Faithfulness Through Trials: The Promise of the Overcomer

Bible Passage:

We are continuing our Refocus Series

We are walking through the letters to the Seven Churches that Jesus writes to seven of the churches in Asian Minor

Last week we talked about the church in Ephesus:

There was a lot for us as church in America to connect with

We can truly identify with leaving our first love (Christ)

Doing good out of habit or obligation and not out of an affection for Christ.

But this week:

It’s going to be very hard for us to connect with this Church

Because Jesus is proud of this church for something that we lack the opportunity here to experience.

But there are still some amazing things that we can get from this passage.

READ TEXT

Revelation 2:8–11 “8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’”

Smyrna

Beautiful City (Crown of Asia)

It begins at a 35 mile harbor and stretches to narrow foothills

Behind the city was a huge hill covered with temples and noble buildings

Because it was always on the right side of history

It was given the privilege to self-govern by Rome

It was the center for science and medicine

The Dark Side To Smyrna

Very Strong Emperor Worship cult (not just recognition but literal deity worship)

You could not recognize any other god as long as you first recognize Caesar was king of kings and lord of lords.

To make sure that everyone participated recognizing Caesar as lord

Each year every citizen had to burn incense on Caesar’s altar

The the citizen would be issued a certificate of loyalty

It would protect citizens from persecution

It would give them access to rights and privileges in the community

Because of this the church at Smyrna suffered greatly

Mass execution of Christian under Caesar

Christians lived in poverty

READ TEXT

Revelation 2:8 “8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.”

Jesus opens with what appears to be a paradoxical statement as he introduces himself as the author of this letter.

“Eternally existed and yet died and came to life”

This concept is at the center of the gospel

Jesus Christ is Eternal

Came as God in the flesh

In his humanity he dies to pay the penalty for sin

But in his divinity he lives eternally

He introduces himself this way for two reasons

To remind that He is always in control

(Here was before all of this and he will be here after)

He understands their pain and suffering

In the same way that Christ died and live again

So will the people in the church of Smyrna

1. Refocus this year by viewing our own suffering through the lens of Christ suffering

When we wrap our minds around the idea that Christ has not called us to do something he himself has not already done it can give us…

1. Deeper Trust in God:

Seeing how Christ endured suffering and overcame it strengthens our faith that God is present and working in our trials.

2. Greater Perseverance:

Viewing suffering as part of God’s plan, as it was for Christ, helps us endure with patience and hope.

3. Increased Compassion:

Recognizing Christ’s empathy for our pain encourages us to show compassion and support for others who are hurting.

4. Stronger Identity in Christ:

Sharing in Christ’s suffering reminds us that we belong to Him and are being shaped into His likeness.

5. Purpose in Suffering:

Viewing our struggles through Christ’s example gives us purpose, knowing that God uses suffering to grow us and glorify Himself.

Refocus this year by viewing our own suffering through the lens of Christ suffering

READ TEXT

Revelation 2:9 “9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

3 Ways reasons Jesus is proud of the church in Smyrna.

Through their tribulation Christ is more important than their lives

Through their poverty Christ is more important than their comfort

Through being slandered Christ is more important than their reputation

Jesus says that they are rich (because they have him)

2. Refocus this year by redefining what it means to be rich

It is passages like this that reveal how far we all are from Christ

Most of us don’t realize how much of a prosperity gospel has creeped into our theology.

A lot of us believe that God wants everyone to be healthy, wealthy, and successful.

If we have enough faith, speak positively, and give money to the church, God will bless us with more money and good health.

Jesus doesn’t commend the church in Smyrna by worldly standards of prosperity.

Jesus praises the church in Smyrna because they stay devoted to Him, when He is their only reward.

If Christ is our only reward could we see ourselves as rich? or would we be disappointed with our life?

The spiritual wealth we have in Christ is far greater than any possession, experience, or praise this world can offer.

Jesus is pointing out that it does not matter what this word takes from us if we have him we have more than enough.

Jesus supplies things that last when the world supplies things that fade.

READ TEXT

Revelation 2:10–11 (ESV)

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

Jesus informs them that it will not get better but it will get worse

The Devil is behind all that is happening to them and he will test their faith.

Prison - either mean ten days (Short)

Christ calls them to be faithful no matter what and they will receive the crown of life (eternal life)

They will only experience one death - Second death is eternal separation from God

3. Refocus this year by realizing that what Jesus offers is far greater than any comfort this life can provide.

Some of us maybe looking to this next year not anticipating what lies a head

Sickness

Work

Family

What Jesus offers us is an eternal perspective on life

Enduring our circumstances comes down to one thing

Recognizing that we have the greatest thing we could ever have already

Christ.