I have Secondary Progressive MS and have lived with the disease for twenty seven years. I have been under the care of a physician and neurologist for the past thirteen years. To this day, the only treatment that I have received is medication to relieve pain. Every two weeks, $300 is spent at the Pharmacist. I take high levels of…
Revelation 2:12-17Revelation 2:12-17
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 “To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write:
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise TR reads “which I hate” instead of “likewise”.
16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, Manna is supernatural food, named after the Hebrew for “What is it?”. See . and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.
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What is normal Christian living?
I have heard it often. An individual that i am witnessing to will We may look a particular person and see them as a fine Christian Often when I look, think, “If that’s Christianity, I’d rather not be one.” Our back-patting each other has lowered our idea of normal Christian living.
How distant are you from that? Somehow lost power? Somehow stopped spiritual growth? How did it happen? Answer found in this Church.
Read Rev.2:12-17
Capital City of Asia. Noted for worship of many Greek gods, including Athena & Zeus. Home of a great university & library (200,000 books). Books became gift from Mark Anthony to Cleopatra, who carried them off to Egypt.
“where Satan has his throne.” Religion was big business there, most of them directed by Satan. His headquarters were there. Headquarters have moved. He’s not in hell, he’s “prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
WP-Bible plugin). But the atmosphere in Pergamum was charged with the presence of Satan.
“words of him who has the sharp, double edged sword.”
To this city that is overrun by the occult, Jesus introduces himself as one with a sword. Jesus presents Himself as conqueror, victor.
While Satan may have liberties right now, his time is coming, he knows it & so doing all he can now. Jesus is inviting you to stay on the victory side.
1. “I know where you live” Tough place for Christians. Occult & Paganism.
They were a small Church with limited resources. Jesus knew it & commended them. Pergamum needed the gospel. Needed truth.
2. “Yet you remain true to my name.” They could not be criticized for their doctrine. They believed & defended the Deity of Jesus Christ.
3. “You did not renounce your faith in me.” There were those that were faithful to death. Antipas is mentioned, 1st Pergamum martyr. Many others followed that fearlessly stood for the gospel.
“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you” The problem wasn’t that they rejected or denied Christ, more so, it was that they did not reject other teachings. They were embracing the occult, they were permitting lifestyles of the world. It came to the point that they lived no differently than the world.Except Church on Sunday=hypocrite.
They had compromised with the world! They looked at the appeal the world has to offer, and decided to incorporate it with their faith. In fact, they had to tell Christ to step aside.
1. Teaching of Balaam (14)
“You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam,”
(cf.Num.22) In brief, the Israelites had settled in the plains of Moab. This unsettled Balak, King of Moab, & so he summoned Balaam, somewhat of a prophet, & offered to pay Balaam to curse the nation of Israel. After prompting, Balaam agreed. Every time his mouth opened to curse, out came a blessing.
Balaam then counseled Balak to seduce the children of Israel into accepting Moabite ways of life & religion.
2. Teaching of the Nicolaitans (15)
“you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans”
Different group, same problem. Nicolaitans believed you could live an adulterous life, and there would be no negative effect in your relationship to Christ.
The only time the Christian has the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit at his disposal is when he is obedient to the will of God.
When he disobeys God and makes alliances with the world, he is entering into a powerless state that will ruin him.
Those that study Church history see an excellent example of this.
We talked last week of the great persecution that came over the Church by way of the Roman Emperors. When Constantine became emperor in 312 AD, that changed. In fact, Christianity became state religion, and Constantine became the head of the Church.
It was then Constantine’s ambition that every person be Christian. Much money was given for operation for Churches. At same time, toleration was given to other religions, their ideas so that they would cooperate with the Roman State Religion. Many of the practices of the Pagans were embraced by Constantine & made law. The first thing he established was the question, “Who is a Christian?” He came up with the idea, “Baptism”. After making it law, Constantine was gripped with a personal question, “If I am saved from my sins by baptism, what is to become of my sins which I may commit after I am baptized? Can baptism wash away yet uncommitted sins? His fear prompted him to wait until weeks before death for baptism. (Call upon the name of the Lord, saved. Jn.3:16)
Throughout this, the Church stood opposed to implementation of pagan practices to their faith. Most of the died defending their faith. The state Church became a mighty machine but without power.
To this I say, “Stay true to the Word!” Let us not tolerate sin and the lifestyle of the sinful to become the norm in our Church. Let us declare war on our personal sin. Let us not become satisfied with living below the norm. Let us not become back-patters of others that have taken upon themselves the lifestyle of sinners.
Let us spur one another on to godliness. (Heb.10:24) Let us encourage one another to press on to maturity in Christ.
Draw picture of Christian Growth. Is there an obstacle that is hindering you? Declare war on it. Be obedient. Invite people to pray that you will have strength. Just do it. Without obedience there is no growth. To live with that obstacle there is no growth. To commend someone at an impasse is embracing that sin.
A word to our leaders. 100% of our leaders must be involved in Bible Study and Prayer group. Without it, not spiritually suited to lead.
E. Christ’s Counsel (16)
1. “Repent.” Have a change of mind that results in change of action.
- “I will soon come to fight against them…” Trib. Church full.
2. “I will give hidden manna.” - Spiritual nourishment.
3. “I will give him a white stone” Stand trial, jurors would publish their vote on the case by laying down a white stone, signifying that they acquitted him of the crime. Jesus will give you a white stone. Put your trust in him, forgiven.
Is there a road block to your spiritual growth? What is it that the Lord would have you do? Is there an area of compromise that you’ve let become a part of your life?
#4 in a series on THE 7 CHURCHES
Revelation 2:18-29Revelation 2:18-29
English: World English Bible - WEB
18 “To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write:
“The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things:
19 I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first.
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate your TR, NU read “that” instead of “your” woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
22 Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works.
23 I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
24 But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you.
25 Nevertheless, hold firmly that which you have, until I come.
26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:
28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
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Hebrews 10:24Hebrews 10:24
English: World English Bible - WEB
24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
WP-Bible plugin “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Because of the love of Christ we are to encourage one another toward godliness.
How do you measure godliness?
TO GIVE TO GOD NO LESS OF OUR LIVES THAN HE DESERVES.
“In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your reasonable act of worship.” Romans12:1 In View of God.
#5 in a series on THE 7 CHURCHES
Revelation 3:1-6Revelation 3:1-6
English: World English Bible - WEB
3
1 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:
He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things:
“I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
4 Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5 He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
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I have attended a minimum of 8000 Church Services in my lifetime. I have visited most every denomination you can name and observed every imaginable form of worship. I’ve been in the most lavish cathedrals & the simplest facilities.
In too many of the Churches, Jesus Christ would echo his own words in the 1st verse, “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” They had the appearance of being alive, all the actions to go with it, they may even have appeared to be excited, yet they were dead.
To these Churches Jesus says, “Wake Up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die”… There was still a flicker of their faith to be noticed. The gospel testimony in the town was about to die. It’s possible to have Christians in a community but no testimony. What’s needed is revival.
#6 in a series on the 7 Churches of Revelation
Gerry Peters
Revelation 3:7-13Revelation 3:7-13
English: World English Bible - WEB
7 “To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write:
“He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8 “I know your works , that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
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If you’ve watched the news this past week (November 28, 1993r 28, 1993
English: World English Bible - WEB
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!
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The Philadelphia Church cannot be charged with the same complacency. They saw a world without Christ. They saw friends and acquaintances destined to an eternity without Christ. They were small in number, little in strength, but rather than shrug it off, they persisted in doing what they could do. This is the Church Jesus loved. I challenge you to examine it closely with me.
The City was named Philadelphia by King Attalus II of Pergamum. He named it as a tribute to his brother whom he loved. As you may know the meaning of Philadelphia is “Brotherly Love”. At the time of this writing, the city and hence this Church was virtually new.
Revelation 2:12-17Revelation 2:12-17
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 “To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write:
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise TR reads “which I hate” instead of “likewise”.
16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, Manna is supernatural food, named after the Hebrew for “What is it?”. See . and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.
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What is "normal Christian living"? You may describe someone as a fine Christian. Other times you may have looked at that ‘fine Christian’ and said, "If that’s Christianity, I’d rather not be one." In our back-patting Christian culture, we have lowered our idea of normal Christian living. It seems to me that in the process we have somehow stopped spiritual growth. How did it happen? Answer found in this Church.
At the time, this was the Capital City of Asia. Noted for worship of many Greek gods, including Athena & Zeus. Home of a great university & library (200,000 books). Books became gift from Mark Anthony to Cleopatra, who carried them off to Egypt.
"where Satan has his throne."
Religion was big business there, most of them directed by Satan. His headquarters were there. Headquarters have moved. He’s not in hell, he’s "prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
WP-Bible plugin). But the atmosphere in Pergamum was charged with the presence of Satan.
#2 in a series on THE 7 CHURCHES
Gerry Peters
Revelation 2:8-11Revelation 2:8-11
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 “To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write:
“The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things:
9 “I know your works, oppression, and your poverty , and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.
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Here’s a reality: The 20th century North American Church is experiencing great freedom to function as they please without persecution. At the same time, we are living the consequences of this freedom.
This freedom has led many Christians to take their faith for granted; satisfied to live the casual Christian life. Many Christians today wallow about in the complacency of their relationship with Christ, seemingly caring less if anyone around them comes to Christ. Hobbies, non-essentials and self-interest take priority over Christ. Rather than soldiers for Christ, Christians are little more than living, spiritual corpses. If anybody finds out you’re a Christian, it is more by accident than by design.
I know, that’s pretty tough talk. It was intentional.
Back to the reality: If we were to face a fraction of the persecution that the Smyrna Church faced, many of us would quickly deny the faith. It’s time the Christian community declares war on their sin. It’s time they stand up and declare themselves Christian, and do whatever is needed to show it clearly to their community. If we are to build a clear testimony in our community it will come because of hearts set afire for Christ. Then, and only then will we see the blessing of God.
Revelation 3:14-22Revelation 3:14-22
English: World English Bible - WEB
14 “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write:
“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things:
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
21 He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
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A Texas dirt farmer struck oil and became a millionaire overnight. They wanted to make up for all the poor years and so the wife went into a Beauty Salon and asked for the works. “I’ll start with a Shampoo” said the beautician. “I don’t want a Sham-poo!” shouted the wife. “I want a genuine-poo!”
Well, she was off and doing a rant about something she clearly didn’t know anything about. Sometimes people want reality and then get upset if you try to give it. We want the best for ourselves yet are not sure what it is.
There are those that call you a radical if you give it straight, & liberal compromiser if you give it light. Some like hymns written in the 12th century, others like rhythm & life. Some like the Bible written in Shakespearean days, others like one they can read and understand. What’s important is this, HOW CLOSE IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO JESUS CHRIST? IS IT CLOSER TODAY THAN ONE YEAR AGO? HOW DOES HE WANT YOU TO LIVE? What our city needs is not what they want, they need Jesus Christ & they need the Bible.
Jesus wrote this letter to a group of Christians who thought they knew how to do Church a whole lot better than God.
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