The church of Smyrna
The Seven Churches • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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opening Facts of the City and Church
opening Facts of the City and Church
Smyrna was a important beautiful exporting city 40 miles from Ephesus
It was known for the first church that receives no critique
It was the home church of Polycarp for 40 years
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
What are some ways in which persecution to the church could come?
As we look at the church of Smyrna I wanna look at the persecution of the church
digging into the life of a man who was witness to that persecution
That man is Polycarp
Polycarp was an apostle of John and The Apostle Paul likely had great influence on him
He also served in church of Smyrna for many years many believe he served there for around 40 as the churches Bishop
So Polycarp had an eyewitness account of what the scripture is teaching us about.
A group of believers that were a part of Polycarps life hid him in a farmhouse as officers came to arrest him to have him put to death.
The officers found him and he offered food and drink to them.
He then requested a hour to pray before they took him.
They granted his wish and later took him to the arena to be killed.
They asked Polycarp one final time to curse his Lord and they would free him. His response was very powerful saying “eighty and six years have I served him, and he never did me any injury; how then can I blaspheme my king and my Savior.
After they tied him to the stake to burn he asked to pray and this is what he prayed.
“Lord, almighty God, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have come to the knowledge of yourself, God of angels, of powers, of all creation, of all the righteous who live in your sight, I bless you for judging me worthy of this day, this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ, your anointed one, and so rise again to eternal life in soul and body, immortal through the power of the Holy Spirit. May I be received among the martyrs in your presence today as a rich and pleasing sacrifice. God of truth, stranger to falsehood, you have prepared this and revealed it to me and now you have fulfilled your promise. I praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him be glory to you, together with him and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen
The church of Ephesus had a complaint. They abandoned they're first love
However Smyrna doesn’t have a complaint, but they do get advice.
Verse 9 tells them some things that just aren't going they’re way.
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
They are dealing with slander and tribulation and poverty
Later on it tells them that some of them are about to go through prison for they’re belief’s. They have recieved much tribulation but its not going to get better
The advice they got was “fear none of those thing”
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
We could all take a lesson on dealing with the trials of life from Smyrna and Polycarp
In the face of fear most of us back down
It is the human instinct to fear
1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 194: A Shepherd’s Comfort
During a recent conflict in the Middle East, Ron and Joke Jones, who serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Israel, wrote in their prayer letter:
The result of the fighting and killing has left a profound sense of discouragement that hovers over the country. Several times we have come into closer contact with this conflict than our comfort zone allowed.
Yesterday a friend said she was watching a shepherd caring for his flock near the area where guns are fired. Every time the shots rang out, the sheep scattered in fright. The shepherd touched each of them with his staff and spoke calmly to them, and the sheep settled down because they trusted the shepherd. Then another shot sounded, and the same routine happened. Each time, the sheep needed the shepherd to orient them again and to reassure them they were safe.
We are like those sheep. When we are frightened, our Shepherd reaches out and touches us with his staff, speaking words of calm and comfort.
someone turn and read
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
God is a Shepherd who is there for his sheep
It doesn’t seem like comforting news to tell the church of smyrna what they’ve been through and what is to come. However it very much was. God already knew how they’re heart was set.
scripture puts that into view for us in verse 9 by putting into parentheses (but thou art rich)
he knew they'd honor and praise him in prison or facing a martyrs death just as Polycarp did.
Polycarp had been running day after day just trying to keep himself safe then one day he says
YOU KNOW WHAT, I AM DONE.
I am done running from my captors
I am done being afraid
God if this is you're plan then so be it
Polycarp wasn’t in this scripture
However he lived exactly what its talking about
The church of Smyrna had it rough
Things weren’t easy for them
The scripture stated they were dealing with poverty and trials and that they were about to be thrown in prison
The risk of living for Jesus for them far outweighs what any of us could ever imagine
However somehow we are the ones who end up running around acting afraid and not trusting God
Smyrna lesson in the scripture was simply advice
It was simply for them to keep loving Jesus and keep trusting Jesus and know that he has the better plan
Even in their trials.
How is it that we could be found guilty of not trusting the saviors plan?
Even if that plans death would we be able to stand looking our captors in the eye and praying for them
Would we live in poverty knowing we soon will be imprisoned and still live by faith