We Will Overcome p5

1. Grace:

a. There is only one answer, God’s Grace was Sufficient for them! We are all going to face trials, tests, persecution, and slander; there’s going to be attacks against the church, and against the Christian. But we must know that His Grace is Sufficient for us.

b. The more grace you need, the more grace He’ll give. When your back is to the wall and you cry out to God; when everybody sinks into depression and gives up, that grace will come. That sufficiency will come.

2. Fear Not:

a. He tells them, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer…” He’s saying that some will go to jail for your faith, but KNOW that I’m the One Who allowed it, and you will come through it with a testimony. He’s never let His Child go through anything but that He was turning it to you and me for a testimony. Think about all the trials and tests you’ve come through; God has made them your testimony!

b. The church of Smyrna was slandered, poverty stricken, persecuted, yet Jesus tells them, “Thou art rich!” No other New Testament Church was this said about. Yet to a people the devil thought he had on the ropes, Jesus Himself said, “Thou art rich!” HALLELUJAH!!!

3. Jesus our Salvation:

a. What did this church have that would cause God, despite what they were facing, to say “Though art rich?” They possessed a LIVING SAVIOUR, a GREAT HEAVELY HIGH PRIEST Who knew what they were going through! Hebrews 4:14-16 says, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have NOT an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need.”

b. The reason this Church of Smyrna could overcome and be called “rich” is because they had a Saviour Who understood EVERYTHING they were going through. He understood the persecution, He understood the slander, and He understood the poverty. He breaks in and says, “I know the blasphemy, I know the persecution, I know the poverty. I KNOW!” If they were poor, He had been more destitute than the birds in the air and more homeless than the foxes of the field. And He says to this church, “I’ve got a crown of life to give you at the end of this journey!”

Conclusion:

• He understands exactly where you’re at. Don’t say, “Nobody knows what I’m going through. Nobody seems to care.” HE KNOWS! HE CARES! He knew it before it ever came exactly what you were going to face. He went through what you’re going through and much, much more. He knows what it is to go through it and come out victorious! He’s saying this morning, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!!!”