Thyatira

Sommer Worley

ReLight • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

0 ratings

· 3 views

Notes

Transcript

So far we have had some pretty tough letters to read through. These churches were going through some tough stuff loving out their faith. Remember their faith was new, they were all learning how to be a Christian together. We have thousands of years of traditions to help us. They had the apostles teachings and the Holy Spirit. Their way of life, for the most part was radically different and in many cities right out opposed to their belief in Christ and in following His teachings. Their biggest problem, and also most likely their biggest fear would have been the persecution they faced. Some cities experienced greater persecution than others. However, Christ judged each one fairly. Each church would have something that they did well and something that they needed to improve or to head as a warning.

So far, my favorite is the letter to the Ephesian church. I honestly think that we can relate a lot to this church. With the tradition of Christian teaching and holding on to the authority of Scripture, we are making some tough decision to stand firm on God’s law and His truth. However, like the Ephesian church, let us continue to show love to all and help everyone in need. Regardless of lifestyle or life choices, everyone is loved by God and deserves to be shown grace and mercy. I think that is what many in our community is waiting to see, if we still have love and grace.

We are now half way through our reading of the seven letters of Christ through John. This church is probably the most like some of the more liberal churches in the Western World, such as here in America. Like the Christians in Ephesus, the Christians in Thyatira needed to learn balance. However, they were the total opposite of the Ephesian church.

Pray and Read Revelation 2:18-29

Revelation 2:18–29 NRSV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze: “I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come. To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations; to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered— even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

This letter really gets down to telling us the difference between two women found in the Bible. I will tell you who they are in just a moment. Thyatira is a city with different trade routes within and many independent sellers, or as we would call them today, vendors and small businesses. It was not a growing metropolis and it wasn’t known for any temples to Roman or Greek gods. However, Christians were still a minority and were considered strange for there beliefs. What this town was know for was its manufacturing of wool and silk fabrics. As a matter of fact, during his trip to Phillipi, Paul was preaching when a woman who was from Thyatira and was selling silk linens came to believe in Jesus Christ. In Acts 16, we get to hear her testimony and the beginning of the church in Thyatira. What we know is that Lydia was so moved by the teaching of Jesus that she invited Paul and Silas into her home to teach her and others who came about the grace and truth of Christ.

This church must have became known for their hospitality. They learned from Paul and Silas to endure the wrath of the government when they are summoned to court over their beliefs. They are commended for their patient endurance. From reading this letter, however, I wonder if their patient endurance is more due to them not calling out the ungodliness in their city? Of course we are not to judge, and we are do need to understand that those who do not know Christ do not know His commands and will not understand why they should live by those commands. Even Paul had patience with the psychic girl that followed them around Thyatira for a time before delivering her from the spirit that had a hold on her.

This church was not one to bury themselves in the law of God, but grew in the love of God more and more. They served in their community. They helped many people in need. They were faithful to be the hands and feet of Christ to all who needed His love and grace. However, they did not keep the balance of loving God and loving others.

Jesus had a huge issue against this church. Apparently, the lead teacher of this congregation was telling them false things in terms of God’s love and what they were allowed to do and in what they could support. Many churches today fall under this false teaching. It becomes more important to some pastors to keep the peace and except any and all ways of life within their congregation and communities. Many pastors fall under their own temptations and live contrary to God’s law. Many congregations are so striving for love and acceptance that they would rather “rethink” what God commands to match what their itchy ears and achy hearts wants them to believe.

Jesus calls this out right and does not hold back. The false teacher is called a Jezebel. Remember, Jezebel is the promiscuous wife to King Ahab in the time of the two kingdoms Israel and Judah in the Old Testament. Ahab did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He built a temple to the demigod Baal. Jezebel led many to worship their and commit horrendous immoral acts within the temple walls. Well, this false teacher or pastor may not have been as bad a Jezebel, she was leading them away from Christ. Jesus is gracious and kind, and gives her and those who follow her a chance to repent. However, if she does not repent, she and those who follow her will pay a heavy price. But this is not just a punishment for her but a warning to others as well. When others see the results of a destructive lifestyle, it should come as a warning to not follow in the same path. With that said, we have to understand that no matter how many times we come to church and show love to other people. If we do not follow the commands of Christ, then we will face the consequences of our sins. Shouldn’t we want to be an example to others on how to live for Christ and not by the ways of this world? Jesus made it very clear that he knows the hearts and minds of all people.

Even though it is harder in this world to live for Christ, even though it is contrary to follow the laws of God over the comforts of this world, we have a higher calling to pursue and in the end we will be rewarded for our faithful endurance. In the end, it is the people of God who will rise victorious. No amount of good works can get you that victory. Again, it is through the balance of love for God and obedience to His laws and love and grace to all that He has created that will get us through into eternal life. The ways of this world, the confusion and temptations will all be broken apart as easily as it is to shatter a clay pot. Those who follow in their own desires will go away into darkness. Those who remain in Christ will be brought into the bright light of the dawning of the New Day where Jesus is building a new Kingdom and a new Earth.

Should the church care more about encouraging people to do whatever they want to do and support them in the name of love? Or should the church uphold the teachings of Christ when it is counter-cultural to the world? How can we manage to do both? Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we must show love to all others and help where we can and also be committed to living as Christ and dying to this world. Through all these letters, what is the Holy Spirit saying to you? What is the Holy Spirit saying to our church? Is there a message for us today? When Jesus returns, will we be found faithful and strong like iron? Or are we as weak as clay, easily broken when under pressure?