Fight Against Compromise

I. Cling to God's truth

* We do not judge the Word of God; the Word of God judges us!

  1. "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this" (Revelation 2:12).
  2. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15a).
  3. "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells" (Revelation 2:13).

II. Know of Satan's tactics

* We need to be aware of Satan's crafty schemes of deception!

  1. Altar to Zeus: King of kings of ultimate power!
  2. Temple of Dionysus: god of wine and revelry!
  3. Temple of Demeter: goddess of food and crops!
  4. Temple of Asclepios: god of healing!
  5. Temple of Athena: goddess of wisdom!
  6. Temple to Trajan: worship the Emperor as Lord!
  7. "But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans" (Rev. 2:14, 15).

III. Repent of sins to triumph

* We overcome compromise by humble repentance to Jesus!

  1. "Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth" (Revelation 2:16).
  2. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it" (Revelation 2:17).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, March 17th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

Fight Against Compromise

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Personal accountability is essential in resisting the temptation to compromise! Your Life Group needs to be a safe place of open and honest confession and responsibility to one another (James 5:16).

Getting Started:

  1. Why is it vital for us to cling to the truth of God's Word in this spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:17; John 17:17)?
  2. What are some common ways that "Christian churches" have compromised with the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)?

Discussing Truths:

  1. For what was the church in Pergamum commended and applauded (Rev. 2:13)?
  2. How do the false deities and temple worship of Pergamum illustrate various ways that Satan seeks to get Christians to compromise?
  3. Which of the Pergamum false temple idolatries is most common today in the USA?
  4. What stands out to you in the first three letters we've studied so far as Jesus utilizes a similar outline of writing for all 7 letters with some exceptions: The Church - Christ described - Commendation given- Condemnation announced- Command presented -Consequences stated - Choice left with every church and Christian.
  5. How should our church balance the grace and forgiveness of God with the holiness and purity He desires in all His Body?
  6. In what ways does the Word of God pierce people with convicting truth (Acts 2:37; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 1:18)?

Now What? Application:

  1. What personal steps do you need to take to overcome the temptation to compromise?
  2. Are you prepared to stand firm for the truth even when faced with persecution?