What Would Jesus Say To The Church?

“The Church at Pergamum”

Pastor Brandon Hovey | 07.06.14

To The Church at Pergamum

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, not 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: 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. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 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. 2:12:17)

City Profile: Pergamum

• Built on a 1,000 foot high mountain • Located north of Ephesus & Smyrna – about 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea

• Population of around 160,000 • Political, religious and cultural capital of Asia. Church Profile: A Compromised Congregation

• Faithfully resisting persecution and every martyrdom (vs. 2:12-13) • Unfaithfully being seduced like the Israelites in the days of Balaam (2:14-15 cf. Numbers 22-25)

• Members of the church are being led astray by the “Nicolaitans” (2:15) who were compromising to the surrounding culture by eating meat sacrificed to pagan idols and committing sexual immorality.

Three Invitations

1. Turn From compromise.

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (v. 13).

2. Turn Toward Jesus.

And there before me was a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it…. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones with 24 elders… In the center, around the throne, were four-living creatures worshipping… Then I looked and hear the voice of many angles,, numbering in the millions saying…. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth saying… “to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever.” (Revelation 4-5)

3. Receive the gift of God.

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. (v. 17)