Sermon – Revelation 2 – Thyatira – Part 1

• Today’s sermon is going to be a little of a hodge-podge; and hopefully it will all make sense and come together. 
  
  
• Even though today is Valentine’s Day and Lent begins on Wednesday, we are going to continue with our journey through the Churches in Revelation.  However, it will take us two weeks to look at the Church in Thyatira in detail.
  
  
• We began our journey three weeks ago in Ephesus; and they were commended for their hard work, patient endurance, not tolerating evil people, being able to discern false prophets, and patiently suffering without quitting.  They were, however, reminded to repent and love like they did at first.
  
  
• Two weeks ago, we were in Ephesus; and they were only commended – no complaints.  They were reminded of their spiritual richness.  
  
  
• Last week, we were in Pergamum; and they were commended for their faithfulness; but told they needed to repent because false teachings were being tolerated and some were following them.
  
  
• Today, we will start our look at the Church in Thyatira; and we will focus on the positive things; and next time, we will look at the complaint.
  
  
• Revelation 2:18-19 (NLT) … (18) Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira.  This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze: (19) “I know all the things you do.  I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance.  And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. 
  
  
• Jesus comes right out and says Who He is; and that is the Son of God.  He is declaring His deity, nature, and power.  He is reminding them that He is also God and has the same essence and control and perfections as the Father.  This puts Him in opposition to the effeminate state of this congregation – He is not Jezebel – He is not a wicked woman – He does not approve of what she does.  (and more on her next week).
  
  
• His eyes are like flames of fire (which is also said in Revelation 1:14) … they are quick and sharp … they penetrate darkness … they see everything – both the good and bad – with good being rewarded; and bad being punished – and further into this letter (v23), says people will get what they deserve based on their thoughts and intentions.
• His feet are like polished bronze … this may be about the strength, stability, and support Jesus gives His people … it could be about His majesty and glory … it could be about the purity and holiness of his ways …
  
  
• The descriptions in verse 18 should remove any doubt about the One speaking – the One sending the message.
  
  
• Jesus says He knows their works / deeds / actions / what they have done.  He is impressed with and commends them on their love, faith, service, and patient endurance.
  
  
• He also says that their recent or last works are better or greater than the first.  They have improved with what they do and how they do it.  They are better at loving, having faith, serving, and being patient than when they started.
  
  
• Those verses are as far as we are going to get today.  The same Jesus that had John pen a letter still speaks to us today. 
  
  
• He is still Christ … He is still Lord … He is still the Son … He is still God … regardless of what we may think of ourselves or who is in power politically or who is running a denomination or local congregation … or who or what is influencing culture, God is still in control and still expects us to follow Him and obey His commands.
  
  
• He still sees everything we do – both in public and in private – whether they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ choices.  Romans 14:12 tells us that we will all give an account to God. 
  
  
• He still expects us to follow Him in holiness and purity … He is still majesty and worth of all glory and praise … He still provides strength, stability, and support to all His people.
  
  
• He still expects us to love, have faith, serve, and be patient as we endure.  And honestly, we should be growing in all those things … doing more than we did when we first became Christians … doing more than when we first joined this congregation … and doing those with more zeal and depth.
  
  
• It is also interesting to note that love shows itself in service; and faith shows itself in patient endurance.  The more we love, the more we will serve.  The more faith we have, the easier it is to wait on God.  Those in the faith Hall of Fame are great examples of both – so, when you have the time or make the time, please read it –

whether for the first time or just another reminder to keep loving and serving.

• Now to connect this to Lent and Valentine’s Day … what we spend our time, money, and other resources on is a fairly good way to tell what we care about and who we care about.
  
  
• Saying I love my wife is a great thing; and if I mean it, then how I treat her and what I do for her and with her will prove if my words are true or false.
  
  
• The same goes with our Lord.  If we claim to love Him; but our lives do not reflect this, then we are liars.  We can’t claim to love the Lord, while refusing His call to repent, to love others, to serve others, to do good works, to pursue holiness, to be praying people, to be students of the Bible, and yes, being faithful to the Church.
  
  
• Lent begins this Wednesday; and just like Advent prepares our hearts and minds for Christmas, this season prepares us for Easter.
  
  
• To keep it simple, Lent is a time for fasting and repentance; and to set aside distractions and/or luxuries to focus on your relationship with Jesus; and even others – those in the Church and without … loving those who are already a part of your church family; and doing what you can to enlarge this family.
  
  
• Many do not eat meat during Lent, except for fish on Friday.  Some will give up certain treats like chocolate or coffee; and may even donate what they would have spent on those “goodies” to their church or another charity.
  
  
• Some give up “distractions” and this could include, but are not limited to, TV, internet, social media, video games, books, computer, music, sports, or anything that takes up too much of our time – or takes us away from putting and keeping God #1.
  
  
• Instead of spending time on those distractions, people will pray more, read their Bibles more, fellowship with others more, and otherwise focus their time to get closer to other believers and God; and hopefully stay closer than they’ve even been.
  
  
• If you do decide to observe Lent, then do so whole-heartily and invest your time and resources into strengthening your faith and perhaps those of fellow believers.
  
  
• During this time of year, when people are focusing on “love,” please don’t forget the ONE that loves you the most; and please love others enough to share the Gospel with them; and serve them (through good deeds) and live in a such a way where they will want what you have and will want to serve the ONE that you do – The Lord God.