Revelation 2 18 29 Thyatira The Diseased Church

Revelation 2: 18 -29 Thyatira (The Diseased Church)

I. Christ’s words to a Compromising Church A. V 21 – Repent! 1. Continuous Gospel Refrain a. Matthew 3: 2, 4: 17, Mark 1: 15 B. VV 22 -24 Refusal to Repent leads to Judgment! 1. Great Physician will aggressively handle cancer a. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5: 1 -11) b. Corinthians and Communion (I Cor 11: 17 -32) II. Christ’s Words to those Not Infected – VV 24 A. There is a Godly Remnant – I Kings 19: 14 -18 1. Hold On! – V 25 a. To God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3: 1 -17* b. To Right Behavior – I Corinthians 6: 18 -20

IX. A Promise to those who Overcome –VV 26 -29 A. Morning Star! (Revelation 22: 16) 1. Philippians 1: 21 B. Authority of the nations! 1. 2 Timothy 2: 8 -13 (We shall reign) 2. Rewards! (I Corinthians 3: 10 -15) Reject Jezebel and gain Christ! Serve Christ on Earth and Reign with Christ in Glory!

Sardis: A Dead Church Revelation 3: 1 -6

I. Past Glory and Present Decay A. Egypt Today II. The Glory that was Sardis A. 30 Miles SE of Thyatira/ 50 Miles E of Smyrna B. 1200 BC Magnificent Capital of Lydia 1. Situated on High Plateau (1500 ft) spreading to Valley a. Virtually Invincible 2. Conquered Twice a. By Cyrus of Persia in 549 BC b. By Antiochus in 218 BC C. A Glorious King! a. Croesus of Sardis i. “Pride goeth before the fall” b. Cyrus takes an unguarded city D. A. D. 17 City destroyed by Earthquake E. By John’s time – City in Decline (Too Poor to Paint…)

III. Church in Sardis A. Reflected the City 1. Lacking Energy and Concern – Spiritually Dead IV. Jesus’ Charge against the Church in Sardis A. You have a Reputation For Being Alive! 1. No Great Heresy 2. All Apparent Signs of Life B. A Lovely Chapel a. C. T. Studd C. Swamp or Lake?