Jesus suffered for our sake so that we can trust him when we suffer for his sake.
Sermon Title: SMYRNA: THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Sermon Text: REVELATIONS 2:8-11 (NIV)
Sermon Series: LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
REVELATIONS 2:8-11 NIV
8 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. 9 I 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. 10 Do 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. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sQays to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Jesus suffered for our sake so that we can trust him when we suffer for his sake.
I. JESUS KNOWS WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH
Nothing escapes Jesus’ attention, not even our troubles.
- Jesus knows your afflictions.
affliction | Greek: thlipsis
“persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation.”
- Jesus knows your poverty.
poverty | Greek: ptócheia
“absolute poverty or complete destitution.”
- Jesus knows your enemies.
slander | Greek: blasphémia
“abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy.”
II. JESUS KNOWS WHAT IS TRUE OF YOU
If you don’t have anything in this world but you have Jesus, you are rich.
No man who knows Jesus is ever truly poor.
No man without Jesus is ever truly rich.
III. JESUS KNOWS WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO – SO DO NOT FEAR!
- Jesus has perfect knowledge of all that is about to happen.
- The Lord sometimes allows the devil to attack us severely.
- Every trial and tribulation we go through is a test.
- The faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.
Our sufferings are limited by the Lord.
God is not only in control of you in your suffering, he’s in control of the suffering over you.
IV. JESUS KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE TO DO TO – SO BE FAITHFUL!
Heaven is waiting for us. Death may come but it cannot take from us what God has given us.
Jesus suffered for our sake so that we can trust him when we suffer for his sake.