One foot in the Word, the other in the world!

2. The Church at Pergamum!
“And to the angel of the church in
Pergamum write: The words of Him
who has the sharp two-edged sword!”
(Rev. 2:12)

3. The city of Pergamum/os:
✢It was the capital city of Asia
Minor. Making it a political power
and a very intellectual city.
✢Many claim that paper was
invented here, parchment.
✢There was a 200,000 volume
famous library here. Said to have
been stolen by Mark Anthony &
given to Cleopatra

4. There is a lot of legend
surrounding this city so it is
a bit hard to know what is
fact or fiction.
✢Trying to find the historical
facts can be a bit challenging,
but there are a number of things
we can know for sure and we
want to focus on them!

5. I. A Word of Commendation!
Commendation = recognition for a job well
done; praise (Oxford)
✢Jesus knowing all things, has first
hand knowledge of them!
✢“I know your works” (Rev. 2:13)
✢See also (Rev. 2:1, 9, 19; 3:1,8 and 15)
✢Jesus begins by commending what
they are doing right!
✢This is the same approach found in His
words to Ephesus (Rev. 2:2-3, 6)

6. Jesus know where they are “seat
of Satan” what they are doing
“holding to His name, not
denying the faith”
✢Their situation:
✢Jesus is aware of what is going on in their
lives! Just as He is aware of our lives!
✢Their steadfastness:
✢“They hold fast His name!”
✢Their sacrifices:
✢Their stand for Jesus had been costly!

7. II. A Word of Confrontation!
Confrontation = a face to face meeting where
one opposes another; conflict; disagreement
(Oxford)
✢ It is interesting that Jesus see this
congregation both as a whole & and
as each member being a part.
✢ In Ephesus the whole congregation
is said to have lost the love, but here
it is only “some” of them, yet all
where putting up with it! (2 Jn. 1:9-
11)

8. With God it has always been
all or nothing!
✢We can not hold both to the Word and
to the world! (See Js. 4:4)
✢“The teaching of Balaam, who taught
Balak”
✢We can read the store of these two in (Num.
22-25) ending in idolatry!
✢Balak wanted to curse Israel, but he failed at
cursing them so he corrupts them!
✢Balaam* wickedness & worldliness

9. III. A Word of Consolation!
Consolation: comfort received after a loss;
comfort in a time of suffering (Oxford)
✢Special Provisions!
✢What is the best food found in the Bible?
✢Spiritual manna! (Cf. Jn. 6:22-51)
✢Special Privileges!
✢A new degree “a white stone” fully free!
✢A new designation “a new name”
✢“No longer shall your name be
called Abram, but your name shall be
Abraham” (Gen. 17:5)

10. The Bible speaks a great deal
about the importance of a
“new” name!
✢Many people in the Bible had their
names changed by God to identify
then as “now” belonging to God!
✢“I will write on him, the name of my
God, the name of the city of God, my
own new name!”
✢Rev. 3:12

11. Conclusion:
✢There is a need for us to stand
strong on the Word, but also apart
from the world!
✢Have you come to receive a new
name by Jesus? Are you living up to
your new name? If not then today is
the day to get back on track!
✢In a day when so many are
abandoning the path, let’s stay the
course & be committed!