Sermons on Smyrna:

The Beat Up Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 8, 2011

The Church at Smyrna is a church which received no criticism from the Lord but much abuse from both the culture and the "congregation" (those who ’say’ they are Jews)

The Unveiling The “Beat Up” or “Bloodied” Church Revelation 2:8-11 * From my observation we live in an increasingly violent culture. Hardly a day passes when we don’t hear of someone being killed or attacked. An honest look at our entertainment would indicate that America has bought into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

"the Crown Of Life" Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Jul 18, 2023

This city’s unique relationship with Rome made Smyrna a primary target for persecution. Assuring them he knows what they are about to go through, Christ promises them (and us) the crown of life.

To best understand the letter to Smyrna, we need to understand this city’s close relationship to Rome and the Empire. Compared to the others, Smyrna and Rome are the most closely aligned for good reason. Two hundred years before Christ, Rome was at war with Hannibal and the Carthaginians. That ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:7-12

Gloom, Despair, And Agony On Me Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Aug 5, 2010

What do you do when you have one of those days? Jesus' letter to Smyrna gives us great encouragement in suffering.

How many of you remember the “Hee-Haw” Show in the 70’s-80’s? •How many would never admit to it if you did remember? “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me”. Some of us have one of those days. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Smyrma Church Series

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on May 26, 2014

The that we model ourselves after.

THE SMYRMA CHURCH Rev.2: 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Pain Won’t Last Forever Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Oct 28, 2011

Smyrna received no criticism from Christ, one of the only ones in Revelation 2-3. But they were going through terrible persecution. Jesus gives them comforting counsel and promises in Revelation 2:8-11.

The Pain Won’t Last Forever Sermon 2 in the Series “You’ve Got Mail” Chuck Sligh July 31, 2022 For the PowerPoint for the sermon, write me at chucksligh@hotmail.com. TEXT: Revelation 2:8-11 – “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of The Kingdom – The Second – The Wheat And The Tares – Part 2 Of 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 3, 2025

The tares are still alive today with growing false doctrine and practices. At the end of the age they are taken away to leave the righteous for the Kingdom on earth. There is a lot of application to Israel here in the Tribulation and after. The church at Smyrna is also considered.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE SECOND – THE WHEAT AND THE TARES – Part 2 of 2 In this Part 2 of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares, we will concentrate on the prophetic side of the Parable and take a look at the church at Smyrna. Let us revise the scripture again – FROM MATTHEW – {{Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:29-30, Matthew 13:36, Matthew 13:37-39, Matthew 13:40-42, Revelation 20:14, Matthew 13:43, Matthew 24:3, Matthew 24:14, Revelation 21:1, Matthew 12:39, Matthew 24:37-42, Matthew 25:31-34, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:35-40, Isaiah 11:9, Revelation 2:8-9, Revelation 2:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ Call’s For Moral Courage Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

SMYRNA WAS A SMALL BUT DEDICATED CHURCH. THEY COURAGEOUSLY FACE PERSECUTION AND ARE REMINDED OF THE PROMISED REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. THE SECOND OF SEVEN IN THE SERIES.

CHRIST CALL’S FOR MORAL COURAGE REVELATION 2:12-17 TODAY WE LOOK AT THE THIRD OF SEVEN MESSAGES THAT GOD GIVES THE CHURCH THROUGH HIS SERVANT JOHN. EPHESUS WAS A CHURCH THAT HAD LOST IT’S FIRST LOVE, SMYRNA WAS A STRUGGLING CHURCH THAT KEPT THE FAITH IN SPITE OF GREAT PERSECUTION. PERGAMOS WAS A ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of Philadelphia (A Loving Church)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Aug 8, 2025

The church of Philadelphia and Smyrna were two churches that the Lord Jesus did not have any words of condemnation for.

Does this mean they were perfect? Absolutely not! For example, the Bible tells us that Job was perfect and upright man. Does that mean Job was perfect and sinless? No, the only perfect sinless man to walk on this earth was the Lord Jesus. Let me explain how the word PERFECT IS USED IN THE ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

When Suffering Strikes Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on May 29, 2016

Churches Then & Now: Smyrna – When Suffering Strikes – Revelation chapter 2 verses 8-11 – sermon by Gordon Curley. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Address (8a). (2). Attribute (vs 8b). (3). Approval (vs 9-10a). (4). Accusation. (5). Advice (vs 10). (6). Assurance (vs 11). SERMON BODY: Ill: • “We don’t look alike, we don’t act alike. • We don’t dress alike. • We have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Brethren

Just Say No!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 7, 2021

Just say no to Satan. Sounds easy, right? The church at Smyrna had a tough time with it. What can we learn from that church's experiences?

Just say no! Revelation 2:8-11 Michael H. Koplitz In this letter, we have to the church at Smyrna we do not have any opening words of compliment to the church. Instead, we have one particular message that Christ was sent to the church. That message is that Satan is still alive and well and is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Transformed By Truth: Lessons From The Seven Churches Of Revelation 2:1–3:22 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 27, 2024

May these lessons from the seven churches of Revelation inspire us to pursue wholehearted devotion to Christ and faithful obedience to His Word. Let us be transformed by the truth and live as faithful witnesses in the world.

Transformed by Truth: Lessons from the Seven Churches of Revelation 2:1–3:22 Introduction: Today, we embark on a profound exploration of the messages delivered to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. These messages, addressed by Christ Himself through the apostle John, offer timeless ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5, Matthew 22:37, Matthew 5:10, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Romans 13:11, Revelation 3:8, James 4:8, Hebrews 10:36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rich In Poverty Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

There are rich Christians who live in utter poverty says Jesus. But to the church in Smyrna He says, "I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich!" So you have in the judgment of Jesus your poor Christians who are rich, and your rich Christians who are poor.

One of the great paradoxes of life is the fact that the poor can be richer than the rich. Poverty is no necessary hindrance to being wealthy. Wealth, on the other hand, is no guarantee of being truly rich. Even rich Christians are often not rich just because they have wealth. Charles Schultz, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Pergamum - The Compromizing Church Series

Contributed by Dan Campbell on Feb 10, 2003

The inland city of Pergamum was located about fifty-five miles north of Smyrna, along the fertile valley of the Caicus River. It was built on the southern slope of a hill that rises almost one thousand feet from the surrounding plain that provided both b

THE REVELATION OF JESUS PERGAMUM - THE COMPROMISING CHURCH Revelation 2: 12-17 The inland city of Pergamum was located about fifty-five miles north of Smyrna, along the fertile valley of the Caicus River. It was built on the southern slope of a hill that rises almost one thousand feet from ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Revelation 1

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 19, 2020

What is Revelation all about? What are the mysterious creatures and other symbols supposed to mean? This is a series for personal and group Bible Studies discovering the real secrets in the book of Revelation.

What is Revelation all about? What are the mysterious creatures and other symbols supposed to mean? This is a series for personal and group Bible Studies discovering the real secrets in the book of Revelation. Most of the quotes are from the Public Domain King James Bible, not because I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Philadelphia: The Church With The Open Door

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 9, 2020

Like Smyrna, the Lord offered only encouragement for Philadelphia, with no rebuke. They were a people of little strength, and yet they held great potential. Christ promised to open doors no man could close. He reminded them of His preeminence and the security of their future.

Philadelphia – The Church with the Open Door Revelation 3: 7-13 Philadelphia is the sixth church addressed by Jesus. Like Smyrna, Jesus offered no rebuke, only encouragement for their faithfulness and endurance in the midst of opposition. Jesus knew they were a people of “little strength,” and yet ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist