The church at Thyatira
Part 4 on series on seven churches to Asia
By: M. Allen
FILING INFORMATION:
1997043
09/07/97 - Cyclone, KY;
12/03/2000 – Rapid City, SD
I. Introduction
A.
Several weeks ago we began a series on the seven churches of Asia. We
wish to continue that series today with some thoughts on the church at
Thyatira.
B.
Thyatira - wealthy town in northern part of Lydia, next to the river
Lycus.
1.
Located 65-70 miles SE of Pergamos & 75-80 miles NE of Ephesus.
2.
Not a huge city - but it did develop into a commercial center b/c of
it's location on one of the great Roman roads.
C.
Idolatry prevalent here as in other cities.
1.
gods worshipped included Aesculapius, Baachus, Artemis, Apollo.
2.
In Acts 16:13-15, we find Lydia from there. She was a seller of dyed goods.
D.
Thyatira especially well know for its trade guilds. These would be similar to the unions we
have in our country today.
1.
Every artisan belonged to a guild. Every guild wielded a wide influence.
2.
Guilds closely connected with the various forms of pagan worship in the
city.
3.
One scholar: taught by many in the early church that no Christians could
belong to one of these guilds since they were opposed to the principles of
Christianity.
E.
Acts 19:10
1.
This verse leads one to believe that Paul may have preached in Thyatira
while he lived in Ephesus.
a.
Not certain.
b.
No account given in the Scriptures as to the establishment of a
congregation in this city.
F.
v. 18 - in this passage we have a description of Christ.
1.
Notice - Christ identifies Himself as the Son of God.
a.
First time in these letters that He identifies Himself as such.
b.
Bible testifies to this fact: Jhn. 3:16; Mt. 10:32
c.
Christ wanted them to affirm His divine power & prepare them for the
message they were about to receive.
2.
Eyes like a flaming fire.
a.
Heb. 4:12-13 - eyes are all-seeing.
b.
Nothing hid from the eyes of the Lord.
3.
Feet of fine brass
a.
Fine brass denotes "pure" brass.
b.
Christ left a perfect example.
c.
We should walk in His steps.
II. The Commendation of the Lord
A.
v. 19 - read.
1.
v. 19 implies that a congregation's only security is in going forward.
a.
Christ Himself said Thyatira's last works were greater than it's first.
2.
Direction of Christianity - moving forward.
a.
Phil. 3:13-14 - press onward.
b.
1 Thess. 4:1 - abound more & more
c.
Heb. 6:1-2 - must onto perfection - or maturity
3.
This congregation abounded more and more in its love, faith, patience,
and ministry.
a.
Compare to the church at Ephesus.
1.
Lost its first love.
2.
Unconcerned/apathetic members
3.
God unpleased…
b.
Congregation at Thyatira was deepening in its love for both God and man.
4. Growing in:
a.
Faith - the principle of dependence upon the Lord.
b.
Patience - in steadfastness & perseverance under affliction &
persecution.
c.
Ministry - in all readiness to serve & help one another.
B.
Now the application to us. Are these characteristics of this congregation?
1.
Faith? Perseverance? Patience? Serving or
ministering to one another?
2.
Are these characteristics of our own personal lives?
a.
Each one of us needs to take a look at ourselves!
b.
When compared to when be became a Christian - where are we now? Are the last works greater than the
first?
1.
Been a steady growth in these things?
2.
Or a continual decline?
3.
Which do you believe that God will be pleased with?
3.
No one can stand still in
the Christian life. It is
impossible
a.
The fact is, either ones works for Christ are increasing or they are
decreasing.
C.
If we are truly concerned about our eternal destiny and our relationship
with Christ, we will do all we can to be growing spiritually.
III. The Rebuke of the Lord
A.
Even though Thyatira doing more for the Lord than ever before, they
still fell short of the approval of the Lord. V. 20-21…
B.
Thyatira was condoning sin in the congregation by not rebuking the
sinful practice of this woman Jezebel.
1.
Same thing plagued church at Pergamos.
2.
Both did not comply with the false teaching but rather tolerated it.
3.
Even though (at Thyatira) love was abounding in good works, they lacked
the moral courage to remove the evil from among them.
C.
Woman did some terrible things.
1.
called herself a prophetess
2.
caused servants to commit fornication
3.
Eat things sacrificed to idols.
4.
"Jezebel" in v. 20 probably used in the symbolical sense.
a.
Evidently a woman who had the same characteristic as the wife of Ahab -
the king of Israel in the OT.
b.
Woman at Thyatira was evidently a persuasive person would go to any
means to accomplish her purpose and goal.
D.
Despite these things, the congregation refused to act. Refused to remove the sin from among
them.
1.
Perhaps she was a family member of someone there.
2.
Perhaps they did not want to hurt her feelings
3.
Perhaps they did not want to stir up trouble.
a.
Whatever the fact, they refused to acknowledge the fact that she was
hindering the cause of Christ.
4.
Some do the same thing today - and
condone error!
a.
Many refuse to openly & courageously take a stand against those in
the church who persist in rebellion against God.
b.
Examples above…
5.
Phil. 1:9
a.
Need a love that realistically recognizes the presence of sin in the
church.
b.
And that faithfulness deals with it according to the will of God.
IV. Longsuffering & Chastisement of the Lord
A.
v. 21- gave her time to repent.
1.
This Jezebel not only guilty of teaching & seducing others to commit
fornication - but of practicing it herself.
a.
Lord not gave up yet. 2
Pet. 3:9
b.
She was s depraved & hardened in sin that she stubbornly refused to
repent and receive the Lord's forgiveness.
c.
Heb. 6:4-6 comes to mind.
d.
Lord will not forgive unless one repents - or turns away from sin - Luke
13:3
e.
Now she could look forward to the judgment of the Lord.
2.
Brought punishment upon her - physically- and He would spiritually if no
repentance - v. 22-23…
3.
How many are in the same predicament today?
a.
Backslide into sin. Continually refuse opportunity to repent and turn to the Lord.
b.
Possibly some have reached the point of no return where the heart has
been hardened to the point of no repentance whatsoever.
c.
Heb. 3:12-13…
B.
v. 23 - All the churches shall know..
1.
The Lord knows & understands the thoughts and the intents of the
heart.
a.
1 Sam. 16:7
b.
1 Chron. 28:9 - the Lord looks at the heart!!!
2.
We will all give an account according to the things done in our
body! 1 Cor. 5:9-11
C.
v. 23 - I will give each according to his works..
1.
Christians works are significant.
a.
Declare whether or not one has faith and love for the Savior.
2.
No works? No faith…
3.
Works? Faith… demonstrate
ones dependence on God's grace for eternal salvation.
D.
v. 24 - Put on them no greater burden
1.
What meant by this?
a.
Those who rejected Christ and had turned away from Him considered
Christianity a burden to great to bear.
b.
but Bible teaches Christianity a light burden which each Christian can
bear - Mt. 11:28-30
2.
Only responsibilities which are necessary for spiritual welfare does
Christ lay upon his disciples.
3.
V. 25 - The Lord encourages them to hold fast to what they already have…
a.
love, faith, patience, ministry
b.
until He comes
c.
Acts 15:28-29
V. Conclusion
A.
v. 26
1.
He who overcomes and keeps the works shall be the one who receives the
reward.
2.
Reward only comes to those who remain faithful & sacrifice unto Him
a.
This is what makes the reward so great!
B.
v. 29
1.
Even though we may be doing many things for Christ & His cause, we
can still be displeasing Him.
2.
When we get the point that we are doing great things for Christ, we must
make sure that we are not allowing things to go on that are not scriptural.
C.
As we said at the beginning of this sermon, let each one of us examine
ourselves and see where we stand before the Lord.
1.
Remaining in sin? Never
became a child of God?
2.
2 Pet. 3:9 - God is longsuffering.
3.
Not guaranteed all the time though…. Come forward by H. B. R. C. B.
D.
Children of God who are not living right, do not delay!!
1.
come forward today!!