Day 05 - Sardis, Thyatira

RESTORING SECURITY.

We continued studying the seven churches of Revelation today by putting boots on the ground in the places where all of this took place and studying the letters there. What a journey this trip has been! We started the day in the upper city of Sardis at the Artemis Temple talking about how intimately Jesus knows the churches He’s writing to through the apostle John. We talked about how the church of Sardis manufactured a false security and related how we do that as well. We asked the question, “Am I pursuing a life of humility in Christ or pride in this world?” We finished our time by studying the revived church of Sardis and stepping into one of the earliest churches you can stand in on the planet! The boldness of this church that woke up and repented was inspiring to our group.

We then went to the lower city of Sardis, studying the Roman roads, shops, gymnasium, and bathhouses along the way before setting foot in the largest synagogue ever discovered outside of Israel. It was incredible! It reflected the Pax deal the Jews made with Rome for peace and we were reminded how the Lord always leaves a remnant of people abiding in Him and placing their security solely in Christ. As Christians, we shouldn’t make security deals with anyone except for Jesus.

We had a terrific lunch and wonderful conversation together before heading to Thyatira, the home of Lydia. There, we studied trade guilds during the Roman era and how they brought a false security to participants. We talked about the importance of women in ministry and how to discover people of peace. We concluded our time in those ruins by determining that the combination of great love and bad doctrine never work for Christ’s Church. Studying these two churches from Revelation today was incredibly helpful to our faith journeys and we can’t wait for Pergamum and Smyrna tomorrow!

The team is now at the hotel and getting ready for dinner. They’re energized, positive, and in great health. Please continue praying for this special team of people!

Tommy