Sermon 3 – The Blessings of deeds done for Jesus Christ
Thesis: Revelation paints a portrait for us of how Jesus knows about what transpires in His churches and He reminds us that he will bless those who stay faithful to Him.
Introduction: A couple of weeks back we started our treasure hunt through the Book of Revelation. We have been searching for the blessings that are recorded in this treasure chest of Christ. Today we will look more in detail at two churches found in the early chapters of this wonderful vision. These two churches are the only two bodies of Christ that are not corrected for doing things wrong in their service to the Kingdom.
Text:
Key Verse Revelation 14:13 "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes, " Says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna Church
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Revelation 3:7-13 Philadelphia Church
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
I. To the Church in Smyrna I see and know your pain. Revelation. 2:8-11
a. Historical background.
i. Smyrna was a beautiful city located on the coast about 40 miles north of Ephesus. It was one of the most prosperous cities in Asia. With typical Chamber of Commerce humility the city fathers called it "the pride of Asia." There was a hill named the Pagos which was located at the back of the city. On the crest of this hill were a number of pagan temples, forming a circle. The crest with all it’s temples resembled a crown when looking at it from a distance. The city received the name "the crown of Asia" as a result of it’s prosperity and it’s temple’s on the crest of the hill.
ii. The city was one of the major centers of emperor worship. The emperor temple had been erected in 26AD during the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Since the time of Christ many Christians were put to the test annually in claiming who was Lord. The Romans would charge others to say, "Caesar is Lord!" those who denied and said "Jesus is Lord" would face persecution from the Romans.
iii. The persecution they would face would be any one of the following: Fines, loss of Roman Citizenship and it’s rights, loss of property owned, loss of business owned, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, mental abuse, reputations destroyed, lies generated about them, hate crimes committed against them, families split apart, children taken away, abandoned by friends and family, imprisonment, stoning, whippings, beatings, bodily injury, and for some death.
1. The persecution did not just come from the Romans it also came from the Jews. There was a large community of Jews living within the city. These Jews were outright hostile to the Christians in the city. They were involved in lying about Christians and encouraging the Romans to deal with these cannibals, atheists, and immoral Christians.
2. It’s interesting to note that the name Smyrna means "Myrrh." It is a very fitting name for this church because myrrh is a perfume, whose aroma is released by crushing it.
b. Smyrna receives a message of understanding from Jesus "I KNOW", a message of encouragement (YOU ARE RICH!), and a message of hope "BE FAITHFUL ... AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE."
i. Jesus understands and knows about persecution.
ii. This church was being crushed with persecution and it had to be a spiritual adrenaline rush to receive a personal message from Jesus Christ.
iii. It is vitally important to have someone who understands what we are going through -- this is why support groups are helpful in facilitating healing. People can help each other persevere and make it when others empathize and understand.
1. I am absolutely convinced that we in America do not even know what real persecution is. We have no understanding of what these Christians were going through. It’s hard for people to truly understand persecution unless you have been through it.
2. It’s hard for many of us to empathize with the Jews who went through the Holocaust. I watched the movie Shindlers List and was deeply moved and hurt by what I saw. But to live through it is another story.
3. I cannot feel what they felt!
c. Jesus starts off his message of hope to this church by reminding them that He is the first and last. He will out live the Roman Empire and all the Jews. He will have the last word. His kingdom will be the only standing in the end.
i. This is a fact not wish!
ii. He also states a fact they need to never forget "These are the words of him...who died and came to life again."
iii. He is the only one who can make this statement of FACT. He died and rose again. He holds the keys of death and Hades. He is not a dead Jesus but an alive Jesus who vanquished, destroyed, overcame, dismantled death. He beat it and he controls it. Believe in the one who defeated death and you will live see Him and see victory.
1. He is the one that defeated death with it’s own weapon the cross. He controls death now and his sacrifice made it all possible.
2. Remember the promise to Abraham about having faith in God. Romans 4:17 "As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."
a. He gives life to the dead!
b. Not money, not fame, not power, not Satan, not evil powers, not Buddha, not Mohammed, not Islam, not governments, not Caesars, not politicians, not any other force in this universe.
c. God knew in the time of this writing who would win the battle raging in Smyrna over the souls of it’s people.
d. He knows what’s like to be abused and he understands their predicament!
i. He was beaten, whipped, mocked, kicked, punched, stabbed, and martyred on the cross of agony. He knew what affliction was he felt on his back, his hands, his feet and his legs.
ii. He understands what abuse is He felt and endured it for us.
iii. Jesus knew pain and persecution but he also knew the Father’s Word which stated, “ See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Jesus knew that he had to face the persecution of this world to accomplish the plan of the Father.
i. Jesus also warned the church that it to would under go times of persecution.
1. This is true today as well.
2. But even in their times of pain and suffering they need to remember He sits on the throne. When they see Him for who He is they should realize that they are not poor or in poverty. They need to not allow their focus to be on the persecution but keep their eyes fixed on His greater purpose of spreading new life.
3. When they do this they will discover that they are truly the richest people on the face the earth.
d. I wonder if the church is ready to handle adversity today. Persecution for Him?
i. How will you do if the church comes under persecution?
ii. In our name it and claim it society, in our prosperity culture, in our, “ We don’t have to suffer philosophy of ministry.”
iii. In our rights orientated society, in our,” Don’t have too mind set.”
iv. In our self centered mind-set and bless me club mentality.
v. How will you respond to a message from Christ that says, “I see your suffering” but, “I am not delivering you right now.” He then adds, “It will last longer. So endure patiently!”
vi. Will you cry that’s not fair! Lord! I believe we need a reality check on the law of fairness today in the church.
1. It was not fair that God had to send His Son Jesus to be abused, to be beaten, to be lied to, to be stabbed, to be nailed to the cross, to be crucified for our sins and evil deeds. It is not fair that Jesus had to leave Heaven and all it’s beauty behind so that we could be delivered
2. He did nothing wrong we did!
3. So now with that heart ringing in your heart let me ask, “Is it unfair to have to suffer for the sins of others when you have done nothing wrong?”
4. Point: Is it unfair to suffer a little while then for Him? Is it unfair to sacrifice your time, money, reputation, family, Job, property, and life?” Is it unfair to give your life for Christ, to lay down so that in reality you find eternal life?
e. Promise to this church is that those who give up their life for Christ kingdom will receive the “Crown of Life!”
i. It always amazes me how true this is. When we die to Christ we actually get real life! Eternal life. He gain meaning in this life when we die to self and live for Christ.
T.S.- This church was encouraged to stand firm to the end so that they would receive the blessings for their faithful deeds. Philadelphia church receives it’s exhortation as well.
II. To the Church of Philadelphia I have opened the door for you to win many to the kingdom. Revelation 3:7-13
a. Philadelphia churches name means brotherly love.
i. Historical Background: Philadelphia was founded around 150 B.C. by King Attallus of Pergamum, whose nickname was Philadelphus. This man was noted for the administration and love he had for his brother, Eumenes, and he named this city in honor of him.
1. Thus were we get the name the city of brotherly love.
ii. The city had been destroyed by an earthquake in 17 A.D. Sardis and other cities were destroyed by the earthquake and recovered quickly but Philadelphia suffered many after-shocks for a number of years. The result of theses after-shocks caused the people to flee regularly. It was even noted by some historians that some people lived in tents and huts outside the city for years until the shocks ceased.
b. Revelation gives us some more of the attributes of Jesus Christ. More pieces to the puzzle are revealed. The veil is removed more with these insights.
i. These words reveal more of who he is:
1. Jesus is Holy -- morally perfect.
a. His character is without flaw or blemish.
b. There is no evil in him
c. Thomas tells us this about the title Holy "Holy" characterizes Jesus, ....as set apart belonging exclusively to God. Though He was opposed and rejected by the Synagogue and Jews. Christ is still characteristically Holy. Since He is Holy His words are Holy. Holy anointed words and messages therefore are to be obeyed.
2. Jesus is always True -- he is genuine truth which means there is no falsehood in him.
a. What he says he will do.
b. He is the one force that will prevail in the end.
c. He is trustworthy to his inner most core.
d. Thomas - this title emphasizes Christ’s authenticity. It tells us He is real not a myth or story but reality. He states, "This term has to do with reality, however. When confronted by Christ, we are confronted by no shadowy outline of the truth, but with the truth itself" (273).
e. With the fact established that Christ is true they are reassured that when Christ promises something he deliver it and fulfill His promises.
i. In other words he is your best bet in life!
3. He possesses the key of David.
a. Taken from Isaiah 22 -- In the days of king Hezekiah there was an official Shebna. He was the chief-of-staff in charge of the palace or white house. He had been caught in a personal scam run for his own personal gain. God reveals to the swindler that he is going to take him and whirl him around and around like a discus thrower, and cast him into a distant country.(Isa. 22:18). It was a prophetic prediction that he would be banished to Babylon. In his place God would set up a godly man named Eliakim, and God notes this about him, "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open"(Isa. 22:17). Info from Stedman.
b. Others note that Christ’s ministry is that which unlocks the Old Testament and therefore acknowledges his having the key!
i. Key - means a symbol of power.
ii. Thomas notes - Christ in his fulfilled sense controls the entrance To David’s House, which ultimately refers to the Messianic kingdom. His Davidic lineage and authority are hinted at in Rev1:5. The claims by the Jewish contingency in Phil. That they hold the keys to the kingdom of Heaven were clearly refuted here.
4. Jesus is the only one who opens and shuts doors for a church.
a. Designates who has the power to create opportunities and who has the power to close opportunities in life. Success rests in God’s hands of blessing not ours.
b. This phrase also points to who has the power to admit into or exclude from His kingdom.
5. Jesus says, “ I know “ which screams at us that he sees all, hears all! Nothing gets by him.
a. The message reveals again Christ’s intimate knowledge of His church and what it’s current condition is like.
c. The Little Church that could receives a commendation from the Alpha and Omega – from the Lord for it’s faithfulness.
i. "I know you deeds...you have little power, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name." (Rev. 3:8)
1. Illustration --The Little Train That Could-- from the book "The Littlest Engine."
2. His famous "I think I can, I think I can." Attitude helps him pull a heavy load up a mountain. The people on the train keep encouraging him that he can do it. All the big trains said he couldn’t. They even told him not to even try. But he tries and he does it!
3. This church is similar to the little engine. All the world and others say they cannot do the task for His kingdom because of their size.
a. Yet because he believed he could and others encourage him he could he succeeds in completing this major task.
b. Jesus is pumping up this church in the same way saying they can and will do their job for him in the kingdom and their size means nothing.
c. Philadelphia is one of two churches that Jesus had no complaint against. This church is one of two which receives a commendation for their labors. It is considered to be a small church with not many people in it. But they will out do the bigger churches.
i. Jesus states I know your size and your little strength "I know your works." and I am going to bless you. He wants to bless them because He states, "...you have kept my command to endure patiently.”
4. Elliot states, "How wonderful that Jesus says to them in verse 8, ‘I know your deeds.’ They’re only little, they’re small, they’re insignificant (in the world’s eyes) but Jesus knows them. What does Jesus know about them? ‘I know your deeds. You have kept My word, you have not denied My name. ’That’s what Jesus knew about them."
5. Size did not matter to Jesus but faithfulness to His kingdom does.
6. This church was small but it said:
a. We can make a difference!
b. We can make a difference in the middle of this pagan city for Jesus!
c. We can make a difference by being testimonies to God’s brotherly love.
d. We can win the Jews to Christ because Jesus holds the key of David.
e. We will overcome their opposition by our Love and by His love.
7. Unity and love with no compromising is what Jesus saw and Jesus says, "YES!" I see, I know, they can, they will because I open the doors and shut the doors. Size does not matter opposition does not matter, paganism does not matter, earthquakes do not matter it’s 100% commitment to Christ.
a. This church is never addressed as having any serious spiritual problems in their standing with Christ. They were focused and dedicated to Jesus Christ.
ii. Stedman notes this about our text, "...teaches us something very important. It says that an open door is given when a church fulfills the conditions that will allow it to move through that door once it has been opened. Chief among those conditions is that it has discovered the power of the spirit. It is spiritual power the Lord is talking about. It is not so much strength as it is power-- power obtained by faith in Christ, ie by expecting God to act" (2).
d. The promises to the little church Rev. 3:9-13:
i. "I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars -- I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole word to test those who live on the earth."
1. The promises from Jesus to His faithful church:
a. First promise –
i. A church that stays faithful to the message of Christ will see Satan’s demise in their city. They will see those who are opposed to Christ come to Christ and acknowledge that His church is the true church.
ii. Stedman states, "To a church that is responsive and ready to be used, the Lord will use his power to "open and shut" to make their enemies respect them and openly acknowledge God’s blessing upon them. We saw this phrase, ‘the synagogue of Satan," used also in the letter to the persecuted church at Smyrna. It referred to certain Jews in that city who claimed to be spiritual descendents of Abraham but on actuality they were only his physical descendants; their attitude toward the truth of God was far removed from Abraham’s faith. The Lord himself continually confronted the Pharisees who claimed to be Abraham’s descendants, but Jesus said to them, "You are of your father the devil,"(John 8:44). So here in the city of Philadelphia Jesus refers to this Jewish opposition as ‘the synagogue of Satan’ but something amazing happens. The some how will come to respect the Christians"(3).
iii. Some scholars believe this means they get saved and come to know Christ.
b. The second promised is that the faithful church will be delivered from the hour of trial:
i. Could be reference to being protected under his wings through trials and tribulations.
ii. Some believe it is a reference to the church being raptured in the end times from the Great Tribulation .
c. The third promise:
i. Revelation 3:11-13 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
ii. He that holds on will receive the blessing of being a pillar in the temple of God forever.
iii. This means that they will be a support in God’s eternal Kingdom.
iv. Being an over-comer is also insinuated in this promise.
· Stedman states, "A pillar is a symbol of strength and permanence. Our Lord is promising those who hold on to what they have, a position in the life to come of strength and permanence; they will be someone who upholds things."
d. Promise four is that they will receive a new name:
Conclusion:
Smyrna is promised “The Crown of Life” if she endures to the end – It’s a glorious crown that will last forever!
Philadelphia is promised:
1. They will see people (The Jews) come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
2. They will be delivered from the hour of trial.
3. They will become a pillar of strength for all to admire in God’s throne room forever.
4. They will receive a new name which will tell of their faithfulness to the Lord.
