Sermon Central
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Thyatira, Mail Call! Series
Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Oct 8, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: A sermon that is part of a series based on the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor.
Thyatira, Mail Call!
Revelation 2:18-29 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
9 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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I. The Authority of the Judge
The Lord begins this letter with a description of Himself as the Son of God, whose eyes are like fire and whose feet are like highly polished brass. This picture of our Lord is very suggestive. First, He wanted them to realize that they were not dealing with a prophet or even and apostle but with the Son of God himself. That should have made them and us to “…sit up and take notice.” The “eyes of flame” speak of his omniscience. He sees everything and everyone, even the “thoughts and the intents of the heart.” The “finely polished brass” is almost always associated with judgment. There was some sin in the church as we will read later and sin must always be judged.
II. The Assessment of the Judge
The Lord looks into the hearts of these believers and finds several things that He can commend. We can always find some good in a church, that is, if we have a heart to look for it. Show me a man who speaks well of his church and I will show a man who loves his church. It is easy to criticize and there are some in every church who never see the good in anything. These folks must be miserable and are to be pitied! What did the Lord see that was good?
• Their labors were known to the Lord. This
was an active energetic working congregation. They weren’t like the church that sent in their annual report to say: “We report to you that we are at peace, baptized none, received by letter none, restored to fellowship none, giving to missions none. Pray for us that we might hold out faithful to the end.”
• There love was known to the Lord. These people loved each other. Nothing can take the place of brotherly love. This does not mean that we are all cast from the same mold but it does mean that should fulfill the Lord’s commandment to love each other.
• Their ministry was known to the Lord. The church must have an outlet for its love. There are so many “Dead Sea” churches that have and inlet but no outlet. We are to go about “doing good” my friend because that’s what Jesus would do himself if he were here.
• Their faith was known to the Lord. Good works always come out of a saving faith!
• Their patience was known to the Lord. These folks were “between a rock and a hard place,” and were being persecuted but had remained faithful under the pressure.
ILL - Faithfulness is greatest with God. On that last day when we stand before Him, He will not ask, How much? How many? How big? He will ask how faithful we were with what He gave us. God’s measuring stick is faithfulness.
Tony Abram
• Their progress was known by the Lord. Their last works were greater than their first works. They were increasing in faith, maturity, fruitfulness and faithfulness. This kind of growth should characterize us and our church.
