Staying faithful

The Gathering

Wednesday October 19, 2011

“Staying faithful to Christ”

Revelation 2:12-17

Theme Verse: Revelation 1:19

Author: John

Background: This book was intended to encourage Christians through the centuries, especially the Christians in the 1-3 centuries who faced the fiercest of persecution for their faith (death, homeless, etc). In the midst of these fierce persecutions, God had John write a letter to encourage all who read and give a better understanding of His plans.

Things which are

Church Age

(Present)

Background of city of Pergamum:

-1) Known for the second largest library of the world

-2) Provincial capital of Asia

-3) First city to erect temples in honor of leaders and gods

-4) One of the gods was of “healing”

-5) It during the time of Constantine of no persecution

-6) Devoted to emperor worship, as noted above

-7) Two major doctrines indentified here: Balaam & Nicolaitans    

“Pergamos was in a time of no persecution, in fact it was in a time of being united with political power. It literally means “married to power”, which caused the worldly leaders of the Pergamos church to exalt themselves above the common people and to substitute man’s teachings for the Word of God.”

--Abeka Book

How do we as Christians remain faithful:

1) Understand God’s omniscience (v. 13)

          --He knows where you are at

          --He knows what you are experiencing

          --He knows your faithfulness (Gal. 6:9)

2) Be careful not to compromise with the world

(Balaamism) 1 Peter 2:11-12; Romans 12:2

          --You must refuse to commune with idols

          1 Cor. 10:14-22   

--You must separate yourselves from worldly practices

--You must stand against Satan’s authority

         

3) Call to repent and turn from the worldly worship

           

Recognize:

1) Need to give God our all in worship.

2) Need to call others to repentance that may be pulled away.

3) Need to worship God and not a person.

Who holds the keys of hell and death and determines the destinies of nations and individuals (Psalms 9:16; Acts 17:31).

Questions you have to answer yourself?

Is following God worth losing everything?

Is God calling you to repent of your worship?

What compromises, if any, have you made in your worship?