REVELATION 2:18-29 // THYATIRA // PERMISSIVE COMPROMISE
Visions of an Exile • Sermon • Submitted
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· 44 viewsFor the most part, we do really well scheduling ways to worship Jesus publicly. We put on outreach events, events that serve the community, and church services where we invite people to serve at. What happens, when God himself, confronts us in regards to how those works have diminished in quantity? What happens when He confronts our passive and permissive behaviors that have compromised the walks of many? Check out this week's sermon in Revelation 2.
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LAST WEEK
LAST WEEK
We looked at the church of Pergamos
We learned that they were doing the work of the ministry, and enduring persecution.
We also learned that Pergamos had allowed people with conflicting doctrines to make themselves at home within the Church.
To those who overcame the persecution, and stood up for righteousness, they would be given 2 things that the compromised were struggling with.
1. Hidden Manna
As an option to stop eating food sacrificed to idols.
2. A White Stone with a new Name
As an option for those who allowed their sexual identity to control their lives.
THIS WEEK
THIS WEEK
We are going to look at a very similiar Church
A Church who had a lot going for it
But a Church whose permissive compromise led to a very destructive end.
BEFORE WE BEGIN
BEFORE WE BEGIN
LET’S ASK OURSELVES SOME QUESTIONS
LET’S ASK OURSELVES SOME QUESTIONS
Have we ever been in a season where the things that we once deemed spiritually valuable have been pushed to the way side by other stuff?
Have we ever began something with the intention not to finish it?
What are the things hindering our growth in this life long journey?
What are we allowing into our lives that is forcing us to participate in things that only bring temporal pleasure?
TURN TO
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
PRAY
:
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA
To the messenger
To the overseer
To the Pastor of the Church in Thyatira
THESE THINGS SAYS THE SON OF GOD
WHO HAS EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE
FEET LIKE FINE BRASS
For the Church of Thyatira and for it’s Pastor
It was crucial for them to understand who Jesus was
Because from that point of reference they would be able to build their entire identity.
They would be able to put build with eternal matter
They needed to know that Jesus was the Son of God
In a culture that hailed many as Prophets
From within a very idolatrous community
In the midst of common immorality
God himself wanted this Church to know that Jesus was indeed the Son of God
The Son of God, who had eyes like a flame of fire!
Jesus is not only communicating that He is the Savior of the World
But that He is able to penetrate through our sinfulness and bring about a more righteous result than we ever could.
Church, we need to know that Jesus desires for us to be pure
He sees us with purity in mind
He sees us through the lens of the purifying blood of Jesus Christ
His Blood is purifying, and His Vision for the Church is Pure.
But that He is able to penetrate through our sinfulness and bring about a more righteous result than we ever could.
But not only that He has feet like Fine Brass
Which speak to his stability
Speaks to a firm foundation
Speaks to an immovable being.
THIS IS THE AUTHOR OF THE LETTER
JESUS THE SON OF GOD
WHO HAS EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE
WHOSE FEET ARE LIKE FINE BRASS
NOW, WHO IS HE WRITING TO?
WHO WAS THYATIRA?
The ancient city was known for its textiles and dyeing trade, evidenced by a number of artifacts and inscriptions from the various guilds of wool workers, linen weavers, tanners, and dyers
An Ancient city known for its textiles and dyeing trade,
Archaeologists have found many artifacts and inscriptions from the various guilds of wool workers, linen weavers, tanners, and dyers
Does anybody remember a certain character who sold purple and was from the city of Thyatira?
Not only was she succesful
She helped plant a Church in Philippi
LYDIA?
Today, Thyatira is known as the bustling city of Akhisar. The archaeological remains of ancient Thyatira are located within a fenced-off city block right in the heart of Akhisar.
CHECK OUT THESE PICTURES OF THYATIRA TODAY.
CHECK OUT THESE PICTURES OF THYATIRA TODAY.
Thyatira is known as the bustling city of Akhisar.
The archaeological remains of ancient Thyatira are located within a fenced-off city block right in the heart of Akhisar.
It stands as a testimony of what happens to a Church that perused compromising doctrines and practices.
LIKE MOST CHURCHES
THEY WEREN’T ALL BAD
THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA HAD SOME VERY GOOD PRACTICES, CHECK IT OUT.
SO, WHAT STANDS IN THE WAY OF BEING A GREAT CHURCH?
Rev 2:
19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
I KNOW YOUR WORKS // Ergon
Your works and deeds
What you are doing for Jesus
I KNOW YOUR LOVE // Agapao
I know your
I know that you love people
I KNOW YOUR SERVICE // Diakonia
I know your Service
A Service that has turned into Faith
This is very closely related to the work of a Deacon Diakonos.
I KNOW YOUR PATIENCE // Hypomone
HYPOMONE
Your Perseverance
Your Steadfastness
COLLECTIVELY, YOU’VE DONE GREAT THINGS
You have done well in these areas
BUT THE QUANTITY OF THESE WORKS HAS INDEED DECREASED AS OF LATE.
Why would Jesus call out the quantity of works?
I thought that wasn’t a thing
CHURCH, IF OUR WORKS FOR JESUS ARE DECREASING, WHAT HAPPENED?
If we started serving Jesus passionately at one point
If we were all about serving Jesus at one point
If we were excited about Church at one point
AND THAT PASSION HAS FADED
WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WHY?
BUT NOT ONLY WHY?
WE MUST CALL OUT THE THINGS THAT HAVE REPLACED SERVING GOD IN OUR LIVES.
THIS SERMON SHOULDN’T FORCE US TO BEGIN SERVING HIM AGAIN
It should encourage us to challenge our current spiritual state.
It should challenge the areas were we have made Jesus secondary.
It should challenge how we see our worth.
CHRISTIAN YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NEEDED
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT THE CHURCH NEEDS
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT JESUS VALUES YOUR PARTICIPATION
THIS TEXT SHOULD CONFIRM TO US THAT OUR PARTICIPATION SHOULD NEVER GO DORMANT.
WE MUST BE LIKE CALEB
Whom at age 85 desired more land
He remembered Gods word and acted upon his literal interpretation
Going for it and taking the land that the Lord had instructed.
SO WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITHIN THE CHURCH THAT WAS HINDERING THE WORK OF THE SAINTS?
Rev 2:
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
THOUGH THEY HAD MANY THINGS GOING RIGHT FOR THEM
THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT JESUS HAD AGAINST THEM
#1 THEY WERE ALLOWING A SO-CALLED PROPHETESS TO TEACH AND SECUDE GOD’S SERVANTS
This Church was not only doing great things for the Lord
They were tolerating practices that were contrary to the Lord
But not just tolerating her work,
They were actually becoming disciples of it.
This woman, like the Jezebel of the OT, who murdered many prophets of old
Was teaching and seducing the current prophets of Thyatira
How?
By promoting and fascilitating a sexually immoral culture
By encouraging the consumption of food sacrificed to idols
Why was this bad?
Because the Lord had something better for His Church
He wanted them to be the catalyst of good within the Culture
He wanted them to stand up for righteousness
To set the bar high
To live into their eternal identity
Instead, they were participating in the pagan norm
ONE THING WE HAVE TO REALIZE IS THAT WE SERVE A JEALOUS GOD
A GOD THAT HAS NEVER WITHHELD ANYTHING GOOD FROM US
WHO DIDN’T WITHHOLD HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
SO WHEN YOU HAVE A GOD WHO IS ALL IN FOR OUR GOOD
AND WE DECIDE TO DISREGARD HIS INVESTMENT
HE TAKES IT PERSONAL, AND BY PERSONAL, I DON’T MEAN HE RETALIATES WITH VENGANCE.
HE RETALIATES WITH A DIFFERENT PART OF HIS IDENTITY
THE FORGIVING PART
THE REDEMPTIVE PART
THE LOVING PART
HE RETALIATES WITH HIS LOVINGKINDNESS THAT LEADS US TO REPENTANCE
“I GAVE HER TIME TO REPENT OF HER SEXUAL IMMORALITY....”
After leading astray many prophets
After stumbling many believers
After hindering the growth of the Church of Thyatira
God’s first move isn’t in vengance, it’s in love
When God presents Repentance as the solution for our situation
It is the most loving thing He could do.
However, when repentance is devalued
When repentance is neglected as a viable plan of action
Not only are we asking for what we deserve
We are saying that the Blood of Jesus is worthless
We are saying that the plan of Salvation that put Jesus on the cross is worthless
WE ARE REJECTING THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US.
“I WILL CAST HER INTO A SICKBED AND GREAT TRIBULATION, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CONTINUE IN HER WAYS”
WHEN WE DO NOT REPENT
WHEN WE
That we
“I WILL CAST HER INTO A SICKBED AND GREAT TRIBULATION, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CONTINUE IN HER WAYS”
EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES
HE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A WAY TO RECONCILE THOSE CONSEQUENCES
HE SAYS “UNLESS THEY REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS”
BUT IF THEY DON’T
“I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN, THAT ALL OF THE CHURCHES WOULD KNOW WHO I AM”
Church, when we allow compromise to creep in
When we don’t deal radically with our sin
When we don’t repent
It is not only us who suffer
It also effects those who we’ve led into compromise.
GOD ISN’T TALKING ABOUT JEZEBEL’S LITERAL CHILDREN
BUT HER SPIRITUAL CHILDREN
HER DISCIPLES
THE CHILDREN OF HER DOCTRINE
HER MINIONS
GOD IS MAKING A PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THYATIRA BECAUSE HE DESIRES US TO LEARN FROM IT.
He wants us to know that Jesus is the one who searches our minds and the hearts
He is the one whom the Psalmist prayed to
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:1-6
HE ENDS THAT PSALM WITH THIS:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
WHY WOULD WE WELCOME THIS?
WHY WOULD WE PARTICIPATE IN THIS?
I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HOW WE CAN BE PROACTIVELY GROWING IN THE LORD
If this is who God is
If He is, Indeed, Omniscient
If we believe this, then we are going to exhaust ourselves in living unrepentant lives.
We are going to tire ourselves out hiding stuff that He already knows.
WE MUST PUT AWAY THE PHARISAICAL UNREPENTANCE, AND RESPOND TO JOHN THE BAPTISTS CLAIM TO BEAR FRUIT WORTHY OF REPENTANCE.
JESUS SAID “I WILL GIVE TO EACH ONE OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS”
WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING TO RECEIVE FROM THE LORD?
THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE?
OR THE FRUIT OF UNREPENTANCE?
REV 2:24-
24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
FOR THOSE WHO WOULD NOT TOLERATE UNGODLY DOCTRINE IN THE CHURCH
TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT KNOWN THE DEPTHS OF SATAN
JESUS PUTS NO OTHER BURDEN ON THEM
THE ONLY INSTRUCTION IS TO HOLDFAST UNTIL HE RETURNS
FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME, AND REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END:
Jesus will give power over the nations
He or She shall rule them with a rod of iron
They shall be dashed to pieces like a potters vessel’s
What is this speaking of?
Joint rulership with the Lord
He will also give us the Morning Star
Which in this culture would have been Venus
Yielding the meaning of a New Day.
However, the Morning Star is also a name of Jesus
Which could point to the coming of a new day in regards to His return.