Pulpit Curriculum - Hold Fast
Dorrance Parris
October 27, 2024

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Pulpit Curriculum: Hold Fast

November 3rd – November 9th, 2024


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Sermon Summary

Today’s sermon from Revelation 2:18-29, focuses on the fourth letter to the church in
Thyatira, a city known for its textile industry and worship of pagan gods. This church is commended for its love, faith, service and patient endurance. However, Jesus reprimands them for tolerating false teachings and allowing sinful practices to infiltrate, specifically through a figure referred to as Jezebel, who promotes sexual immorality and idolatry. In drawing parallels between the challenges faced by the church in Thyatira and the modern-day church, the sermon underscores the need for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, resist false teachings, and commit to living according to God’s Word despite societal pressures and moral compromises. The call to “hold fast” resonates as a reminder to prioritize spiritual truths over worldly conveniences, urging believers to remain firm in their convictions and vigilant in discerning truth.

Verse of the Week

Revelation 2:24-25
24“But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25Only hold fast what you have until I come.”

Going Deeper

This section of the Pulpit Curriculum is meant to support Bible reflection, and encourage readers to come away with a high view of Scripture.

Review: Revelation 2:18-29

1 The preacher encourages us to “hold fast to good works”. Where else in scripture is this encouraged?

a What biblical passages best illustrate the relationship between faith and works?

Read and reflect on Revelation 2:20-23

2 What cultures of the city influenced the church in Thyatira?

3 Compare Jezebel’s impact on the church at Thyatira to that of Queen Jezebel (1 Kings) and God’s response. What does this teach us about divine judgment?

4 What warning does scripture give against false prophets and teachers?

a How might the influence of false prophets/teachers manifest in today’s church?

b How can churches guard against these threats?

c What responsibility does the church have in addressing and confronting immoral behaviour and false teachings within its ranks?

5 In this letter there is a call for repentance before judgment is enacted. What does this tell us about the nature of God? Support your response with scripture

Read and reflect on Revelation 2:24-29

6 Those who remained faithful were promised authority over the nations and a bright morning star. What does the phrase “the morning star” signify in the context of the passage?

a How do these promises contrast with the consequences faced by those who follow Jezebel?

Assess Your Life

The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In discussions with your friends and family, or in your Small Group, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.


1. Jesus commended the church at Thyatira on their progressive development and cultivation of the Fruit of the Spirit.

a. Examine your own life, in what specific areas do you feel the need to repent?

b. Which areas require growth?

c. How do you typically respond when confronted with your own shortcomings or sins?

d. Is the fruit of the spirit evident during times of adversity or stress?

2. What practices do you have in place to study the Bible deeply?
How can you improve your engagement with scripture to strengthen your beliefs?

3. Have you answered the call to serve others within your community or church?
How can you increase your commitment to service?

Application

One key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.


1. Take a moment to document the areas of your life which need repentance and growth.

1a. Commit to spending time in prayer (personal and corporate) on each area that the Holy Spirit brings to my attention.

2. Identify one area where you can serve your community this week

I will ask

to hold me accountable in this.


Sermon Main Points

1) Hold fast to good works (Rev 2:19)

2) Hold fast to sound biblical teaching (Rev 2:20-23)

3) Hold fast – remain faithful, even unto death (Revelation 2:24-29)

Quotes

  • The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Believer. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14).

  • A believer may never be completely victorious in always demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit. However, it is one of the main purposes of the Christian life… to progressively allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives - and to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer the opposing sinful desires

  • We are saved only by faith, and this faith which saves will produce good works

  • Wherever God sets the truth, Satan endeavors to sow lies, and falsehood, and error.

  • The scripture says that God is not willing that anyone should perish, His aim is reconciliation. Despite the seriousness of their transgression, with the negative impact it had on the church, Jesus remained willing to forgive them, clean the slate and return them to the fold.

  • The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers is to know the truth. To spot a counterfeit, we must study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and who makes a careful study of the Bible can identify false teaching.


Sermon Reflection

What stood out for me in this sermon?

What can I do to remember this?


5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps

1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)

2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)

3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)


Day 1 - Galatians 6:9-10

Encourages believers to persist in doing good.

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 2 - Romans 6:1-2

Admonishes believers not to continue in sin.

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 3 - Revelation 3:19-20

Jesus corrects those he loves.

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 4 - 2 Peter 3:8-9

God is patient not wanting anyone to perish.

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 5 - Hebrews 10:23

Encourages believers to hold unswervingly to their hope.

What I learned / How I will Respond?


For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.