Rev 2:12-17

Intro:

So far, we have seen the loveless church, the church of Ephesus. They were doing good! They were working hard, being patient, and many other things. But, Jesus had one thing against them… They left their FIRST love.

When you fall away from Jesus, or if you have fallen away, you need to

Remember

Repent

Repeat

Remember that Jesus is the only way to Salvation. Remember that there is a heaven and hell. Remember that Jesus died for you.

Repent of the sin you have commited. Repent of your turning away from Christ.

Repeat the first works you’ve done when following Christ. Get back into your word… Get back into prayer… Get back into worship… Repeat this daily.

Next, we saw the Persecuted Church, the church of Smyrna. Jesus told them that He sees them.. He sees the pain. He sees the suffering. Then, he encourages them to not fear in the future, because it will get worse. but… Be faithful, and you will receive the crown of life.

Sometimes, you feel like no one notices you. You may feel like no one sees the pain you’re going through.

God sees you. God loves you. God cares for you.

Now, we are at the compromising Church.

V. 12-13

He who has the sharp two-edged sword.

Pergamum was known for their mythology.

They had 3 temples for gods/

Roman Emperor, goddess Athena, and the Great Altar of Zeus.

Jesus calls this place “Satan’s throne” why?

Because there is so much idol worship going on, that Satan would be comfortable there.

Even though this church was in the center of pagan culture, they were faithful and did not deny Jesus.

We live in a pagan culture, pagan meaning worship of false gods.

You see many people walk away from the faith because their friends don’t think it’s cool.

People leave the church because they would rather spend time worshipping themselves instead of worshipping and learning about God for an hour.

Where this church could have denied God, they chose to be faithful even when life was hard.

When life is hard, because it will be hard, when people hate you because you’re a Christian, they will because the world hated Jesus… Then, you will have to make a choice.. Be Faithful or Reject God.