If Daniel hadn’t followed Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional training instructions in The Karate Kid, he would have gotten his tail kicked by the Cobra Kais. We need to learn who and how to follow so we can move up in the direction God has set in front us.

Thyatira was the smallest city of any of the seven churches that received Direct Messages from God in the book of Revelation, but they got the longest letter from Jesus. Even though you may feel small, you have great worth to God!

Thyatira was the home of the temple of the Sun god, so it’s no accident that Jesus introduces Himself as the “Son of God.”

Revelation 2:18-29

18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:

19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.

20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. 22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. 27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! 29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Jesus compliments this church for four virtues:
Their Love

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35

People want connection and community so much that if we have genuine love, we would have to lock the front doors to keep people away.

Their Faith

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Hebrews 11:6

We want to do something so big for God, that it’s bound to fail unless God comes through!

Their Service

We are Saved to Serve. Our service strategy is for everyone to attend a service and serve a service.

Their Patience

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9,

The reason Jesus hasn’t returned isn’t because He’s taking His own sweet time. It’s because He’s patiently waiting for one more person to turn to God. That means that every person we lead to Jesus brings us one step closer to Jesus’ return.

God loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to let us stay that way.

In order to be a great leader, you have to be a great follower.

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1,

ABCs of Following
  • Attitude – Does this person have a Christlike attitude?
  • Biblical – Do they believe and follow the Bible as their authority?
  • Character – Do they have a character worth following?
  • Development – Can they help me develop?
  • Experiences – Do they have a depth of experiences?
  • Fruitfulness – What fruit are they producing through their life?
  • Growing – Are they continuing to grow? Once you stop growing, you start dying.

We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.

Jesus promises those that are faithful to keep following Him until the end that He will give them eternal life: both life that goes on forever, and also a life of meaning, purpose, and true joy.