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The one time professional cricketer turned missionary to China and Africa, Charles T Studd once declared, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him“. Total surrender is a richly understood necessity for those who engage Christ as saviour, but it is never without its struggles. Compromise continues to irritate and frustrate at every level.

The church at Thyatira was no exception. Commended for their love, faith, service and patient perseverance, they were nevertheless tolerating the festering influence of Jezebel and all that came with it. In the midst of an impressive dedication to Christ there resided a gaping hole of compromise.

This week the Curious team take a look at the contradiction that was Thyatira. How Jesus dealt with a church that could be both impressively committed in some areas whilst remaining mysteriously lapsed in others. Tune in this week as the team seek to unravel this perplexing yet all too common facet of the Christian’s experience.

Further Reading

We’ve listed some views below for you to read and ponder;

What Does Revelation Teach Us about the Church at Thyatira? - Christianity.com

Poisonous Tolerance - DesiringGod.org

The Letter to the Church at Thyatira - Ligonier.org

What We’re Reading

As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this episode. So here goes. We’ve been getting stuck into the following;

Jeffrey A Weima — The Sermons to the Seven Churches of Revelation (A Commentary and Guide)

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

One of the recurring problems that Israel faced in the subsequent immediate years following their Exodus from Egypt, was the infiltration of thoughts and ideas from non-Israelites travelling within their company. Sometimes they would encourage them to murmur and grumble. In later years, as that foreign element increased, they would be tempted to look elsewhere for other gods and forms of worship.

Compromise is always a dangerous element within any group, but especially within the church of God. The church at Pergamum was facing a very similar threat. Despite having those who were faithful and held fast to the truth, even to the point of death, as Antipas; yet there was a number among them who held to beliefs, ideas and convictions that were foreign to Christ and truth.

This week the Curious Team take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Pergamum Church. They examine the great strength of holding fast and persevering; whilst also unpacking the real danger of rooted compromise. Tune in this week as the team uncover the good and bad of church life


Further Reading
We’ve listed some views below for you to read and ponder…
The Letter to the Church in Pergamum - Ligonier.org
Pergamos: The Compromised Church - LineageJourney.com

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this episode. So here goes. We’ve been getting stuck into the following;

Jeffrey A D Weima—
The Sermons To The Seven Churches of Revelation (A Commentary and Guide)

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

It can be very easy to speak in terms of God‘s sovereignty and control over all things. Even when we see very difficult times inflicted on the world and others, it is not a huge stretch of faith to maintain the conviction of God‘s control of world events. However, when that suffering and pain impacts on our own personal lives and on the lives of those we love, it is considerably harder at that point to maintain a stubborn insistence on the sovereignty and governance of God over the events of life. The temptation is to rethink our understanding. To doubt that God is either all powerful or all good.

In this second episode of our new series ‘Seven Churches Speak’, Pete and the Curious team take a look at the Church in Smyrna. The Smyrnaean believers were being maligned and slandered, blasphemed and persecuted. And rather than being met with good news that their difficulties and pain was about to come to an end; they are told by John that persecution will not only continue but increase!

This week the Curious Team take a look at how this particular church in Smyrna managed not only to endure, but to thrive and grow in the most hostile of environments. Tune in this week as the team uncover some wonderful lessons from the church in Smyrna.


Further Reading
We’ve listed some views below for you to read and ponder…
What does God say about the Church at Smyrna? - Christianity.com

The Letter to the Church in Smyrna - Ligonier.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book(s) that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this episode. So here goes. We’ve been getting stuck into the following;

Jeffrey A D Weima—
The Sermons To The Seven Churches of Revelation (A Commentary and Guide)

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious