Over the last several weeks, my sermons have been concerned with overcoming sin and living out the victory in Christ.
One of the areas that informed me and intrigued me concerned how Satan attacks the church. When you examine what Jesus spoke to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia, you learn about the attack that Satan makes on the church. A study of all the churches shows that Satan attacks the church in three ways. The Church at Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) exemplifies these attacks. Pergamum in very overt ways had to overcome all three attacks.
First, Satan attacks by persecution and opposition. The church at Pergamum experienced extreme opposition by its very location. The first temple for the worship of the Roman emperor was located in Pergamum. This may have been what Jesus meant when He said: “I know where you live–where Satan has his throne”(Revelation 2:12).
We face formidable opposition–some subtle, some quite overt. In all cases we are called to be faithful even in the midst of severe persecution such as that experienced at Pergamum.
Our opposition must become our opportunity.
Second, Satan attacks by false belief. To almost every church of the seven in Asia, Jesus warned about false belief. Belief matters. Getting doctrine right means we understand who God is and how He works. To neglect doctrine is to neglect God.
Satan attacks with subtle changes which undermine the church. He also attacks with frontal assaults which will make the church impotent.
Third, Satan attacks with sexual immorality. Immorality compromises the church and emphasizes hypocrisy and shallowness. Immorality attacks the very nature of persons.
Today, we see this attack playing out throughout the traditional home of the church. Europe and North America face an unrelenting attack against holiness and virtue.
The church around the world is now experiencing all of these attacks. Jesus prepared us long ago for what we would experience.
Now is the time for the church to live as Jesus called us to live in a world of unbelief.
One Response
Well said. All the more reason to put on the Whole Armor of God and facilitate others to be sure God’s Armor is donned. All the more reason to recognize and realize our “Reasonable Service.” All the more reason to understand the Mission of the Bride. All the more reason to understand the Mission of the Bride is not realized without its Members realizing that each is a member one of another and all in Christ, Her Husband.
For this is the Hope of “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” This is the Hope of the Law, the Prophets and the One who Saves, the Anointed One, The Author and Finisher of Every Good Work, He Who was and is and is to come. This is the culmination of: “Walking Humbly with thy God,” of Joy, of Hope, of Peace, of Abiding, of Faith. Truly without Him we can do nothing. His presence is conditional, if – then.
Thank you for presenting the Substance of things Hoped for and the Evidence of things unseen.
Blessings