SERMON SUMMARY

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

In a “tolerance is king” culture, we read the words of Jesus to the church of Pergamum. I believe these are timely words for us in our current cultural moment. Christ Followers in Pergamum stood as the exact reverse of what we saw with the church in Ephesus. Whereas, in Ephesus, the church emphasized truth to the point they had abandoned love and were pursuing a cold orthodoxy, but in Pergamum, they had not abandoned the faith, but they had grown lazy in the name of tolerance disguised as love and allowed ethical, moral and theological falsehoods to grow and spread throughout the congregation. 

SERMON SCREENSHOTS & KEY POINTS

• Tolerance in the name of “love” is valued more than loving each other with truth.
• Lord, where am I minimizing sin in my own life?
• Lord, where am I rationalizing indifference or tolerance cloaked in “love” towards others, who I have relational capital with, who aren’t walking in the truth? 

“Jesus, and only Jesus, will be the sustenance of our body and soul for all of eternity. On him alone shall we spiritually feed and draw strength. He is the source of our ongoing and eternal life. We are forever dependent on the infusion of his grace and mercy.” Sam Storms

• The church in Pergamum faced cultural and political pressures on every side. Jesus declares that their city is the place where Satan’s throne dwelt. These believers hold to the truth’s of Jesus, but they allow the cultural pressures to dictate what they ultimately believed to be true.
• The church is commended for its witness in the face of persecution, rebuked for its compromise, and exhorted to repent and stand firm in the truth.
• A clear and compelling call to contend for Truth.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS                

1. Read Revelation 2:12-17
2. When are you most tempted to easily dismiss compromise in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
3. When do peace and love come at too high a price in regard to our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ?
4. Have you rationalized indifference or tolerance cloaked in “love” towards others who you have relational capital with, who aren’t walking in the truth? What might the Spirit be asking you to do about it?
5. How does the promise of Jesus to the church at Pergamum encourage you and motivate you to contend for the truth in love?