Fearless and Faithful

FEARLESS & FAITHFUL - Series - God Wins, part 3 Revelation 2:8-11 ​Intro: In our series called God Wins: A Study of the Book of the Revelation, we began looking at the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 last week. These 7 churches were actual, local, assemblies just like our church here. They existed at the end of the first century in what is today the nation of Turkey. Not only were they real churches but they also are representative of various churches down through the ages even to our time. In other words, throughout church history, there have always been churches like these - * Loveless churches like Ephesus, * Suffering churches like Smyrna, * Compromising churches like Pergamos, * Corrupt churches like Thyatira, * Dead churches, like Sardis, * Faithful churches like Philadelphia, * and Lukewarm churches like Laodicea! To each church Jesus gave a specific message: The first letter to Ephesus taught us that the church has been called to love God, its fellow members and the lost world around us. A church may have many admirable qualities, but if it lacks love for God and others it is in danger of God removing His hand of blessing. He admonishes this church to repent of their lack of love and to return back to their first and most important love. Smyrna, the church we will study this morning, has a different message. How to endure suffering for the cause of Christ. Smyrna is The Suffering Church in this list of 7. This is a church that is going through persecution because of their stand for the Lord. You will notice that there is no criticism of this church. Of the seven churches, only two escape any criticism: Smyrna and Philadelphia. At some time in your Christian journey you will be tempted to react in fear, lose heart and quit. Christ encourages us to trust Him and remain faithful even when it is not easy! Johns writes: Read Revelation 2:8-11 PRAY Imagine having to hide in order to do what we're doing right now because if we get caught, we would be arrested and tortured and made to renounce our faith publicly ... or be executed. That was the situation and daily reality for the little church in the beautiful city of Smyrna. Smyrna was located 35 miles north of Ephesus. The city was over a thousand years old when Christianity first arrived about 20 years after the death of Christ. The Smyrnians were proud of their city ... very proud ... and for good reason. Historians consider it to be one of the most beautiful Greek cities ever built. The city ... with its exquisite architecture and temples built on top of a mountain was highly visible from the harbor. On the slope facing the sea was one of the largest amphitheaters ever built ... seating over 25,000 spectators. Inscriptions on Smyrna's coins boasted that the city was "First in Asia in Size and Beauty." It possessed a safe harbor, where ships from all over the world came to buy and sell goods. The city was rich and prosperous. Interestingly, Smyrna city got its name from its chief export ... an aromatic extract taken from a thorny tree. The juice was extracted by "crushing" the plant and then boiling the sap into a thick resin know as ... "smyrna." Over time, "smyrna" became known as "myrrh." "Myrrh" was used throughout the ancient world as a base for perfume. For example, "myrrh" was one of the three gifts that the wisemen, gave to Mary and Joseph to honor the Christ child (Matthew 2:11). "Myrrh" was also used as an antiseptic. Jesus was offered a cup of wine mixed with smyrna or myrrh as He was dying on the cross to help deaden the pain of his suffering (Mark 15:23). "myrrh" was also used to embalm bodies. When Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body down from the cross and placed it in a tomb, they wrapped His body in linen cloth and placed 75 pounds of aloe and myrrh in the folds of the linen as a way to embalm Jesus body (see John 19:39). The name "Smyrna" means "bitter," and it came to be associated with suffering and death. And it perfectly describes what was happening to the church in the city. The Christians in this rich, beautiful city were being crushed and mercilessly persecuted for their faith. As one writer put it: "[The Christian community was] lying embalmed in the precious spices of its suffering." And it is in the midst of their affliction that the Lord Jesus comes to them with a word of comfort for their dark days. He tells them that even though they appear to be so weak and so poor, they are, in fact, rich beyond imagination. Practically and personally, there is a word here for everyone who has ever or will ever suffer for Jesus' sake. Let's look at our Lord's words to this struggling little congregation to find the encouragement we need to be able to stand when everyone else is against us. Let's begin here: I. Smyrna was a Crushed Church-vs.9-10 It is easy to see that this church was going through intense problems because of their testimony for the Lord Jesus. They were letting their light shine in a dark world and they were being persecuted for it. Notice how they were crushed. A. They Faced Intense Pressure - vs 9-10 Tribulation - The word means "pressure". It was used in that day to refer to crushing an object under the weight of very heavy stones. It refers to the stone wheels that were used to crush wheat to separate the kernel from the shell. This church was paying the price for their allegiance to Jesus. The pressure was on and they were suffering. The apostle Paul describes this kind of pressure this way in II Corinthians 1:8 "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:" This persecution did not come from the unbelievers in Smyrna alone. Verse 9 tells us that they were also suffering at the hands of the Jews. (Now I am not being racist here. Remember these words were given by Jesus who was Jewish and written down by the Apostle John who was also Jewish. They are just stating the facts!) And the facts are that the Jews in Smyrna joined hands with the idolaters in that city to defeat and destroy the Christians by whatever means necessary. Jesus calls them "the synagogue of Satan" and accuses them of blasphemy (slander) against these believers. Why did the people of Smyrna hate the believers so? There are several reasons. 1. The Jews and the pagans accused the Christians of cannibalism. Christians kept communion and part of that observance was eating the bread and drinking from the cup. These represented the broken body and the shed blood of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. 11:24-26. 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (They did not understand the symbolism) ​2. Christians were accused of being atheists because they did not worship the many gods of the pagans and because they used no statues and icons in their own worship. So, any natural disasters or other calamities were blamed on the Christians for incurring the wrath of the gods. 3. Christians were accused of being political enemies of Rome because they refused to say, "Caesar is Lord!" Every Roman citizen was required to do this every year. To fail to do so brought severe punishment and even death. (They lived and ministered under this pressure) B. They Faced Poverty, vs 9 Poverty - This word speaks of being "absolutely destitute". These poor people had nothing of this world's goods because of their relationship with the Lord Jesus. They were denied jobs and promotions because of their testimony. These people had nothing in a city that possessed everything. This kind of thing continues to happen today to God's people in India, China and many parts of Africa. Their houses and churches are often raided and burned. And it leaves these faithful followers of Jesus with little or nothing in the way of this earth's material goods. Imagine how Satan must have mocked these people. As they passed the ornate temples and walked down the marble streets, surely he said, "Serving Jesus has cost you everything!" Can you hear him whisper to them, "Look at you! You are nothing and you have nothing. Give up on Jesus. You are starving! Deny Him and prosper!" By the way the devil has been preaching his own prosperity gospel for thousands of years - the worldly way to riches and fame and pleasure. It is a temptation that Moses faced 1300 years before the time of Christ, Hebrews 11:24 - 26 tells us: By faith Moses, .... refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. C. They Faced Prison In verse 10, Jesus tells them that there is more trouble ahead! They will face more persecution. The "ten days" mentioned here might refer to the ten persecutions the Christians suffered under the Romans. Or, it might simply mean that they their persecution will be severe, but brief. Either way, they are informed that more pain and suffering is coming their way. Now, prison in that day was nothing like it is today. When people went to prison under the Roman system, they did not receive a college education, learn a skill and spend their days writing books and watching television. When a person went to prison in those days, it was to await execution. The only way you got out was to die. And, death was usually a horrible affair. You might be killed by a sword, burned alive, thrown to wild animals, or any of the dozens of other cruel methods of torture and torment they had devised. This was a suffering congregation! ​This should not shock us, nor should it surprise us. Jesus said that it would be this way, Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ​The reason the world hates the believer today is the same reason the world hated the believers then. They used all the excuses that I mentioned earlier, but the people of Smyrna hated the believers for just one reason: they loved Jesus! They hate us because we tell them there is one way to God and that His name is Jesus. They hate us because we tell them that they are headed to Hell unless they repent. They hate us because we will not join them and confirm them in their abominations. They hate us because we are different; They hate us today, but things are just going to get worse! It used to cost something to name the name of Jesus. Now, folks can call themselves a Christian and do what the world around them is doing. I think the day is coming when the fires of persecution will burn around us. I think God will use the hatred of humanity against His Son Jesus to purify the Bride of Christ before she is taken home to glory. I am not a prophet of doom, but I think there are some difficult days ahead for the faithful, people of God!) I. Smyrna Was A Crushed Church II. Smyrna was a Consistent Church-vs. 9 Even though they were paying a harsh price for their faithful love and service to the Lord Jesus, these people did not back up from their profession. They stayed the course and demonstrated a faithful testimony for the glory of God. A. They Had A Positive Testimony The Lord had been observing their walk and He was pleased. They were consistent! (Note: If He were to comment on our church, would He have any words of correction for us, or would He come to us with a positive word of encouragement?) B. They Had A Powerful Testimony Jesus says to them "I know thy works" - The word "works" refers to that "business which occupies a person's life." In spite of all the darkness around them, these people continued to be a light for Jesus in the midst of an ever darkening world. They were not intimidated by their enemies; they were not frightened by the hatred of their opponents. They proved they were genuine and that their faith was real by the way they carried themselves in that society. Their testimony was powerful because they stayed the course and stuck to the task for the glory of God! They were a consistent church! (Note: Regardless of what comes our way, we should ask the Lord to help us be consistent and faithful to Him. When we think of all that He has done for us, He deserves at least that much from us!) I. Smyrna Was A Crushed Church II. Smyrna Was A Consistent Church III. Smyrna was a Comforted Church-vs. 8-11 Jesus comes to this beleaguered little church and gives them a message of comfort they desperately needed to hear. Let's look deeper into our Lord's precious message to this suffering church and see how we can apply it to our own personal situation. A. They Had a Living Savior! Vs 1 When Jesus comes to this church, He comes as "the first and the last". He comes as He "which was dead, and is alive". This is the same declaration John the Revelator had given of Jesus in Chapter 1:17- 18 when he wrote: Re 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Oh yes, they harassed and beat our Savior when he was alive here on earth. They rejected Jesus and his message of hope and life and they put him through excruciating suffering and lead him away to die on a cruel Roman cross. He suffered and bled for us in the most horrible death possible. He did it because Jesus loved the church and gave himself for it! He did it because he loved you and I as individuals! For three days his body was dead but then he arose victorious over death, hell and the grave. Hope was restored, Eternal life was won for all who would believe in Jesus! As Don Francisco sang in his amazing song, He' Alive, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven Heaven's gates are open wide I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer. And just the time I need Him, He's always near Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives al fear is gone, because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives Since He is the One Who has been through the trials and conquered them all, He is able to help His people when they face the fires of persecution and hatred! B. They had Riches in Heaven, vs 9 Jesus says, "I know...thy poverty". They were poor beyond belief, but then He adds this statement, "but thou art rich". They may have lacked this world's goods, but their faith and the faithful display of their testimony had purchased them treasures in Heaven. They were poor here, but they were rich over there! They were heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. The world may have taken everything they had down here, but they had treasures on the other side that were safe from the hands of any enemy. Mt 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Note: The day may come when this world will take us and our property. They day may come when they threaten us with death. The day may come when our testimony becomes a death sentence in this world. If that day ever comes, take comfort that all you are giving up is what you would have lost at some point anyway. Even if every thing you have is taken away, including your life, the treasures you have laid up in Heaven are safe and your soul will merely be liberated to fly home to glory. C. They Had Encouragement to Overcome Jesus gives this church two words of encouragement: 1. BE FEARLESS! There is a natural shrinking from suffering. But our Lord encourages His own to face boldly the hatred and the violent opposition of the world, other religions and even the government. History tells us that the saints of God in those days of the early church responded faithfully to the challenge. One example of their fealess suffering comes to us from history, just a few years after they received this letter. In 155 A.D. persecution broke out against the church in Smyrna again. The mob wanted to cut off the church by getting rid of their leader, the now aged Polycarp. The believers hid Polycarp in a farmhouse. (The leaders there taught that one should not seek out martyrdom, but neither should it be avoided if there was no choice and it meant denying Christ). The authorities found the farm house and came to arrest the old man. He was arrested at the request of an angry mob that cried, "Away with the Atheists; let Polycarp be sought out!" Polycarp was brought into the arena. Instead of Polycarp begging for his life we find the proconsul pleading with this aged bishop to just curse Christ and say Caesar is Lord so he would be released. But this fearless man of God would not deny His Lord. Polycarp's reply was loud and clear: Eighty and six years have I served Him, and he never did me any injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior. He was burned alive for his faith. Believers were allowed to bury his remains on February 22. Churches near and far from Smyrna observed this date in years to come and drew strength from the testimony of this old man who would not deny Christ, no matter what it cost him. 2. BE FAITHFUL! "Be thou Faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." Being faithful is being full of faith, but it does not always mean we feel full of faith. Sometimes we are plagued with fears, doubts, temptations, and torments. Sometimes we don't know which way is up. We are discouraged or betrayed. Being faithful unto death has more to do with not giving up on God no matter what happens in life than with anything else. Being faithful sometimes comes down to just a holy stubbornness to trust the LORD no matter what comes our way. God is not searching for talent. God is not looking for wealth. God does not care about someone's fame. God is looking for men and women - of all ages - who will be faithful. They are not going to abandon Him when the going gets tough. They may fall - as we all do - but they will rise again. Peter is a great example. He fell - denied Christ three times - but he rose again. He was weak, but he was faithful. (a) Note the extent of faithfulness - unto death - may mean my life is taken early as a martyr for Christ, or it may mean that I stay faithful until my physical body wears out and my time on earth is done. (b) Notice the reward of faithfulness - a crown of life! Not a royal crown, but a victor's crown! The crown of life (like all the crowns mentioned in Scripture) is a form of honor and recognition that Jesus bestows upon those who faithfully serve and honor Him Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Did you know faithfulness and love are intertwined? Your love for God will cause you to be faithful, whereas your lack of faithfulness shows a lack of love for Jesus, doesn't it? It is also the crown of the overcomer. Verse 11 The lost man will die twice. He will live without God in this world and he will die. After death, he will go to Hell. Then he will stand before the Lord at the Great White Throne judgment and he will be sentenced to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, Rev. 20:11-15. That is the second death. The saints of God need never fear that happening to them. They have passed from death unto life, John 5:24. Their faith has bought them eternal life and they will be crowned with victory and glory when they arrive home. Thank God, there is far more waiting on us there than we will ever have down here! Conc: Church, it might get bad down here before we leave this world. There may be trials and there may be tribulations. There may be pain and there may be persecutions. But, I want you to know that, at the end of the road, we're going home to be with Jesus. So, press on my brother! Press on my sister! BE FEARLESS, BE FAITHFUL!