Faithfulness and Holiness in a Compromising Culture
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we continue our series "Seven," focusing on the seven letters to the churches in Revelation. We delve into the letter to the church in Pergamum, a city in ancient Asia Minor, now modern-day Turkey. Pergamum was a political hub and a center of pagan worship, filled with temples and altars to various gods, including Zeus, Athena, and Asclepius. Jesus commends the church for remaining faithful despite living in such a spiritually dark place, even when their leader, Antipas, was martyred.
However, Jesus also has a word of correction for the church. He warns them against following the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, which led to idolatry and sexual immorality. Balaam's story from the Old Testament illustrates how he advised King Balak to lead the Israelites into sin, causing God's favor to be lifted from them. Similarly, the Nicolaitans taught that Christians could live however they wanted after accepting Christ, which is contrary to God's call for holiness.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and not allowing the culture to influence our faith and actions. He calls for repentance and a return to holy living, warning that failure to do so will lead to judgment. Jesus promises rewards for those who overcome, including hidden manna and a white stone with a new name, symbolizing innocence and a transformed identity in Christ.
As we approach the upcoming election, it's crucial to base our decisions on godly values and the truth of God's Word. We must not let the world's standards dictate our beliefs and actions. Instead, we should strive to live holy and righteous lives, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness in Dark Times: Jesus commends the church in Pergamum for remaining faithful despite living in a city filled with pagan worship and spiritual darkness. This teaches us that no matter how challenging our environment, we can stand firm in our faith and not renounce our commitment to Christ, even in the face of persecution. [53:10]
2. The Danger of Compromise: The teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans led the church into idolatry and sexual immorality. This serves as a warning that compromising our faith to fit in with cultural norms can lead us away from God's truth. We must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our beliefs and actions align with God's Word. [58:47]
3. The Power of God's Word: Jesus describes His words as a double-edged sword, cutting through all the nonsense and getting to the heart of the issue. This highlights the importance of God's Word in our lives, which is living, active, and able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. We should regularly engage with Scripture to guide and correct us. [50:26]
4. Call to Holiness: Jesus calls the church to repent and live holy lives, separate from the sinful practices of the culture around them. Holiness is not about perfection but about being set apart for God, striving to live in a way that honors Him. This involves turning away from sin and seeking to align our lives with God's standards. [01:14:14]
5. Eternal Rewards: Jesus promises hidden manna and a white stone with a new name to those who overcome. These rewards symbolize God's provision, our innocence in Christ, and a transformed identity. This encourages us to persevere in our faith, knowing that our efforts to live righteously will be rewarded in eternity. [01:16:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[42:30] - Wild Game Night Announcement
[43:50] - Introduction to the Series "Seven"
[45:15] - The City of Pergamum
[46:36] - Spiritual Darkness in Pergamum
[47:47] - Temples and Altars in Pergamum
[49:17] - Jesus' Message to Pergamum
[50:26] - The Double-Edged Sword
[51:50] - The Power of God's Word
[53:10] - Faithfulness in Dark Times
[54:41] - The Throne of Satan
[55:57] - The Martyrdom of Antipas
[58:47] - The Teachings of Balaam and Nicolaitans
[01:14:14] - Call to Holiness
[01:16:58] - Eternal Rewards
[01:21:02] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[01:25:20] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 2:12-17 (Letter to the Church in Pergamum)
2. Hebrews 4:12 (The Power of God's Word)
3. Numbers 22-25 (The Story of Balaam)
### Observation Questions
1. What commendation does Jesus give to the church in Pergamum despite their challenging environment? ([53:10])
2. What specific teachings and behaviors does Jesus warn the church in Pergamum against? ([58:47])
3. How does Jesus describe His words in Revelation 2:12, and what is the significance of this description? ([50:26])
4. What are the rewards promised to those who overcome, according to Revelation 2:17? ([01:16:58])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus acknowledges the difficult spiritual environment in Pergamum before addressing their issues? ([53:10])
2. How do the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans reflect a compromise with cultural norms, and why is this dangerous for the church? ([58:47])
3. In what ways does the description of Jesus' words as a double-edged sword in Hebrews 4:12 relate to the message given to the church in Pergamum? ([50:26])
4. What might the hidden manna and the white stone with a new name symbolize for believers today? ([01:16:58])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to compromise your faith due to cultural or societal norms. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from the church in Pergamum's example? ([53:10])
2. Are there any teachings or behaviors in your life that might be leading you away from God's truth, similar to the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans? How can you address these? ([58:47])
3. How can you make engaging with God's Word a regular part of your life to ensure it guides and corrects you, as described in Hebrews 4:12? ([50:26])
4. What steps can you take to live a holy life, set apart for God, in a culture that often promotes values contrary to biblical teachings? ([01:14:14])
5. As we approach the upcoming election, how can you ensure that your decisions and actions are based on godly values and the truth of God's Word rather than the world's standards? ([01:07:27])
6. Think about the rewards Jesus promises to those who overcome. How does the promise of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name encourage you to persevere in your faith? ([01:16:58])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to repent and return to holy living. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God's standards? ([01:15:37])
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness in Dark Times
In the city of Pergamum, a place known for its political influence and rampant pagan worship, the church faced immense spiritual darkness. Despite these challenges, Jesus commended the believers for their unwavering faith, even when their leader, Antipas, was martyred. This teaches us that no matter how challenging our environment, we can stand firm in our faith and not renounce our commitment to Christ, even in the face of persecution.
Living in a world that often opposes Christian values can be daunting. However, the example of the church in Pergamum reminds us that faithfulness is possible even in the darkest of times. Jesus acknowledges our struggles and stands with us, encouraging us to remain steadfast. [53:10]
Revelation 2:13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think about a situation in your life where you feel surrounded by spiritual darkness. How can you remain faithful to Christ in that situation today?
Day 2: The Danger of Compromise
The teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans led the church into idolatry and sexual immorality. Balaam's story from the Old Testament illustrates how he advised King Balak to lead the Israelites into sin, causing God's favor to be lifted from them. Similarly, the Nicolaitans taught that Christians could live however they wanted after accepting Christ, which is contrary to God's call for holiness. This serves as a warning that compromising our faith to fit in with cultural norms can lead us away from God's truth.
In today's world, the pressure to conform to societal standards can be overwhelming. However, we must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our beliefs and actions align with God's Word. Compromise may seem harmless at first, but it can gradually lead us away from the path of righteousness. [58:47]
Numbers 31:16 (ESV): "Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be compromising your faith to fit in with cultural norms. What steps can you take to align this area with God's Word today?
Day 3: The Power of God's Word
Jesus describes His words as a double-edged sword, cutting through all the nonsense and getting to the heart of the issue. This highlights the importance of God's Word in our lives, which is living, active, and able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. Engaging with Scripture regularly is essential for guidance and correction, helping us to stay on the right path.
The Bible is not just a historical document; it is the living Word of God, relevant and powerful for our lives today. It has the ability to penetrate our hearts, reveal our true motives, and guide us in righteousness. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we allow God to speak to us and transform us from the inside out. [50:26]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: How can you make engaging with God's Word a daily habit? What specific steps will you take to ensure that Scripture guides and corrects you?
Day 4: Call to Holiness
Jesus calls the church to repent and live holy lives, separate from the sinful practices of the culture around them. Holiness is not about perfection but about being set apart for God, striving to live in a way that honors Him. This involves turning away from sin and seeking to align our lives with God's standards.
Living a holy life means making conscious choices to avoid sin and pursue righteousness. It requires a daily commitment to follow God's ways and resist the temptations of the world. By seeking holiness, we reflect the character of Christ and become a light in the darkness. [01:14:14]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to repent and seek holiness? How can you take practical steps to align this area with God's standards today?
Day 5: Eternal Rewards
Jesus promises hidden manna and a white stone with a new name to those who overcome. These rewards symbolize God's provision, our innocence in Christ, and a transformed identity. This encourages us to persevere in our faith, knowing that our efforts to live righteously will be rewarded in eternity.
The promise of eternal rewards gives us hope and motivation to continue living for Christ, even when it is difficult. God's provision and the assurance of a transformed identity in Him remind us that our faithfulness will not go unnoticed. We can look forward to the day when we will receive our rewards and be fully united with Christ. [01:16:58]
Revelation 2:17 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal rewards motivate you to persevere in your faith? What specific actions can you take today to live in a way that honors Christ and looks forward to His rewards?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Aren't you thankful that God's word is alive today? It's alive today. I know some people look at the word of God and they go, it's just some old book. It's irrelevant. It has nothing to do with what. No, no. The word of God is living. And it's active. It's for this moment. And as you read it, it brings life to you." [50:26] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The great thing about our God is that his grace is sufficient. It doesn't matter what we've done or where we've gone or the mistakes that we have made that God will love us and accept us the way that we are. He's willing to forgive all of us no matter what we've done but we have to be willing to ask." [01:11:02] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because before you are a republican or before you're a democrat you're a child of God and there is a kingdom that you represent that is way bigger than the United States of America and it's the kingdom of God and it should dictate how we live how we move everything that we do everything that we say." [01:11:02] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you've never done that then I want to encourage you today would be a great day for you to invite Jesus Christ to come in your life to forgive you of your sins and you can walk out of this auditorium today knowing listen I've been forgiven I'm on my way to heaven." [01:21:02] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you prayed that prayer today the moment that you asked Jesus to forgive you he did it and he didn't forgive just what you did today or what you did yesterday every sin that you've ever committed has been forgiven." [01:24:11] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "You need to have your spiritual ears tune in to what the Holy Spirit is saying because he is trying to speak to us in fact I believe he's always speaking it's just that we're not listening." [43:50] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's word can judge our hearts. You know that you can be doing all the right things for God but doing it with the wrong attitude and the wrong heart. And what does the word of God do? It cuts right through it all. Because God's not concerned so much about what you're doing. He's concerned about your heart." [51:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When Jesus speaks to our lives when he convicts us of sin it's not because he's mad at us it's not because he he doesn't like us it's because he loves us and he understands that the sin that we're messing around with it's going to hurt us it's going to destroy us and so he loves us enough not to be silent he loves us enough to confront us." [58:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Do not allow culture to influence what you believe as a child of God. Do not allow what culture is saying to dictate how you're going to live or how you're going to think." [01:07:27] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He's calling on the church to come in and he's calling on them he said you can't have this I am still calling you to be holy and righteous before me you can't just let culture influence how you think how you live how you behave." [01:05:57] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?