A New Name-Pergamum
Letters To the Churches-Revelation 2 & # • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 32:47
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Scooby Doo & Revelation
Scooby Doo & Revelation
There is a tag line in every Scooby Doo episode; “I would have gotten away with it if it weren’t for those ‘meddling kids’.” The Letters to the Churches is like Scooby Doo and the gang: can do a lot of meddling.
We need ears and hearts to want Jesus.
We need ears and hearts to want Jesus.
If we are not willing to have this we will only see the meddling and not the life giving words of Scripture.
Jesus alone is the final judge.
Jesus alone is the final judge.
The imagery we have of Jesus in these verses is drastic and powerful. Double-edge sword. Most likely there is a reference to the way Rome held absolute and final authority on matters of life and death.
The church is faithful.
The church is faithful.
Things have not been easy but they are doing it. They are persevering in the face of some in their number being martyred for the faith.
Pressures from the outside and inside.
Pressures from the outside and inside.
The issue for this church was not just external pressures but those on the inside. We read again about the Nicolaitans and now added Balaam and Balak. Though we do not know much about this the issue was that of false teaching.
They were encouraged to assimilate to the culture around.
They were encouraged to assimilate to the culture around.
Primary issues-food knowingly sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. The goal of these teachers in the church was to have the Christians believe the right things but never let it be worked out in daily living. This is not possible! If the way we live indicates the Gospel doesn’t matter than may I say we must truly believe the Gospel doesn’t matter.
Pastoral crisis is brewing.
God’s grace allows you to sin—this was part of the teaching.
God’s grace allows you to sin—this was part of the teaching.
Friends this is not true.
So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?
The need-repentance.
The need-repentance.
We need this as well. We cannot tolerate those who would cheapen the Gospel of Jesus. Leaders in the church must see the Gospel as demanding life change. Leaders in the church must model, as Paul did, what it looks like to follow Jesus. Will we be perfect? Absolutely not!
The reward—A new name.
The reward—A new name.
There is debate about what is really happening here. My thought-this is like an ticket to get into a banquet and also a way for those who are faithful to know they are acquitted of all charges. A third possibility I like is on the stone is a name of Jesus—whom we hide ourselves into—and thus a reminder of who is Lord over all.
God will provide and sustain.
God will provide and sustain.
We will have what we need.