Are You a Nicolaitan? - United Church of God

Speaker: Daniel Deininger
Date: December 20, 2025

Summary:

This sermon continues the United Church of God Montana Online Bible Study series in the book of Revelation, focusing on Jesus Christ’s strong condemnation of the doctrine and deeds of the Nicolaitans. Drawing from Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the message warns modern Christians against tolerating teachings and practices that compromise obedience to God.

Jesus explicitly states that He hates the deeds and doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6, 15). While the church in Ephesus was commended for rejecting them, the churches in Pergamos and Thyatira were rebuked for tolerating similar teachings—likened to the errors of Balaam and the seduction of Jezebel. These teachings promoted sexual immorality, idolatry, and a false sense of liberty that blurred the line between obedience to God and blending in with society.

The sermon explains that the Nicolaitans were not merely a historical sect, but represented a mindset that abused God’s grace to justify sin. Through biblical commentary and word studies, the message shows how the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans shared the same goal: leading God’s people into compromise for personal gain, social acceptance, or greed. This pattern is seen repeatedly in Scripture, from Balaam in Numbers to Solomon’s downfall and Israel’s recurring embrace of pagan customs.

A central theme of the sermon is that toleration of sin is not love, and that God holds His people accountable when they knowingly allow false worship, immorality, or pagan-influenced traditions to coexist with true worship. The consequences outlined in Revelation are severe—Christ will fight against unrepentant teachers, bring discipline upon those who practice such sins, and warn of great tribulation if repentance does not occur.

The message concludes by emphasizing that these warnings are just as relevant today. Christians must examine themselves to ensure they are not modern Nicolaitans—accepting or excusing behaviors and traditions that God condemns. God calls His people to separation, faithfulness, and wholehearted obedience, reminding believers that it truly matters how we worship Him and live out His truth.

The sermon closes with a call to repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in holiness, echoing Paul’s exhortation to “come out from among them and be separate,” choosing light over darkness and faithfulness over compromise.