Therefore repent

In the days when I used to preach at floor-level, wandering along the front and up and down the aisles, I was able to get up close and personal with people. One time, using a sword as an object lesson, I swung it wildly, almost clipping Liz in the front row. I have noticed that she doesn’t sit anywhere near the front anymore. Hasn’t for years. Understandable, I guess. But where’s your faith! ;-) I’m telling you this because I’m bringing out the sword again this Sunday. A few weeks ago, in Revelation 1:16, we heard this description of Jesus: “from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword.” As we look this Sunday at the letter to the church in Pergamum, that description of the Lord comes back and is relevant to the challenge Jesus puts in front of this church; these are “The words of him who has the sharp, two-edged sword” (Revelation 2:12). We know from passages like Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17 that this sword is the Word of God, and the church in that city was having trouble with false teaching that was creeping in, and that’s something that every church today is dealing with. Once again, this is a timely and relevant message for our church. Come ready to hear the Word and respond.

Series: Great & Amazing - Revelation
Message: 5–Therefore repent
Text: Revelation 2:12-17
Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
May 1, 2022

Jesus wields the sharp, two-edged sword (v. 12), and so we must always be
repenting… (v. 16a)

…as we have already done (v. 13)

Pergamon image and info: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1457/

…in order to root out error (v. 14-15)

The term “deconstruction” is being used prescriptively [today] …especially [toward] those questioning what they’ve grown up with; [it is being recommended] as a courageous thing to do. [But] to applaud or even recommend deconstruction lands somewhere between unhelpful and dangerous.—John Stonestreet and Timothy D Padgett, Breakpoint

Scripture (especially the Psalms) not only creates plenty of space for doubting and questioning, but describes how God meets us in our questions and doubts. So, if all that is meant by deconstruction is asking tough questions about God or faith, that’s a normal part of the Christian life and need not mean deconversion.—Stonestreet and Padgett

"The problem with deconstructing faith"
https://www.breakpoint.org/the-problem-with-deconstructing-faith/

"We should talk about Disney"

…avoid a battle with God (v. 16b)

…and instead find what we’re looking for in him alone (v. 17)

Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.
C. S. Lewis

Jesus wields the sharp, two-edged sword, and so we must always be repenting, as we have already done, in order to root out error, avoid a battle with God, and instead find what we’re looking for in him alone.