19 Jul “7 Letters”| Part Five – “Thyatira The Tolerant Church” -All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
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PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORING THIS TOURNAMENT! WE WOULD LIKE TO START MAKING THE BANNERS AND TEE BOX SIGNS ASAP! IF YOU HAVE A BUSINESS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR, PLEASE SHARE THE LINK BELOW, THANK YOU.
NEW ENGLAND — GET READY!
Join us for our Second Annual Waters Academy Golf Tournament!
We invite you to be part of this exciting event by registering to play or becoming a sponsor. Your participation helps us continue to grow and build Waters Academy!
Click the links below to get involved:
Please consider supporting our tournament by donating a themed raffle basket, raffle items, gift cards, products, services, or a monetary contribution. Your generosity helps make this event a success and directly benefits the students of Waters Academy.
To contribute, please contact Mary Ann Parsons at maparsons@waterschurch.org or Renee Scafidi at renee@watersacademy.org.
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NEW —>>>
CHECK OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR OUR SINGLES MINISTRY – WATERS AFTER HOURS!
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WATERS UNIVERSITY
*** PLEASE NOTE: ALPHA IS DONE FOR THE SUMMER***
We’re looking to grow healthy Christians at Waters Church…spiritually, physically, mentally, financially, and relationally — that is the mission of Waters University.
Alpha is a welcoming, conversation‑driven introduction to the Christian faith where anyone (new & non-believers) can explore life’s big questions in a relaxed, judgment‑free environment.
Re‑Engage Christ‑centered marriage enrichment
Financial Peace University : Achieve financial stability with God
Celebrate Recovery Overcome hurts and habits
We’re looking for Life Groups and/or individuals to provide or donate meals for upcoming Alpha classes at the North Attleboro, Woonsocket, Southcoast, and Apollo Beach campuses. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Go to the Waters Events page or click the link below for more information on classes, Alpha meal prep, and to register for both.
WATERS U (https://watersu.org/)
Please note: Life Groups that generously provide or sponsor a meal for Alpha are deeply appreciated. To help create a safe and consistent environment where guests feel comfortable opening up, we kindly ask that groups serve the meal and then allow the Alpha team and registered participants to continue the class and discussion.
Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- Growth Track – Check the schedule and register on the events page.
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after every service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care, or have a group member who does? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
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SATURDAY MORNING PRAYER AND 6:00 AM WORSHIP ON PAUSE THROUGH THE SUMMER.
NOTE:
Two opportunities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off the break room during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please note: if you have a member who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
NORTH ATTLEBORO
Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES
If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.
Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!
**Please read all scripture in the ESV, unless otherwise noted.**
**The Leader prompts help you, as the leader, move the conversation along.**
Key Verse: Revelation 2
Ice Breaker Question:
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen happen at a wedding, party, or family gathering?
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together. Open our hearts to Your Word and give us wisdom to recognize truth from error. Help us receive correction with humility and give us courage to stand firm without losing compassion for others. Lead our discussion and help us grow in faithfulness to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Revelation 2:18-20 ESV
Thyatira became a church marked by tolerance.
Tolerance means to accept someone’s actions or thoughts, even if you don’t agree.
Not everyone belongs to Jesus and believes the Word. There will be many refusing to believe and walk away from the Lord, and a few who will walk with the Lord.
While Christians should treat unbelievers with kindness and respect, the Church must never tolerate false teaching or sin that leads people away from Jesus. In God’s house, truth must be protected because souls are at stake.
A. Today’s tolerance says all BELIEFS deserve EQUAL acceptance.
No Christian can adhere to that sort of tolerance.
John 14:6 ESV
Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Acts 4:12 ESV
B. Today’s tolerance says no one should JUDGE another’s BELIEF or BEHAVIOR.
The Church does not judge the world, but God does. God’s judgment is perfect, righteous, and final.
The Church is called to judge the Church.
Galatians 6:1 ESV; Ephesians 4:15 ESV
C. Today’s tolerance says PEACE is more important than TRUTH.
Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, not peacekeepers.
Q. How can we show love and respect to others without accepting beliefs or behaviors that contradict God’s truth?
Leader Prompt:
Biblical tolerance does not mean that every belief is equally true, that sin should never be addressed, or that peace should come at the expense of truth. Jesus is the only way to salvation, but we are called to speak truth with love, humility, and gentleness.
Practical:
Ask God to help you identify one situation in which you need to stand for truth. Pray for wisdom to respond with both grace and courage.
- A Tolerant Church will ACCEPT acceptable TEACHING.
Revelation 2:19 ESV
Love, faith, service, and endurance – no one will find fault with Churches like this. Until the preacher touches on something that they do not want ot hear.
Acts 20:26–27 ESV
Paul preached on things the congregation liked and also the things they did not want to hear.
God will hold every teacher of the Word accountable.
Q. How do we respond when God’s Word confronts something we do not want to hear? Why must a healthy Church receive both encouragement and correction?
Leader Prompt: Paul preached the whole truth of God’s Word—not only the parts people found encouraging or comfortable.
Practical: Ask God to reveal one area you have resisted His truth, and choose one step of obedience this week.
2. A Tolerant Church will ENDORSE WORLDLY teachers.
Revelation 2:20 ESV (Read earlier)
Tolerate in this passage means to no longer hold on to something, to permit. Thyratira was permitting things they should not.
False Christianity majors on COMPASSION while refusing to CONFRONT SIN.
You cannot tolerate someone’s wrong behavior to gain their approval.
Q. How can we recognize when compassion is being used as an excuse to tolerate false teaching or sinful behavior? What are some warning signs, and how can we respond with both truth and love?
Leader Prompt:
The church in Thyatira allowed a worldly teacher to influence believers because they refused to confront her false teaching and immorality. Genuine Christian compassion loves people enough to speak the truth about sin while still offering grace, repentance, and restoration.
Practical:
Examine the voices you allow to influence your beliefs. Compare every teaching with Scripture, reject anything that excuses sin, and ask God for courage to speak truth with compassion.
3. A Tolerant Church is EXAMINED by Jesus.
Revelation 2:21–23 ESV
Whenever you see people seemingly getting away with what God says not to do, they are truly not getting away with it. God gives people time to repent.
Q. Why might God’s patience with sin be mistaken for His approval, and what does this passage teach us about the need to repent?
Leader Prompt:
Jesus gave the church time to repent, but He also made it clear that continued compromise would bring judgment. He sees beyond outward appearances and examines our motives, choices, and willingness to obey Him.
Practical:
Ask Jesus to reveal any area of compromise in your life. Respond quickly through honest repentance and make one specific change that reflects obedience to His Word.
4. A Biblical Church VALUES TRUTH above TOLERANCE.
Revelation 2:25-27 ESV; 2 Timothy 2:11–13 ESV
Revelation 2:28 ESV
The Morning Star is Jesus. You stand for Jesus, you get Jesus.
Q. What truth do you need to hold onto, even when compromise would be easier or more accepted?
Leader Prompt:
Jesus calls His church to hold firmly to the truth until He returns. Those who remain faithful may face pressure now, but they will share in His victory and receive the lasting reward He promises.
Practical:
Identify one area where you feel pressured to compromise. Choose a specific Scripture to stand on this week and ask God for strength to remain faithful.
Sermon in a sentence:
A BIBLICAL church values God’s TRUTH above the world’s TOLERANCE because only TRUTH sets people FREE.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You know our hearts and lovingly call us to repentance and faithfulness. Show us any area where we have allowed compromise, false teaching, or the desire for acceptance to become more important than Your truth. Help us hold firmly to Your Word, speak the truth in love, and remain faithful until You return. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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