Morning Worship Service - Sunday, March 23rd 2025 - First Baptist Church in Cameron, Missouri

This morning's message is entitled "Hold Fast" and is based on the message to the church in Pergamum from Revelation 2:12-17. Ephesus gives us a picture of the church as it was in the beginning, when the Lord held His servants in His hand and controlled their ministry. Smyrna gives us a picture of the church crushed beneath the iron heel of the martyrdom of Rome, and yet it gave out a sweet fragrance to God. Pergamum gives us a picture of the church when her purity was being diluted, and the Kingdom of God was minimized for the kingdom of man. The Correspondent (v. 12) Jesus is the One who has the sharp two-edged sword. The sword is symbolic of both truth and the Word of God. John's description of the Lord Jesus Christ with the sword coming out of His mouth depicts Him as both judge and executioner. It is more important that mankind fear the sword of Christ than the sword wielded by any man. The City of Pergamum Pergamum has been called the greatest city in Asia Minor. The city had a temple dedicated to Aesculapius, the god of healing, whose insignia was the entwined serpent on a staff. In 29BC it was the first city to be granted permission to establish a temple dedicated to a Roman emperor and became an avid promoter of the imperial cult. The city held one of the finest libraries of antiquity and was the place where parchment was first used. The Church in Pergamum Because the city was a center of culture, learning, healing, emperor worship, and many other forms of worshipping false gods, the first century church would have faced many challenges. The Commendation of the Church in Pergamum (v. 13) Though the church in Pergamum faced a challenging culture, they proved themselves faithful. "Hold Fast" - krat-eh-o - to remain true, loyal; to seize, obtain; to take hold of something with strength and power. Antipas is believed to have been martyred for his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, possibly during the reign of Emperor Domitian, who was known for his persecution of Christians. Pergamum was, in an unfortunate sense, a home of the Satanic spirit of persecution. The Concern for the Church in Pergamum (v. 14-15) There were some within the church who were holding to false teachings. Others within the church remained silent and tolerated these men rather than confronting them in Christian love and discipline. Like the Israelites, there were some in the church of Pergamum who were enticed by the worship of other gods and mixed these practices with their Christian faith. Abusing Biblical instruction on Christian liberty, the Nicolaitans taught that Christians could participate in pagan practices of worship and idolatry. The Command to the Pergamum Church (v. 16) It is not too late for the wayward church. Repent - meh-tah-no-EH-oh - It involves a recognition of wrongdoing, a sincere regret or remorse, and a commitment to change one's behavior and align with God's will. The church of Pergamum is warned that Christ is coming quickly, and His Word will be useful for both protection and judgement. The Counsel to the Church in Pergamum (v. 17) The petition to "hear" is made to every individual for we each must eventually give an account for what we have heard and how we have responded to God's Word. "Overcome" - nee-KAH-oh - means to conquer or prevail; the believer's call to overcome the world through faith in Jesus Christ. The manna is representative of God's provision for His children. The white stone may imply the stone which was used by a judge to vote for the acquittal of a person on trial. As a Christ-follower, am I living a pure life based on the truth of God's Word and remaining faithful to the will of God for my life?