Strength In Times Of Trouble

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.