Line Upon Line

Opening a Christmas series on the goodness of God revealed in the giving of His Son, this teaching contrasts a good God with sinful humanity, traces the origin of evil to the fall in Genesis, and shows how the gift of Jesus addresses humanity's deepest need—calling Christians to receive that gift and extend it to others during the Christmas season.

A teaching from Colossians 2:5-7 showing that genuine salvation produces newsworthy faith, faithful conduct, and—above all—a life of overflowing thanksgiving. Pastor Miles argues that gratitude is the dominant, visible outcome of being rooted, built up, and established in Christ.

Paul commends the Colossian church for its newsworthy faith and good conduct, then calls believers who have received Christ Jesus the Lord to walk in Him—rooted, built up, established, abounding, and overflowing in thanksgiving. Pastor Miles develops a "theology of gratitude," arguing that genuine happiness flows from thankfulness and that thanksgiving is the dominating evidence of a life truly rooted in Christ.

Jesus' letter to the faithful church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–13) shows that He has only commendation and no indictment for them. Their faithfulness—expressed in power, obedience, loyalty, and endurance—is rewarded with a fuller revelation of Himself, an open door of opportunity, protection from the hour of trial, and a permanent place in God's temple.

Jesus addresses the fifth church, Sardis—a congregation with a reputation for being alive but which was spiritually dead. As the one who holds the fullness of the Spirit and possesses His church, Jesus issues seven summons to move this "mostly dead" church from death to life, and promises white garments and a confessed name to those who walk in purity and overcome.

Speaking to a gathering of law enforcement officers, Pastor Miles uses Romans 13 to show that police officers, like pastors, are ministers of God who bear the sword as His servants. From Micah 6:8 he draws three practical callings for those in authority: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.

Pastor Miles teaches Jesus's fourth letter in Revelation, addressed to the church at Thyatira—a congregation commended for growing love and service yet rebuked for tolerating "Jezebel," a false prophetess leading them into idolatry and immorality. The message calls believers to increase in good works, refuse compromise, hold fast to sound doctrine, and overcome through faith in Jesus the Son of God.

Jesus examines the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2:12-17, a faithful church that nonetheless tolerated compromise with the surrounding pagan culture. The teaching warns that while compromise is healthy in marriage and negotiation, it is dangerous and unacceptable in our walk with Christ, who comes to His church as the one bearing a sharp two-edged sword.

An exposition of Jesus' letter to the church at Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11), showing how Christ comforts His suffering people by revealing Himself as the eternal One who died and rose again. The teaching insists that Christians are never promised a tribulation-free life but are assured that death is not the end and that the faithful will receive the crown of life.

Examining Jesus' first letter to the seven churches—addressed to Ephesus—this teaching shows Christ intimately involved with His church, commending their doctrine and discernment yet indicting them for leaving their first love. The summons is to remember, repent, and return to simple faith and love, lest He remove their lampstand.