Last week, we took a look at Jesus’ message to the Church of Smyrna. We learned that Jesus had no rebuke for this church. They didn’t turn to the right or the left as they experienced persecution. Jesus lovingly encouraged them as He promised them eternal life. Today, we will look at the Church of Pergamum. It was called by many: “The greatest city in Asia Minor.” Pergamum was roughly 100 miles north of Ephesus, and it was located about 15 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The city boasted a massive library of over 200,000 handwritten volumes that was only second to the library in Alexandria.

The Church of Pergamum didn’t fall victim to the emperor worship that plagued the land, but they did compromise in their actions. Those who were neither eating the food sacrificed to dole nor partaking in sexual immorality compromised by allowing sin in the church.

Our message is titled: “The Church of Pergamum.”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Supporting Texts: Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 2:14-18, Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Matthew 5:14-16, Galatians 5:9, Numbers 24:25, Numbers 25:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Isaiah 1:18, Romans 2:4, Matthew 18:15-17, Exodus 16:32, Hebrews 9:3-4, John 6:48, Acts 26:20, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we took a look at Jesus’ message to the Church of Ephesus. We learned that they had “forsaken their first love.” We also learned that the Ephesian church is a strong example that works and doctrinal orthodoxy cannot make up for a cold hard heart.

Today, we move on to the Church of Smyrna. We find that they along with the Church of Philadelphia are the only two churches that didn’t receive a rebuke in their letters. Smyrna is the only one of the seven cities still in existence. It is modern-day Izmir and is around 35 miles north of Ephesus on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea. Smyrna along with several other cities claim to be the birthplace of the great epic poet Homer.

Our message is titled: “The Church of Smyrna”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Supporting Texts:  Hebrews 4:15, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12, John 10:33, Galatians 1:1, 1 Peter 3:18, John 2:19, Psalm 23:5, Revelation 3:17, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Romans 9:6, Matthew 16:24-26, Matthew 10:28, John 3:18, James 1:22, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 20:14-15, Revelation 20:6

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Two weeks ago, we read about John’s second meeting with the Lord. He first heard the Lord, and then he turned to see the Lord. John was terrified, but Jesus comforted and instructed him before revealing what we are studying this year: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. For the next seven weeks, we will see what Jesus told John to write to the seven churches. If we look closely, we will see attributes of each of these churches in the present-day church.\

Today, we will look at Revelation 2:1-7 as we read the message to The Church of Ephesus.

Our message is titled: “The Church of Ephesus”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Supporting Texts: Acts 19:10, Matthew 28:18, 1 Corinthians 5:13, Romans 4:1-3, Jeremiah 2:1-2, Luke 15:17-18, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, Philippians 2:3-4, John 14:6, 1 John 5:4-5, Genesis 3:22, Hosea 14:1-4

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Scripture Focus: Psalm 90:10

Last week, we took a look at the first eight verses of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. We didn’t tear them apart, but we did look at them as we saw:

I pray that we will stay focused on these things as we move forward in this study. Many things divide us; may Christ unite us!

Today, we will look at Revelation 1:9-20 as John meets with his Lord again. Be assured that Jesus didn’t look like the humble Carpenter that John knew. He now stood amongst His Church dressed as the High Priest.

Our message is titled: “The Son of Man.”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Revelation 1:9-20

Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 2:2, Acts 22:17-18, Revelation 10:4, Philippians 2:15, Matthew 28:20b, Exodus 28:4, Daniel 7:9, Ezekiel 43:2, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Matthew 17:6-7, John 5:26, 1 Peter 3:18, Matthew 16:18-19, Romans 5:9, Mark 5:18-19, Matthew 28:19-20, Revelation 4:1, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Matthew 5:14-16

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Honestly, I never thought this day would come. I have avoided the thought of teaching through Revelation for a long time. I wanted to preach through the Book of Romans over the next year and a half or so, but I never could get a sense of peace. It is weird to say this, but I am comfortable being uncomfortable as we look at what some call “that scary Book at the end of the Bible.”

Today, we will glance at the first eight verses of Revelation as we have what I am calling an Introduction. In hindsight, it may have been best to do an introduction this week and then look at the first eight verses next week, but here we are...

My prayer since settling on the 2023 Sermon Schedule has been for unity. Specifically, I have been praying that we might Major on the Majors and Minor on the Minors.

Our message is titled: “Introduction”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Revelation 1:1-8

Supporting Texts: Revelation 22:18-19, John 14:15, Mark 13:32-33, Revelation 22:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

I pray that you were encouraged last week as we looked at how we can make our Yes Be Yes and our No Be No with our Promises. It was a blessing to have Justin Barthelmes with us to share a promise that he and his family have made to God. Please continue to pray for them as they ready themselves to move to Portland, Oregon in October.

Today, we will talk about Fasting. Fasting is something that we rarely talk about in the Baptist church. Our brothers and sisters from other denominations practice Lent. There are some differences, but beginning February 22, 2023 (Ash Wednesday), many Christians will abstain from eating meat until the Thursday before Good Friday. Some choose to go without dessert or social media, but the idea is that people will go without something to remind them of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert.

Our message is titled: “Making Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No: Fasting”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-10

Supporting Texts: Luke 18:9-14, Luke 5:8, Philippians 2:3, Matthew 6:16, James 4:3, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 6:17-18, Deuteronomy 30:9-10, Ephesians 3:20-21 

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we looked at “Resolutions. We talked about not purposefully making resolutions we know we won’t keep. Saying one thing and doing another hurts our reputation, and all Christ-followers should have a good reputation. I pray that we all seek to apply our three points from last week’s message: Resolve to Recognize the LORD Resolve to Know the LORD Resolve to Listen to the LORD

Today, we will talk about Promises. Much like Resolutions, Promises are often made but rarely kept. In the church, this shouldn’t be. Our newest Sponsored Missionary, Justin Barthelmes, will join us and share Point Two of the message today. Please welcome him, his wife, Holly, and their little girl Harper Ann to PFBC.

Our message is titled: “Making Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No:? Promises”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Supporting Texts: Matthew 16:22-23, 2 Chronicles 7:11-12, Acts 15:8 Romans 1:20, Isaiah 46:10, Hebrews 12:28-29

Diving Deeper: After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Last week, we introduced the 2023 Verse of the Year. Matthew 5:37 says: Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. We chose this verse because the church needs to take seriously what she says. When the individuals of the church speak and truth, we build a good reputation in society. When those outside the church trust us, they will be more apt to listen to the Gospel when we share It.

Today, we will talk about something that we often make but rarely keep: Resolutions. One may say that making and breaking Resolutions isn’t a big deal; everyone does it.

Thinking like this degrades who God has created and equipped you to be. If it is okay to not be truthful in a small part of your life, eventually falsehood will migrate to the larger more important areas of your life.

Our message for today is titled: “Making Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No:? Resolutions”

Our points will be:

Main Scripture: Isaiah 43:14-19

Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:37, Isaiah 43:9-13, Exodus 14:19-22, Exodus 14:23-25, Exodus 14:26-28, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Diving Deeper. After listening to today's message, consider asking yourself the following questions:

Main Scripture: John 15:1-5

Supporting Texts: Acts 2, John 14:26, Malachi 3:10

Points today:

Resolutions for 2023