Looking Beyond Suffering
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
I believe on the the purposes of the Scripture is to call the believer to readiness.
In Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches (located in present day Turkey).
Last week we launched this Series with the Church in Ephesus.
In Ephesus, we learned that the true and living church is marked by fervent love.
If the Church (the believers) listen to this message and practices love, Jesus grants to them a promise:
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
Because of Adam’s sin, Adam and Eve—and humanity were driven away from the Tree of Life and the Garden.
But Christ makes a promise to those that conquer and overcome—they will, in the end, “eat” of the tree (eternal life), and experience the “paradise of God”—the perfect peace of God’s presence.
From Ephesus, now Jesus addresses the church in Smyrna.
Smyrna was on the the greatest cities of the region.
It enjoyed natural advantages, including an excellent harbour at the head of a well-protected gulf.
Smyrna was a planned city—and considered very beautiful.
It was one of the first cities to worship the Roman emperor and it won the honor of erecting a temple to him in the reign of Tiberius.
We are not told how the church in Smyrna came to be—but one can assume that it was probably a church plant from Ephesus.
It was to this church that Jesus sent a message:
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.’
The church in Smyrna was experiencing significant persecution. They did not have much—and now there character was being maligned.
In these words of Jesus to Smyrna, we are going to discover how the church (and the believer) can look beyond suffering.
Maybe you are experiencing suffering because of your faith.
You find yourself attempting to defend the truths of Christ to those who at one time embraced faith—but now they oppose biblical principles.
You find even family members questioning the moral truths of God’s Word.
You have become discouraged because people have suggested that to hold onto the World of God—you hate, you are mean, you are closed minded, your beliefs are unacceptable in a modern (post-modern ) society.
What can you do? How can we look beyond our suffering?
Point 1
Reflect on Christ
Reflect on Christ
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.
The church and the believer draws their strength from the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus reminds the reader of His authority and His power.
Jesus refers to Himself as the “first and the last.”
Old Testament title for God (see Is 44:6 and Is 48:12)
He is the eternal, infinite God, who already existed when all things were created, and who will continue to exist.
Jesus establishes is Supremacy.
Jesus also refers to Himself as the One “who died and came to life.”
He died in His human body as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
But now has come to life and lives forever according to the power of an indestructible life!
So, Jesus reminds the believer of His credentials to lead us through suffering and into victory (suffering is not the end of the story).
Application: Keep your eyes (intellect, emotions, and actions) focused on Jesus Christ—not on the suffering, humiliation, or slander that may come your way.
Remember, Jesus Christ defines you, not this world!
Point 2—Secondly, in light of our focus on Jesus:
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
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.
Remember, Jesus knows what you are going through.
The church in Smyrna was facing intense pressure because of their faithfulness to Jesus Christ for three reasons:
First, Smyrna (the city) has been fanatically devoted to Rome—serving as the leading center for the cult of emperor worship.
Though the Christians willingly submitted to the emperor’s civil authority (see Romans 13:1-7), they refused to offer sacrifices to them.
They were then branded rebels and faced the wrath of the Roman government.
Second, Christian refused to participate in pagan religion in general.
They were denounced as atheists.
Much of Smyrna’s social life revolved around pagan worship, and Christians were viewed as antisocial for refusing to participate.
Third, the believers at Smyrna faced significant slander from those Jews who hated and rejected Jesus Christ.
When facing intense pressure from society to conform, it is natural for react in fear.
Fear can become a powerful motivator to respond with anger, hatred toward the community—or respond by withdrawing and shunning from the community (often times both).
But the Scripture invite us to a different approach that is motivated, not by fear, but in love.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
If you are being overwhelmed by fear, you need to understand that something is wrong.
Fear reveals that you might be heading toward danger—or fear can expose deficiencies in your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
The Scripture gives us the answer:
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
That is way looking to Jesus gives you the lifeline you need to overcome fear (due to suffering).
When you cast all your anxieties on Christ, you are in a much better position to fulfill something that is very critical in looking beyond suffering.
Point 3—When you look to Jesus and you cease to be ruled by fear, you then can:
Remain Faithful
Remain Faithful
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.
Jesus was telling the church not to quit. Keep on keeping on. I know what you are going through and you can do this! It wont be easy—but their is a crown of life waiting for you!
Yes, there is the devil, and he is hard at work—but even the devil cannot define you! Jesus does! Keep the faith—be faithful!
The Apostle Paul wrote:
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
What Paul wrote is what you should declare over your life. Put it in the present tense and declare: “I will fight the good fight. I will finish this race. I will keep the faith!
There is a victors crown waiting for you—with your name on it! It is more than a trophy on a shelf gathering dust. It is a promise of eternal life—a life permanently established in the presence of God!
The suffering you might be facing is only for a season—but one day we will behold that One who saved us by His grace. And with our own eyes we will see Him and worship Him.
Friend, tribulation has a shelf life. As the Scripture reminds us and that worship chorus declared: “Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning.”
Joy is coming. Don’t let suffering rob you of God’s joy!
Point 4—So, what do we do? Keep your eyes on Jesus—don’t be afraid—remain faithful, and finally...
Finish what You Started
Finish what You Started
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.’
There is a phrase that is used to close each of the letters to the seven churches of Revelation.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
It stressed the vital significance of what God says in Scripture, and emphasizes believers’ responsibility to heed it.
The promise to “he who overcomes” or “he who conquers”is for all Christians, promising that they will not be hurt by the second death.
Though persecuted believers may suffer the first, physical death, they will not experience the second death of hell (see Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8).
So let’s finish this race!
Conclusion
Smyrna is one of two churches out of the seven that did not receive correction or an admonishment for sinful behavior.
Maybe because of their loyalty to God—there has been a Christian presence in Smyrna—even to the present day.
Even experiencing intense persecution by the Ottomans and its successor, Turkey—forcing many Christians to leave Turkey, a witness of Christ continues. And may we continue to pray for this conclave to provide hope through the Gospel of Christ.
So, just as the Christian community of Smyrna—facing two thousand years of suffering—let’s look beyond our suffering, by...
Reflecting on Christ.
By abandoning the power of fear.
By remaining faithful.
And by finishing what we started.
Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion
How can suffering hinder our faith in Christ?
How can focusing on Christ enable the believer to overcome fear and resentment?
Why is faithfulness an important ingredient to seeing beyond suffering?
What do you thing are ways for the believer to overcome the temptation to quit?
