6th August 2017 - Letter to the Church in Pergamum - Simon Benham

Kerith Sermon: 6^th August 2017

Sermon Title: Letter to the Church in Pergamum

Preacher: Simon Benham

Bible Verse: Revelation 2: 12-17

The letters that we have been looking at over the previous weeks follow a similar pattern. They each i) reveal Jesus, ii) praise the church iii) warn the church and finally detail the promise if the church endures.

Revealing Jesus: In this scripture it talks about the sharp double edged sword: The word of God that is alive and active, that is so sharp that it can split souls and spirits. The word of God is powerful and has the power to change us all, if we let it. However, this requires us to get to know it by regularly reading the Bible. It does you good. However, when you read His word, you need to listen and be taught.

We need to remember that all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, correcting etc. This is true not only of Jesus’s word (in red font) but of all of the Bible. God inspired all of it.

Praising the Church: In this letter the Church was praised for  remaining true and not renouncing His name and for enduring through persecution.

The scripture talks about Antipas who was martyred in boiling oil, and how the in the face of this adversity they  endured. We need to praise God during adversity and struggles.

The Warning: We all need to remember that there is an enemy against us. We need to recognise his existence but not by having an unhealthy interest in the devil. However, we should also not deny his presence. The devil is here to steal, kill and destroy you in any way he can. We need to be aware of this, as attacks do come. But we need to understand there is an enemy who is against you but that God is greater.

Pray protection over the areas of attack in your life, particularly when you step out in His name. Remember Satan is defeated and will be destroyed. Know we are going to win the war, and that there are only a few battles left. He is defeated and Jesus has overcome when he died on the cross and rose again. Remember the devil is limited in what he can do (Luke). God has greater purposes.

Simon discussed that there are three ways that the devil attacks:

1. Persecution: which leads to discouragement and dismay. Don’t become timid but step out during these times. Continue and overcome. Don’t let fear over take always press through and preserve.  Kerith has recently gone through a season where three pillars of our community have gone to heaven. We could become discouraged and lost in grief. However we should step out of this and step forward. Be thankful that we knew the individuals, and have had the blessing that we had them to in our lives. Let’s step forward and let their legacy speak through us. They will be cheering for us from heaven. Let’s step forward.
2. Compromise: The scripture warns about the teaching of Balaam. (Numbers 25). This was about compromising Gods word and works and settling for less.  The devil tempts us to compromise in the world i.e. materialism, sexual morality. Let’s set the bar high in terms of personal morality. Keep true to His word.
3. Holding to the teaching of Nicolaitans :the corrupted version of the word of God. Don’t doubt the word of God. In Genesis Eve said …’did God really say we shouldn’t eat’. Don’t doubt Gods word !   Know God’s word.

All of these attacks are at work in the church today. We must resist with all we have, personally and corporately. Do not be discouraged or fearful but stand firm on His word.

The Promise: The scripture discusses hidden manna and a white stone.

White stones: Pergamum’s buildings were made of black stone and the white stones would be used to inscribe messages on the buildings as it stands out against the dark background.  White stones were also used as party invites. Today - you are also invited to a party … the white stone invites you, and gives you permission to enter His Kingdom, and Heaven.

The hidden manna: Manna was the food provided by God when the Israelite’s were wandering in the wilderness. In John 4 Jesus talked to the disciple’s about ‘food’ people know nothing about. The food He was referring to was the will of God and his work. God has sent us to do work on this Earth. In the face of opposition and attacks, you are encouraged to just keep doing the work of God: to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ This is Gods work.

Let’s be thinking about this in the context of Alpha. It is your responsibility is to invite people. It is their responsibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This is the work of God.

Conclusion: We stand here as victors in His freedom. Remember the victory that you live in.

Questions/Practical’s for Small Groups:

1. Know the word: - Each find a verse in the bible that means something to you – each read out the verses and explain how this has impacted your life
2. Are you compromising your faith in anyway ? – share with the group areas in your life you feel like you ae compromising.
3. Are you facing something really difficult – share the situation with the group and then the group can Pray protection over the areas of attack in your life. He is defeated and Jesus has overcome when he died on the cross and rose again. Remember the devil is limited in what he can do (Luke). God has greater purposes.