Sermon Snippets with Max Taylor

116. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 11: Church #3 - Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17
 
In some ways, persecution is easier to bear than the invitation to join the world because persecution is direct opposition, whereas compromise can seem inviting. One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste. But if we follow after Christ, find clarity in His World, and look at the godly role models around us, we can have the right perspective. Don’t believe the lies and propaganda of the idolatrous world, let God’s Word divide out the truth.
Pergamos: the Lax church
  I. The Location (literal local church)
The capital of Asia Minor, seat of authority
In the course of the world and of geopolitics
The church was prone to be mixed with the world
Many compromised to join the culture’s welcome (verse)
One of the greatest dangers of the Pergamos mentality is the subtle lie that if you live your life totally devoted to God, it will be a waste
In some ways, persecution is easier to bear because it is direct opposition, whereas the tendency to compromise and give into a welcoming environment can be harder in some cases I really think
 II. The Likeness of Christ
God’s Word discerns our hearts
III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)
The good, after Christ and good examples
Holding fast the name of Christ
Not denying the faith
Antipas, the faithful martyr - look at him, he was all-in for the Lord and look where it got him, it cost him his life… what a waste… but God praises him and uses his example as a model and a mentor that we should follow. It is good to have godly role models and be 1

115. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 10: Church #2 - Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11
 
The church at Smyrna was intensely persecuted because they did not conform to the idolatry that was required of them. And they suffered for it. Some of the main lessons from this church are that we have the strongest fragrance for Christ when we are pressured by persecution, riches are only found in Christ, and we have a different perspective than the world—an eternal perspective—that allows us to be faithful even unto death. May we have courage like the believers of Smyrna did.
 
Smyrna: the Lacerated church
  I. The Location (literal local church)
Smyrna was a thriving commercial Roman city, a center of business
They had a temple to the emperor, where worship to caesar was required
Citizens had to offer a pinch of incense on the altar to the emperor
Christians were excluded from the economic successes of Smyrna
If you have seen the movie Polycarp, it describes this city
There was intense persecution here, and many Christians caved
The name means “crushed” signifying the making of Myrrh, an incense
When myrrh is crushed, it gives off a sweet-smelling fragrance
 II. The Likeness of Christ
“The first and the last” - unchanging, constant, outlasting
“Which was dead, and is alive” - conquered death
The embodiment and provider of eternal life
He died, faced the ultimate persecution, to give us life
Jesus knows…
III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)
Works, tribulation, and poverty for their steadfastness
In the world’s estimate they were in poverty, but they were rich in Christ
They were courageous in the face of pain and poverty
They labeled things the way that God did
Nothing negative is said about this church
They are told to not fear, though things would not get better physically
The reality that things might never get better in this life for us
They were to stay faithful and stay focused on the eternal rewards
IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative)
There were ten Roman emperors who intensely persecuted the church
This was the period of AD 64-310 (extending beyond these churches)
From the apostolic time to Emperor Constantine, ten great periods
It would be intense, one right after the other
But there was a light at the end of the persecution
There was a beginning and an end
Compared to eternity, it is brief
 V. The Lesson for us (type of church)
We serve a Savior Who is alive and the author and finisher of our faith
When we face persecution or exclusion, we are an incense to God
True wealth and riches are found in Christ
Live for the eternal rewards, not the circumstantial

114. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 9: Church #1 - Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7
 
We left off discussing the various views of these churches, and today we jump into the letter to the first of these churches. Christ presents Himself to the church at Ephesus—who had been given premier teaching on the church from Paul and the qualifications for church leaders through Paul’s letter to Timothy—as the One who cares for the messengers of the church and walks in the midst of His body. Most of the contents of this letter to Ephesus is praiseworthy, but there is a warning issued them to return to their first love. There is much for us to learn from the letter to this church.
 
Ephesus: the Loveless church
  I. The Location (literal local church) #1 
Very important Roman city in the province of Asia
City of Diana the pagan Greek goddess
Church Paul spent the most time at
Timothy ministered there, as did John, possibly as elders
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is the masterpiece treatise on the church, there were no problems addressed in this epistle, contains spiritual depth, it is in the letter to Timothy we have the qualifications for pastor and deacon
Gave his parting sermon in Acts 20
 II. The Likeness of Christ
Christ’s relationship with His church
Caring for the elders and walking in the midst of the members
III. The Letter to the church (merits and warnings)
✅Intolerance towards evil & error
✅Hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (domineering over the people)
✅Had remained faithful and patient in their works and labor
❎Left their first love
Their fervor and affection was abated over time
Probably due to trials due to their location
IV. The Lineup in Church History (representative) #3 
Represents the Apostolic Age AD 70-170
This is a call to patience, to bear under great trials, to continue long in obedience
 V. The Lesson for us (type of church) #2 
Wilmington’s helpful outline:
Remember the faith they had loved (give their heads to Christ)
Repent (give their hearts to Christ)
Repeat their first works (give their hands to Christ)

113. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 8: Intro to the Churches

Revelation 2-3
 
This is a really important part of Revelation because this is where we are living right now. This is the things which “are” so we should take note because it is written to our current time frame. In this first episode on these two chapters, we are introducing the seven churches and the three aspects of these churches as (1) literal local churches, (2) symbolic or types of churches, and (3) historic representative churches throughout the church age. Looking forward to jumping into the church of Ephesus next week!

112. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 7: The Layout of Revelation

Revelation 1:17-20
 
John is here given the outline for the revelation he would record (1) the things which he had seen, (2) the things which were, and (3) the things which would be hereafter. When these last remaining things begin to happen, they will take place suddenly and in rapid succession (1:1). May we meditate on these things of eternal value and long to see the Lord face to face.

111. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 6: Getting a Glimpse of Jesus

Revelation 1:13-16
 
These verses give us a glimpse of Jesus, as He will be in the day of the Lord. For now, we can see Jesus as we study the truth of His Word, watch prophecy line up for His return, interact with other believers who are part of His Bride, and meditate upon Him personally. We need but to listen and turn and look as John did. And one day we will see—not just a glimpse of Jesus—but we will see Him as He is. That is what motivates us to purity and hope (1 John 3:2-3).

110. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 5: Christ In Our Midst

Revelation 1:11-16
 
At the beginning of John’s vision, he hears the voice of God telling him to record the things he would see (beginning with a vision of Jesus Himself) to spread to the churches in the region. We then get a window into the voice and description of Jesus here. These verses remind us of how we have come to possess the Word of God and the privilege of being the church of God. Next week, we will pick up with this seven-fold vision of Jesus.

109. Beholding Christ | Studies in Revelation Part 4: On the Island But In the Spirit

Revelation 1:9-10
 
In these two verses, we get a window into the life of John and what he was experiencing after his imprisonment and exile to the Isle of Patmos. But even there, his mind was on the Lord’s Day. They can imprison our bodies, but they cannot capture our hearts and minds. The important truth for us is that even when we feel exiled in this world and on an island spiritually, we can meditate on the culmination of God’s plan in our spirit.