LESSON 1

LESSON 9
Topic:

WARNING AGAINST
CORRUPTION IN THE
CHURCH

Revelation 2: 18-29
Corruption simply means doing something
morally bad. Engaging in sinful acts that
defiles, stains and destroys life.
God has called us unto holiness. He wants us
to do what is right and pleasing unto Him at all
times.
The Thyatira church had some good works, but
underneath were some corrupt practices.
Jesus gave them time to repent, but they
never did. He promised to punish the wicked
people in the church unless they forsake their
bad ways. He also promised to bless the
righteous if they follow Him to the end.
Friends of Jesus
should avoid all
forms of
corruption.
Be a shining light
and influence
others to live a
holy and righteous
life.
Three points to consider
1. CHRIST'S WARNING
AGAINST CORRUPTION

2. CONSEQUENCES OF ALLOWING
CORRUPTION IN THE CHURCH

3.COUNTLESS BLESSINGS FOR

THE UNCORRUPTED IN THE
CHURCH
Point 1 CHRIST'S WARNING AGAINST CORRUPTION
Revelation 2:18-20; Psalm 11:4; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Hebrews 4:12,13 ;1 Peter 3:12

The church is the bride

of Christ and He is
constantly watching over
her.
Jesus knew everything
about all the members of
the church in Thyatira.
Nothing is hidden from
His sight.
The Thyatira church in our text was known for
her works, charity, service, faith and patience
which were acceptable before the Lord. But
the Lord was not pleased with them because
they allowed some ungodly people to influence
others to do bad things in the church.
If you keep 30 eggs in a basket and just one gets
spoilt, that single egg will spoil the others if it is
not quickly removed.
This was why Jesus Christ Himself spoke to the
Thyatira church. There were a few 'bad eggs'
among them, if such bad eggs were not properly
handled, they would eventually corrupt the whole
church.
Christ loves His church but hates sin and
all that could corrupt. Failure to repent
will bring judgement.
God does not punish sinners without
giving them time to repent, because He
is not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance
(2 Peter3:9b).

Corrupt people in the Bible who refused

to repent were judged by God.
 EXAMPLES OF CORRUPT PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE AND THE
CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS

(a) Sodom and Gomorrah

rebelled against God, refused to
heed the warning from angels
and they all perished. Lot's wife
would have been saved but she
looked back and perished with
Sodom (Genesis 19:24-26).

(b) Absalom was a very

handsome young man who
became too ambitious. He
rebelled against the king and
corrupted the throne. He died a
shameful death (2 Samuel 18:10-17).
(c) Herod the king, refused to
honour God as the one who rules
and reigns over the universe. He
wanted to destroy the foundation
of the church and he died an
uncommon death. He was struck
by an angel, died and was
immediately eaten up by worms
(Acts 12:2123).

(d) Achan was a thief and a

covetous fellow. For his evil
deeds, he caused the defeat of
Israel in battle and death of some
people. He was stoned to death
with his children and other family
members (Joshua 7:11-12,18-26).
(e) Dinah wandered from
the care of her parents
to seek friendship with
corrupt people. She was
defiled and caused
trouble for a whole
community (Genesis 34:1-2).
(f) Judas Iscariot sold
his Master and Lord for
30 pieces of silver. He
failed to heed Christ's
warning and perished.
Christ's warning is also coming to us as individuals
and as a church.
There are some children in the church today who
are regular in the fellowship, yet they are bad
influences to others. They teach other children to
disobey instructions. They are rowdy in church,
they make noise and run around without showing
respect for the house of God.
Some will refuse to close their eyes when praying
and would not like to maintain orderliness during
worship. Others bring their school work/assignment
to do in the church during service, some also do
many other things to cause distraction during
worship service.
All these bad habits bring corruption to the church.
Remember, Jesus sees everything we do in the
church, at school and even in secret places.
If you are one of such children corrupting the
church, repent now before it is too late. God is going
to judge both young and old because He is a
righteous Judge and no respecter of persons.
True friends of Jesus, therefore, should be mindful
of their actions, thoughts and choice of friends
(1 Corinthians 15: 13).
Point 2 CONSEQUENCES OF ALLOWING CORRUPTION
IN THE CHURCH
Revelation 2:21-23; Genesis 19:24-26; Exodus 32:7-10; Psalm 9:17; 50:22

It is dangerous to remain
in sin and also cause
others to do bad things.
The consequences of such
actions are unbearable.
If you are still a sinner
influencing other children
to disobey God's word,
repent now before it is
too late.
Do not be like the Jezebel in Thyatira church.
Jesus is warning you. Therefore, come to
Jesus now. Pray and confess your sins to Him.
Ask Him to forgive you, cleanse your heart
with His blood, and invite Him to come into
your heart to be your Saviour and Friend.
From now onwards,
be an obedient child
of God.
Read the Bible,
believe it, obey all
the instructions and
share the love of
Jesus with others.
Point 3 COUNTLESS BLESSINGS FOR THE UNCORRUPTED IN
THE CHURCH
Revelation 2:24-29; 3:11; Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 19:28

Jesus encouraged the

uncorrupted in the Thyatira
church to be steadfast till the
end. He promised them
blessings.
Friends of Jesus in the Bible
who were steadfast were
blessed for their
righteousness. These include
Daniel (Daniel 1 : 8 ),
Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego (Daniel 3:15-21),
Joseph (Genesis 39:7-20),
Samuel (1 Samuel 2: 18).
God will bless friends of
Jesus who will not defile
themselves with the
corrupting influence of
the world.
“And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works
unto the end, to him will
I give power over the
nations” (Revelation 2:26).
 Blessing for Friends of Jesus

(a) Answers to prayers

(b) Good success
(c)Wisdom
(d) Dominion
(e) Provision and
protection
(f) Heaven at last.

You can pray now for grace

and courage to remain
steadfast in the faith till
Christ comes.
 QUESTIONS
1. What is corruption?
2. Jesus Christ watches over His church. Yes/No?
3. What are the consequences of allowing
corruption in the church?
4. Mention three people that were destroyed
because of their bad ways.
5. Mention three people who were uncorrupted
in the Bible.
6. How can sinful boys and girls be free from
corruption?
 MEMORY VERSE
“Notwithstanding I have a few things
against thee, because thou sufferest
that woman Jezebel, which calleth
herself a prophetess, to teach and to
seduce my servants to commit
fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols”

(Revelation 2:20).
LESSON:

God hates sin and will punish sinners

who fail to repent.

THOUGHT:
I surrender my life unto Christ. I will
not corrupt the church of God.
 ACTIVITY

Identify some things that children

do which can bring corruption into
their lives, then pray against such
in your life.
 CHORUSES

(1) Satan can never, never conquer

me.

(2) I will never let the devil win the

battle.

(3) I have decided to follow Jesus.

 HOME WORK

Write in your homework book,

five things that can bring
corruption in the church, then
pray each day of the week
against such.
 DAILY BIBLE READING
MONDAY Ecclesiastes 12: 13,14
TUESDAY Mathew 7: 15-17
WEDNESDAY Matthew 7: 18-20
THURSDAY Matthew 7: 21-23
FRIDAY 1 TIMOTHY 3: 1-4
SATURDAY 1 TIMOTHY 3: 5-9
SUNDAY REVELATION 22: 12-14
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can
use your dictionary.

1. Righteousness
2. Warning
3. Steadfast
4. Corruption
5. Consequence