The Letter To The Church At Thyatira Series

THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA

Revelation 2:18-29

Many people have a mistaken idea as to the definition of a “worldly church”. Often we paint with broad strokes and label any church that doesn’t look or operate like ours as being “worldly”. We are certainly considered “traditional” and there is nothing wrong with that. But we must understand that modern does not always mean worldly. There are some churches with colored lights, black ceilings, acrylic podiums, worship bands and praise teams that are having a tremendous impact for the Kingdom of God. On the other hand, there are many churches with brick buildings, tall steeples, chandeliers, stained glass windows, pews and pipe organs that are completely focused on themselves and are not the least bit concerned with Jesus, discipleship, or lost souls.

My point is that aesthetics do not determine whether a church is worldly or godly. Our God is powerful enough that He can change lives in storefronts, old warehouses, repurposed barns, state of the art facilities and even run down brick churches that have been neglected for decades.

The important thing to remember is that the building is not the church; it is merely where the church gathers. Rather than focusing on how the church down the road or across town operates, we must take a long honest look within the walls of this building where Stockdale Baptist Church gathers and see if we are what God wants us to be.

Are we focused on exalting our Savior? Are we making disciples? Are we sharing the lost with the people within our sphere of influence? Is Christ our focus, or are we more concerned with having things our way?

- I found an article written by James Cagle that does a great job of describing a worldly church, he says:

“A secular or worldly church is a church that has compromised and capitulated with the world. It’s a church that has lost its identity with Christ the Bridegroom, before a lost world, has committed spiritual adultery and identified with the enemy. It has an ever-developing friendship with the world, but has no fellowship with Christ. A secular church is a fallen church, and in America is the biggest problem there is, because she has rejected the authority of God’s Word, is out of the will of God and is serving the world instead of Christ.

The evidences of a worldly church are described in: 2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. from such people turn away!

At first glance we might think Paul is describing lost people. But he is actually describing professing Christians who live like lost people. They have a form of godliness (religion with all the tapestry, ritualism, and ceremonials) without the power of the Holy Spirit. A secular church is one operating in the power of the flesh instead of in the power of the Spirit. James H. Cagle - https://bainbridgega.com/2021/04/the-marks-of-a-secular-worldly-church/

Our Lord confronted a church that fits this description in our selected text. I would like to examine these verses and preach on “The Letter to the Church at Thyatira”. Let’s begin by considering:

THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS LETTER

v18a "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,

The name “Thyatira” means perpetual sacrifice or continual offering. Thyatira was located halfway between Pergamos and Sardis. It was situated in a long forty-mile valley and unlike Pergamos that was a city built on a hill, Thyatira had no natural defenses. As a result, this city had been built, destroyed, and rebuilt several times. Thyatira was what we would call a “blue collar” town. There were many trades such as metal work, cloth making & dying and pottery.

Paul’s first convert in Philippi was a woman named Lydia who was a “seller of purple”; she was from the city of Thyatira. For the most part, Thyatira was a secular city with no particular religion. However, in this working-class secular society there was an assembly of Christ followers. This church was one of the seven that received a letter from Jesus.

- This leads us to:

THE AUTHOR OF THIS LETTER

v18b 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

The letter that this church received came directly from the “Son of God”. He is described as having “eyes like a flame of fire” & “feet like fine brass”. The “eyes like a flame of fire” refer to the piercing vison of Jesus. As we have seen in previous letters, the “feet of brass” speak of His judgment and authority.