Do Not be Araid

Introduction

5 Ways to pray for Israel handout.

Gospel presentation- different place because this letter is addressed to the believers.

Fill out sheets as we go along.

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death. [1]

Context

This week, we continue our look through the seven churches in revelation. An important reminder, is that in the Bible and when especially used in prophecy (which this book is), the number seven represents the number of completion and total-ness. So, the seven churches are representatives of all churches, even all those that exist today. So, as we are going through this series, we will be taking a hard look both at these churches, and our own church and see where Jesus is calling us and all churches into a new and deeper relationship, devotion, worship, and service to Him. Last week, looked at the church in Ephesus, the loveless church or sometimes referred to as the pharasitical church (because they focused on rules and laws) yet they forgot the love of Christ and what that means and what it looked like, they turned into a very legalistic church. This stands as a constant reminder to watch for and pursue for the love of Christ, as just some 30 years earlier this church would have been known for just that.

Today we turn our attention to the Church at Smyrna, the suffering church. This church has the distinction of being 1 of only 2 of these 7 churches that Christ only praised and did not condemn. The other 5 churches either had something wrong that needed to be addressed or nothing right with them at all. So, the church at Smyrna is one of the two positive examples that modern churches should try to look like.

Some things to know about Smyrna, is that just like Ephesus, this was a very large and wealthy port city. In fact, it still exists today. The name of this city, Smyrna actually comes from the word myrrh, which as you know was an important perfume that was especially used in worship and embalming. As a side note, remember what Jesus was brought from the 3 wise men at his birth, one of the gifts was myrrh, and it wouldn’t have been to crazy to say that this myrrh would have come from Smyrna at some point. All of that to say, remember that by in large this city was very wealthy with few exceptions, one of which would have been the Christian church. This church would have been heavily persecuted, very poor, and in constant fear over wrongful arrests and executions. Jesus, shares this message with them, Do not be afraid. So, lets dive in and from the text, I want you to trust these truths from Jesus ,because He does not want you to be afraid.

Message

Jesus knowns your trials

8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: 9 I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Still in his vision, John writes this message to the church at Smyrna from Jesus. Jesus addresses them, saying he is the first and the last; the one who died but came back to life. Once again, Jesus shares with them about His power and glory. That He, Jesus was from the beginning (unlike anyone else except for the other 2 members of the God-Head) and He will always be. Jesus is eternal, is power and might and rule over the world and those on it knows no end and always was. Jesus defeated death on the cross, and rose again over it in victory three days later (just as He said He would). He (Jesus) is addressing you, and He wants you to know something. He knows what you are going through church, he hasn’t forgotten you. I know your affliction and poverty, he knows that despite living in one of the richest cities in the world, yet you remain poor and barely able to put food on the table, barely able to stay alive. He knows that you are unfairly treated and taxed and even if you had something of any kind of value; because no one in the town has any respect or love for you that it would be stolen and the authorities would do absolutely nothing about it. In fact, they would probably arrest you for wasting their time. He tells them, despite your terrible situation, you are very rich in faith; you are very rich where it matters. Jesus tells them that I know that the Jews are working and conspiring against you, bringing up false charges, I want you to know that they are not Jews, you (the believers in Smyrna) are the true Children of Israel; as you have not rejected Me. Those jews, are from Satan and have rejected me and rejected my people.

These people were going through it. I mean REALLY going through it. Trials on the left, persecution on the right, and only each other in between (and to society they were no one important. We as American citizens today have never really gone through anything like that. Sure, we go through some things, but never do we have to be worried about being run to the poor house because of our faith, being arrested, having unfair taxes put on you, or your homes and pocessions confiscated as they would have. Despite having everything taken away, which would leave all of our faiths shaken, they were not shaken. This is the kind of faith that we as individuals and we as a church should aspire to.

Charles Spurgeon had an old saying, that, “Fiery trials make golden Christians.” Notice here, that golden Christians are not made by living the easy life, and Christ by no means says that our lives are to be easy. They are not only hard just like everyone else’s, but Christians have another and much more stronger level of difficulty; because as Jesus told us in Matthew 10, that the World will HATE us because of HIS name. In fact, Christians can and should expect extra difficulties in life because of their faith; yet we know that because of Christ and His sacrifice that in the end we will prevail and as Paul wrote in 2 Tim 2, we will reign (or rule) with Him. Christ knows the trails before us, and He has not forgotten about us, about You believer.

The next truth from Jesus is that: Jesus rewards your true faith.

10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Continuing on this idea, that Christians are going to suffer, Jesus addresses their suffering. He tells them, don’t be afraid, yes you are going to suffer but you have nothing to fear. The devil will be testing some of you very soon, by having you put in prison. This sounds a lot like in Job, where Satan was testing Job, hoping to find him faithless, his tests though cruel where still under the dominion and rule of God. He couldn’t do them without God’s permission. So, even though you will be tested, know that this test isn’t for your destruction; it is for the building up of yours and others faith in me (Christ).

Notice that Christ says that this affliction will happen for 10 days. Now, we understand this does not mean 10 literal days; rather it can be best interpreted to mean for, “a little while” or “a time,” which was a common expression for the time; just like for us we might say, “in a few days” could mean really anything but not to long like several months or a year. Jesus continues, be faithful; hold nothing back on your faith (even to the point of giving up your very life) and I (Jesus) will give you the crown of life.

Can you imagine being given a crown of life from Jesus Himself? What an honor and a blessing that would be, something all Christians should aspire too. To receive this, you must, as believers, show unwavering and complete faith to Christ. Just as the faithful to Rome (the heroes of the day) were given a sort of wreath or crown for their acts and life of dedication to the nation; so Jesus will give us. Only this crown, does not wither away as a wreath will or eventually rust away as precious or fine metals, this is a crown of life. It is eternal and once given it is permanent.

We hear about this crown of life in other places in scripture. In James 1:12 the scripture reads: 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.[2] We also read about this in 1 Peter 5:4 which reads: 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[3] It’s clear here and clear from our passage today, that Christ gives a special reward to those who are tested and shown faithful. Now, what this crown is exactly is revealed more in the next verse. However, we need to ask ourselves, do we want this crown of life?

Of course, the answer is yes. You all know that I think that, I’m sure. But, in turn, are we willing to do what it takes to receive it. Ie, are we willing to show greater and greater faith in Christ? Or, are you content with where your faith is now? Believer, if this is you then you have a serious problem. One that you need to repent of. Never once in the history of the world, after Christ’s death has there been a healthy believer with a healthy understanding of God and who He is that feels content with where their faith is. We should always, let me say that again ALWAYS be in a trajectory that is increasing in faith, not plateaued or flatlined faith. This means, over time, your sins and your idols are going to be exposed to you and others (what we call trials and tribulations) and God is calling and equipped you to overcome your faith in those idols and sins and replace them with a greater faith in Him. We want this, we need this; never should our faith lives be too easy, we should be instead seeking greater faith in God. For us, this has the benefit of a reward, because Jesus rewards your true faith.

Another truth from Jesus is that: Jesus saves from the second death.

11 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will never be harmed by the second death. [4]

Here it is, once again, God is speaking, so listen up Church! Listen up Churches everywhere! The person who conquerors, meaning the person who overcomes and is found faithful, having received the crown of life will not be harmed by the second death. This crown of life, sounds a lot like eating from the tree of life like what Jesus said to the conquerors in Ephesus doesn’t it?... So, what is this second death? It is the most terrible kind of death. This kind of death, most of the world is facing, and many of them don’t even know it. Yes, unless Jesus comes very very soon we all will face the first death (where our bodies expire) and our spirit leaves our bodies. However, though the body dies the spirit goes on. Your spirit itself, your spiritual life, is eternal. It doesn’t die as your body does. Instead, it can receive something that is much much worse than a bodily death. It can receive this second death, which is a spiritual death (that is, eternal separation from God, or at least God’s grace and mercy).

So yes, the conquerors soul will never know the torture of hell…. I think a lot of people have a misunderstanding of what hell is really like. Let me share something with you. You want to know what is truly terrifying about hell? It isn’t the fire, it isn’t the flames, it isn’t the presence of the fallen angels (the Deamons) it isn’t even the presence of the enemy (Satan). Rather, it is the constant and lasting presence of God’s justice and the deserved wrath. So, the absence of God’s mercy, love, and grace is what is truly terrifying about hell. All creatures while on earth get to experience some level of this, we call it common grace. Once we lose at least that level of grace and have not yet turned to Christ as savior and Lord, then doom and destruction awaits….. Think about it, if Satan cannot move without God, then what makes you think that in this domain (that God created) that God isn’t in charge here as well? He is in charge and nothing will ever change that.

So, we must all know and apply this truth. God does make a distinction between the saved and unsaved with the second death. We, as those who have been saved, have a responsibility given to us from God. This is to each and every one of us, as Jesus told us in His great commission, we are to go and make new believers, and baptize them in the name of Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teach them in the ways of Christ. This is our part, we never know who God is calling into relationship; but we do know that God has called us to give the message to others and give the opportunity to respond to Jesus, in turn with those new saved souls we are to raise them up and equip them with everything that they need so that they can be believers who increase in faith (just as we are supposed to) and make new believers themselves. Why do we do this? Because Jesus saves from the second death, and every person that is saved from this a greater honor and glory brought to Christ.

Conclusion

Beloved, our situation is not one that is much like the church in Smyrna. Granted, I don’t think most (but not all) churches in America are like it either. You see, Smyrna was a very physically poor congregation in a very rich place. We can however, American churches, can say that we live in a very rich place. In fact, the United States alone accounts for 31.5% of the world’s wealth. This makes us the richest country in the world. In second place, comes China, well behind us (though with many more people) with 18.4%. Just to give you a better perspective, the top 15 nations in wealth in the world account for nearly 85% of the world’s worth. So, the remaining 180 nations in the world account for less than half of the wealth that our nation has. We are rich, in fact compared to the rest of the world every person in this room is filthy rich.

So, it is difficult for us to comprehend what true poverty looks like. But, these believers in Smyrna were living in it. Despite not having any comfort and security, they were still a rich in faith congregation. They were a congregation who found their first love (Christ) and clung close to Him and never let Him go no matter what. As a faith filled body of believers, there is no doubt that they did the seven things we spoke about last week that healthy churches tend to do. As a reminder, here is what those are. 1. They care for the least. 2, They are involved in local missions and benevolence. 3, They baptize often (make new believers) 3, they give their resources regularly 4, they send missionaries 5, they understand the worth of a soul and 6, they come together in prayer.

LaFayette Baptist church, weather we see it or not, we are a very rich church body; especially for one our size. Not only do churches in the United states have an uncommon wealth, we have and an uncommon monetary wealth for a church our size. Just to be frank. Being an ex-banker who has firsthand knowledge of how much a church our size tends to have, if you want exact numbers you can ask me afterwards; but I will share that it is about 4x what I have seen on average. A lot of this has to do with the stewardship and right frugalness of individuals. This is a good thing that is to be commended. So, thank you to those people. However, it is also partly because we have forgotten our destitute breatharian and our own wealth. By observation, it has made us rely on the comfort of this wealth too much. This ultimately is a faith issue. God is calling us, to overcome this faith issue. Just like the church in Smyrna, the Alpha and Omega (the first and the Last, Jesus Christ) knows our trials, He rewards our true faith, and He saves us from the second death. As such, He calls us, Do Not be Afraid. I am your God, so Do Not be Afraid. As the Hymn tells us, Have faith in God, He’s on His throne.

As we contemplate this, I want to invite you; if you have not yet filled out your worksheet, the answers will be on the screen. Take a few moments to fill it out, consider it and the implications it has on us. Then, take a few moments in personal prayer about it. While you do this, the alter will be open and anyone who needs can come forward. Then, I will lead us in a prayer to God that He would increase our faith to one like the church in Smyrna before our last song together.

· Give 4-5 minutes to fill out worksheet and for prayer.

· Lead a prayer

o Lord help our unbelief

o Give us a burden for those churches around our nation and our world that are struggling.

o Give us a burden for the lost near and far

o Help us overcome our sin and idols so that we can be more surrendered to You

o Increase our faith.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020, p. Re 2:8–11. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016, p. Jas 1:12. [3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016, p. 1 Pe 5:4. [4] Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020, p. Re 2:8–11.