Weekly Sermons

The Progress of the Redeemed!

Things we know about Thyatira:

Jesus is the all-powerful God who sees all!                                                  V. 18

Jesus commends the church at Thyatira for love and progress!            V. 19

Jesus’ words to the church at Thyatira are a lot like what He said to the church in Ephesus, except it appears that they had the reverse situation. Ephesus excelled at correct Bible teaching but had lost its first love; Thyatira excelled at loving God but tolerated false teaching.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”          -John 4:24

Jesus says in verse 19, “Your last works are greater than the first.” 

 

Wouldn’t you like to hear that from Jesus?                         I would!

What can mess up a church known for love and progress?                     V. 20-21

 

We read here that false teaching that leads to immorality and idolatry can mess up an otherwise wonderful church! 

Jezebel is a reference from the Old Testament to Queen Jezebel of Israel, who not only led her husband King Ahab to worship Baal, but through Ahab had promulgated her teachings of idolatry and immorality throughout Israel.

Jezebel had twisted I Corinthians and was teaching people what they wanted to hear: “To keep your job you have to do what you have to do. If that means compromises with idol worship and immorality, God will forgive you.”

Jesus will deal with false teachers and their followers                             V. 22-23a

The Great Tribulation will be a time of difficulty unlike the world has ever seen. In Mark 13:19 Jesus told us those days of tribulation will be the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of the world until now and never will be again! 

“Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole earth to test those who live on the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.”                       -Revelation 3:10-11

 

Jesus will reward true believers for their progress when He comes     V. 23b-25

What is Jesus trying to impress on the rest of us?  

 

As His return nears, He wants us to get serious about first love, faithfulness until death, having a good testimony and continuing to make progress!

In verse 24 Jesus commends true believers for not being duped by the “deep things of Satan” argument. He commends them for holding on to their purity rather than committing spiritual and physical adultery. Jesus makes clear: His true followers don’t need to experience sin to appreciate salvation!

Overcomers will rule the nations with Jesus                                    V. 26-28

Note the reversal of fortunes for the redeemed: Now we are oppressed, persecuted, and suffering, but the reversal of our present experiences is coming!  That’s what I call progress!