By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sermon Series: Jesus’ Message to the Churches
Sermon Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Sermon Theme
Pergamum was the regional capital of Asia Minor. It was the location of numerous idols and cults. These included Zeus, the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” whose temple in Pergamum was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Among other Greek gods was the Asian goddess Cybele whose presence in a black stone was believed to have delivered Rome from the armies of Hannibal. More significantly it was a center of the worship of Caesar. Jesus makes it clear that this church lives “where Satan’s throne is.” The Christians are admonished to witness, not to escape. Some such as Antipas had gone to their death. However the church includes heresies which adapted the gospel to the pressures and values of the world. Jesus will not tolerate these compromises and calls the faithful to conquer by remaining faithful.
Sermon Outline
- Witness. Pergamum was not the commercial nor culture center that both Ephesus and Smyrna were. It was however more important politically. In addition to being the Provincial capital it was a center of worship. This worship included Zeus and Athena, Asclepius, the god of healing and Cybele, the fertility goddess whose worship Augustus had emphasized in Rome. Loyal to Rome completely, Pergamum was a center for the worship of the emperors beginning with Caesar Augustus who shared the title of King of King and Lord of Lords with Zeus. Jesus doesn’t mince words. Pergamum is “where Satan’s throne is” (Rev. 2:13). He commends them for not denying their faith. Surrounded by a sea of idols they testified to Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior (Acts 4:12). At least one of the church members, Antipas, had gone to his death maintaining his testimony to the Lord (2:13). We too live in a world surrounded by idols (American and otherwise).
- Waver. Yet all is not well in this church. While the church remains steadfast in its confession of Christ some of its members have struck compromises with the world around them. While not overtly bowing before the idols, they nonetheless have imitated the practices of their city. They have followed the example of the idol worshippers, living as they do. This was especially apparent in the sexual attitudes that were widespread not only in Pergamum but in the Roman world in general (I Cor. 6:12-20). The false prophet Balaam in the Old Testament had blessed Israel in the spirit of the Lord (Numbers 24). However, right after that, he lured them into a deadly form of idolatry (Num. 25;1-3; 31:16; Ps. 106:28-29). Balaam, like many other characters in Scripture, represents the attempt to serve “two masters” (Matt. 6:24; II Peter 2:15). Throughout history the people of God have repeatedly fallen into the trap of trying to serve God and live like idol worshippers at the same time (Jer. 7:1-10). This is not freedom. It is spiritual destruction (Gal. 5:13-21). Jesus will not tolerate it.
- Warning. Jesus states that he will “make war” against the believers who have compromised “with the sword of my mouth” (2:16). To stand with Jesus is often to stand against the practices and beliefs of the world. At the same time we are never called out of the world (John 17:15). There are degrees of participation in the world. “All things are lawful” but we must stop short of worshipping the idols, which for Paul, are demons in disguise (I Cor. 10:14-31). The struggle with sin and idolatry may even take place within our own hearts (Matt. 15:18-19; Rom. 7:14-20). Jesus quite simply calls the believers of Pergamum to an intense spiritual struggle. It is in this struggle however that his power and presence is fully seen. To those who conquer he promises the manna which, according to Jewish teaching, Jeremiah had hidden during the destruction of Jerusalem. Cybele’s worship in Pergamum wasidentified as a black stone (probably a meteor). This black stone the Romans believed had saved them from Hannibal’s invasion centuries earlier. Jesus will give his followers a white stone with a new name symbolic of the victory of the true KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Questions for Us
- We don’t have idols made of stone like the ancient Greeks and Romans. What would be examples of some of the idols in our world?
- Why do you think the people of God have so often compromised with the world following the illusion of serving “two masters?” What are some of the examples today of our attempt to serve God and Mammon (or money)?
- Jesus addresses his promises “to everyone who conquers” (2:17). What would that conquering look like in today’s world?
