Sermon Notes:

LElTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCH
IV. Thyatira: Holiness
Revelation 3:1-6
September 10, 2006

INTRODUCTION
Ephesus-Love; Smyrna-Suffering; Pergamum-Truth; Thyatira-Holiness. 
This is one of the most severe of the 7 letters.  Only a few devastating words were needed to expose the spiritual bankruptcy here in Sardis

I.  THE DANGER OF A FALSE REPUTATION
There was no shortage of manpower, vigor, talent, money here.  Yet, this church, which seemed so alive, was a spiritual graveyard.  The church in Sardis did not begin to fulfill God’s purpose or pattern.  II Samuel 16:7.  The Church in Sardis was filled with “nominal Christians.”  Isaiah 29:13.  II Timothy 3:5.  Matthew 23:1-36.  Hypocrites – Hypocrisy – to play a part on a stage, to act in a drama.  Activity with no inner love for Jesus Christ is a hollow mockery and an empty, vain stage production.  Do you love the church or the Lord of the Church?  Do you have the form but deny the power?  Do you draw near with your mouth but not your heart?

II.  CHRIST’S ENCOURAGEMENT TO BE FAITHFUL
As we have seen, the Lord Jesus does not leave us without hope.  He proposes a remedy for their dilemma.  Five short imperatives:

• Awake-the Godly remnant is called to “awake,” and
• Strengthen what remains
• Remember-the God’s good gifts to them: salvation, the Holy Spirit
• Keep that-keep on, be in a state of continually being filled
• Repent-turn 180 degrees and go the other way

III.  CHRIST’S REWARD TO THE FAITHFUL
The reward for obedience and faithfulness is two-fold here:  Those faithful ones are the worthy ones, but that worthiness comes through Christ alone; their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Matthew 10:32-33.  Luke 12:89.  Matthew 12:30.  II Peter 1:10.  Matthew 25:34. 

Where do you stand today?