Sermons About Compromise
Persecution and Compromise
In Revelation 2:8-17 Jesus addresses the churches at Smyrna and Pergamos.
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The Church of Thyratira: Revelation 2:18-28
In America, most of us have not been physically threatened for our faith. However, like the church at Thyratira, I would argue that most of our greatest temptations to compromise stem from either economic or social pressures. The church today is radically tempted to compromise by valuing the same things that the culture around us values. We serve a God who calls us to consider everything rubbish in order that we might gain Christ and be found in him. We cannot cling to the values of this world and still hold fast to the righteousness of our savior. Jesus offers us himself. Jesus calls us live lives of repentance, constantly letting go of our sin and clinging to his blood, shed on the cross for our sin, to forgive us and give us his perfect righteousness.
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The Church of Thyratira: Revelation 2:18-28
In America, most of us have not been physically threatened for our faith. However, like the church at Thyratira, I would argue that most of our greatest temptations to compromise stem from either economic or social pressures. The church today is radically tempted to compromise by valuing the same things that the culture around us values. We serve a God who calls us to consider everything rubbish in order that we might gain Christ and be found in him. We cannot cling to the values of this world and still hold fast to the righteousness of our savior. Jesus offers us himself. Jesus calls us live lives of repentance, constantly letting go of our sin and clinging to his blood, shed on the cross for our sin, to forgive us and give us his perfect righteousness.
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The Church of Pergamum: Revelation 2:12-27
The church at Pergamum, much like many of our American churches, was filled with three kinds of people: the faithful, the compromisers, and the people who didn’t know which group was correct. As the political capital of the region, emperor worship was at its zenith in Pergamum; it was the place where Satan had his throne. In this context, Jesus rebukes the faithful for tolerating people in their church who are both compromising and telling others that it is ok to compromise. He calls the church at Pergamum and us to confront sin, root it out, and fight it. Our Savior calls us to repent of everything that threatens us from knowing and experiencing the fullness of joy that he has come to offer.
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The Church of Pergamum: Revelation 2
The church at Pergamum, much like many of our American churches, was filled with three kinds of people: the faithful, the compromisers, and the people who didn’t know which group was correct. As the political capital of the region, emperor worship was at its zenith in Pergamum; it was the place where Satan had his throne. In this context, Jesus rebukes the faithful for tolerating people in their church who are both compromising and telling others that it is ok to compromise. He calls the church at Pergamum and us to confront sin, root it out, and fight it. Our Savior calls us to repent of everything that threatens us from knowing and experiencing the fullness of joy that he has come to offer.
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A Vision of Jesus for the Church: Revelation 1
Revelation is an amazing book written to a church struggling with whether or not to compromise the Gospel to avoid persecution. They wanted to know if they could have Jesus and still live like everyone else. Some had already begun to compromise, some had refused to compromise and were suffering persecution, and others where stuck looking at both of them and wondering what they should do. Jesus speaks to all three groups by saying "Look at me!" In answer to their questions, Jesus shows them a magnificent picture of himself that few Christians have ever really taken the time to contemplate. It is a vision of a massive Jesus whose face shines like the sun, whose voice is like the sound of rushing waters, and out of whose mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. This vision is meant to comfort the suffering and to rouse the compromising from their foolishness and call them all to follow Jesus. We will discuss how such a vision could possibly comfort anyone and we will address how this whole series applies to us today.
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Acts 21:17-36 - No compromise
Paul has finally arrived in Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey. He relates the works of God among the Gentiles to James and the elders, but then James informs him of a group of Jews that believe roomers that Paul is castigating the Moses and the Law in such a way that it is offensive to Jewish sensibilities. Paul agrees with the elders to submit with 4 other men in the process of a Nazarite cleansing ceremony and offerings, but before he is able to finish this ceremonial cleansing, the people pull Paul out to accuse him of teaching against the people and the law. Paul is beaten for doing what is right, and Eventually the authorities (the tribune – v. 31) have to step in to stop the beating of Paul by arresting him and imprisoning him. Paul did not compromise his convictions concerning the gospel as some people believe, but was able to accommodate to Jewish sensibilities (He became a Jew to win the Jews (1 Cor. 9:20) He did not allow his freedom to tear down weaker brothers. The Jews in this chapter are the weaker Christians and the Gentiles the Stronger. In Acts 15 the Jerusalem counsel including James decided that the Gentiles did not need to keep the Jewish laws in order to be saved. Here in Acts 21, Paul is showing us that in a Jewish culture that one should be accommodating to weaker brothers when it doesn't involve denying the Gospel. You don't need to compromise your beliefs, but you can accommodate weaker brothers in Christ. One should always remember that even if accommodation is the right thing to do, it doesn't guarantee that everything will turn out right. Christians will suffer for doing what is Right, just don't compromise for the sake of unity – stick to your convictions.
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