Sermon Notes:

LElTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCH
IV. Thyatira: Holiness
Revelation 2:18-29
September 3, 2006

INTRODUCTION.
Ephesus - Love: Smyrna - Suffering: Pergamum - Truth. Thyatira - holds firmly to the Truth, commended of the LORD, tolerated immorality and a wicked prophetess, Jezebel. Thyatira was a profitable commercial center located 1/2way between Pergamum and Sardis. Trade-guilds flourished in this city. The only other mention of Thyatira is in Acts 16 and the account of the conversion of Lydia, a seller of purple. What were Christians to do? Join the trade guild, replete with its immorality, thus denying Christ, or leave the guild and lose their jobs?

I. THE GOOD IN THYRTIRA - CHRISTS COMMENDATI0N
Thyatira rivals Ephesus in Christian service. It had the love lacking in Ephesus. It preserved the faith imperiled a Pergamum: and had the same virtue of patience in persecution as Smyrna. Here humble service is coupled with faith love, which resulted in heart-level commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Christians here had learned that the Christian life is one of growth in grace. IT Peter 2:20. The Lord Jesus calls them to holiness of life, to growth in grace, as He does us today. Holiness of life is an indispensable mark of a true believer and a true Church.

II. CHRISTS WRRNING RBOUT IMMORRLITY
I Peter 2:16; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; I Thessalonians 4:3. 7-8; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 2:13-14. RU 3 Persons of the Blessed Trinity are united in the purpose of making believers Holy. The evil one is determined to drag us down into sin and immorality. The evil one uses the wicked, self-styled "prophetess:' Jezebel. to disrupt the church in Thyatira. The congregation does nothing to stop her. We must test everything by the Word of God.

III. CHRISTS PROMISE TO THE FAITHFUL
The promise here is two-fold: sharing Christ's rule & sharing Christ's glory.
We share His rule by our conversion. Ephesians 2:8-9. Psalm 2. Matthew 28:18-20. By turning our backs on the darkness of sin and depravity, the believer wiU see the light of the Glory of God in Christ.

Our battle in this life is to live a pure, holy, obedient life. Where are you in this battle for holiness of life?