return to Thyatira.
1st Aug 2021 – Steve Dunn – Pergamum: For a Confused Church
‘Are you tolerating partial obedience to God?’
Revelation 2:12-17
Pergamum: For a Confused Church
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Jesus acknowledges the difficulty the Christians in Pergamum are facing. He knows they are living in a rather eclectic spiritual environment. It’s dark. And they have been suffering. They have held on, even to the point of death. But some of them have become followers of a cult-like teacher who insists they can compromise with
their culture.
1. Why do you think this letter would be attractive to people in a situation like theirs?
2. Are there times when suffering can actually weaken your resolve to resist temptation? Why? Have you ever seen this to be true in your own life?
3. The teachings of the Nicolaitans are obscure, but according to early Christian sources, they taught a form of “dualism” that states that what we do in the physical world does not impact our spiritual lives. Do you ever see people following a version of this today? How so?
4. It’s important to note that Jesus does not criticize these Christians for living in Pergamum, or for doing business with pagans, or for knowing pagans as friends.
The problem was not that the church was in Pergamum, but that there was too much Pergamum in the church. How does this apply to us today? What practical steps can you take to try to be shaped more by Christ than by culture?
5. One of the lessons about Pergamum is that theology matters. How you think about God and the world — what you believe, the people you listen to — really does change your behaviour. How have you seen your own beliefs about God
impact your behaviour?
6. What has been the core of your faith that has brought you back when you go astray, or kept you on the right track?
7. Are there lessons from Jesus’ words to Pergamum that you feel are particularly relevant to your life?
25th July 2021 – Dr Brian Krum – Smyrna: Jesus’ Letter For Hurting People
‘Do you live like Jesus?’
Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna: Jesus’ Letter For Hurting People
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Jesus describes himself to the church as “the first and the last, who died and came to life.” Why would this description be particularly meaningful to the church in Smyrna? Read Matthew 10:28-33 to help answer the question.
2. Jesus warns them that affliction will last for 10 days, and calls them to be faithful unto death. The threat of violence and death because of their faith was a real possibility. How difficult is that reality for us to process? How might we address/apply it in our free society?
3. Around the world, people are suffering physically, emotionally, economically, and relationally because of their faith in Jesus. While it’s easy to feel helpless to do anything at all for them, what is the powerful thing we can do?
Take some time to pray for the churches in countries you know of that are being persecuted.
4. Most people in the western world compromise our faith for far less than death. In which areas of life do you think Christians most feel the pressure to compromise or to not speak up, act differently or pursue grace and truth?
From where does that pressure come?
5. In what area of life do you feel pressure to compromise? Where does that pressure come from?
6. How do you feel led to respond to this week’s message and text? Are there steps of obedience you feel the Spirit asking you to take?
18th July 2021 – Mr Steve Dunn – Ephesus: For Busy People
‘Is Your Love for Jesus Alive & Growing?’
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus: For Busy People
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you started out on fire for Jesus, changed by grace – then over the years of life getting to you – you lose sight of how you started?
2. How can the Christian life become more mundane than exciting? How can church become more of a chore than a place of worship?
3. Discuss all the positives Jesus had to say about the church. In what ways could Jesus say the same thing about your Christian life?
4. Discuss the ways the church at Ephesus has fallen short. Read Acts 19:17-20. What did the church do at the beginning that Jesus was turning them back to?
5. How do you keep the passion and enthusiasm alive in your life for following Jesus?
6. In what ways can the monotony of life drain your passion for Jesus?
7. If Jesus were to write you a letter telling you to turn back to the way you started, what would be in that letter?
11th July 2021 – Dr Brian Krum – Remaining and Responding in the Spirit
Holy Spirit – Person, Purpose and Presence – “Remaining and Responding in the Spirit”
Acts 2:1-13, 1 Corinthians 12 – 14
We are concluding our short teaching series on the Holy Spirit this week.
During these past three weeks I have been reminded of two clear commands in the Bible: pursue love and to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. Because spiritual gifts are given to help us love one another.
The Spirit doesn’t give us gifts for our oohs and aahs. He gives us gifts so for the glory of Christ we are able to pursue love through serving one another. This way no one can think that he or she is not needed or that he or she doesn’t need anyone else (1 Corinthians 12:15, 21).
Love is the aim of spiritual gifts. So if we neglect any particular spiritual gift, if we don’t earnestly desire and pursue them, we will neglect some aspect of love and so fail to glorify Christ. We need the Spirit’s empowerment to strengthen those of us who follow Jesus and help others who do not yet see, meet, experience and accept Jesus’ love.
So what do you do when you really want something? You don’t wait around for someone to deliver it nicely packaged, fully assembled, and ready-to-use. You go looking for it. You start asking questions of knowledgeable people. You read and watch and listen to a lot of information. Then you step out and do something about it.
Here are a few places to start in your earnestly desiring spiritual gifts:
The Bible. Soak in 1 Corinthians 12–14, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Read the book of Acts over and over until it fuels your desire to experience the reality of the kingdom you read here.
Pray. As you desire the fullness of the Spirit and seeing the kingdom of God advance, your discontent and desperation will drive you to pray the kind of prayers the Lord loves to answer.
Consume Sound Teaching. Fuel your desire by increasing your knowledge. Type “Spiritual Gifts” into your Google search box and add names like Sam Storms, Wayne Grudem, and D.A. Carson. They skilfully handle the Word and are personally experienced in the spiritual gifts.
Meet a Need. Taking steps for the sake of Christ to love others whose needs extend beyond our capacities puts us (and them) squarely in the path of God’s grace.
4th July 2021 – Dr Brian Krum – The Difference the Holy Spirit Makes
Holy Spirit – Person, Purpose and Presence – “The Difference the Holy Spirit Makes”
Acts 2:14-47 and John 15-16
27th June 2021 – Dr Brian Krum – “What’s the deal with the Holy Spirit?”
New Series: Person, Purpose and Presence – “What’s the deal with the Holy Spirit?”
Acts 2:1-13
I grew up in a church where we didn’t really talk about the Holy Spirit. It was a loving, caring, generous, community-serving, Jesus-introducing church. The Holy Spirit just didn’t get a lot of air time. Except, I do remember that there was some talk about certain home groups that Holy Spirit “stuff” happened. But that was always a mystery.
Then years down the track I found myself working at a church where Jesus was rarely mentioned, but the Holy Spirit was talked about, called upon and acted in all the time. Guest speakers would come and even more Holy Spirit “stuff” happened. That too was always a mystery.
So I decided to go back to basics. Is the Holy Spirit God? Absolutely! God has three parts: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And because I know God as a gracious, good father – I knew I had nothing to fear, and God had nothing to hide. And I have discovered that the Holy Spirit isn’t weird, isn’t rude; and isn’t some hard-to-understand mystery.
Perhaps you’re like me and you grew up in a church that treated the Holy Spirit like the crazy uncle you have to endure at Christmas. Or maybe you witnessed some abuse of the Holy Spirit and those gifts. Or maybe you’re new to following Jesus and don’t know much about the Holy Spirit at all.
Over the next three weeks we are going to look at the first three chapters in Acts to better understand the person, purpose and presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s my hope that this will help you know how great it is to remain in Jesus, respond to God’s kingdom invitation and follow the Spirit in a victorious Christian life. In return you will see an increase of the Spirit’s presence and power in your life. He wants to do amazing things in and through your life. All you have to do is let him.
13th June 2021 – Steve Dunn – “Influence/Impact”
Jesus + Nothing Part 8 – “Influence/Impact”
Colossians 4:1-6
Week Eight
Opening Questions:
1. Tell about a time you tried to, or wanted to share Jesus with someone who didn’t know him.
2. If you could fix any one problem in the world through prayer, what would it be (other than salvation of the whole world)?
Important to Know:
As Paul wraps up his letter, he includes some final instructions for the church, and then specific messages and greetings. In his instructions, he reminds them to be devoted in prayer, and specifically to pray for him to
have open doors and clear word as he proclaims the gospel. Clearly, Paul believes that prayers have consequence- namely, that things happen because we pray.
Next, he tells them to make the most of every opportunity with those who don’t yet know Christ. Essentially, Paul is closing with two thoughts: pray for others in their proclamation of the Gospel, and then proclaim the Gospel yourself as well. This is where the rubber hits the road. How will your relationships with Christ and with each other change how you interact with the world?
Questions from the Text:
1. According to verse 2, what are two essential parts of being devoted to prayer? Why is it important to be both of these things?
2. We know from other areas of the Bible that prayer can be a way to connect relationally with the Father. How do verses 2-4 show that prayer is also causative (it has an expected outcome)? What is the category of the things Paul requests prayer for?
3. How does verse 5 instruct us to act towards outsiders?
4. What do you think verse 5 means by “be wise” in the way you act towards those who aren’t Christians, and to “make the most of every opportunity”? What might examples be?
5. In verse 6, what do you think seasoned with salt means? Why do you think Paul instructs us in this way?
Application Questions:
1. What are some strategies to help you have a better prayer life: both relationally with the Lord, and consequent-causing in the world?
2. Who is someone you will proclaim Jesus to? How might you do that?