Jesus calls us to be faithful followers, not flexible compromises.
Sermon Title: PERGAMUM: THE COMPROMISED CHURCH
Sermon Text: REVELATIONS 2:12-17 (NIV)
Sermon Series: LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
REVELATIONS 2:12-17 NIV
12 To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.
15 Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Jesus calls us to be faithful followers, not flexible compromises.
JESUS’ ASSESSMENT
1. Jesus’ commendation: External strength.
The call of the Christian life is not escape but endurance.
What is an area in your life where the Holy Spirit is saying to you, “You’ve got to separate from that”?
And by the terms of the contract, as I have read the same,
Excerpt Rudyard Kipling’s
If He got me to port alive I would exalt His Name,
And praise His Holy Majesty till further orders came.
And I spoke to God of our Contract, and He says to my prayer:
“I never puts on My ministers no more than they can bear.
So back you go to the cattle-boats and preach My gospel there.”
“Mullholand’s Contract”
2. Jesus’ condemnation: Internal compromise.
We have to realize that following Jesus means living differently than people who don’t follow him.
PSALMS 16:5-6 NIV
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
What are you allowing?
II. JESUS’ CALL TO ACTION – REPENT!
III. JESUS’ ASSURANCE
What are you allowing?