Grace World Outreach Church

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LETTER TWO: Conquering Compromise

THE GREETING

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. (Re 2:12)

Pergamum - means "a citadel"
Pergamum was a highly religious pagan city

Jesus introduces himself as the one with the sharp two-edged sword

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
(Heb 4:12–13).

Characteristics of The Sword of The Lord
- It is Alive
- It is Two-edged
- It is Piercing
- It is Dividing
- It is Discerning
- It is Revealing

THE COMMENDATION

13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (Re 2:13).

Satan’s throne is built upon PRIDE

[Satan] said in [his] heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
(Is 14:13–14).

Satan seeks the highest places of authority in a nation, church or family and uses insecurity and pride to infiltrate and overtake

Jesus contrasts the pride and sinfulness of the city with the faithfulness of his servant Antipas

Honor those who have FULLY GIVEN their lives for the Gospel by FULLY LIVING your life for the Gospel

THE CORRECTION

14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. (Re 2:14–15).

The Enemies Tactic: When he discovers he cannot curse you, he invites you into compromise so that you will invite a curse upon yourself

The Teachings of the Nicolaitans... "Go along to Get alone"

3 Places The Enemy Invites You into Compromise 

1) Biblical Truth
2) The Gospel Mandate
3) Personal Holiness

THE COUNSEL
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Re 2:16).

Compromise - An amicable agreement between parties in controversy, to settle their differences by mutual concessions.

com - to bring together
pro - original or first
mise - mission or vision

Compromise will always...
1) Detour you from your divine destiny
2) Direct you towards destruction

4 Places We Refuse to Compromise

We will not compromise on HONOR
We will not compromise on HUMILITY
We will not compromise on HUNGER
We will not compromise on HOLINESS

THE CHARGE

17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
(Re 2:12–17).

To those who conquer compromise, He promises to give

1) Hidden Manna

Matthew 4:4 (ESV) But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Jesus promises fresh revelation for those who dwell in the secret place

2) A White Stone

This is the stone of acquittal or innocence

And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. (Ex 28:29–30)

3) A New Name

2 Corinthians 5:16–18 (ESV)
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ask... Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?