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The Power of Repentance

Words of Faith Final

The Power of Repentance

Words of Faith 11-20-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Revelation 2

[14]  Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing 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. 

 

       The Lord began this address to the church at Pergamum with a word of encouragement. “You have held fast to my Name, and you did not deny my faith…” (2:13).  But there was more to address.  “I have a few things against you…”

       Among those who claimed the Name of Christ, some were teaching false ideas. Specifically, the Lord called out the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans. These were teachings that the Lord hates (2:6).

        Balak tried to pay the prophet Balaam to curse Israel but failed in this. But Balaam then devised a plan whereby the daughters of the Moabites would seduce the Israelite men and lead them to sacrifice to their pagan god and worship him (Numbers 25:1; 31:16).

        Some teachers in the church at Pergamum were approving the eating of food sacrificed by idols. This was part of pagan festivals that also included sexual immorality and revelry.  

        The chief method of Satan is deception. The deception of Satan starts with something that seems innocent. “Don’t worry about where this food came from… You can buy it… It is just food. In fact, you should come to the feast… It is a good time… It will benefit your business…”

        The combination of food sacrificed to idols with "sexual immorality" was common in these cities.  A sacrificial feast to the pagan gods led to indulging in sexual intercourse with temple priestesses in cult prostitution. What Satan could not accomplish at Smyrna or Pergamum through intimidation, suffering, and death from outside the church, he achieved from within.

        The Lord presents an answer. It is the same answer that Jesus gave in his very first sermon—Repent. This is the answer that Jesus gives again and again throughout the book of Revelation.  Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth [16].

         Repentance, turning back toward God and away from the world, is not just the most powerful solution. It is the only solution and only choice that gives us hope.

 

         Father God, give me a spirit of repentance. Give me a heart of sorrow for the things of the world that I have engaged in. Give me a hope and a future that is pointed toward You. In Jesus’ Name.

 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.