Sermon Central
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The Church At Thyatira Series
Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Nov 7, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: The church at Thyatira had two characteristics: One was like Lydia, a woman who was a servant of Christ, ministering to the saints; the other was like Jezebel, a woman who supported the priest of Baal and hated God's servant.
I. Introduction
A. Thyatira
1. The names means continual sacrifice
2. The city of Thyatira is about 35 Miles East of Pergamum
a. Coastal cities
(1) Ephesus
(2) Smyrna
(3) Pergamum
b. The rest of the seven churches were inland
3. The city of Thyatira once was situated in a idyllic setting
a. It was built at the mouth of a long vale
b. A stream flowed down through the vale
c. All in all it was a beautiful location
4. The city was built for defense
a. But, it was not on the high ground
b. Its strength was the Roman Elite guard stationed there
c. Turn to Acts 16:14
5. Thyatira was the headquarters for many guilds
a. Potter's guild
b. Tanner's guild
c. Weaver's guild
d. Robe Maker's guild
e. Dyer's guild
One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.
6. Lydia was one of the first of Paul's converts in Europe on His second missionary journey
a. We shall see that the church at Thyatira had two characters
(1) These two characters may be typified by two different women
(a) Lydia
(b) Jezebel
B. In this morning's examination of Thyatira we shall see:
1. The commendation
2. The condemnation
3. The warning
4. And The Promise
II. Body
A. Again Christ's preamble gives us some insight to the Lord and to the church
"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
1. The first thing we see is Christ's assertion that He is the Son of God
a. The age of the church at Thyatira goes from about 590 to 1517 AD
(1) Some call this time the Middle ages
(2) Some call this time the Dark ages
(3) The age began when Pope Gregory I assumed secular power and was recognized by the governments of the time as the head of all Christianity
(a) During this time Maryism truly took hold
i) The deification of Mary
ii) And the subordination of Jesus to the status of the son of Mary
iii) Harry Ironsides gives us this illustration. A Catholic woman told Dr. Ironsides that she would much rather pray to Mary than to Jesus. The reason she gave was that if Jesus tended to be calloused toward her, He would still listen to His mother. After all, what good boy doesn't love his mother and listen to her.
(b) How sad that this woman would attach human failings to the Son of God
i) The one who's love and compassion caused Him to give Himself for our redemption
ii) Calloused?
iii) Jesus is very tender hearted and listens to our prayers with love and grace
b. At any rate, Jesus is saying, "I am not just the son of Mary, I am the Son of God.
(1) I am divine
(2) I am the one who has provided grace to the sinner
2. The second thing, Christ is portrayed as having blazing eyes and bronze feet
a. This symbolizes the all seeing, all knowing eyes of judgment
b. The bronze feet also symbolize judgment
c. Now let's look at Revelation 2:19
B. The commendation - the church is commended for six things
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
a. Let's turn for a moment to James 2:18
2. First was works - the church had a ministry, a work, deeds, which proved its faith
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
a. During those days
(1) Monasteries and convents were hospitals
(2) The people were ministered to in many ways by the church
(a) They were housed if needed
(b) They were fed
(c) The church often served as a place of refuge
i) A safe place to rest at night
ii) Or a place were one could run for justice
(3) The church also preserved the Word of God
(a) Monks lovingly copied the Bible
b. The church was instrumental in the spread of the Christian faith
c. Turn to 1 John 3:17
3. The thing the church is commended for was her love - the church had a fellowship, a love, which proved its service
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?