sf391 - Mule Headed Or Mealy Mouthed
Revelation 2:12‑17
INTRODUCTION
Historical Background
A pagan cathedral city
Ø Enormous altar of Zeus
Ø One of the seven wonders of the ancient world
University town
Ø Famous for its medical center
Ø Askelepios ‑ god of medicine, symbolized by wreathed serpent, referred to as "savior"
Royal residence
Ø It was the first city to build a temple to the divinity of Julius Caesar (29 BC)
Scriptural Background
Ø This was a church that was drifting into worldliness and carnality
Ø They were beginning to compromise with the world.
Two Approaches To Dealing with Encroaching Worldliness
1A. SOME WERE MULE HEADED ‑ How They Stood
1B. They stood against Satan (2:13a)
"satan's throne" = this was a center of satanic activity
Satan is powerful
Ø However, Remember he is also limited
He is not...Omniscient ‑ Does not know all
Ø Must find out from his agents
Ø Daniel (Dan. 10:12‑14, 20‑21)
He is not...Omnipotent
Ø He is powerful
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ø He is powerless over Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:16 (NIV) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Colossians 2:15 (NIV) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
He is not...Omnipresent
Ø Cannot be everywhere at once
Ø Good to stand against Satan ‑ But we must stand for Something...
2B. They stood for Christ (2:13b)
Because of whom Christ is.
Ø Speaks of His person
Because of what Christ did.
Ø Speaks of His precepts and purpose
2A. SOME WERE MEALY MOUTHED
They compromised their faith with the world...
1B. They embraced the world’s mindset (2:14a)
"doctrine of Ballam" = If you can't curse them corrupt them!
The ends justify the means
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Take the line of least resistance
Proverbs 14:23 (NIV) All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 13:15 (NIV) Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
Don't make waves
Matthew 10:34 (NIV) "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
2B. They adopted the world’s religion (2:14b)
"put a stumbling block before the children…to eat…”
Idolatry is deceptive ‑ comes quietly
Idolatry is demonic ‑ separates us from God
Idolatry is deadly ‑ destroy us
3B. They accepted the world’s morals (2:14c)
"and to commit sexual immorality"
Romans 13:13-14 (NIV) Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 (NIV) Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4B. They employed the world’s methods (2:15)
Doing God's work the world's way.
"Satan's most effective work is done among us not to us."
Jesus warned of this
Matthew 7:15 (NIV) "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Paul warned of this
Acts 20:29 (NIV) I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Examples
Ø Walk by sight not by faith.
Ø Depend on man made programs not God's Spirit.
Ø Depend on emotionalism rather that facts.
3A. GOD'S MESSAGE
1B. His warning (2:16)
Repentance is essential
War is declared
"I will… fight against them" ‑ the compromisers
The Word is the weapon
"sword of my mouth"
Ø God's word with either comfort you or condemn you.
2B. His wooing (2:17)
He calls us to turn from these three sins...
Idolatry
"eating food sacrificed to idols"
Ø He gives...
"hidden manna." – heavenly food
Immorality
"committing sexual immorality."
Ø He offers...
"I will also give him a white stone"
white = changeless purity, forgiveness
Infidelity
"teaching of the Nicolaitans." = set themselves up as special
Ø He promises...
"a new name" = God will make you special to Him and you will enjoy an intimate relationship with Him
APPLICATION
Frog In The Kettle
MULE HEADED OR MEALY MOUTHED
May 9, 1999 - Revelation 2:12‑17
1A. SOME WERE MULE HEADED ‑ How They ______________
1B. They stood _____________________ Satan (2:13a)
Satan is powerful
He is not...Omniscient ‑ Does not _____________ all
He is not...Omnipotent
Colossians 1:16
Colossians 2:15
He is not...Omnipresent
2B. They stood __________________ Christ (2:13b)
Because of ______________ Christ is.
Because of _____________ Christ did.
2A. SOME WERE MEALY MOUTHED
1B. They embraced the world’s _____________ (2:14a)
The _____________ justify the means
Proverbs 14:12.
Take the line of __________________ resistance
Proverbs 14:23.
Proverbs 13:15
Do not _________________ waves
Matthew 10:34
2B. They adopted the world’s _______________ (2:14b)
Idolatry is _____________________ ‑ comes quietly
Idolatry is _________________ ‑ separates us from God
Idolatry is __________________ ‑ destroy us
3B. They accepted the world’s ______________ (2:14c)
Romans 13:13-14
1 Corinthians 6:18-19
Ephesians 5:3
4B. They employed the world’s ______________ (2:15)
Jesus warned of this
Matthew 7:15
Paul warned of this
Acts 20:29
3A. GOD'S MESSAGE
1B. His _____________________________ (2:16)
Repentance is essential
War is declared
The Word is the weapon
2B. His _________________________ (2:17)
Idolatry
Ø He gives..."hidden manna."
Immorality
Ø He offers..."I will also give him a white stone"
white = changeless purity, forgiveness
Infidelity
Ø He promises..."a new name"