The Church at Pergamos
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 15 viewsNotes
Transcript
A Picture of a Compromising Church.
A Picture of a Compromising Church.
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
The Church at Pergamos
A Picture of a Compromising Church.
Intro: Today we look at the church #3 in our study. 1st Ephesus, the church that lost its first love. 2nd Smyrna, the suffering church. Today, Pergamos, the compromising church
When Jesus was asleep in the boat and the storm came, the began to fill with water, and the disciples were in danger. The boat being in the water was not a problem, but when the water got in the boat, it was in danger.
The church is in the world, but when the world gets into the church, then the church is in danger.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
I. A Picture of the Church. VS 12
I. A Picture of the Church. VS 12
Revelation 2:12 (NKJV)
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
1. The letter is to the “angel” (messenger, pastor) of the church. John wrote these letters and they were delivered to the churches.
2. The city of Pergamos was an important religious center of pagan worship. There were 3 temples for 3 of the god’s they worshiped.
a. The worship of the Roman Emperor was very big. This was the first city to build a temple to Caesar. It had gotten so bad that the Emperor was no longer look at as a political or military leader but he was seen as a god.
b. There was still the worship of the pagan god’s along with the worship of Caesar. As long as you worshiped Caesar you could worship someone else.
c. This made it tough for the Christians; they worshiped Christ and Christ alone. But as we will see they had let false teaching into their church so there was a message for them from Jesus.
‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
1. The words that came from Christ. Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Look at what He said to the first two churches.
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Now He comes at them like a two edged sword.
Peter preached for the first times
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
The sword was a symbol of judgment. And the sword that proceeds out if the mouth of God, is the Word of God.
a. It’s the word of God coming out of his mouth like a 2 edged sword. It is double edged to speak of its facility and alacrity and judging and moving fast from side to side and wreaking havoc as it moves.
b.It is an instrument of judgment falling on those who are deserving of that judgment. It cuts where ever it turns.
c. Before the Lord tells them what was wrong (the cut) he would tell them what was right.
II. A Picture of what was Right. VS 13
II. A Picture of what was Right. VS 13
Revelation 2:13 (NKJV)
13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
I Know thy works
1. We see this statement to all 7 churches. Just as He knows all churches, He knows your works, He knows your heart, and He knows your intentions. People can fool people, but people can’t fool God.
a. He not only knew their works, he knew everything about them.
b. He knew where they were. By that he knew the kind of city that they lived in.
c. Today some churches are in a town that loves the church. Elab
d. Some churches are in a town where there is a Constance battle.
f. For Pergamos it was a battle.
1. The Roman Emperor that rules during this time were used by Satan. He wanted to be worshiped as a god. And those who refused were dealt with. ELab
a. Satan wanted to destroy Christianity. He try to do from without. By that I mean, he used everything possible.
b. Prison, beating, cruelest of punishment, and death to many. But it did not stop Christians from worshiping God sharing their faith.
c. So if he couldn’t stop from without, he’d go to work from within. Satan used “religious men and teachers to accomplish this task. (if you can’t bet them, join then)
Paul warned of this: Acts 20:29-30
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
d. He is doing the same thing today, both from without and within. But there is some good news, he will never destroy Christianity. Mt 16:18
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
f. The Church at Pergamos is Satan’s Throne.
and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.
Last part of VS where Satan dwells.
Satan’s Throne. This was the center of cultic worship, a place where Satan would best use his influence. This was his headquarters. where Satan dwells.
He used pagan religion to control people, but the church was faithful.
I believe that Satan has His throne set up today. Where?
2. Satan does have power, but his power is limited. He is a created being; he does not possess any of the attributes of deity.
b. He is not omnipotent. Unlimited power.
c. Omnipresent. To be everywhere at one time.
d. But he does have influence. I Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
f. Satan had his influence in Pergamos, and the church was right in the middle of it.
And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr,
To hold fast To seize. Cling on too. To use strength.
a. The only way to stay strong faith in your walk with Jesus is do so by the strength that you have through him. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
b. They held fast on the name of the Lord.
and did not denied my faith
a. They did not deny the truth of the gospel, the message of salvation by faith.
b. They were surrounded by pagan teaching that would try to get them to deny the truth of Jesus. They would not deny the faith no matter how bad things got.
2. Read part of verse about Antipas.
Antipas: This is the only time his name is mentioned. All we know about him is what is told to us in scripture. He was a martyr he was killed for his faith.
a. But look at what the Lord calls him. my faithful martyr
3. Notice the my’s in Vs 13 my name, My faith, my faithful martyr
a. Christianity is personal. The Lord says, you didn’t deny my name, you didn’t deny my faith, that was your commitment to me.
4. The church was still faithful even when their lives were in danger.
a. They were doing some things right, but they were also doing some things wrong.
III. A Picture of what was wrong. VS 14-16
III. A Picture of what was wrong. VS 14-16
Revelation 2:14 (NKJV)
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
But I have a few things against you”
1. Those are some terrible words to here from the Lord.
a. We will look at what the Lord had against them. But look at your own life? If the Lord told you some good about you, what would “few” things would he have against you? You may say, What about you pastor?
b. Let’s get to the church at Pergamos. VS 14b
because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak
2. He here is what is he saying. You have people that are teaching false teaching you are allowing it. You are not dealing with it. You are allowing them to feel comfortable.
Balaam: He was a Gentile (Numbers 22-25) he had the gift of prophecy. Balak the king of Moab wanted to get rid of the Israelites. So Balak paid Balaam to put a curse on them. He tried this 3 times, each time the curse became a blessing.
a. Since his curse plan did not work he came up with another plan. The Moabite women would move in among the Israelites and sexually seduce the Israelite men, and trick them into inter-marriage. Once this happened they would pull them into idolatry. It worked.
b. Now the teaching of Balaam was in the church and they were allowing it to happen. It was becoming a stumbling block to the people.
c. The teaching of Balaam was that it was okay to marry pagan.
d. This is a big problem today. (We may not have pagans like they did) but believers marring unbelievers.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
f. Unbelievers will be a stumbling block for believers.
g. Stumbling block: Snare, trap.
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
1. Snare a trap is something that looks enticing. This what Satan has done in our churches.
a. How is this done? Matt. 13:24-25
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
b. He will place false teachers in the church. They will look and act like the real thing but they are not.
c. Allowing false teachers is a compromise, when it begins it spreads. If you give the devil an inch he will take a mile.
c. When this is known it has to be out to a stop. It may not be easy but if they continue they will be a stumbling block.
15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
1. We saw this name “Nicolaitanes” in our study of the church at Ephesus. They hated their works, and so did God. 2:6 But the church at Pergamos had allowed their teaching in their church.
Nicolaitanes: We don’t really know a lot about the teachings the Nicolaitanes. There was a difference between the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. But the result was the same moral ruin to all who participated in such unholy teachings and practices.
a. They had a great influence on the early church. Elab
b. Something else we know, the Lord hated their works. Read last part of verse.
c. The Lord hated their works, He commended the church of Ephesus for hating their works.
d. God hates the false teaching in the churches. He hates those that are a stumbling block because of their false teaching.
f. God commends the churches their stand against false teaching.
g. The church at Pergamos was not trying to stop it. Instead the just let it go on. Why? Because it is the easy thing to do.
h.
IV. A Picture of a Remedy. VS 16-17
IV. A Picture of a Remedy. VS 16-17
16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Repent: The same thing he says to the other churches that he had something against.
1. Turn from your old ways, turn to God’s ways.
Repent or else
a. Who needed to repent? The false teachers of the church did. And the church needed to for allowing it to happen.
b. God will separate the wheat from the chaff, the goats from the sheep.
c. Like I have said before, people can fool people, but they cannot fool God.
d. God called for them to repent, and if they did not repent the Lord would come quickly (without delay) and bring judgment against them.
VS 17
Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
1. Here is what he is saying. Listen, listen. Don’t miss this. You’ve got to hear this church.
a. It’s the Holy Spirit inspiring it as John writes it, as Christ gives it.
To him who overcomes (believers) I will give some of the hidden manna to eat
1. Manna was bread from heaven. The children of Israel were given manna.
a. Ex 16:33 manna was placed in the Ark of the Covenant. It represented the bread of life.
b. Jesus is the bread of life. Just as Israel received manna from heaven as it food, for the true believer he say would receive Jesus Christ.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
I will give him a white stone
1. This the only place in scripture that we see “white stone”.
a. Many different views on what it means.
b. White is purity. Possibly talking about the purest. When we get to heaven it will be pure, you will be pure.
c. A new name on the stone. What is this name? No man knoweth saving he that received it.
d. A new name is a new life. Salvation is a new life. It’s a new life in Christ.
Conclusion: Do we want to be a compromising Church?
Do we want our faith to be real, do we want to hold fast to the Lord’s name?
Will we not deny H[s faith?
Will we not allow false teaching in the church?
Will we deal with issues that need to be dealt with?
Do we want to be a true church made up of true believers?
Are you an over comer? Have you received the bread of life? Will you receive a new name?
