• By Rev. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
  • Posted 01/17/2021
  • Viewed 869

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DNA of Our Church: Epiphany Sermon Series

Intelligence/Knowledge with Character

Revelation.2:12-17

Rev Dr Devadosan Sugirtharaj

 

Introduction

  • We continue to explore the DNA of our church based on biblical theology especially from messages to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.
  • Last Sunday, we meditate on the Church in Smyrna and its message from God and we learned that our church should be rich in faith and brave in suffering.
  • Today we meditate on the third Church in the book Revelation, named the Church at Pergamum

Word Study

  • The Hebrew word for knowledge/Intelligence is Death. It means knowledge, skills, prophetic knowledge or revelation.
  • The Greek word for knowledge/Intelligence is Gnosis. It means experiential knowledge or working knowledge from first-hand personal experience.
  • In the bible, it is noted as knowledge and intelligence are the gifts of God through the relationship with God. It is also the working knowledge to live and work in an environment that is hostile to God.

Context of the text

  • Pergamum was an ancient Greek city in Mysia. It is called Bergama today in the province of Izmir, Turkey. The Lord tells his message to the church at Pergamum very specifically. Pergamum was the centre of the Greek god Asclespois. There was a huge throne-like altar dedicated to the Roman god Zeus there. It is also believed that it was the centre of the ancient Babylonian priesthood. It was noted as an ancient city of idolatry and sexual immorality.

1. The DNA of the Church is to be intelligent in living and working in a hostile environment in order to witness God. Revelation. 2:12-13

  • 12 And to the [f]angel of the church in Pergamos write,These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satans throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 
  • The Lord who has the word of God as the sharp two-edged sword told the Church at Pergamum that he knew how they lived and worked in the hostile environment to God with intelligence and knowledge to hold fast to His name and faith. He mentioned that the city was Satans throne, which means an idolatrous city, and also a place of persecutions where people suffered because of faith in Christ. Antipas was one of the godly people who was a faithful witness and he was killed because of standing for Christ.
  • When we live and work in an environment where our faith in Christ becomes marginalized or rejected or ridiculed, we need to have intelligence and knowledge to live and work without losing our faith and also to hold to Gods name. The discernment of how to live a godly life in an ungodly situation is necessary for us as the church to hold fast to God. We should live as the citizens of heaven in this world and show this world how diligent we are in living and working out faith in the hostile world. 
  • Philippians.3:20-21:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
  • 1 Peter. 2:11-12:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
  • Biblical Example: Elijah vs Baal Prophets and the people of Israel: 1 Kings.18:20-40: 1 Kings 18:21:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 
  • Sermon Illustration: n Florence, Italy, a young artist laboured long and hard over a marble statue of an angel. When finished, he asked Michelangelo to examine it. The young artist concealed himself. No Master looked over the work more carefully – it was perfect in every way. The young artist waited. But his heart nearly broke when he heard, It lacks only one thing.” For days the artist could not eat or sleep until a friend called on Michelangelo at his studio and asked him what he thought. It lacks only life.” We have been placed on earth with all thats needed for a wonderful life of service to God, others, and a life of fulfillment. 

2. The DNA of the Church is to be a strong character against any compromises with anyone or anything against God and His word in order to witness God. Revelation. 2:14-17

  • 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [g]which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’
  • The Lord rebuked the Church in Pergamum that they should not compromise their faith with false teachers and teachings. God found two important compromises they made in the church. They tolerated and compromised with the people who hold the doctrine of Balaam and also the doctrine of Nicolaitans. God hated these doctrines. However, the church tolerated and compromised it. Balaams doctrine is to put a stumbling block before believers to syncretize their faith with other faiths and also to accept all kinds of sexual immorality ( Numbers 22-24,31). Nicolaitans were also the same but promoted sexual immorality as an expression of freedom. The church compromised with them and the Lord rebuked them to repent so that they may receive hidden manna (Gods perfect provision), White Stone ( Entry of Gods Banquet) and Name on the Stone ( Invitation Name of Especially given by God). 
  • God wants the church to be faithful to Gods teachings and also to reject any compromises with other faiths or false teachings that may promote idolatry and immoralities in the church. God wants the church to be pure. However, when we are away from Gods word, God calls us to repent and to be qualified for his eternal blessings.
  • Colossians.3:5-7:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
  • James.4:4:4 [a]Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
  • Biblical example:  King Saul: 1 Chronicles.10:13-14: 13 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had [d]committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 14 But he did not inquire of the Lord; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
  • Sermon illustration: In the early 1900s through the 1960s Broadway Presbyterian Church was a powerful witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Upper Manhattan, but from the 1960s to the 1990s a subtle change began to take place. The change in emphasis came about as massive feeding programs for the homeless were undertaken and church membership slipped from over 1000 to 120. In the soup kitchens, prayers were not even offered over meals out of concern that the clients might resent it. And it was discovered that the same people were coming through the lines year after year, there was no change taking place in their lives

Conclusion

God has called us to be his church with His DNA. Through the message to the Church in Pergamum, in Revelations 2:12-17, Jesus speaks to us to be the church of intelligence/knowledge and Character. 

  • The DNA of the Church is to be intelligent in living and working in a hostile environment in order to witness God. Revelation. 2:12-13
  • The DNA of the Church is to be a strong character against any compromises with anyone or anything against God and His word in order to witness God. Revelation. 2:14-17


 

Questions for Discussion

  1. God wants us individually and collectively as the Church to be intelligent and knowledgeable to live and work out our faith in a hostile environment. We are called to hold Gods name and faith firmly. How do our life and church face constant battles with the culture today? What are the difficulties we face to live and work out our faith truthfully in hostile environments? How do we perform it successfully in everyday life?
  2. What are the false teachings we face as the church today? How do the false teachers and teachings infiltrate the church life and mission?
  3. What are the areas that we as individuals and as the church face temptations to compromise our faith? When we do, what are the impacts on our lives and church? How can keep strong against all compromises in our life and ministry?


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