The Suffering Church

Intro

Obsession with T/shirts

Running 5K

Pain caused me to want to give up

Jesus message to the Church in Smyrna

Recap Series

Background of Smyrna

Present day Izmir

Smyrna means “bitter or “myrrh” (resin used for burial)

Great location, city of influence

Olympian games celebrated there

Winners were given laurel crowns

Significant accomplishments

Prestige of the giver

Known for allegiance to Rome

One of the first cities to erect a temple to Caesar

Loyalty to Caesar was shown by bowing down and burning incense in the temple

Massive Persecution of Christians

Polycarp (one of John’s disciples) burned to death

Revelation 2:8–9 NIV

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Jesus identifies himself

Double meaning

(1)Obvious meaning

(2) Smyrna known as a city that died and came back to life.

Earthquake destroyed the city

Rebuilt with help of Rome

Jesus says “I know”

Jesus meets us right where we are

Jesus knows what we are going through

He does not wait for us to come to him

All through the Gospels, Jesus goes and looks for the broken and suffering

How many times have you ever heard a sermon, song, or read a verse that just spoke to you in the middle of your circumstances?

Even if by Mercy Me

They say sometimes you win some Sometimes you lose some And right now, right now I'm losing bad I've stood on this stage night after night Reminding the broken it'll be alright But right now, oh right now I just can't

It's easy to sing When there's nothing to bring me down But what will I say When I'm held to the flame Like I am right now

I know You're able and I know You can Save through the fire with Your mighty hand But even if You don't My hope is You alone

Jesus met me right where I was

We are rich because of the inheritance and eternal hope that Jesus gives us

Revelation 2:10 NIV

10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Jesus recognizes and understands our pain

Satan uses pain to destroy our faith, but God uses pain to build our faith

Have you ever noticed that the times you feel closest to God are the times you are suffering the most?

How many times do we pray away the very thing that God wants to use to stretch and grow us?

Take away this health affliction

Take away the pain of my wayward child

Jesus experienced this in the Garden

He was tempted to pray away the pain

He yielded to his Father’s will

Because he did he knows first hand what pain and suffering feel like

He doesn’t promise to take the pain away

Jesus promises victory for those that are faithful

We don’t really grasp what true persecution is

We have freedom to worship

Massive persecution around the world of Christians

Stats show that over 275 Christians a day suffer and die for their faith

Polycarp’s last words

Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong.

Polycarp was faithful to the point of death

He received a victors crown

Not a temporary laurel crown

A crown of eternal life from the most prestigious one of all

Revelation 2:11 NIV

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

What has your faith cost you?

What are you facing right now that is more than you can take?