A Church Approved by God: Hold Fast

A Church Approved by God: Hold Fast
Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29

I. The City: Thyatira
     1. Location - Modern Turkish city of Akhisar
     2. Known for idolatry – Apollo, the sun god, was the main deity.
     3. Artisan Town - Guilds and pagan feasts
     4. Famous for dyes and bronze work
          ~ Lydia - Acts 16:10-40

II. The Lord: Perfect vision      

Revelation 2:18

     1. What does Christ see?
         ~ I am He who searches the minds and the hearts (verse 23)
         ~ 1 Samuel 16:7
     2. Feet are like burnished bronze
         ~ All of life is under His rule and authority

III. The Warning: Your heart and idols
     1. Jezebel
         ~ Led Israel to idol worship
         ~ 2 Kings 9:22
         ~ Spiritual harlotry

     2. Idols

James 4:1-3
   ~ To move towards idols is to move away from the gospel and the Savior
       the gospel proclaims.
   ~ Idolatry highjacks legitimate desires and turns them into ugly demands.
   ~ It wreaks havoc in your relationships.
   ~ Idols steal our: Time, finances, and affections.

“What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give… An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, ‘If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I ‘ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.’ There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship to something, but perhaps the best one is worship.”   Keller

IV. The Encouragement: You are maturing

Revelation 2:19
   ~ Deeds, love, faith, service, perseverance
   ~ These are greater than at first
   ~ Hebrews 6:1
   ~ James 1:4

V. The Promise: His presence and power

Revelation 2:24-29
   ~ Future authority
   ~ Future life  (Morning Star)
   ~ Isaiah 14:12
   ~ Revelation 22:16

 Faith Sheet

 A Church Approved by God: Hold Fast
Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29

Main Themes:
~ To move toward idols is to move away from the gospel and the Savior the
   gospel proclaims.
~  Maturing in Christ aims our worship toward our Savior and away from
    idols.

 #1 - Reviewing this Past Sunday
A Church Approved by God: Hold Fast
Thyatira - Revelation 2:18-29

1. Read Revelation 2:18-29. Discuss the message with someone.
2. Reflect on the description of Christ in verse 18. How do these truths
    about Christ help us to hold fast to the gospel?
3. What are idols of the heart? How can we identify these within our lives?
4. Confess and repent of any idols within your heart. Discuss this with
    someone who will remind you of Christ’s rule and authority.

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday    
A Church Approved by God: Wake Up
Sardis - Revelation 3:1-6  

1. Why is character more important than reputation?
2. Which is worse – wrongfully having a bad reputation, or wrongfully having
    a good reputation? (Matthew 11:19)
3. How does the Lord describe Himself? (vs. 1)
4. What was the reputation of the church? (vs. 1)
5. What did the Lord say was wrong with the church, and what does He
    command? (vs. 1-3)
6. How does the Lord describe the few who are believers? (vs. 4)
7. What is promised to those who are overcomers? (vs. 5)
8. What do you think is your reputation among your coworkers? Fellow
    students? Neighbors? People at church? Family? Why?
9. How is it that a church can look alive and yet be dead?
10. What advice would you give to an unbeliever or a new believer who
      wants to know how he or she can be alive in Christ?
11. In what areas of your Christian walk have you recently been lazy or
     sleepy? Discuss with someone and pray.