Faithful Is The Word
Letters To the Churches-Revelation 2 & # • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 34:55
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We all want to be part of a good church.
We all want to be part of a good church.
This was no different in first century.
Jesus is the first—preeminent one.
Jesus is the first—preeminent one.
As we open up our letter this morning we see this write at the begining. Smyrna as a culture boasted about being of the best, and one of the first to get a temple to one of the Caeasar’s.
Jesus is the last—the eternal one.
Jesus is the last—the eternal one.
Nothing comes after Jesus.
The city was once destroyed and rebuilt.
The city was once destroyed and rebuilt.
They took great pride in this. In fact, the ancient city of Smyrna is now modern day Izmir.
Jesus was dead and is now alive.
Jesus was dead and is now alive.
Before getting to the heart of the letter we start to hear the heart of Jesus. He wants his church to know who He is.
A suffering church is a simple church.
A suffering church is a simple church.
Stripped of many things in life a suffering church must be “pure” in not just doctrine but practice.
A suffering church is a powerful church.
A suffering church is a powerful church.
By most historians account this was not a very big church. They did not have a lot. We read they were poor, most likely literally. However a church who is suffering for Jesus has a power that other churches may not have.
Suffering is not the end.
Suffering is not the end.
The church was going to be hurting for a while. The point is not a literal 10 days, for that would be nothing. The point was to remember the suffering was not going to have the final word. Remember Jesus is the first and the last.
The call—be faithful at all costs.
The call—be faithful at all costs.
For the church of Smyrna this was the task. Stay the course!! Don’t give up!! Don’t worry about those who can kill you because I see you.
Jesus calls us to suffer.
Jesus calls us to suffer.
The point of suffering is not to have pain, affliction, and trouble. The point of suffering is to be like Jesus. I do not like this truth.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesus is more important than comfort—anything.
Jesus is more important than comfort—anything.
This is the hallmark of a good church. May this be part of our DNA.