Revelation 2:12–17 - Cameron Jungels - Sun PM, Sept. 14, 2014

“Commitment or Compromise?” (Revelation 2:12–17)

^{Cameron Jungels/Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/Sept. 14, 2014} 

¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.  (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)

⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet. 1:4, NIV)

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? (Jas. 4:1, NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (Eph. 2:1-3, NIV) 

1.       Christ reveals himself as one who judges his church with the sharp sword of his words of truth. 

¹² "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. (Rev. 2:12, NIV) 

¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12, NIV)

¹⁵ Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. (Rev. 19:15, NIV) 

2.      Christ praises a church that is committed to the point of death for the sake of his name. 

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, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives. (Rev. 2:13, NIV)

⁸ "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.  ⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.  (Lk. 12:8-9, NIV) 

3.      Christ rebukes a church that has compromised the gospel by engaging in false worship and indulging in the pleasures of the world.

 

¹⁴ Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.  ¹⁵ Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Rev. 2:14-15, NIV)

¹⁶ Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev. 2:16, NIV) 

4.      Christ promises heavenly provision and belonging to the one who hears and practices his word.

¹⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (Rev. 2:17, NIV) 

Main Idea: If we are going to be a faithful and vital church, we cannot allow our sinful desires to pull us away from our loyalty to Christ.