We're Not Trippin

Introduction

Tell the story of graduates sitting in the arena or convention center preparing to hear their names. They start the chatter of what they will do when its their time to walk across the stage. Most of them will simply walk across, shake hands, wave, and walk off. But there are SOME who are part of organizations, SOME who are outspoken, SOME who are loud and entertaining and they will have a bit more to do while on stage. Among that SOME, there are SOME, in fact there was one from Virginia Tech this year who decided this was his time to shine, and ended up tearing his acl while dancing on stage on the way to receive his degree.

Explain the effects of tripping:

- embarrassment: emotional rupture/fracture

- injury: physical rupture/fracture

-distance: spiritual rupture/fracture

Big Idea: Though we live in a sin drenched culture, and though we sometimes struggle with resistance, we have an opportunity AND responsibility to repent and avoid the wrath of God. We can stop trippin.

Pergamum: An ancient city of western Anatolia in Asia Minor, now the modern village of Bergama, in Mysia, Turkey. Located about 16 miles from the Aegean Sea alongside the Caicus River Valley. Population of about 180,000, was the seat of government in the Roman province and a major center of the imperial cult (worship of the Roman empire)

Where you live doesn’t have to determine how you live. (v.13) Opportunity of Distinction

Verse 13 presents a problem on two fronts. It is not only the place Satan lives according to 13c, it is the place where satan’s throne is according to 13a. Remember Pergamum is the “seat” of government for this province and was a major center of the imperial cult worship.

There is a battle of authority going on at this residence.

Jesus is referenced as the one who has the double-edged sword. This reference implies authority in the word.

Hebrews 4:12 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Theologiacal Truth: The authority of God is revelaed in the word of God, and Jesus has the authoirty of the word of God in his hand. We have the authority of the word of God in Christ Jesus when we receive Jesus Christ and believe his word. The authority of God is operating in those who believe His word to be a shield against the one on the throne of this world. There are places Satan doesnt roam; he stays. Remember Job 1:7 “And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Also 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Pergamum presented a confortable place of residence for Satan where he didnt have to roam, he could rest. The angel of the church had to lead the church not only though the hardships of persecution, but the confortability of the persecutor.

Where there is worship of anything other than God, there is potential for Satan to have his throne there. Does Satan have thrones stationed throughout your life?

He is not simply present, he is powerful. There are some places we encounter that operate under a different authority. It is visible and tangible. (Ex. racism, sexism, elitism, classism, nationalism, abelism, etc.)

Michigan State’s article “Understainding Oppression and “isms” as a System suggest there are levls to oppression that make it a system. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/understanding_oppression_and_isms_as_a_system#:~:text=When%20talking%20about%20racism%2C%20sexism,interpersonal%2C%20institutional%20and%20cultural%20levels.

Personal level: associated with our values, beliefs and feelings about individuals different from us and ourselves

Interpersonal level: the focus is on our actions, behavior and language as we interact with individuals different from us

Institutional level: includes the rules, policies, procedures and practices, which are written and unwritten, within an institution that define who is welcomed and can fully participate or those that may be excluded or discriminated against full participation

Cultural Level: our focus turns to how we define what is right, normal, the truth or beautiful

When the personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels of society are polluted with the filth of wickedness, its hard to see your way clearly, its easy to trip. There is an embedded wickedness in this province and the audience John is writing to in this book is who Scott McKnight calls dissidents which would by definition be those who oppose official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state. John’s vision was given for those who would live counter culturally.

To suggest that where we live doesn't determine how we live is not an oversight of the environment, but it is an undercut to the environment’s impact on the grip of God’s people.

Joseph and Daniel were in environments of jealousy. Moses grew up in a home full of racists. Jesus was born to a teen mom, impregnated by the Holy Spirit, in the hood of Nazareth and his father probably died before he endured his greatest hardships

So many historical figures like Nelson Mandela, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King, Jr, Fannie Lou Hamer, Jarena Lee, Beth Moore, Jackie Hill Perry.

Some youth in this church have experience school shootings, cultural agendas, peer pressure, social media, family dysfunction, toxic

What keeps the angel of the church in Pergamum from trippin isn’t his greatness; its his grip.

read v.13 and reference “holding” - krateō: grab, sieze into custody

It is not your intellect nor influence that shields you from your environment, but the intercession of your Savior that gives you grip!

John 17:14-19 I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020))

Comedian Country Wayne said it like this, “How did a non cursing comedian blow up and still keep the streets?! Because he’s connected to somebody who turned water into wine!”

Because the Savior interceded, though the environment makes it hard, it doesn't make it impossible! Jacob: I wont let go until you bless me.” Woman with the issue of blood: “If I could but touch the hem of his garment, ill be made whole.” Paul: Even if i’ve got to hold onto a piece of the ship, we are going to make it to the other side.” We’ve got to hold on to what’s keeping us.

But some of us are holding onto the wrong things…look at verse 14.

What you hear doesn’t determine who you listen to. (v.14) Opportunity of Discernment

Balaam - main thing: in the OT, Balaam’s teachings involved intercourse with Moabite women (Numbers 25:1-5; 31:16)

Since Baalam wouldn’t curse the Israelites, he led them astray instead. When the devil can’t trap, he’ll trip. A desensitization to the things of God is satan tripping God’s people.

Nicolatians - main thing: it was entirely acceptable to to eat foods offered to idols. The identity of the Nicolaitans remains unknown. The earliest theories generally regard them to be a gnostic antinomian sect that drew from—or perhaps misunderstood—the teachings of Nicolaus of Antioch, one of the early church’s first seven deacons (Acts 6:5; e.g., Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, 1.26.3; see also Caird, Revelation, 31–36)

Andrew Coutras, “Nicolaitans,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

McKnight basically categorizes these whom John has references as representative names serving as stereotypes for idolatries, sexual immorality, and false teachings.

The Point: They are giving ear to stumbling blocks

stumbling block: any cause that results in a person sinning; whether by preventing righteous action or by promoting sinful behavior.

Stumbling blocks prevent and prompt.

Some of us view the presence of stumbling blocks as an excuse for participation in the stumbling.

Consider 1 Kings 19:11-13

1 Kings 19:11–13 KJV 1900

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

The wind was present but it wasn't the Lord. The earthquake was present, but it wasn't the Lord. The fire was present, but it wasn't the Lord. It was the voice.

Notice the letter is addressed to the pastor but isn't about everyone in the church. (Responsibility)

“you” in verses 13-16 is singular - The pastor

“some” in verse 14 is part of the church, but not all of the church.

“those” in verse 15 is part of the church, but not all of the church.

There is an implied responsibility for the leader to seek the face of God, even if there are only parts of the body that are trippin.

When you trip and sprain your ankle you don’t just send your leg to the hospital, your whole body goes, but your head has to make the decision.

The “you” of the text eliminates the church clique culture. God ordains angels in shepherds clothing not only to pronounce blessing on the people, but to pronounce rebuke on the people.

The vision encourages the faithfulness of the pastor, but addresses the cliques of idolatry!

As the people become conquerors , there is a blessing to some of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name inscribed.

Hidden manna - exclusive sustenance and kingdom fellowship with God for Christians who reject the way of the world

White Stone - used as an admission ticket. A white stone with someone’s name on it was an all access pass

The sustainability and admission we need to eternal life comes through the conquering power of repentance from our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. Repentance Conquers!

In the words of H. R. Palmer in his melody of 1868 (Yield Not To Temptation)

1 Yield not to temptation, For yielding is sin; Each vict’ry will help you, Some other to win; Fight valiantly onward, Evil passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

Refrain: Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.

2 Shun evil companions, Bad language disdain; God’s name hold in rev’rence, Nor take it in vain; Be thoughtful and earnest, Kindhearted and true; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. [Refrain]

3 To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown; Through faith we will conquer, Though often cast down; He who is our Savior, Our strength will renew; Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. [Refrain]

Closing Illustration:

When my son walks up the stairs I tell him to hold on to the banister because I know there will be moments when his mind will be distracted and his feet will get off course. So when he walks up the stairs I have his hand on the banister and my hand on him.

Jesus says “I know where you are, but dont trip. I know how tedious and arduous it is to live for me when you live where you live, but dont trip. I know Satan’s throne is there But dont trip. I have a ticket with your name on it for eternal life.

Quote “There’s Not A Friend”

1 There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus - No not one, no not one

none else can heal all our soul’s diseases - no not one, no not one

2 no friend like him is so high and holy - no not one …

and yet no friend is so meek and lowly - no not one

3 there’s not an hour that he is not near us - no not one…

no night so dark but His love can cheer us - no not one…

I can climb from one level to the next because i’m holding on to the one who is holding onto me...