The Church in Sin

Refocus Series

7 Churches in Revelation

Jesus provides affirmation, and correction to seven specific churches is Asai Minor

Thyatira,

This letter to the church in Thyatira begins the second group of letters to the churches of Asia Minor

First Group:

Characterized by loyalty and being tested but had not given to the assault of evil.

They were still fighting against Satan and Culture.

Second Group

Had a large number who had actually yielded to the demoralizing influence of false teaching, and sin

Revelation 2:18–29 ESV

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 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. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Context

Thyatira:

Half way between Pergamum and Sardis

Very long valley that lead to Pergamon.

Not a well fortified city

Every enemy that came in to Asaia Minor came down through that valley

It was infiltrated by every army that came along

Destruction rebuilding

originally populated by soldiers of Alexander the great

It had become a city of Guilds

It became a center for trade

Guilds (like unions) tradesman would ban together

But more interestingly each guild had a god that they all worshiped to protect them

If you were associated with a guild, you were in a religious group

In order to do your craft associated with that guild you would have to participate in the pagan worship activities of this guild.

You could lose your livelihood by not participating.

Revelation 2:18 ESV

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Jesus refers to himself as Judge

one who can see all that goes on within the church (peering into it’s soul)

burnish bronze - Is a picture of his judgement

POINT ONE

Refocus by understanding that Jesus is always the solution to what the church needs.

If the church has lost it’s first love

Jesus is the solution

If the church is hurting and persecuted

Jesus is the solution

If the church has lost backbone

Jesus is the solution

If the church finds itself in sin

Jesus is the solution

It will never be a program that will fix a church it will always be repenting and embracing Christ that will bring what a church is lacking

Revelation 2:19–20 ESV

19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

This church was visibly healthy but lenient on active sin within its walls

Known for their Service

Known for the love you have for one another

Known that you have stood for Christ when their was public hostility

But inside your walls there is rot.

Sexual sin

Worship of Idols

Jezebel

a woman in the Old Testament who led the people of Israel to commit sexual sin and worship idols.

She does the same

She was leading true Christians astray (bondservants)

In a lot of ways it goes to show that little backwoods churches can have rot in them like churches in larger cities.

POINT 2

Refocus by reminding ourselves that Jesus never allows for us to compromise with sin

Christians can also wind up being led astray!

3 ways we allow culture to redefine how we worship and what we value

Exercise silent endorsement

We sin by means of omission

Sins of omission are often subtle because they involve inaction rather than overt wrongdoing.

they reflect a failure to love God and others as He commands.

Compromise:

We may remain silent about sinful practices or beliefs,

believing that speaking up would harm relationships or hinder evangelism.

Many Christians feel it’s better to “keep the peace” than to risk being ostracized for voicing biblical truth.

Justify Materialism

Compromise by Pursuing wealth, success, and comfort

Materialism becomes a priority over seeking first the kingdom of God.

We rationalize excessive consumerism as God’s blessing or a sign of His favor.

We do this because culture equates success with material possessions

this subtly lead us to measure our worth and God’s approval by our wealth or achievements.

Participation in Sinful Practices

Some of us can justify participating in actions we know are sinful to “fit in” at work, school, or in social circles.

For example:

• Engaging in unethical business practices to climb the corporate ladder.

• Gossip and slander

Engaging in Unethical Entertainment that seems like harmless fun but propagates unbiblical values

Jesus has not called us to compromise with culture but to live in harmony with him

Revelation 2:21–23 ESV

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

If you call yourself a prophet you better be getting it right!

This is a sin that has been going on along time

Jesus has given time for her to repent

Jesus will punish her via hell

Those who are currently entrapped by her Jesus will bring difficulty for them

Those that she has raised up within the church that are spreading what she has taught will receive hell as well

Jesus knows the minds and hearts of everyone within the church

He will give according to their works

POINT 3

Refocus by remembering our works matter to Jesus

Our works do not save us but our works validate that we are saved.

When we remember that our works matter to Jesus,

it reorients our hearts to live purposefully.

Jesus’ words to the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:19) show that He sees and values our deeds, love, service, faith, and perseverance.

This truth should spur us to live in a way that reflects His glory.

Faith in Jesus involves all of our heart mind soul and strength!

Revelation 2:24–29 ESV

24 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. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

To those who are not involved in this sinfulness

Jesus will not lay any other burden

The burden of Jesus weeding out this mess within the church is enough.

POINT 4

Refocus by reminding ourselves that Jesus gives us the strength to endure.

Application

Faithfulness to Christ in a Compromising Culture

• Jesus sees and values our faithfulness, even when the world tempts us to conform.

• Cultural compromise through sin and idolatry must be rejected as we stand firm in His truth.

• Our works matter to Jesus, and living in holiness reflects His glory and impacts eternity.

• Refocusing on Christ’s promises and evaluation empowers us to persevere and live boldly.

• Our ultimate calling is to be faithful witnesses, standing apart from culture while pointing others to Him.