1. Today we continue series entitled: “Things are not as they seem.” Revelation wants to help us see reality in light of an unseen future and a present reality seen only with the eyes of faith. This series is based largely on Darrell Johnson’s book, Discipleship on the Edge. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem - Jealous Lover Thyatira

2. Scripture Reading Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

3. Before we dig into God’s Word, I think that we do well to think about what it means to be in love. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

4. You are in love. You express that love to your beloved. You want to spend the rest of your life with this person. You enter into a committed relationship. It’s awesome!!!! Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

5. You share your live and love. You would be willing to die for your beloved. That is God’s desire for marriage. Experience that feeling. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

6. Now your beloved comes to you and says, “I still love you but I am going to have a intimate relationship with another person.” Now how do you feel? Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

7. Anger? Jealousy? But your beloved say to you, “Why are you upset? My living with and loving that person does not impact my living with and loving you.” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

8. Once you have that feeling in place, you can understand Jesus’ message to the church in Thyatira. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

9. Jesus again begins with a description of himself, which we will look at later. He then compliments this church like no other: Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

10. “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” v.19 This was a active and growing church. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

11. But Jesus adds: “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.” v.20 Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

12. Was there a woman in the Thyatira church with the name Jezebel? My guess is that Paul is referring to the Old Testament story we read in I Kings 16 Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

13. Jezebel was a Baal worshipper who married King Ahab. She got king Ahab to set up an altar to Baal. It began by saying that one could worship Baal and Jahweh the God of Israel. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

14. But she knew that they were fundamentally opposed as she later tried to eradicate the worship of Jahweh. Ex. 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

15. So in Thyatira there was a woman who saw herself as a prophetess who was teaching the people that it was ok to serve God and attend feasts that included sacrifices to other gods. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

16. The city of Thyatira was a manufacturing town. - All sorts of trade guilds - held common meals together and these included sacrifices to their patron god, Thyimnus or Apollo. - Often led to drunkeness and immorality Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

17. Could followers of Christ be part of these trade guilds? Could they in clear conscience participate in these meals? If they were not part of the trade guilds they would loose business and money. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

18. This woman was teaching that they could be a Christian and still attend these feasts. She was teaching when it come to serving God that it is not “either/or” but “both/and.” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

19. Jesus reminds his church, his bride, that when it comes to being in relationship with God it is an “either God or...” not a “God and...” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

20. Exodus 20:3-6 "You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

21. Jesus makes it very plain that this “God and...” “spiritual adultery leads to spiritual sickness and eventually, to spiritual death.” Johnson, p.90 Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

22. When we see ourselves as Christ sees us, as his bride, we begin to see how the “God/Christ and …” approach is offensive & hurtful to God. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

23. Where are we doing the “God and...” compromise? Where in your life have you lost the “either God or...” and have opted for a “God and...” position? Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

24. Wait a minute. Does this mean that all compromise is bad or that as Christians we can not work together with non- Christians? No. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

25. I heard of a church that split because they could not find a compromise on the colour for the carpet in the new sanctuary. To my mind that was not an ultimate “either/or” matter. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

26. I hesitate to bring that up because of our tendency to be blind to those areas where we are taking a “God and...” stand. I can be a Christian and get drunk every weekend. I can be a follower of Christ and make shady business deals. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

27. I am a Christian and I can sleep around. I am a Christian and I can freely tear down others with gossip. I am a follower of Jesus and I can spend my life on acquiring money. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

28. We often do what psychologist call “compartmentalization.” We divide up our lives into compartments, allowing Jesus to be Lord only over some of them. Sunday compartment & the rest of the week compartment. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

29. Private vs Public compartments So for many Jesus is Lord over their devotional life; Sunday going to church life; maybe their family values, but when it comes to stepping out into the “real world” that is off limits to Christ’s claim as Lord. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

30. In the Freed-Up Financial Living class that has just begun we were reminded again of two truths Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

31. Ps. 24:1 “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;” Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

32. What area of your life are you not surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus? Where are you trying to do the “God and...” compromise? Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

33. How can we stay true to our Saviour and Lord who loves us? Story of business man tempted by a “hospitality girl.” He pulled out a picture of his wife and said, “I belong to her.” Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

34. What is the picture of our lover? 1. The Son of God [2:18] - not Apollo or Caesar - he has the authority of all - we answer to him Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

35. 2. “eyes like a flame of fire” [2:18] - terrifies and comforts - exposes the darkest corners - exposes to cleanse us Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

36. 3. “feet are like burnished bronze” [2:18] - feet that a pure and strong - ready to trample evil - ready to run after us Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

37. 4.“I gave her time to repent” [2:21] - he gives us time to repent - his awaits our response - but he will not wait forever Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

38. 5. “I will give to each according to their deeds.” [2:23] - Jesus respects our choices - choose whom you will serve and live with the consequences. - “Our true allegiance is revealed in how we treat members of our families, how we treat employees and fellow workers, how we spend our time, and how we spend our money.” Johnson, p.94 Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

39. 6. One who makes incredible promises: Remain loyal to me and - you will reign with me. [2:26-27] - “I will give you the morning star.” [2:28] - Jesus is the “bright Morning Star” [22:26] - Jesus gives himself to us in our darkest hour. Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

40. Can you look into the face of the one who loves you like no other, can you look into the face of Jesus who loved you so much he died for you and say, “Yes God, I love you too, but I want to keep this other lover on the side.”? Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira

41. Let us Pray! Thyatira Revelation of Jesus– Things are Not as They Seem Jealous Lover Thyatira