Seven Steps to a Dead Church (Part 5)

Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:12-17

IV. THE COMPROMISING CHURCH

This ithe church that has permitted heresy to enter. It is just a few steps above lukewarm, but is not hot. This is the church in which heresy has entered and is beginning to follow such heresies. They are beginning to follow that which is false. Look at our text:

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Iknow thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not

denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan

dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who

taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idolds, and to commit

fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, whiich. Repent; or else I will come unto

thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit

saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,

and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

There are strong words here because of the heretical teaching. There are those who follow heresy today. One thing that is beginning to run rampant in the church is that of sexual sin. Many unmarried couples in the church will live together or even sleep together, having sex outside the bounds of marriage. What is more, there are many who have no problems doing so. They believe that God condones this sin because they will soon be getting married. Gals, REPENT AND THROW THE BUM OUT! There are even men and women who are sodomites who also believe that God condones their sin. They even claim they were born that way. There is a Greek word for that--HOGWASH (The Hebrew word is BALONEY!). God does NOT condone these sins. If this were Old Testament times, the Law of Moses requires that the homosexual, lesbian, whore, whoremonger, adulterrer, adulteress, and those who committed the other sexual sins be stoned to death. We may live in the "Age of Grace," but God still condemns sin. What is more they have allowed "new doctrine" into the church. The "New Age Movement" is very strong in many of these churches. Instead of worshipping Yahweh, they worship Mary, John, Joseph, Paul and many other dead people. They worship with sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. They have no problems with drinking alcohol, smoking pot or shooting up heroi. They expect everyone to believe in the "Universal Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man." They quote, "Judge not lest ye be judged, (Matthew 7:1)" to prevent us from condemning sin. They want us to stop witnessing and just "love everybody."

This church is about to see a battle because of the sin that they have allowed to enter and become a part of their teaching. It does not look good because they have allowed this to enter. Yet Christ says, "Repent! Overcome sin!" For there is a reward and a blessing for those who do overcome sin.

Let's think about that, Amen.