The Church of Pergamum

INTRO/HOOK (5min)

William Hunter from an early age was instructed in the teachings of the reformation, which were in direct contrast with the teachings of the Catholic church. He would have no doubt learned the three principle doctrines of the reformation: Sola Scriptura (by scripture alone), Sola Fide (by faith alone), Sola Gratia (by grace alone). It was through these bedrock truths that saving faith entered the life of young William. At age 19 William was sent to London England to be a silk weaver’s apprentice. While living in London a law was passed that required all those living in London to take communion at the eastern mass. William recognized to observe this mass it would be a rejection of the principle doctrines of his faith, so he refused. His refusal to obey Queen Mary’s edict threw his master silk weaver into a panic. So to ensure he and his family were in no danger he forced William to move back to his home in Brentwood. This however, would not mark the end of his conflict with the religious world. His next run in with the Catholic Church was several weeks later.

You and I have to understand that in 1555 Bibles were not found on every coffee table or night stand. If there was a complete copy of the scriptures it was kept, rather chained, to the pulpit of the local chapel. Not only were scriptures rare but they were guarded and no one save the local priest were allowed to even look at the Holy Bible. So it can easily be deduced that Williams next run in with the Catholic Church was when discovered reading the Bible at the local chapel. As he read Father Atwel, the local priest, found him. “Are you meddling with the Bible? Do you know what you are reading? Can you expound the scriptures?” Atwell said. William replied that he had no intention of expounding the scripture, but was reading them for his own comfort. Father Atwell said, “It has not been a happy world since the Bible was circulated in English” Young William responded “For God’s sake, don’t say that Father Atwell. For it is God’s book from which we learn what pleases and displeases God”. “I know you”, Father Atwell said, “You’re the one who dislikes the Queen’s laws? That’s why you left London. If you don’t mend your ways you and many more heretics will broil I promise you.” “God give me grace that I may believe his word and confess his name, whatever the consequences” was William’s reply.

From this the priest called the Vicar, and the Vicar called the local policemen, and the policemen had William delivered to the bishop of London. William spent two days in stocks in incredibly painful and public punishment. Then he was examined by Edmund Bonner of St. Paul’s Cathedral who was nicknamed “Bloody Bonner” because he burned more reformers than any other bishop. Under the command of Bonner, William was locked up in prison and was chained with as many chains as he could possibly bear.

William spent the next 9 months in prison for his refusal to recant his beliefs. On February 9th 1555 Bonner made his final offer to William, he resorted to bribery, promising money and employment if the teenager would only admit his errors. William responded, “I thank you for your great offers my lord. But if you cannot persuade me from the scriptures, I cannot turn from God for the love of the world. I count all worldly things as lost and dumb compared to the love of Christ.” Bonner threatened, “If you die believing this way, you will be condemned forever.” To which William responded, “God judges righteously justifying those who man condemns unjustly.” And with those words William sealed his fate. It was just a few weeks later that William was sent to the Newgate Prison in Brentwood to be executed before his family and friends.

It was on March 26th 1555 that William was taken to the center of his hometown Brentwood and burned at the stake. Upon arriving at the stake, William bent down and read the 51st Psalm until he came to the words,

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Psalm 51:17 ESV

When given one last opportunity to recant William refused and he was bound to the stake and a flame was kindled at his feet. Williams brother cried out as the flames rose, “William, think on the Holy Passion of Christ be not afraid of death.” “Behold” William answered, “I am not afraid” It was then that William lifted up his hands to heaven and said “Lord Lord Lord receive my spirit.” Then moments later his head bowed in death as he was overcome by the smoke.

PROBLEM/NEED (5min)

The story of William Hunter was one I discovered upon being introduced to the podcast Forgotten. In fact the story I just shared with you was a paraphrase of William Hunters story as told through the wonderful storytelling of Forgotten’s host, Ronnie Brown.

But it wasn’t simply Brown’s storytelling ability that compelled me to share William’s story with you this morning. Even more so it was the reality of William’s uncompromising faith even to the point of death. It’s faith like this that you can tell is alive and real. You don’t have to question it because the actions of such a person speaks to the true nature of what they believe. And when we hear stories like this it stirs something inside us to believe in something beyond ourselves and seek a similar confident and uncompromising faith of our own.

However it’s faith like this that seems to be producing itself in ever shorter supply during our own time period. I mean when was the last time you can account a fellow Christ follower living out their faith in such an uncompromising way? I don’t know about you but it’s difficult for me to bring any name to mind within my own generation.

Don’t get me wrong their are many I can think of that would declare the name of Christ in the face of opposition and have done so boldly. However, there seem to be fewer and fewer who are convicted enough to actually live it out.

In fact according to a study done by Barna last October their are many people who have a positive view of Jesus and his teachings, but those positive views don’t always lead to a personal commitment to Jesus. This reality is highlighted by a separation of those who claim to be Christian into to three disctinct categories:

Resilient Disciple: (1) attend church at least monthly and engage with their church more than just attending worship services; (2) trust firmly in the authority of the Bible; (3) are committed to Jesus personally and affirm he was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death; and (4) express desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of their faith.

Habitual Churchgoer: describe themselves as Christian and have attended church at least once in the past month, yet do not have foundational core beliefs or behaviors associated with being a resilient disciple.

Nomad: identify as Christian but have not attended church during the past month. Most nomads haven’t been involved with a faith community for six months or more.

And which group do you think describes the majority of those who claim to be Christian today? If you were to say Nomads, you would be correct at a whopping 63%. The real issue with this statistic is highlighted even further by the assessment of how each of these groups are choosing to follow Jesus. [Show How Christians Are Following Jesus]

What an astounding reality that we now live in as Christ followers where 63% of the those who claim to believe in Christ are less than 40% likely to actually follow him. It’s no wonder that the article surrounding this study claims that the most likely reason for disconnect to the Christian faith is the hypocrisy non-Christians witness among Christians. Which may be best summed up by George Barna himself in a recent interview where he stated the following about our current culture,

This is our moment, we’ve reached a time of Christian invisibility in our culture. What I’m seeing now is that we’re getting to this place where the typical American . . . will not have anyone in their circle of influence who has a biblical worldview. You’re not going to be influenced with God’s truth. -George Barna

I find the reason that I myself am compelled by such quotes and statistics is that they speak directly to a struggle I have continually faced over the past year or so of my faith . . . that there has to be more! There has to be more to following Jesus than simply declaring I believe in him as Lord and Savior and hoping that others will do the same as I share that with them.

Fortunately for you and me it’s this reality that Jesus himself speaks to as he continues with his assessment in Revelation on the 7 Churches in Asia Minor. And my hope for us this morning as we look yet again to His words to these churches is that we will find Jesus calls us not only to be ready to die for his name, but to live for him as well.

Let me pray for our time together in his word. Will you join me?

TEACH/TRUTH (10min)

As many of you know for the past couple weeks we have been studying together through the book of Revelation. More specifically Revelation 1-3 as we look to the words offered by Jesus to seven different churches and what they mean for us today as we seek to be his faithful church.

Last week Tom continued our study in The Book of Revelation by taking us through the words Jesus offered to the church of Smyrna. As we learned last week, Smyrna was one of the only two churches that Jesus had nothing but encouragement for. What encouragement did he have to offer?

“Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life”

-Revelation 2:10b

Interestingly enough as we move on to the Church of Pergamum this morning we find they are praised for doing this very thing. However, they are not left without rebuke as we also find that there is more to following Jesus than simply being ready to die for him. If you will turn with me to Revelation 2:12-17 and let us read it together.

““To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword: ‘I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth. The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.’”

Revelation 2:12-17 NET

Jesus begins by declaring who he is in saying, This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword. In doing so he is making a pretty profound statement that I think is best highlighted by similar words found in the book of Hebrews,

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 NET

Jesus is declaring that he is the authority who will divide the true christians from those who simply claim his name. He will separate the resilient disciple from the christian nomad. He is the word of God who has the power to judge the very thoughts and desires of our hearts.

And he does for the Church of Pergamum by beginning with a recognition of persecution and a recognition of praise. He continues in saying, ‘I know where you live – where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives.

Here Jesus recognizes that the city of Pergamum is in many ways a stronghold of Satanic power. There are many different opinions as to why Pergamum was such a stronghold of Satanic power.

a center for the ancient Babylonian priesthood.

the political center of the worship-demanding Roman government. (three temples of worship dedicated to the Roman Emperor himself)

the center of pagan worship and home to a huge throne-like altar dedicated to the Roman god Zeus that was literally given the title The Throne of Satan.

Whether this paid tribute to the fact that Satan actually had taken up residence in this specific city, or simply was a symbol to the reality that Pergamum was an extremely religious area filled with temples to the Greek and Roman gods, it was apparent that the works of Satan were very evident where the church of Pergamum was rooted. And as such being a Christian within this culture would not have been easy. Their would have been much persecution.

As I look to the reality of what Pergamum was I cant help but to compare it to what America in many ways has become. Much like Pergamum is recognized as a center of pagan religion filled with a variety of beliefs on how to live and who to worship its not hard to find the same reality expressed in our own culture today. All the way from Christianity to sectarianism, we have this melting of pot of beliefs in culture. it is not hard to see that our country and culture is no longer founded on the belief in one God alone, but rather that each person can make God their own. Where relative truth becomes the norm it is evidence that the grand deceiver has taken up residence.

But we must be encouraged by what Jesus says here as he recognizes this reality. He was aware of it in Pergamum and he is aware of it in America. Just as Pergamum was praised for their faithfulness amidst such a culture, so will we. So be encourage to stay faithful to the name of Christ, as we studied last week and are reminded of today, even to the point of death. Jesus sees this, celebrates it, and recognizes it as bringing great glory to his name. So dear brother and sister in Christ if you yourself feel as thought much ground has been lost in our country or culture be encouraged and don’t lose hope. Continue to boldly declare the name of Christ. Our lord sees it and celebrates it!

However, as praiseworthy as boldly declaring the name of Jesus is we must not stop here. Lest we be subject to a greater danger than physical death, that of spiritual compromise. Jesus highlights this next as he goes on to say, But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Now upon first reading this it may not make much sense to you and me in our modern American context. Who is Balaam? Who is Balak? However for those living in an ancient Hebrew context they would have immediately known what was being talked about here. They would have immediately drawn to the mind the stories of Balaam and Balak from Numbers 22-24 & 31. I encourage to go read the full length of these stories but in short Balaam combined the sins of immorality and idolatry to please Balak, the king of Moab, because he could not curse Israel directly. As such Balaam had become prototype to the Israelite people of all corrupt teachers. We see this expressed by the apostle Peter as well in his letter to the early church,

Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children! By forsaking the right path they have gone astray, because they followed the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:14–15 NET

In essence what Jesus was pointing out to the faithful followers of Pergamum was that although their faith in him was solid and unwavering, their practice of following him was in danger. Much like the Christians of Corinth that Paul wrote to in 1 Corinthians 5 they had become too tolerant and accepting of false doctrines and immoral living. You see Satan wasn’t able to accomplish much against these followers in Pergamum in way of persecution. Their faith in Jesus was strong, they held fast to his name, and like Antipas were willing to die for that belief. But Satan is crafty and where persecution wont work he will resort to deception.

And this is where I believe we really need to pay attention as Christians rooted in a hyper individualized hedonistic secular culture. A reality which I firmly believe has been the work of Satan. I mean just look at the history of America and how at its founding God was very present and yet somehow over time we have increasingly gotten away from this. We may not struggle with eating food sacrificed to idols, but their are plenty of things that we can make idols of in our lives, knowingly or unknowingly giving our allegiance to them over God. Things like our work, our hobbies, or even our relationships. We can make idols of certain celebrities, digital devices, or a political party.

But maybe even more so than the potential idols in our lives we must stay aware of the ever increasing acceptance of sexual immorality in our culture. It’s everywhere! Music, TV shows, social media, advertising, porn industry, Romantiscy books, and even donating plasma. I started donating plasma recently and there is this questionnaire that you have to take every time before you donate. Questions about your health and whether you have had a tattoo or question. But the majority of the questions asked were about whether I had multiple sexual partners in the past month or had any signs of an STD. I just couldn’t help but think how it was a look into our culture and how normal sexual immorality had become.

And unfortunately I far too often see this same reality seeping into the lives of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who begin to justify and normalize things sexually that were once deemed unacceptable in the eyes of God. All the way from watching shows, like Game of Thrones or Bridgerton justifying the consumption of soft porn for the sake of a good story; to condoning various forms of premarital sex in your own life or even in the life of others all for the sake of keeping the relationship together. Now please know as I say that if it speaks to you I don’t speak judgement or condemnation over you. In fact I get it. I was the “Christian” who declared Christ as my Lord and savior and even taught others the good of his moral standard all the while being sexual with my girlfriends and addicted to porn. I know first hand how it easy it is to fall into these lifestyles and simply justify them. I too am immersed in a culture that promotes sexual promiscuity as not a big deal and continually face the temptations that come along with it.

God often gives up men to follow the impulse of their own lusts; but there is no approval in thus leaving them to act at the prompting of their own wicked hearts -Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown

Jesus’ wants more for you and I. He wants to see his way of life is so much better. Not always easier, but always better. And thats because ultimately everything we do either draws us closer to God or separates us further from him. And it’s this reality that is at the heart of the enemies strategy in Pergamum, and in our culture today. He is not seeking to have us deny the name of Christ, but rather separate us from a full life and relationship with him. This what Jesus saw happening in the lives of those believers in Pergamum. And it was so serious his next words to them were Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth. In other words what Jesus was saying to those believers in Pergamum was to turn away from anything in your life that doesn’t glorify me, lest you be separated from me.

SOLUTION/PRACTICE (5min)

So how do we go about doing this? How do you and I, if needed, follow Jesus’ command to repent? Well to repent we must first understand what that word means. The word being used in this verse is best described as “a change of attitude and action from sin toward the obedience of God” In other words its turning away from one way of life toward another. But to be able to repent, or turn away, from a lifestyle that is not pleasing to God we must be able to recognize the areas in our lives that are not pleasing to him. And to be able to do this we must be willing to open ourselves up to examination by the spirit of God. We must be willing to put ourselves in the vulnerable spot of being told there is something in our life that doesn’t match God’s will for us. In short, we must be willing to open ourselves up to the question “Is there any compromise in my faith?” To do this I want to encourage you to take time to pray the following prayer

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalms 139:23-24 NLT

As you pray this prayer, stop after each line and listen for the spirit of God to reveal to you the true nature of your heart. After asking God to search you and know your heart let him reveal to you what is that you actually love. After asking him to test you and know your anxious thoughts let him reveal to you what areas in your life that you operate from anxiety. After asking him to point out anything in you that offends allow him time to reveal to you the areas in your life that are displeasing to him. And after asking him to lead you along the path of everlasting life allow him to show what the next step in your faith toward that end would be.

I think the most difficult part of this prayer it takes you to a very vulnerable place where you open yourself up to correction. But it also can be the most fruitful.

I will never forget years ago when my daughter was around the age of 7 and we were really struggling with her just getting so angry and upset a lot of the time. Then one night she Finley decided to open up to me about how she was trying so hard not to but couldn’t help it and didn’t know how to stop. She asked for my help. She opened herself up to my insight into her life. And its because of this I was given the opportunity to really share with Finley her need for Jesus and let her know that without his spirit present in her life she wouldn’t be able to overcome her anger. I told her I wanted nothing more for her to know Jesus in that way. She then said she wanted that too and so that night I helped her write down a prayer to Jesus that would change her life and prayed through it with her. Here is what she wrote,

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you did on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I don’t want to sin anymore and invite you to come into my life. I trust you and want to follow you as my Lord and leader because I believe you saved me.”

As a father this was a great reward to me. My daughter coming to me vulnerably and asking what do you desire for me. I trust you to lead me along the path to everlasting life. But then because she opened herself up to this it became a great reward to her as well. And it is the very reward that Jesus tells the Church of Pergamum is available to them if they choose to repent.

CLOSE/INSPIRE (5min)

He says,

The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.

Jesus speaks here to the one who conquers. We are told in 1 John 5:5.

“Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:5 ESV

Those who believe in Jesus are those who overcome! And this word belief is more than simply believing in his name but believing him with your life. It’s this kind of belief that Jesus declares he will give to the hidden manna from heaven. Which all this means is that we get more of Jesus. Jesus himself puts it this way in John 6:31-33

Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jn 6:31–33 NET

But not only this. We will also be given a white stone. In the ancient world, the use of a white stone had many associations. A white stone could be a ticket to a banquet, a sign of friendship, evidence of having been counted, or as a sign of acquittal in a court of law. Jesus may have any one of these meanings in mind, but at the very least we know that it has the assurance of blessing. It is a sign that we have found favor with God.

Through William Hunter we get the opportunity to see a tangible expression of such a stone. At the site of Williams martyrdom, there is a stone pillar left to memorialize his unwavering faith in his Lord Jesus. And on is a a plaque that reads,

William Hunter

Martyr

Committed to the flames March 26th 1555.

Christian reader learn from his example to value the privilege of an open bible and be careful to maintain it.

He being dead yet speaketh

William Hunter believed that that the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword. He was convinced that to deny this would mean separation from the his Lord and God. So much so that he was willing to give his life. It is now in his death that he speaks to the world on behalf of God. May you and I have the ears to hear what is being declared through his example as well as the words found in revelation. May we choose to live for Jesus and in doing so declare to a watching world who is the true Lord, Savior, and King! Let me pray that you would.