Sermon Snippets With Max Taylor podcast

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Revelation 2:18-29 The church at Thyatira represents an age in history when the Christian church became mandatory, and that is not a good thing. In the letter to this church, Christ instructs them that He is the true Son of God, that they should not tolerate false teaching, and that we can look forward to the coming kingdom when the world will be made right. All of these things should encourage us today as we strive to live for the Lord. Thyatira: the Licentious church I. The Location (literal local church) This was a smaller city Dominated by trade guilds and commerce Religiously very pluralistic II. The Likeness of Christ Son of God, establishing deity Eyes of fire, depicting judgment Feet of brass, depicting authority III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings) Commends their works, charity, service, faith, patience, and works Condemns their tolerance of false doctrine, they had an indifference towards truth, immoral mixing with the world, eating things sacrificed to idols We need to be extremely careful with those who claim to be teachers of the Bible It seems the self-proclaimed prophetess ‘Jezebel’ must have encouraged or justified participation in pagan associations and clubs We must reference the Word of God to know how we ought to live - we must study and commit to God’s commands and principles Not everyone had gone along with the undermining of Christian living To these, Jesus offered encouragement to continue holding fast IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) The Roman Catholic Church period was a time of mixing paganism with Christianity Truth became secondary to works, ungodly sacraments, and rituals Some in this time continued to guard and follow the truth V. The Lesson for us (type of church) Don’t justify or excuse living like the godless world Those who remain committed to the Lord will rule with Him when He sets up His kingdom of righteousness, we will be able to fully embrace the world when the world is made right…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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117. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 12: Church #3 - Pergamos 15:00

8 days ago15:00

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Revelation 2:14-17 The goal was to spend one week per church, but we are taking a week to catch up. Pergamos teaches us that we should not grow comfortable in the world or begin to tolerate ungodliness. The world uses harsh persecution, false teaching, subtle enticement, and many other tactics to draw us away from Christ, but we must allow the truth of God’s Word to cut through the lies of society. If we stay faithful to God, we will be filled and we will find our identity in Him. Pergamos: the Lax church I. The Location (literal local church) The capital of Asia Minor, seat of authority In the course of the world and of geopolitics The church was prone to be mixed with the world Many compromised to join the culture’s welcome (verse) One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste In some ways, persecution is easier to bear because it is direct opposition, whereas the tendency to compromise and give into a welcoming environment can be harder in some cases I really think II. The Likeness of Christ God’s Word discerns our hearts III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings) The good, after Christ and good examples Holding fast the name of Christ Not denying the faith Antipas, the faithful martyr - look at him, he was all-in for the Lord and look where it got him, it cost him his life… what a waste… but God praises him and uses his example as a model and a mentor that we should follow. It is good to have godly role models and be 1 The bad, described in doctrine Doctrine of Balaam - idolatry of the heart Doctrine of the Nicolaitans - clergy rules the laity IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) Following the persecution, the church became accepted in Rome This church mirrors the time period from roughly AD 300-600 The church became accepted and adopted elements of the world V. The Lesson for us (type of church) Repent of the comfortableness with the world The Word of God cuts through the error of society The saved will be filled and will find a new identity in Christ…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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116. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 11: Church #3 - Pergamos 15:00

15 days ago15:00

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Revelation 2:12-17 In some ways, persecution is easier to bear than the invitation to join the world because persecution is direct opposition, whereas compromise can seem inviting. One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste. But if we follow after Christ, find clarity in His World, and look at the godly role models around us, we can have the right perspective. Don’t believe the lies and propaganda of the idolatrous world, let God’s Word divide out the truth. Pergamos: the Lax church I. The Location (literal local church) The capital of Asia Minor, seat of authority In the course of the world and of geopolitics The church was prone to be mixed with the world Many compromised to join the culture’s welcome (verse) One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste In some ways, persecution is easier to bear because it is direct opposition, whereas the tendency to compromise and give into a welcoming environment can be harder in some cases I really think II. The Likeness of Christ God’s Word discerns our hearts III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings) The good, after Christ and good examples Holding fast the name of Christ Not denying the faith Antipas, the faithful martyr - look at him, he was all-in for the Lord and look where it got him, it cost him his life… what a waste… but God praises him and uses his example as a model and a mentor that we should follow. It is good to have godly role models and be 1…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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115. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 10: Church #2 - Smyrna 15:00

22 days ago15:00

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Revelation 2:8-11 The church at Smyrna was intensely persecuted because they did not conform to the idolatry that was required of them. And they suffered for it. Some of the main lessons from this church are that we have the strongest fragrance for Christ when we are pressured by persecution, riches are only found in Christ, and we have a different perspective than the world—an eternal perspective—that allows us to be faithful even unto death. May we have courage like the believers of Smyrna did. Smyrna: the Lacerated church I. The Location (literal local church) Smyrna was a thriving commercial Roman city, a center of business They had a temple to the emperor, where worship to caesar was required Citizens had to offer a pinch of incense on the altar to the emperor Christians were excluded from the economic successes of Smyrna If you have seen the movie Polycarp, it describes this city There was intense persecution here, and many Christians caved The name means “crushed” signifying the making of Myrrh, an incense When myrrh is crushed, it gives off a sweet-smelling fragrance II. The Likeness of Christ “The first and the last” - unchanging, constant, outlasting “Which was dead, and is alive” - conquered death The embodiment and provider of eternal life He died, faced the ultimate persecution, to give us life Jesus knows… III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings) Works, tribulation, and poverty for their steadfastness In the world’s estimate they were in poverty, but they were rich in Christ They were courageous in the face of pain and poverty They labeled things the way that God did Nothing negative is said about this church They are told to not fear, though things would not get better physically The reality that things might never get better in this life for us They were to stay faithful and stay focused on the eternal rewards IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) There were ten Roman emperors who intensely persecuted the church This was the period of AD 64-310 (extending beyond these churches) From the apostolic time to Emperor Constantine, ten great periods It would be intense, one right after the other But there was a light at the end of the persecution There was a beginning and an end Compared to eternity, it is brief V. The Lesson for us (type of church) We serve a Savior Who is alive and the author and finisher of our faith When we face persecution or exclusion, we are an incense to God True wealth and riches are found in Christ Live for the eternal rewards, not the circumstantial…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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114. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 9: Church #1 - Ephesus 15:00

29 days ago15:00

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Revelation 2:1-7 We left off discussing the various views of these churches, and today we jump into the letter to the first of these churches. Christ presents Himself to the church at Ephesus—who had been given premier teaching on the church from Paul and the qualifications for church leaders through Paul’s letter to Timothy—as the One who cares for the messengers of the church and walks in the midst of His body. Most of the contents of this letter to Ephesus is praiseworthy, but there is a warning issued them to return to their first love. There is much for us to learn from the letter to this church. Ephesus: the Loveless church I. The Location (literal local church) #1 Very important Roman city in the province of Asia City of Diana the pagan Greek goddess Church Paul spent the most time at Timothy ministered there, as did John, possibly as elders Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the masterpiece treatise on the church, there were no problems addressed in this epistle, contains spiritual depth, it is in the letter to Timothy we have the qualifications for pastor and deacon Gave his parting sermon in Acts 20 II. The Likeness of Christ Christ’s relationship with His church Caring for the elders and walking in the midst of the members III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings) ✅Intolerance towards evil & error ✅Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (domineering over the people) ✅Had remained faithful and patient in their works and labor ❎Left their first love Their fervor and affection was abated over time Probably due to trials due to their location IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) #3 Represents the Apostolic Age AD 70-170 This is a call to patience, to bear under great trials, to continue long in obedience V. The Lesson for us (type of church) #2 Wilmington’s helpful outline: Remember the faith they had loved (give their heads to Christ) Repent (give their hearts to Christ) Repeat their first works (give their hands to Christ)…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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113. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 8: Intro to the Churches 15:00

5 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 2-3 This is a really important part of Revelation because this is where we are living right now. This is the things which “are” so we should take note because it is written to our current time frame. In this first episode on these two chapters, we are introducing the seven churches and the three aspects of these churches as (1) literal local churches, (2) symbolic or types of churches, and (3) historic representative churches throughout the church age. Looking forward to jumping into the church of Ephesus next week!…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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112. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 7: The Layout of Revelation 15:00

6 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:17-20 John is here given the outline for the revelation he would record (1) the things which he had seen, (2) the things which were, and (3) the things which would be hereafter. When these last remaining things begin to happen, they will take place suddenly and in rapid succession (1:1). May we meditate on these things of eternal value and long to see the Lord face to face.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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111. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 6: Getting a Glimpse of Jesus 15:00

7 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:13-16 These verses give us a glimpse of Jesus, as He will be in the day of the Lord. For now, we can see Jesus as we study the truth of His Word, watch prophecy line up for His return, interact with other believers who are part of His Bride, and meditate upon Him personally. We need but to listen and turn and look as John did. And one day we will see—not just a glimpse of Jesus—but we will see Him as He is. That is what motivates us to purity and hope (1 John 3:2-3).…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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110. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 5: Christ In Our Midst 15:00

8 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:11-16 At the beginning of John’s vision, he hears the voice of God telling him to record the things he would see (beginning with a vision of Jesus Himself) to spread to the churches in the region. We then get a window into the voice and description of Jesus here. These verses remind us of how we have come to possess the Word of God and the privilege of being the church of God. Next week, we will pick up with this seven-fold vision of Jesus.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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109. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 4: On the Island But In the Spirit 15:00

9 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:9-10 In these two verses, we get a window into the life of John and what he was experiencing after his imprisonment and exile to the Isle of Patmos. But even there, his mind was on the Lord’s Day. They can imprison our bodies, but they cannot capture our hearts and minds. The important truth for us is that even when we feel exiled in this world and on an island spiritually, we can meditate on the culmination of God’s plan in our spirit.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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108. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 3: Seeing Christ 15:00

10 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:7-8 We will all see Christ return to earth, the question is how will we respond. Some will mourn over not believing Christ sooner, others will be angry that God is coming to crush wickedness, and those of us who are saved right now will actually return with Him and watch Him set up His kingdom. So how should we live right now? We should live with trust in God, believing that His way is best and that He will keep His promises. He is eternal and almighty, and nothing can interfere with His designs for human history. Ours is only to trust Him and live for Him.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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107. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 2: Behold, He Cometh 15:00

13 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:4-7 This closing book of prophecy was written in response to the question the disciples repeatedly asked Jesus while He was here. What mercy from God! And yet, how much time do we spend reading and analyzing our Lord’s long-awaited response? We pick up with some information on the Author, the audience, and the announcement in the next few verses. I'm really looking forward to getting deeper into this study!…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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106. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 1: A Blessing… If You Want It 15:00

14 weeks ago15:00

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Revelation 1:1-3 I am excited to go through the book of Revelation relying on my education at Christian college and great commentaries such as the one by Clarance Larkin. The purpose of this book is to reveal to us Jesus through His letters to the churches and His revelation to John. There is an unequivocal blessing to those who read, hear and keep these things… if you want it.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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105. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 21: Four Stabilizing Truths in the Silence 15:00

15 weeks ago15:00

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Inter-testamental Period I have these four statements written in my Bible between the books of Malachi and Matthew. These truths are mine! Whatever your silent period might be and however long it might last, you can cling to these four things relentlessly! If this has been a help to you, consider sharing this episode.…

Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

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104. Final Words | Studies in Malachi Part 20: The Final Word: Curse 15:00

16 weeks ago15:00