Jesus is Real Radio with Daniel Fusco

In this teaching today, Pastor Daniel will tackle a touchy issue...human sexuality. We'll see that this church in Thyratira was compromising in this area, an area that we're all vulnerable to due to the culture we live in. We're bombarded by messages about sex that are completely opposite of what God meant it to be...and that's exactly how the devil wants it. To corrupt something God created as beautiful. It's a problem that has to be urgently addressed for every individual...or it will only escalate.

After a big accomplishment, it's easy to rest on our laurels. But, as we'll hear in today's teaching, Jesus wants us to go further. The church in Thyratira had some problems...but one thing they did well was that their last works were even greater than their first. The world needs us to do more. The Lord needs us to grown in our faith, to reach others...more than we did yesterday. God is issuing a challenging directive when He says to continually increase your work for Him...but, He's up for helping you do it.

If you've ever seen a crime show on television, there is almost always a scene where the cops are turning up the heat on a suspect, trying to get them to confess. They go just far enough to get a confession without breaking the person. The Heavenly Father does that with us as well, but He has a different motive. Because He loves us, He wants to refine us, turning up the heat bit by bit so that the impurities rise to the top. When He deals with that sin, instead of being imprisoned for our confession...He offers grace.

Imagine a traveling salesman, going door-to-door offering---not a vacuum cleaner or books—but a shiny new doctrine. As a believer, you'd quickly say “no, thanks” and close the door. But, what if the person offering that false doctrine was a parent? Or a spouse? Many of us have been taught incorrectly, which is why God gave us the Word. He can help us identify the doctrines in our lives that are contrary to the truth. The culture around us has a way of seeping into our lives...but we can't compromise.

You know those funny video clips of people falling, tripping or slipping awkwardly to the ground, or into a pool, or onto someone else? They are hilarious to everyone...except, perhaps the person falling. They're just embarrassed. When we hold ourselves up to God's standards...we are constantly falling into a heap of fail. Jesus is watching all our embarrassing missteps, but His response is a loving one. He's achieved perfection, and allows us to huddle beneath His umbrella of righteousness...perfected in Him.

As a believer, you have the Word at your fingertips, and if you take it in...you have no excuses when it comes to compromise. The Word rightly divides...making it clear what areas of your life need to be transformed. In his teaching today, Pastor Daniel takes us to a church that is well-versed in compromise...in both avoiding and embracing it. God's Word has laser-like focus, bringing the kind of conviction that makes you want to drop everything and fix what needs to be fixed in order to get right with God.

When you're in a tough situation...where does your faith come into play? A lot of us are guilty of just letting it fall by the wayside, as we try grasp the situation with our own, feeble hands. Or, as Pastor Daniel challenges us today, consider where you turn when your back is up against the wall...if it's not to the Lord...it's a functional savior. Jesus sees the faithfulness of the church at Smyrna, and comforts them with the assurance that they will gain a crown of life. The same is true when we hold fast to the truth.

The resurrection transforms suffering. As we'll see today, the church in Smyrna was intimately familiar with suffering. They lived in poverty, were persecuted for their faith...yet they persevered because of Jesus. In our study today, Pastor Daniel will tell us what Scripture says about suffering...and why we shouldn't be afraid of it. We can be comforted in knowing that our brokenness will be carried by a Savior that is saving us from this life. HE experienced all our suffering, and can speak to us about it.

Firsts are a big deal for most of us. First time driving a car, first day of school, first love...that initial excitement is intense and memorable. But how often since then have you been excited about driving? The novelty of school probably wore off pretty quickly. And first love...love requires maintenance and work to keep burning. As we'll find out today, the church in Ephesus had lost their first love. Pastor Daniel will challenge you to remember when you were on fire for God, to repent of that lost flame...and to return to Him.

When you hold convictions, you'd like to believe that you'd hold fast to them when confronted with an opposing ideal....and for the church in Ephesus, they were doing just that. As Pastor Daniel examines what Jesus wanted this church to know, we'll see exactly why He considered their discernment to be so important. When you cherish the truth of the gospel, you'll be diligent about holding up every bit of doctrine you hear...up against the Word. And, if it doesn't hold up...it's gone.