4th Sunday in Easter – Sermon 41
Prayer to start
May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN
Introduction
At the start Christian Aid week – we are reminded of the importance of providing food and aid – for those in need – to help the starving of Africa – to provide long term support for communities and villages in depriverd areas –
without this help we know that millions of people will suffer and die of starvation and other diseases –
But as a church –are we good at recognising when we need help – when we need to be fed –
Our NT lesson looks at the condition of the church – in Pergamum – the third of the seven cities in Asia Minor – known as the city where Satan is enthroned
The letter is addressed to the Angel of the church – and talks about corruption from within –
We are going to look at what was happening -in the church – and at John’s message– to see what we can learn from it to help us today
Point 1 What was happening in the church
The opening verses of the book – tell us that the ultimate source of the revelation is from God Himself – He gave it to His Son – Jesus – who through a mediator sent it to John – to write it down for the benefit of the churches –
The revelation of John was written at a time when the infant churches were being persecuted because of their faith –
Nobody knew who they could trust – false teachings were finding their way into the church – and the Roman authorities were enforcing Ceasar worship -–which was a source of constant persecution to Christians – and Pergamum was the main centre for it
It was the most northern of the seven cities – about 15 miles inland from the sea –and the administrative capital of the Roman Province of Asia –
An important city of culture – it was also the centre for some of the main pagan faiths – it became known as the “Lourdes of the Ancient World” – because people would come to it from all over the world to be healed –
Behind the city was a 1000ft hill covered in heathen temples – as well as a huge altar of Zeus on a platform cut out of the rock – which dominated the city – Pagan worship was everywhere – Politics and paganism were so intertwined – that the cult symbols were used on their coins
The letter opens with a description of Jesus – which is drawn from John’s introductory vision
“These are the words of the one who has a two-edged sword”
The sword symbolised – justice and power of life over death – and it was a sword that will be used –
“I know where you live” – said Jesus
He is fully aware of the suffering – persecution – and martyrdom – that the Christian community is having to bear –
He praises the church for its loyalty and its steadfastness to the faith – even when a certain Antipas was put to death – by burning –
But the praise is coupled with a warning
Some members of the church were being induced towards idol worship – persuaded to compromise their faith by the Nicolaitians and the Ballaamites
The name Balaam was especially linked with the activites of corrupt teachers
They were being persuaded to
“to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication”
The church was being fed with the wrong type of food – food that would undermine its faith – not re-enforce it –
We can imagine the sort of argument that might have been used –
– the meat was cheap – plentiful – Christians know there is only one true God – so whether it comes from a sacrifice to one of these statues or not doesn’t really matter – its just meat – nothing more
But the people outside the church would see it differently –to them – eating food used for sacrifice – meant that they were absorbing favours from their pagan gods –
By eating the meat the Christians were undermining the church – and God’s authority – their actions had far greater consequences than just eating food – it was damaging the core and the fringe of the church – and preventing its progress –
As we see from John’s message – Christ takes such compromises seriously – even those on the fringe of the church –
Point 2 so what does John’s message say that they must do about it!
Repent – was the cry to the church –before its too late – they are urged to turn back to Christ’s ways
“If not – I will come to you quickly” says Jesus “and make war against them”
Jesus’s word – as well as being a comfort and strength to His followers – will destroy those who oppose Him – and the worst judgement will be for those who knowingly deceive others – like Balaam
There is no excuse for not knowing – the Spirit speaks to everyone – they must repent of their ways – not compromise – but stay firm in faith–
To those who are victorious “I will give some of the hidden manna”
They will be given food not available to the rest of the world – not meat offered to idols – but the heavenly banquet that brings eternal life –
Here we see an allusion to the manna in our OT lesson – the “bread which the Lord has given to eat” – to sustain the Israelites on their journey from Egypt –
Those who persevere to the final victory – will be receive a personal assurance of blessing – signified by the white stone – with a new name on it –
The new name stands for their new character – in Christ – transformed by their relationship with God – and the new name will – be known only to who receives it-
Point 3
So how can this churches experience and John’s message help us today?
The Christians at Pergamum were surrounded by people who worshipped stone objects and statues –
Today’s society worships more subtle idols
Money, processions, fashion, television, computers
We let them to rule our time – our outlook on life – our relationships –
Ceasar Worship has been replaced by hero worship of sports stars – pop stars –film stars – TV personalities –
So today’s world is not so different – and like the Pergamum church its important that we too get our priorities right – we have to put Christ first – make Him central to our thoughts – our actions – our lives – think about what Jesus would do or say or feel – in the same situation –
Our culture is not Gospel friendly – the way of Christ is different from the ways of the world –
Our young people are being put under pressure to drink – or take drugs – Peer pressure at work and when we are socialising – tries to induce us to use bad language – advertisements try to get us to spend beyond our means – or cut corners where we can – or risk what we do have on impossible gambles to try to escape from it all –
Our lives are a constant battle – to resist putting the ways of the world before the ways of God – to be aware of other peoples perceptions
– not to put our own prejudices on to the words of the Gospel – so that we don’t discourage people from coming forward to find out more –
we have to overcome this pressure and stay firmly fixed on Jesus Christ as the source of our inspiration and direction –
But like the Pergamum church – our motive should not be to escape the world – but to conquer it – to win over others for Christ – to witness here in Lymm – amongst those we know – “To bloom where we are planted”
Everything we do should reflect God’s authority and encourage the spread of His church in our community
But to do this we need help – help from God – help from His Son Jesus Christ – Like the Pergamum church – we too have turn to Christ –for help and nourishment – e too have to repent and keep our focus firmly on Jesus
Jesus is the bread of life – the real bread from heaven – Everything about Him is food for us – His life – His death – and His resurrection to eternal life – Through Jesus our hunger for the truth is satisfied – and only through Jesus will our sins be forgiven –
God sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world – to die upon the cross – so that our sins can be forgiven – and we can enjoy a new relationship with Him – so that our lives can be transformed – and we can begin again –
In Christ – our whole outlook on life changes – we become new people – we have a one to one – relationship with Him – each one of us is special to Him in our own different way and He sustains and guides us through the Spirit to face whatever He has in store for us
Conclusion
The early Christians were facing what many today would regard as an impossible situation – – and beginning to bend under the strain –
but John tells them that in Christ there is nothing that can not be overcome – in Him we have the strength and power to succeed and the promise of victory – but we have to hold firm – live by the living word that comes from God’s mouth – and not settle for anything less
So in Christian aid week – and the weeks ahead – we should also spend some time thinking about our own aid and the needs of our church – like the Pergamum church we too must repent – and focus only on the will of God
we too need help and nourishment from Christ –
– only Jesus can feed us with the right food and shepherd us to our destination –
In Christian Aid week and every week we can have no better support than Christ-Aid given by the greatest servant of all
Prayer to Finish
AMEN