TITLE:  A REPENTED HEART DESTROYS THE WORKS OF SATAN IN OUR LIVES

TITLE:  A REPENTED HEART DESTROYS THE WORKS OF SATAN IN OUR LIVES

SCRIPTURE:

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.  14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”  (Revelation 2:12—17 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

            There are different thoughts about who the Angel of each church is referring to.  Many believe these angels are the pastors or overseers of the other churches that Jesus addresses here.  Each church has been evaluated.  What is important is that we do not focus on the angel, and we miss the message from Jesus to his church.  All the letters that are addressed to the seven churches reveal their good points, their bad points, and how they must correct themselves. 

            The church in Pergamum was told by Jesus, I know where you live—where Satan has his throne.  We are to be under no illusion that wherever Jesus is, Satan is there also.  So many believers seem surprised that Satan shows up wherever Jesus is.  It should never be a surprise.  The good news is, Jesus KNOWS where we are. 

            Jesus praised the church in Pergamum, saying, Even though you are where the throne of Satan is, you did not RENOUNCE your faith in me.  Here is spiritual warfare. Have you imagined seeing the throne of Satan everywhere around you?  Satan’s thrones are everywhere in our lives.  Jesus praised the Pergamum believers for not renouncing their faith and for being faithful witnesses in the place where Satan lives.

            However, Jesus pointed out their weak spot, saying, Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: Some among you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

            Where Satan lives and where his throne is at, there is never a lack of people he works through.  The Church of Jesus is imperfect, and we should expect it so.  The church is full of broken, deceived, and vulnerable people.  Pergamum tells us even in our churches today, some people live just like them.  Some people entice others to do foolish and sinful activities.  Some people lived in sexual immoral lifestyles in the church and tried to make it normal. 

            However, Jesus also gave the remedy for the church to correct themselves, and this is applicable to our lives as well. It doesn’t matter what sin we have committed. Jesus has only one way for us to correct ourselves: REPENT. Repenting is a beautiful way of how Jesus will restore us to be faithful and never allow Satan and those who follow him to entice us away from God’s purpose. 

            Jesus said, Repent or I will come soon to you and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  The only solution to be restored to Jesus is to repent.  In other words, an unrepented person is fighting Jesus’ words unless they repent.  Every time I am not repenting of my sins, I am fighting against the words of Jesus.  Nothing brings more joy to Satan whose throne is everywhere to see unrepented followers of Jesus. 

            Jesus’ powerful weapon in the life of his followers is a repented heart.  A repented heart robs Satan from establishing his throne in our lives.  A repented heart removes the power of Satan’s influence in our lives.  When we repent, Jesus is empowered in us, and Satan’s work is destroyed in us. 

            The message of repentance is hard to swallow.  Nobody wants to be told to repent because they are doing something stupid.  Thus in every messages to the churches in this chapter ended with this statement and I as a follower of Jesus must make a choice.  Jesus will not make that decision for me.  The statement is; “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victorious one, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”

APPLICATION:

            I want to repent often when the Holy Spirit points out issues in my life that I need to deal with.  I will commit to a repented heart and allow Christ to establish his throne daily.  I will not give Satan any opportunity to influence and a chance to build his throne in my life.  I will make the word of God the center of all I am as I journey with him.  I will continue to build the throne of Jesus in my life by having his word increase in me. 

PRAYER:

            Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the power of repentance.  Please teach me to be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit.  Speak to me and help me destroy the works of Satan in my life.  Teach me how to truly be a repented person that pleases you.  I look to you today, in Jesus’ name, Amen!