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“Cold Case Christianity”(J. Warner Wallace)From atheist to Christianbecause of the evidence!!Why would a loving God condemnpeople who simply don’t have thechance to hear about Jesus?
“A loving God knows the heart ofeach of us. He knows who willaccept Him and who will reject Him,even if this is not clear to us fromour limited perspective. God isgracious and just, He will deal witheveryone fairly as His characterand nature demand.”“Shall not the judge of all the earthdo what is right!” Genesis 18: 25
“The Letter to Pergamos The Compromised Church”Revelation 2: 12-17March 15, 2020
A specific Church dominates at aspecific time: (Arnold Fruchtenbaum)
Pergamos - the Capital City- the seat of government- the throne of SatanPergamum was a time when the Churchmarried the state under Constantine- Christianity became the statereligion of the Roman Empire- The Church became married tothe state, resulting in acompromised Church
- They mixed pagan practiceswith Christianity- They had a religious veneerwithout worshipping God inspirit and truth, as God really is!LESSON: Satan is an expert at mixingtruth and liesHis calling card DECEPTION!
Verse 12Destination
Pergamos - thoroughly married- married to Romanpaganism and to GodGod will not accept a dividedallegiance!He will not accept COMPROMISE!!Exodus 20: 1-7
1) First Commandment - “you shallhave no other gods before Me”2) Second Commandment - “you shallnot make for yourself an idol”3) Third Commandment - “you shallnot take the name of the Lord yourGod in vain”vain represent God falselyRepresent God to this world as Hereally is!!Isaiah 42: 8 and 44: 6
Verse 12Description of Jesus
“He who has the sharp two-edgedsword”Refers to the character of God Hebrews 4: 12Word “logos” the written WordWord “Rhema” the spoken WordEphesians 6: 17 - “sword ofthe Spirit” the Rhema of God
This sharp two-edged swordspeaks of judgment on thiscompromised Church Revelation 19: 15“Out of His mouth goes a sharpsword, that with it He shouldstrike the nations.” (judgment)
Verse 13Commendation
Never forget, Jesus knows where youare and what you are facing!1) “I know your works” - Jesus seesexactly what you are doing2) I know you are “where Satan’sthrone is”3) I know you “hold fast to My name”4) I know that “you did not deny Myfaith” when Antipas was martyredThough part of a compromised Church,Antipas did not compromise
LESSON: God always has a faithfulremnant, those who do not buy into theteaching of this compromised ChurchWhy did these faithful not leave thisChurch?This was the only Church in town; theiroptions were limited - not so today!!Today, the believer’s duty is to “comeout from among them”2 Corinthians 6: 16-18
Verse 14 - 15Condemnation
This Church had two hugeproblems:1) The doctrine of the Balaam2) The doctrine of theNicolaitans
Balaam problem:- Encouraged the nation to intermarrywith the women of Moab and worshipfalse gods- Pergamos was intermarrying with theworld, committing sexual immoralitywith the world and unfaithful to Jesus,their Bridegroom- In Pergamos there was a blend ofRoman life with its pantheon of falsegods, and Church life
God will not accept a dividedallegiance; He will cause you to choose!!Nicolaitan problem:- a clergy hierarchy, rule over thepeople - not a Berean Church!How did Jesus feel about theNicolaitans?He hated them!!
- With Constantine, the first pope wasrecognized- The Church compromised andcombined Christian theology andpagan philosophyGod’s cry to anyone in a compromisedChurch: COME OUT FROM THEM!He holds the individual responsibleto come out and be separate!!
Verse 16 - 17aExhortation
God’s cry to anyone caught up incompromise:REPENT!! GET OUT!!!“He who has an ear, let him hearwhat the Spirit says to theChurches”If a Church is compromised,regardless of what good they thinkthey are doing, get out!!
Verse 17bPromise
1) “Hidden manna” provision- food to survive- fellowship with Christ daily- the key to a non-compromisedlife the hidden manna of theWord - time with Jesus daily!!2) “White stone” innocent- proven beyond a doubt- privilege in the kingdom3) “New name” a new identity; aspecial affection
CLOSING: THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS THE COMPROMISED CHURCHThe compromised Church has forgottenthat Grace and Truth go togetherJohn 1: 17It’s grace first, then truth!They are not separate, people must knowthe truth!I can’t make things up to fit what “I” thinkTruth is what God says,not what I make up!
OVERCOMERS - are given “hiddenmanna” - provision, food to surviveOVERCOMERS - are given a “whitestone” proven beyond doubtOVERCOMERS - are given a “new name”- a name of special affectionOVERCOMERS - keep your focus onJesus; be all in!
OVERCOMERS - never forget yourrewardOVERCOMERS - are blessed nowand blessed then- a win-win situation - be all in!!
A white stone, a new nameThat’s something to lookforward to!
“Cold Case Christianity” (J. Warner Wallace) From atheist to Christian because of the evidence!! Why wo
