Dead or Alive - The Compromising Church

Compromise

-an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

Isn’t that a good thing

Isn’t that the issue in our government - everyone is stuck on their way, unwilling to bend

Aren’t we supposed to get along?

I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church.

- Charles Spurgeon

Compromise

I believe it is more important to get it right than to get along

We can compromise on tactics but never on truth

Sadly we are seeing this in our churches and their stance on so many issues on not only culture but also doctrine

Scripture tells us to take up the armor, resist evil and to stand firm

None of this is possible without solid ground to stand on

Ephesians 2:20–21 CSB

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Today we look at Pergamum

Like the rest - Emperor worship is central - first temple is here

But also a lot of others - Zeus, Athena, Asclepius

All of this had slipped into the church

Turn to Rev 2

Let’s pray

The Compromising Church

How do you know if their is an issue to begin with?

Not all compromise is bad -

Carpet color and Truth are not the same

Know God’s word

Revelation 2:12 CSB

“Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: Thus says the one who has the sharp, double-edged sword:

May sound familiar - double edged sword

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Know God’s word

This is the standard for truth

This does not change - same always

You cannot pick and choose the ones you like or want

You cannot call Him Lord or say you love Him if you say no

John 14:23 CSB

Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

2. Things to beware of:

Wrong Spirituality

Revelation 2:13 CSB

I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding on to my name and did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness who was put to death among you, where Satan lives.

Wrong Spirituality

The who matters - there are not many roads

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

He did not say “a” way

In the name of ecumenical-ism and getting along we are letting it in our churches

You and I need to know what we believe and why - doctrine is important

Wrong Feelings

Revelation 2:14 CSB

But I have a few things against you. You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block in front of the Israelites: to eat meat sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.

Wrong Feelings

Story of Balaam - prophet for hire in OT - convinced Israel to get along by including other beliefs

We have to be love driven - we have accept and embrace all

I agree, but I can love someone without agreeing with their life

Not every cause is a Godly cause - we will offend

How can it be love if it is leaving people in bondage and judgement

Jesus said - “go and sin no more”

Wrong Leaders

Revelation 2:15 CSB

In the same way, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Wrong Leaders

Some of us follow someone because of the name of their position or size of their influence.

In secular life - i can respect the position not the person

In church life - that leader is judged by the truth of scripture

Titus 1:9 CSB

holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

If I speak or teach anything that contradicts these words - fire me

3. Where your life doesn’t align with the truth of God - repent quickly

Revelation 2:16 CSB

So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Where your life doesn’t align with the truth of God - repent quickly

If we do it any other way than God’s way we are in trouble

If His word is not our foundation, we are in trouble

If we are more about getting along than getting it right, we are in trouble

If any of this is true of the church, we do not repent, we are done

Compromise

This is hard

This will cause waves and eventually persecution

How can I say I love people if I do not share the whole truth because I am afraid to offend

Colossians 4:5–6 CSB

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Compromise

We can disagree but on issues laid out by His word we cannot compromise - no matter what the popular thing is

The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world, instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results, even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis. God, give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost! - A. B. Simpson

We will stand - no matter

How about you?

Let’s pray