In today's broadcast, Craig and LaDonna Smith pay a visit to the fifth church in the center of Christ's gaze, and to whom He wanted to communicate with, when He chose the Apostle John to write His chosen words on His behalf. Like the other churches the Smiths have already taught on, the church in Sardis was on the route the Apostle Paul, John, and other leaders traveled to plant and oversee these local congregations. Sardis was given the scathing indictment from Christ of being dead when all along they thought they were a living, doing well kind of church. But it's not what's on the surface that counts. It's what is hidden deep down in the heart and soul that really matters, and the Lord made sure they knew that. So, why does He say they are dead? Because they didn't recognize the absence of the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, as they relied on their own wisdom, plans, and leading. Jesus, Himself, in His earthly life, subjected Himself to the work of the Holy Spirit as we see that Spirit descending on Him as He came out of the waters of baptism. And in. John 17, in His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that as He was sanctified, we too would be sanctified as well. He did it for us, leaving us an example of what the Spirit-filled life looks and acts like. Like all of us, Sardis would do well to learn from the life of Christ and how the Holy Spirit can do amazing things in all our lives and churches. To make sure we understand it right, the Smiths present a comprehensive review, thirty-three things in all, of all that the Holy Spirit does for us, in us, and through us, as outlined in Scriptures. All we have to do is let Him do His work in us! Not a bad way to start a journey into the church at Sardis, right here on Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith complete their study on the church in Thyatira by LaDonna finishing the extensive quote of Professor Pilgrim Benhem. Dr. Benhem brings such depth of insight to what Revelation 2 has to say about this church and left Craig to comment that as he continue to read Pilgrim's article, he just couldn't find a place to hit the stop button. As Dr. Benhem continued on in this powerful article, Craig found that just about all he presented was in perfect alignment with what the Smiths had been teaching all along. For the Craig and LaDonna, it was an affirmation that their convictions, which without hesitation they continue to preach and teach on this podcast platform are shared by other godly leaders, theologians, and spiritual giants of the faith. The key is salvation can be found in no other that Jesus Christ. A visit to Thyatira is a return to the basics of the gospel. Friends, the Smiths hope and pray that their teaching sessions are clear, compelling, and a complete treatment of the biblical passages they present on Indigenous Faith. The goal is, and always has been, to help build biblically healthy Indigenous followers of Christ in the context of their cultures, communities, and traditions. There are three more churches the Smiths will be presenting in upcoming episodes, all of which will help accomplish their stated goals for you. Let's continue to grow together in our Indigenous Faith! We'll see you next week as we look at the next church in the line up of Revelation 2 & 3. Until next time, stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Today the Smiths continue with their deep dive into the church in Thyatira. Today, they continue unpacking Christ's words to this church, who received both commendation and condemnation for the good and bad practices that were evident in this church. In many ways, it represents many churches around the world today who are doing great works, but yet are not living up to the expectations of the Lord Himself whose eyes, it says, are like blazing fire. Oh, yes, He does see and evaluate not only every church, but every follower of Himself. While some were doing great things for the Lord, others were tolerating that wicked women whom the Lord named after Old Testament Jezebel, who led many in the church into sexual adultery and immorality. LaDonna introduces a very comprehensive and powerful review of this church from theologian Pilgrim Benhem who is with the Calvary Chapel movement and serves as a professor and Dean of Students at their seminary in Bradenton, Florida. His insights, our listeners will find out, mirrors that of Craig and LaDonna, affirming that the Smiths are not somewhere out in the proverbial left field theologically, but actually stand in sync with a great number of fellow evangelical leaders, preachers, teachers, and theologians. As you hear LaDonna reading from Pilgrim's in-depth survey (yes, he is actually named Pilgrim by his momma and daddy), it will be things you've already heard about from the heart and soul of the Smiths. It's truths you can take to the bank, dear friend. Encouraging to know as you seek to honor the Lord in your own life as you live out a biblically healthy Indigenous Faith. There's one more episode to go in this timely series, and we trust you'll come back next week for the Smith's teaching on this important and relevant church in the community of Thyatira. Be blessed, dear friends!

In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna Smith continue their study of the words of Christ to the church at Thyatira. This church was commended by Christ for the fact that their works of today were greater than the works they did when they first started. So there was increasing efforts to serve their community for the sake of Christ that did not miss the gaze of the One whose eyes were like a blazing fire. But along with commendation came condemnation for a level of sin and syncretism that was so bad, it negated all the positive affirmation and blessing of God. Jesus said of them that, they tolerated that woman Zezebel who called herself a prophet. Through their engagement with this pagan woman, sexual immorality filled the church and the Lord did not like it at all. Even with that reality, a deeper dive in to the passage led to the discovery of some very godly men who had historic and expansive impact through the then known world. Men like Bernard of Clarivaux, Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, John Huss, and Anselm were all men in the Roman church who were the precursors of the Reformation movement Martin Luther brought to the church in the 1500's. These men were all from the church in Thyatira. But going back to Zezebel and her influence in the church, the Smiths remind us all that both the grace and righteous judgement of the Lord were on full display for not just her, but those who fell into her demonic arms. It says that the Lord gave her time to repent, and called those who followed her to repentance as well. It's great to know, the Smiths remind us, that God is patiently awaiting us to return to Him when we seek genuine repentance from our sins. But also, it's important to remember that while His forgiveness of our sins is total, all encompassing, and liberating to the soul, we are not necessarily delivered from the consequences of our sin. We may be plagued by those consequences for a long time after we've experienced the forgiveness of the Lord. What a sobering reminder for us to seek to walk in obedience to both the Word of God and the God who is the author of that Word. Are you catching these realities, dear friend? The Smiths pray we all do as we move forward in our Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith begin their study on the fourth church in the Apostle Paul's church planting work in the region of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). It's the church in Thyatira. Similar to Pergamos, Thyatira was a city with workers unions that were tied to pagan religions and practices. In the eyes of those throughout the region surrounding Thyatira, it was deemed to be less significant that Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, but like every community around the world, it was, is, and always will be, of eternal importance to the Lord. So important, that He told John to write that they were accountable to the living Word of God and the living God who was the author of that living Word. The Smiths share that this church received commendation from the Lord because their current works were greater than when they first started. But with that commendation was a challenge to them because they were tolerating demonic activity through a woman who epitomized the characteristics of the Old Testament Jezebel. She was leading the people in the church into sexual immorality as part of pagan worship. This speaks to a duality of alliances that God was not pleased with. Seems like nothing has changed in the life of the church even today as syncretism abounds around the world. Once again the only thing the church could do about this is REPENT! Quite a start to another church listed in Revelation 2&3. May we all learn from these churches is the prayer of Craig and LaDonna and their Indigenous Faith heart!

Today the Smiths take a quick break from their study in the Book of Revelation to bring you an extra special edition of Indigenous Faith, where the interviewers become the interviewee's. The Smiths were invited to be guests on the Christian radio program, Jesus is Asking Are You Listening, hosted by Steve and Christy Keist. For many years this program has aired across America and their audience stretches from coast to coast. The Keist's interview the Smiths about a number of topics including both personal and ministry related issues. The Smiths reveal more about their personal lives than ever before, so if you want to know more about their love lives and how the met, and the impact the Miracle at Mile Marker 313 affected both their personal and ministry lives, then this is the episode for you. It's an interesting turn of events where the Smiths sit on the other side of the interview table in this unique version of Indigenous Faith. Don't forget, they'll be right back next week in their continued study on the seven churches in Asia Minor, as they begin their study on the church in Pergamos. All interesting information that Jesus presents to John the Revelator in this critical book of Bible prophecy. Enjoy this week's edition, then we look forward to seeing you again next week, dear friends, as the Indigenous Faith Podcast keeps rolling on!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith complete their study on the words of Jesus Christ to the church in Pergamos. This church had both affirmation of things they were doing well and words of correction over things that they weren't doing well. Something that can easily be said of most churches around the world today! And it's all based upon the authority and clarity of the Word of God. This podcast is first and foremost, a promoter of biblical truth, and secondarily, those truths are supported by comment that Craig and LaDonna Smith offer from their nearly fifty-years of service to Christ and His church. The key word to Pergamos from the mouth of the Lord? Repent! But in saying that, the Lord reminds Pergamos that He understands the great challenges they face because they were in a community that was the hotbed of many pagan religions and demonic practices. It's hard sometimes to live a faithful life in that kind of community. The Lord understands, is compassionate to His people, but yet holds their spiritual feet to the fire when He calls them to repent. On the positive side, He reminds them that He offers His own what He calls, Hidden Manna, which is all about the infusion into the lives of His people of His divine power, His timeless doctrinal truths, and all that is the believer's inheritance which can be enjoyed today. That manna is also tied to His body shed on the cross for our sins, which we are called to remember on a regular basis until He comes again. That is done through the regular observance at the table of the Lord as we who are part of His church celebrates communion with other believers. Craig also explains the mystery of the white stone with a new name on it as the context of the culture of that day is clarified and presented in a way that helps us all understand what the meaning of this white stone is. All important context for believers today to understand what the Lord is saying to these seven churches along the well traveled roads of Asia Minor, as the Smiths continue their study in eschatology on Indigenous Faith. Their next stop on this tour is the city of Thyatira. We'll visit there soon on an upcoming episode of Indigenous Faith! See you then!

In this, the second part of the Smith's review of Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor, they cover the admonitions of the Lord to the church in Pergamos. It was a city given over to a multitude of pagan religions, with shrines built all over the 1,000 foot high hill the city was built around. The inevitable result was many chose to bring their old pagan faith and rituals into their new found faith in Christ, thus resulting in blatant paganism, which, as the Lord stated to them, Nevertheless I have somethings against you...The Lord will never be supportive of that kind of faith and practice for His followers. In fact, the Smiths remind us all of the words Joshua of old told the Israelites when they were trying to do the same...He said, Choose you this day whom you will serve! And then he listed the three options that are still the options for us today. First, choose the gods of our ancestors (old tribal religion and spirituality), second, the gods in the land we are living in (modern paganism of modern America), including Old Testament Molech and Chemosh worship (modern day abortion practices), and even following the god of drunkenness, which was named Bacchus. Remember, God will not share His glory with anyone else, and especially, the gods of the many pagan religions established by nations around the world. This church, amidst that challenge, also had its heroes, who stood up to paganism and boldly worshipped Christ and Christ alone. It's a church that reminds the Smiths of many churches today around the world. On thing is certain, It is only the Lord, Himself, who will righteously and rightly sort out the good from the bad, all because of what He held in His mouth - the Word of God! That's the standard all of us will be evaluated by on Judgement Day. The Smiths hope and trust you are ready to meet the Judge of all the earth, who, as Genesis says, will do right! The time is now to get right with God, repent of sin, and turn your life over to Him!