Visible Churches Warned

Overview of the book:

1-7 Characteristic of a holy man

8-10 Reminders and examples: good, warning, bad

11-??? The connection between Christ and a holy life

Sin, Sanctification, Holiness, The Fight, (out of order)Assurance, The Cost, Growth, Moses, Lot: A Beacon, A Woman to Be Remembered, Christ’s Greatest Trophy , The Ruler of the Waves, The Church Which Christ Builds, Visible Churches Warned, Lovest Thou Me?, Without Christ!, Thirst Relieved

Review

Ryle introduced in the last chapter a distinction between the VISIBLE church and the TRUE church.

Visible church is a servant to the TRUE church

Holiness is the prominent characteristic of all who below to the True church

2. Holiness is the prominent characteristic of all who below to the True church

No Visible church can say it is the only True church

No Visible church can say it is the only True church

No Visible church will stand forever, they will decay and perish

No Visible church will stand forever, they will decay and perish

The work in the True church will continue its work regardless of what happens to the Visible church

The work in the True church will continue its work regardless of what happens to the Visible church

There are times of prosperity and peace in the Visible church but there is never peace for the True church

There are times of prosperity and peace in the Visible church but there is never peace for the True church

Intro

(ESV) — 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Context: Who knows what the context of this passage includes? Why did Ryle choose this one to focus?

Beginning in chapter 2 we have the letters from Christ to the 7 churches. This passage is the last of the 7 and is written to the church in Laodicea.

(ESV) — 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

I. Matters of doctrine, practice, learning and promise

What is found in the letters to the churches? Faith, repentance, holiness…****read those letters****

What is NOT found in the letters? Sacraments, Church government, liturgy, observance of ceremonies.

II. Observe that in every epistle the Lord Jesus says, “I know they works”

a. He knows the works of all impenitent and unbelieving souls and will PUNISH

b. He knows the works of His own people WEIGHS them

c. He knows the works of His own people and REWARDS them.

III. In every epistle the Lord Jesus makes a promise to the man that overcomes

***Add more details on the intro to the promises and the costs.

a. Moses

b. Micaiah

c. Daniel

d. Matthew

e. Peter & John

f. Saul

IV. Application

1.Warning for those living only for the world

2.Warning all formalist and self-righteous people

3.Warning for all careless members of churches

4.Warning to everyone who wants to be saved

5.Warning to professing believers not to be content with a little religion