Welcome, cherished family of faith, to our gathering today. It's a joy to see each one of you here, gathered in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. Our lives, interwoven in the tapestry of God's grand design, have led us to this very moment.
Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds towards a theme that is as profound as it is simple, as challenging as it is comforting, and as timeless as it is immediate: Sacrificial Love. This love, my dear friends, was displayed in its purest form by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a love that calls us to be Soldiers of Faith in the battlefield of life. And it is a love that compels us to serve others as a reflection of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
Another thing that is happening at this moment…I have stumbled into a sermon series. Now I say stumble, but it is God’s plan that we deal with the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Because in this day and time it seems to be more applicable to us as we watch the world go to hell in a handbag.
[Title: Strength in Times of Trouble]
We have already looked at the loveless church and the compromised church. Now we are going to look at the persecuted church.
Today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of Revelation 2:8-11, a passage that pulsates with a profound message of perseverance, promise, and power. It reads:
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
Revelation 2:8-11
In the heart of this passage, we find a message that resonates with our own experiences, our own trials, and our own tribulations. It's a message that calls us to persevere through pain, to hold onto the promise of reward, and to find power in our faith.
We are not alone in our struggles. We are not alone in our pain. We stand in the company of believers throughout the centuries who have faced trials and tribulations, who have clung to the promises of God, and who have found strength in their faith.
Consider the words of Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, who once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." These words echo the sentiment of our passage today, reminding us that in our struggles, in our pain, we are thrown not into despair, but into the arms of our Savior, our Rock, our Redeemer.
As we stand on the precipice of this passage, let us not forget that we are not mere spectators, but active participants in the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan. We are called to persevere, to hold onto the promise, and to find power in our faith.
Perseverance in Pain
When we look at the church in Smyrna, we see a community that was well-acquainted with pain. They were living in a city that was hostile to their faith. They were facing persecution, poverty, and slander. Yet, amid their suffering, they remained faithful. They persevered. They held onto their faith, even when it would have been easier to let go.
This is the kind of perseverance that we are called to have in our own lives. We are called to hold onto our faith, even when we are facing trials and tribulations. We are called to trust in God, even when we can't see the end of our suffering. We are called to persevere, even when the pain is overwhelming.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12
Now, let's look at the first aspect of this idea of perseverance in pain. The first thing we need to understand is that pain is a part of life. It's not something we can avoid or escape. It's not something we can ignore or deny. It's a reality that we all must face at some point in our lives. During that pain we learn and grow.
The Bible doesn't shy away from this reality. In fact, it confronts it head-on. In the book of Job, we see a man who was well-acquainted with pain. He lost his wealth, his health, and his family. He faced unimaginable suffering. Yet, during his pain, he held onto his faith. He trusted in God, even when he didn't understand why he was suffering.
This brings us to the second aspect of this idea of perseverance in pain. The Bible doesn't just acknowledge the reality of pain, it also gives us a way to respond to it. It gives us a model of perseverance that we can follow in our own lives.
In the book of James, we are told to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials of many kinds. This isn't because the trials themselves are joyful, but because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. It's through our trials, through our pain, that we learn to persevere. It's through our suffering that we learn to trust in God, even when the circumstances of our lives are difficult.
This leads us to the third aspect of this idea of perseverance in pain. The Bible doesn't just give us a model of perseverance, it also gives us a reason to persevere. It gives us a promise that we can hold onto amid our pain.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
This is a promise that we can hold onto, even amid our pain. It's a promise that gives us hope, even when our circumstances seem hopeless.
Finally, the fourth aspect of this idea of perseverance in pain is the power that comes from our faith. Our faith gives us the strength to persevere, even when our circumstances are difficult. It gives us the courage to face our pain, even when it's overwhelming. It gives us the hope to hold onto, even when our circumstances seem hopeless.
In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This is a powerful statement of faith. It's a declaration of the power that comes from our faith in Christ. It's a reminder that we are not alone in our pain. We have a Savior who is with us, who strengthens us, and who gives us the power to persevere.
So, as we consider this idea of perseverance in pain, let's remember the example of the church in Smyrna. Let's remember their faithfulness during their suffering. Let's remember their perseverance in the face of persecution. And let's strive to follow their example in our own lives. Let's strive to hold onto our faith, even when we are facing trials and tribulations. Let's strive to trust in God, even when we can't see the end of our suffering. And let's strive to persevere, even when the pain is overwhelming. Because in the end, it's through our perseverance that we find the power, the promise, and the presence of our Savior.
Promise of Reward
During our tribulations, we find a beacon of hope in the promise of reward. This promise is not a fleeting whisper in the wind, but a resounding declaration from the throne of God Himself. It is a promise that transcends our earthly understanding and reaches into the very heart of eternity.
The promise of reward is not a mere afterthought in the grand account of God's redemptive plan. It is intricately woven into the fabric of our faith, serving as a constant reminder of our eternal inheritance. Let’s look back to Revelation 2:10, we find these words:
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
This is not a promise of earthly riches or temporal success, but of eternal life, an imperishable crown that will never fade away. This is not a promise of ease, but of endurance. It is a reminder that our trials are not without purpose but are a part of God's refining process. The crown of life is not a reward for our work, but a gift of grace. It is a testament to the unchanging character of God, who is faithful to fulfill His promises. The crown of life is not a symbol of our achievements, but a reflection of God's steadfast love and mercy. It is a reminder that our faithfulness is not in vain but is rewarded with eternal life.
The promise of reward is not a distant dream, but a present reality. It is not a future event, but a present possession. In Revelation 2:11, we read these words: "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." This is not a promise for the future, but a declaration for the present. It is a reminder that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
The promise of reward is not a solitary note, but a symphony of divine assurances. It is not a single verse, but a chorus of scriptural truths.
The crown in this verse refers not to a kingly crown, but to a victor's crown, like that was given in ancient athletic games. This term is used in other passages of the New Testament, such as 1 Corinthians 9:25, where Paul uses it to describe the imperishable crown that awaits those who run the race of faith with perseverance. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul speaks of the "crown of righteousness" that the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to him on the day of His return.
In Revelation 2:9, we find these words:
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
This is not a promise of earthly wealth, but of spiritual riches. It is a reminder that our true wealth is not measured in material possessions, but in our relationship with God. The promise of reward is not a hollow echo, but a resounding truth. It is not a vague notion, but a concrete reality. This is not a promise of worldly success, but of spiritual prosperity. It is a reminder that our true riches are not in this world, but in the kingdom of God.
The promise of reward is not a distant star, but a guiding light. It is not a faint glimmer, but a blazing beacon.
The promise of reward is not a fleeting shadow, but a solid rock. It is not a shifting sand, but a firm foundation. In Revelation 2:11, we find these words: "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." This is not a promise of escape, but of victory. It is a reminder that our victory is not in our strength, but in the power of God.
Jesus let’s the church known that He is aware of their persecutors, the synagogue of Satan. The believers at Smyrna were under attack not only from Rome but also from militant apostate Jews and from the Devil himself. Jesus called this group "a synagogue of Satan." This reference is very specific; Jesus is not referring to all Jews, or all synagogues, but only to a specific faction which apparently plagued the churches of both Smyrna and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9). If you are following in our study of the book of Acts, Paul speaks of these envious Jews who persecuted him during his missionary journeys’. Jesus knows our problems and He asks us to endure, and in so doing we will receive the reward of eternal life in heaven. Jesus gives us strength in times of trouble.
Power in Faith
Power in Faith, dear friends, is the anchor that steadies our ship in the stormy seas of life's trials. It is the compass that guides us when the path is cloaked in darkness. It is the fuel that propels us forward when we feel like we can't take another step. It is the lifeline that pulls us up when we're sinking in the quicksand of despair.
Our faith, grounded in the unchanging truth of God's Word, empowers us to persevere through life's trials. It's like a mighty oak tree, standing tall and strong against the howling winds of adversity. Its roots, deeply embedded in the fertile soil of God's love, draw nourishment and strength, enabling it to withstand the fiercest storms.
This brings us to the first aspect of Power in Faith, which is the strength to endure. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, speaks of being hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. This, dear friends, is the power of faith. It is the ability to stand firm, to keep going, to persevere, despite the trials and tribulations that come our way. It is the strength to endure, not in our own power, but in the power of the One who lives within us. By the power of Jesus Christ.
The second aspect of Power in Faith is the courage to trust. Trusting God, especially in the midst of trials, requires courage. It requires us to let go of our fears, our doubts, our need for control, and to place our lives in His hands. It's like stepping off a cliff and trusting that He will catch us. It's scary, it's risky, but it's also liberating.
When I was seminary School, I learned preaching from Dr. Gardner Taylor, a pastor who had been around. I’ll never forget those lectures. I remember him telling a story from when he was preaching in Louisiana during the Depression. Electricity was just coming into that part of the country, and he was out in a rural, black church that had just one little light bulb hanging down from the ceiling to light up the whole sanctuary. He was preaching away, and in the middle of his sermon, the electricity went out. The building went pitch-black, and Dr. Taylor didn’t know what to say, being a young preacher. He stumbled around until one of the elderly deacons sitting in the back of the church cried out, “Preach on, preacher! We can still see Jesus in the dark.” Sometimes that’s the only time we can see him — in the dark, in the middle of our troubles. And the good news of the gospel is that whether we can see him in the dark, he can see us in the dark.
The third aspect of Power in Faith is the hope to believe. Hope, in the biblical sense, is not a wishy-washy, maybe-it-will-happen kind of hope. It's a confident expectation, a sure and certain assurance, that what God has promised, He will do. It's the hope that anchors our souls, that gives us the courage to face our trials, and the strength to endure them.
The fourth and final aspect of Power in Faith is the love to serve. Love, as we know, is the greatest commandment. It's the hallmark of our faith, the evidence of our transformation, the fruit of the Spirit at work in us. Love compels us to serve others, to put their needs above our own, to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world.
So, dear friends, let us embrace the power of our faith. Let us draw strength from the One who lives within us. Let us have the courage to trust Him, the hope to believe in His promises, and the love to serve others. Let our faith be the anchor that steadies us, the compass that guides us, the fuel that propels us, and the lifeline that pulls us up. Let it be our shield in the day of battle, our refuge in the storm, our comfort in sorrow, and our joy in the morning. Let it be the power that enables us to persevere through life's trials.
Conclusion
As we close our time together today, let's hold onto the truth that God's love for us is unchanging, unwavering, and unending. We've been reminded today that even in the midst of our trials and tribulations, God is with us. He's not distant or detached. He's right there in the thick of it with us, offering His strength, His comfort, and His peace.
As Jesus told the church in Smyrna, He says to us today…I know you are going to go through some stuff, but I am here with you walking you through it, and all you must do is trust and walk through it. And in so doing you will not taste the second death, the death of your soul as you are thrown into the lake of fire for eternity.
Remember, friends, our struggles don't define us. It's how we respond to them that truly matters. And we have a choice. We can let our trials pull us down, or we can use them as steppingstones, drawing us closer to our Savior. We can let our pain lead us to despair, or we can let it drive us to the One who promises to wipe away every tear from our eyes.
We're not promised an easy journey, but we are promised a wonderful heavenly destination. And while the road may be rocky, we can take comfort in knowing that we're not walking it alone. Our Savior, the first and the last, who died and came to life, is right there with us, every step of the way. So, let's leave here today with hearts full of hope, knowing that Christ Jesus is bigger than any trial we may face. Let's leave here today with a renewed commitment to persevere, to hold onto God's promises, and to find strength in times of trouble.
