No Compromise
The Best is Yet to Come! • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
“Ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.”
For the purposes of this passage of scripture, I’d like to change this quote a bit...
“Ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let SIN get inside and weigh you down.”
This is exactly what was going on in Pergamum! They were a great church, but they were too tolerant of false doctrine. And tolerance to false doctrine is not good from the Lord’s perspective because it drives His people from Him not to Him!
When false doctrine gets into the church it will sink her!
And Jesus loved them enough to warn them that if they didn’t do something soon, He would and it wouldn’t be pleasant!
I think this is something that the modern church needs desperately to hear!
We learn something from how Jesus deals with the Church at Pergamum. We learn that He is very serious out teaching right things!
Main Idea: Jesus is Serious About the Truth in His Church - His Church Should Be As Well!
Main Idea: Jesus is Serious About the Truth in His Church - His Church Should Be As Well!
Interrogative: How can the church be serious about the truth - as serious as Jesus is?
I see three ways Jesus teaches in this passage that we, as a church, can be serious about the truth...
1. The Church Must Be Serious about Jesus (vs. 12-13)
1. The Church Must Be Serious about Jesus (vs. 12-13)
Lead in...What is the tension here?
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Jesus is talking to the Pastor/Elder at the Church of Pergamum who in turn must read and communicate this information to this church.
Jesus identifies Himself as the one who has the sharp two-edged sword - Again this is the broad sword of judgement we talked about in chapter 1:16. So already we get the idea that Jesus is flexing His judicial muscle here...
And Pergamum is considered by the Lord Jesus as faithful. Notice what the Lord tells them...
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Jesus knows the absolutely godless place that they live - the place of Satan’s throne -
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2
Pergamum hosted temples dedicated to “the divine Augustus and the goddess Roma” and to Asklepios (the god of healing, symbolized by serpents), and a large altar dedicated to Zeus. The worship of the emperor as a god was also strongly emphasized, even required, in the province of Asia, and it was a major problem for Christians at the time. All of this qualifies Pergamum to be called the site of Satan’s throne.
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
This church is faithful! They “hold fast to His name!” -
13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
They do not deny their faith in Christ, even when it got really tough!
Who was Antipas and what happened to him? -
Because the Time is Near: John MacArthur Explains the Book of Revelation The Commendation
According to tradition, he was roasted to death inside a brass bull during the persecution by Emperor Domitian. Here was a man who paid the ultimate price for his refusal to compromise. Because of his faithfulness, the risen Lord commended Antipas with a title used elsewhere to refer to Himself: “My witness” (Revelation 1:5; 3:14). Antipas’s faithfulness and courage were a rebuke to those at Pergamum who were tempted to compromise with the world.
The point? It is a high compliment and praise for this church to hear the Lord Jesus tell them that they are a faithful bunch. After all, what does every believer long to hear when they cross over to the other side and see Jesus face to face? “Well done my GOOD and FAITHFUL servant!” We all want to hear this!
The church at Pergamum was faithful! Even though they were in the midst of sin and degradation. Even though they were living where Satan’s throne was, they didn’t lose their faith
What does it mean to be faithful to Christ? It means to live and obey Christ regardless the cost to us personally!
Our church - Allendale Baptist Church must remain faithful regardless if the society around us descends into moral chaos. Our primary priority is Christ! Living how he would have us to live so that if He were to give a report on us he could say, well done my good and faithful servants!
What do we need to do to be faithful?
Authentic followers of Jesus
Determined to live out what Christ commands
Be diligent to know His Word!
Review - Jesus is Serious About the Truth in His Church - His Church Should Be As Well!
The Church Must Be Serious about Jesus
2. The Church Must Be Serious About Doctrine (vs. 14-15)
2. The Church Must Be Serious About Doctrine (vs. 14-15)
Lead in…So the church at Pergamum is commended for their faithfulness, but there is a problem, and Jesus is about to tell them just what that problem is. Take a look at the begining of verse 14...
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
Now if I were the pastor of Pergamum, I would be riding high on the complement of Jesus that He considered our congregation faithful. But then to immediately hear that Jesus has a problem with our church? With me? I not only would be devastated, but my ears would be attentive to hear just what this problem is. Jesus says He has a few things against them. Look at the next part of verse 14...
14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
What are the few things?
There are some in the congregation that do not hold fast to the name of Jesus, but instead hold to the teachings of Balaam!
What’s the problem with Balaam?
Well, if you remember from Numbers 22-25, this corrupt prophet of God, hired himself out to Balak, the King of Moab to call down curses upon the nation of Israel and thus destroy them!
This King saw what was fearful of the Israelites because of what they did to the Amorites! So Balak hired Balaam to curse them. After three failed attempts to curse Israel, this devious prophet came up with a much more subtle and devious plan to ruin Israel.
He wanted to infiltrate their camp by getting them to eat things sacrificed to idols and commit acts of immorality. The plan was to have the Moabite women seduce the Israelite men into marriage (intermarriage with pagans was strictly forbidden by God) and thus lure them into idolatry. The plan worked!
But God did intervene by bringing judgment upon Israel by killing 24,000 people (Numbers 25:9) which included many of Israels leaders (25:4-5). By the way, this action by God worked and stopped their slide into immorality! God’s judgement can be very effective that way!
The congregation at Pergamum were in danger of the same thing by allowing this kind of corrupt, false teaching in their midst!
15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
Just like God severely judged Israel for their pursuit of false teaching, so the church at Pergamum needed to be careful not to fall into the same judgement becasue of the same reasons.
But there’s more!
15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
We’ve already heard about these guys and what they taught when we studied the church at Ephesus in chapter 2:6. But just as a refresher...
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 2
Irenaeus writes that Nicolas, who was made a deacon in Acts 6, was a false believer who later became apostate; but because of his credentials he was able to lead the church astray. And, like Balaam, he led the people into immorality and wickedness. The Nicolaitans, followers of Nicolas, were involved in immorality and assaulted the church with sensual temptations. Clement of Alexander says, “They abandoned themselves to pleasure like goats, leading a life of self-indulgence.” Their teaching perverted grace and replaced liberty with license.
What’s the point?
The Church at Pergamum was faithful to Christ, but they needed to be faithful in their Doctrine!
Our doctrine always effects how we live!
Remember, doctrine simply means teachings and when the church allows teachings that lead to immorality and licentiousness, the church needs to step up and show that kind of teaching the door! The church needs to remember that we are the Holy temple of God Himself.
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
In fact, Paul dealt with a realtime issue of the church being passive about sin among the church in 1 Cor 5!
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Listen, the doctrine of Christ/the teachings of the bible are crucial to the health and vitality of the local body!
God’s teachings are not to be some superfluous ideas that are hidden and ignored! No way! They are to be front and center and to be obeyed!
And to the extent we do, we will be blessed as a church and to the extent that they are ignored, we will suffer the consequences...
And paying a high regard to the doctrines of Christ shows our love for Him. You can’t have Christ’s doctrines without Christ and you cannot have Christ without what He teaches.
There was a broad evangelical movement in America the early 90’s that promoted the idea that we don’t really need doctrine, all we need is Jesus. Doctrine divides! Jesus brings us together!
That sounds all nice and warm and fuzzy, but it’s not biblical in the slightest! Jesus and the doctrines of the Bible are inextricably linked! You simply cannot have one without the other.
Those in Pergamum were a faithful church, but they didn’t take a stand against those that were bringing teachings into the church that were contrary to the word of God.
Do you know your doctrine? Do you know what you believe and why you believe it? Do you know when something is contrary to what the scriptures teach? You MUST be a part of a church that is not only faithful to Jesus but knows the Doctrines of Jesus so much so that when people come in and attempt to introduce ideas that are contrary to the Scriptures they are dealt with in accordance with the scriptures. Otherwise, according to this passage, the judgement of Jesus will come to set things right!
Review - Jesus is Serious About the Truth in His Church - His Church Should Be As Well!
The Church Must Be Serious About Jesus
The Church Must Be Serious About Doctrine
3. The Church Must Be Serious About Repentance (vs. 16-17)
3. The Church Must Be Serious About Repentance (vs. 16-17)
Lead in…What happens when the reality you have sinned against God crushes in? What is a believer to do? What is the church to do? Jesus tells us in verse 16...
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Jesus calls the church at Pergamum to repent! In other words, to change the way they think about allowing false teachers in their church! They need to change their mind so that their actions with follow. That what biblical repentance is. The changing of one’s mind to agree with Jesus so that one’s actions change as well.
Notice in the verse that Jesus is serious about this change of mind. “If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”
In other words, “If you guys keep tolerating this kind of teaching and sin in your church, I will come quickly and take care of those who are teaching and living this way by going to war with them! I will judge them severally!” So, church of Pergamum, don’t make me do what you should’ve done a long time ago, confront them and challenge them to repent and if the refuse, force them out!!” NO COMPROMISE!!!
“While tolerance is celebrated in our culture, tolerating heretical teaching or sinful behavior in the church is sin.” MacArthur
There’s a lesson in here for us as a church...
Jesus goes on to say a simular thing that He has said to the previous churches. An incentive to not only repent, but to persevere!
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
Listen up! Jesus has something to say, not just to Pergamum, but to all the seven churches (and to us as well).
There’s that word again, “To the one who CONQUERS...” The NIV uses the word “Overcomes” To the one who overcomes this sin cursed life by the shed blood of Christ and the grace of God! To the one who makes it to the end!
To that overcomer, he or she will be given three very interesting things...
Hidden manna - a source of life for the children of Israel. The source of eternal life for those who believe.
48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
White Stone - This was an award given to the victors in athletic competitions. It served as a ticket to a special awards banquet! That’s what every Christian receives in the end - entrance into the eternal victorious celebration with Jesus in Heaven!
Because the Time is Near: John MacArthur Explains the Book of Revelation The Counsel
the white stone in light of the Roman custom of awarding white stones to the victors in athletic contests. A white stone, inscribed with the athlete’s name, served as his ticket to a special awards banquet. In this view, Christ promises the overcomers entrance to the eternal victory celebration in heaven.
New Private Name - But in order to get into the awards banquet, the white stone has to have a special name on it. This white stone has the overcomers very special, intimate name written on it.
Ray Stedman’s book on Revelation called “God’s Final Word,” tells a story of Elizabeth Elliot speaking at his church. She was the wife of Jim Elliot, famous missionary who died by being thrust through with a spear at the hands of the auca Indian tribe…Ray had read all of her books, and in them she would refer to herself as Betty. So, naturally Ray called her Betty multiple times. At one point she pulled Ray aside and asked him not to call her Betty because that was the name Jim used for her...
Jesus has a private, intimate, special name for every one of us who have called on His Name to be saved! Such a beautiful thought! He knows you individually and will give you a very special name when He sees you face to face!
The point is this, however. When confronted by the Word of Christ you and I, the church must be faithful to repent. Only the proud dig in their heels and refuse to see their fault. God’s word is powerful! It points out our sin..
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
And when we see sin as an individual or as a corporate body, the only acceptable response is repentance! We must be faithful to repent early and often!
I heard this a long time ago and I think it is so helpful.
“I must keep a short account with God.”
In order to keep my relationship with God growing and healthy, I must do the hard work of daily repenting of my offenses against him. Daily, hourly in some cases - to keep the relational pipeline open between God and me.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
So, keep a short account or sin list with God! Clean it up daily! Do a thorough job of repenting!
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
We must practice this as individuals and as a church!
If sin is found in our lives we must repent of it, eradicate it! Eliminate it! Renuciate it!
And the same is true for us as a church!
We must be pure morally and doctrinally!
This was Jesus command to Pergamum! And it is something every church must consider!
Will you daily pray the Psalm 139:23-24 prayer for yourself and the church?
And when God reveals those things to you that are contrary to His Word, to His Doctrine, will you repent? Change your mind to agree with Christ’s mind?
“Ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let SIN get inside and weigh you down.”
Review - Jesus is Serious About the Truth in His Church - His Church Should Be As Well!
The Church Must Be Serious About Jesus
The Church Must Be Serious About Doctrine
The Church Must Be Serious About Repentance
If we don’t take the truth seriously at ABC, we run the risk of God’s judgment. But if we do! We will be the most loving, caring, and compassionate church there is because God’s truth is what sets people free!
Connection Group Reflection Questions
What do these verses teach me about our character?
What do these verses teach me about God and his character?
Because these words are from God, they are TRUTH! What truth is he asking me to believe?
What do I need to do to obey him?
With whom can I share these truths?