Grace World Outreach Church
Pastor Daniel K Norris
Greetings from Grace World
Thank you for joining us today at Grace World. Whether you are joining us in person or watching online, we are so glad you are here! It's our prayer that you discover life in all its fullness.
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Every week we place these requests on the altar of the church and our entire team lifts up each request by name.
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Revelation 2:8-11 ESV
LETTER TWO: DON’T COME OFF THE ICE
The Seven Churches
Revelation - to uncover or disclose what was previously hidden
What is being revealed?
Revelation 1:17–20 (ESV) 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
Smyrna, The Persecuted Church
The message:
Remain Faith-filled in the one who is Fully Faithful, even when things don’t go your way.
THE GREETING
vs 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
* Polycarp was the pastor at Smyrna
* A disciple of John, and installed by John as pastor here
* Smyrna - a major port city in Turkey, a prosperous city
* the name means bitter
When you walk through the bitter seasons, know that in the crushing, something fragrant is released!
THE COMMENDATION
vs 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
a) I Know Your Tribulation
In the first letter Jesus said, “I know your works” here he says, “I know your troubles”
We have a Savior who fully identifies with us… in every struggle
Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
You can take every struggle to your savior, you can bring your honest questions and raw emotions and pour them out at His feet. He fully identifies with us, and strengthens us by His grace!
- This period of history is known as the 2nd Great Persecution
- Initial fulfillment of Matthew 24
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mt 24:9–14)
b) I Know Your Poverty
- the greek “poverty” = “absolute poverty, possessing nothing”
- Because of their faith, they were excluded from participating in the commerce of the city
2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV) 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Shift your perspective: Pain is temporary, but what it produces is eternal.
c) I know the Slander
- Christians became the scapegoat for every calamity
- Even the Jewish citizens who knew what it was to face persecution turned on the Christians for their own benefit
- Jesus says they call themselves Jews (ie: My children) but they are not
- We Expect to be persecuted by those outside the kingdom, but to face it from those who bear his name… that is another level of harsh
Since we have a savior who is able to empathize with us in every way…shouldn’t his church do the same?
THE CORRECTION
Not a reprimand but a forewarning
vs 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.
Why Do Good or Godly People Suffer?
Matthew 5:45 (ESV) “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Four Truths to Remember About Adversity
1. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF ADVERSITY
“Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison”
James 1:16–17 (ESV)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
I do not have to wonder what God’s will is… His will is always life in all its fullness! (John 10:10).
When you're facing hardship Remember God is absolutely good and fully faithful!
2. WE ALL FACE ADVERSITY, BUT NOT ALL ADVERSITY IS THE SAME
“the devil is about to throw some of you”
It wasn’t universal. Some would be thrown into prison, some would be spared
Don't create a theology of suffering
John 9:1–5 (ESV) As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Don't debate the cause, demonstrate the cure!
3) EVERYTHING IS FATHER FILTERED
"that you may be tested”
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Though God is not the originator of adversity, He doesn't waste the opportunity in adversity.
4) EVERY TRIAL HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE
“for Ten days”
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Co 10:13).
THE COUNSEL
10b Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
2 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
The “victors crown” is the crown given to the athlete who finishes the race
Steps To Faithfully Finish
1. Fully Make Up Your Mind
(Rom 8:37-39)
2. Fix your eyes on the one who was and is faithful
(Hebrews 12:2)
3. Fill your heart with the words of faith
(Rom 10:17)
THE CHARGE
11 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.’
DO NOT COME OFF THE ICE!
Ask... Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?