BBC Sermon Cast

The gospel is only good news to those who know the bad news. In this passage, Paul unpacks the bad news that sinful insubordination leads to idolatry, which bears the ugly fruit of immorality revealing a kind of insanity culminating in all kinds of insurrection. This very bad news characterises human history. But like a diamond placed on a dark background, this very bad news reveals why Paul is not ashamed of the very good news of the gospel.

Being willing to die for something is admirable, but what is often more difficult is living for something—day-by-day, decision-by-decision. The church at Pergamum was willing to die for Christ, but was unwilling to live for him. Its holiness was hypocritical, and the lifestyles of its were licentious. Jesus called them to repentance, and promised to be their strength and their very great reward. We see four things in the text:

1. Hypocritical Holiness (v. 14)

2. Licentious Lifestyles (vv. 14–15)

3. Repentance and Reformation (v. 16)

4. A Promise of Purity (v. 17)

In vv. 1–7, Paul emphasises his faithful gospel stewardship, a stewardship that protects the gospel. Verses 8–15 emphasise his desire for fruitful gospel partnership as a means to propagates the gospel. And in vv. 16–17 he explains his gospel confidence for proclaiming the gospel. We will study these profound verses under three headings:

1. Gospel Pride (v. 16a)

2. Gospel Power (v. 16b)

3. Gospel Provision (v. 17)

The book of Romans highlights that, since believers are saved by the God of hope, they will abound in hope (15:13). This hope abounds as the believer is strengthened by the gospel. This was Paul’s desire for the church(es) in Rome. In his hope-filled greeting, he declares that he is thankful (v. 8), prayerful (vv. 9–10), and that he desires to be both useful (vv. 11–12) and faithful (vv. 13–15).

Despite flaws, the church at Pergamum received Christ’s gracious commendation for their faithfulness, their faithfulness in a hostile environment, their tenacious testimony, and their enduring evangelism. Christ’s letter to this church teaches us some important lessons. Though flawed and fragile, believers possess the Spirit of God. By his power, we can make a tangible difference for God's kingdom, inspiring others through faithfulness in trials, suffering, and everyday life.

The book of Romans has been a history-shaping epistle in the life of the church. It was from Romans that Augustine was converted, as were Martin Luther and John Wesley. An early Catholic, a Reformed Protestant, and an Arminian Methodist could at least agree on the most essential aspect of Christianity: the gospel. This is why Paul wrote Romans: to strengthen a church in the gospel of God. In these opening verses, Paul introduces this glorious gospel.

Scripture says that all who desire to live godly in and for Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus did not hide this from his would-be disciples (Matthew 10:34–39; etc.), nor did he hide it from the faithful saints of the church in Smyrna. She was a suffering, yet faithful, church whom the Lord exhorted to continual fidelity. We see three things in the letter:

 

1. The Lord is Honest with His Church (vv. 8–10)

2. The Lord is Hopeful for His Church (v. 10)

3. The Lord will Honour His Church (v. 11)

The “killability” of the Son of God was an essential reason for the incarnation. Jesus Christ needed to die for sinners as a sinless man. This required conception, birth, and maturation to adulthood—all of it sinlessly. Jesus’ maturation as a human being assures us of his perfectly victorious mission. Our passage points to this certain maturation of the incarnate Son of God:

1. Normal Maturation (vv. 39–40)

2. Spiritual Maturation (vv. 41–50)

3. Relational Maturation (v. 51)

4. Perfect Maturation (v. 52)

Having commended the congregation for its works and its willingness to suffer, Jesus rebukes the church in Ephesus for having forsaken its first love, and calls it to repentance. We consider two things from the text:

1. A Critique of the Church (v. 4)

2.⁠ A Call to the Church (vv. 5–7)

Christmas, the incarnation of the Son of God, is a story of humiliation. From conception to the cross, Jesus the Christ humbled himself to save sinners. And those whom he saves are called to identify with him in his humiliation. We see this in the text before us. Two old and faithful saints serve as wonderful examples. We will study this under two headings:

1. The Humiliation of Incarnation (vv. 21–24)

2. The Humiliation of Identification (vv. 25–38)