Enduring Faith: The Promise of Eternal Victory

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound message found in Revelation 2:8-11, focusing on the letter to the church in Smyrna. This church, unlike others, was not rebuked by Jesus but rather commended and prepared for the trials ahead. The city of Smyrna, known for its loyalty to the Roman Empire and its worship of false gods, was a challenging environment for believers. Jesus acknowledged their afflictions and poverty, yet declared them rich in faith. This paradox highlights the spiritual wealth that transcends material circumstances.

The narrative of Smyrna serves as a reminder that following Jesus is not always a path of ease and comfort. It involves trials, persecution, and the testing of faith. Jesus' message to Smyrna was not one of escape from suffering but of endurance through it. He promised a victor's crown to those who remain faithful, even unto death. This promise underscores the eternal perspective that believers are called to maintain, focusing on the heavenly reward rather than earthly trials.

The story of coaching a T-ball team without prior experience parallels the unexpected challenges in our faith journey. Just as coaching required patience and perseverance, so does our walk with Christ. We may not always know what we are signing up for, but the journey shapes us and brings unexpected rewards.

In a world increasingly hostile to Christian beliefs, the call to stand firm is more relevant than ever. The spiritual battle is real, and our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Yet, we are assured that God is with us, never leaving nor forsaking us. Our faith, when tested, becomes a testament to God's sustaining power.

Ultimately, the message is one of hope and encouragement. Despite the trials, there is a promise of eternal life and a crown of victory for those who endure. Our focus should remain on the eternal, running the race with perseverance, and keeping our eyes on the prize of heaven.

Key Takeaways:

1. Endurance in Faith: The church in Smyrna was commended for its faithfulness amidst persecution. This teaches us that true faith often involves enduring trials and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when it leads to suffering. Our spiritual wealth is not measured by earthly standards but by our faithfulness to God. [02:45]

2. The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus is not a promise of an easy life. It requires counting the cost and understanding that trials and persecution are part of the journey. This perspective helps us to remain grounded and focused on the eternal reward rather than temporary discomforts. [15:01]

3. Spiritual Warfare: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us to approach challenges with a spiritual mindset, relying on God's strength and presence in our lives. The spiritual battle is real, and we must be vigilant and prayerful. [27:28]

4. God's Presence in Trials: In moments of affliction and persecution, it is easy to feel abandoned by God. However, He is closest to us in our darkest moments, providing strength and comfort. Our faith is tested and refined through these experiences, drawing us closer to Him. [34:50]

5. Eternal Perspective: Keeping our focus on the heavenly prize helps us navigate the challenges of life. The promise of a victor's crown for those who endure encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. [36:59]

Youtube Chapters:

[0:00] - Welcome
[02:45] - Introduction to Smyrna
[04:55] - Coaching Story
[15:01] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[21:05] - Heaven as Our Focus
[27:28] - Spiritual Warfare
[29:00] - Standing Firm in Faith
[34:50] - God's Presence in Trials
[36:05] - The Promise of a Crown
[36:59] - Running Towards the Prize
[38:12] - Tests and Trials
[39:02] - Coaching Reflections
[40:20] - Unexpected Rewards
[41:21] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Revelation 2:8-11

Observation Questions:
1. What specific commendation does Jesus give to the church in Smyrna, and how does it differ from His messages to other churches? [02:45]
2. How does the city of Smyrna's cultural and religious environment contribute to the challenges faced by the church there? [15:01]
3. What does Jesus promise to those who remain faithful in the face of persecution, according to Revelation 2:10? [34:50]
4. How does the story of coaching a T-ball team relate to the unexpected challenges in our faith journey? [04:55]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen not to rebuke the church in Smyrna, unlike other churches, and what does this suggest about their faith? [02:45]
2. How does the paradox of being "rich in faith" despite poverty and affliction challenge our understanding of spiritual wealth? [15:01]
3. In what ways does the promise of a "victor's crown" provide hope and encouragement to believers facing trials? [34:50]
4. How does the concept of spiritual warfare, as mentioned in the sermon, influence the way believers should approach their daily struggles? [27:28]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a trial or persecution for your faith. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [15:01]
2. In what ways can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life, focusing on heavenly rewards rather than earthly challenges? [36:59]
3. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for the possibility of persecution or trials in your faith journey? What practical steps can you take? [29:00]
4. Consider the story of coaching a T-ball team. What unexpected challenges have you encountered in your walk with Christ, and how have they shaped your faith? [04:55]
5. How can you remain vigilant and prayerful in the face of spiritual warfare, recognizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood? [27:28]
6. In moments of affliction, how can you remind yourself of God's presence and strength, even when it feels like He is distant? [34:50]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to stand firm in your faith. What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your commitment to Christ? [29:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Endurance in Faith
In the face of persecution and trials, the church in Smyrna was commended for its unwavering faith. This teaches us that true faith often involves enduring hardships and remaining steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when it leads to suffering. Our spiritual wealth is not measured by earthly standards but by our faithfulness to God. The believers in Smyrna were materially poor but spiritually rich, highlighting the paradox of faith that transcends worldly circumstances. Jesus' acknowledgment of their afflictions and His promise of a victor's crown to those who remain faithful, even unto death, serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal perspective we are called to maintain. [02:45]

James 1:12 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you currently facing trials, and how can you actively choose to remain steadfast in your faith today?

Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus is not a promise of an easy life. It requires counting the cost and understanding that trials and persecution are part of the journey. The church in Smyrna exemplifies this truth, as they faced significant challenges due to their faith in a city loyal to the Roman Empire and its false gods. Jesus did not promise them an escape from suffering but encouraged them to endure, emphasizing the eternal reward over temporary discomforts. This perspective helps us remain grounded, focusing on the heavenly prize rather than the fleeting trials of this world. [15:01]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you need to count the cost of following Jesus, and how can you embrace this challenge today?

Day 3: Spiritual Warfare
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us to approach challenges with a spiritual mindset, relying on God's strength and presence in our lives. The spiritual battle is real, and we must be vigilant and prayerful. The church in Smyrna was aware of the spiritual forces at play in their persecution, and Jesus' message to them was one of encouragement to stand firm. This awareness of spiritual warfare calls us to be prepared, putting on the full armor of God and seeking His guidance in every battle we face. [27:28]

Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

Reflection: Identify a current challenge in your life that may have spiritual roots. How can you equip yourself with God's armor to face this battle?

Day 4: God's Presence in Trials
In moments of affliction and persecution, it is easy to feel abandoned by God. However, He is closest to us in our darkest moments, providing strength and comfort. The church in Smyrna experienced this reality as they faced trials, yet Jesus assured them of His presence and the promise of eternal life. Our faith is tested and refined through these experiences, drawing us closer to Him. This assurance of God's presence in trials encourages us to trust in His sustaining power, knowing that He never leaves nor forsakes us. [34:50]

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult trial. How can this memory encourage you in your current struggles?

Day 5: Eternal Perspective
Keeping our focus on the heavenly prize helps us navigate the challenges of life. The promise of a victor's crown for those who endure encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. The church in Smyrna was reminded of this eternal perspective, as Jesus promised them a crown of life for their faithfulness. This call to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal helps us to run the race with perseverance, keeping our eyes on the prize of heaven. [36:59]

Colossians 3:2-4 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to shift your focus from earthly concerns to an eternal perspective?

Quotes

Here are the selected quotes from the sermon transcript:

1. "John the Apostle has been, has had an attempted murder on his life. They tried to boil him. He was in oil. He survived that. They placed him on the island of Patmos in isolation, and while he was on the island of Patmos, he had a visitation from Jesus. Jesus visited him, and Jesus basically said, John, I need you to write, and John began to write the letter, the book of Revelation, and in the beginning of the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches in seven different cities in seven different sectors of society, and we went through the first church was the church of Ephesus, and we're going to look at the second church, the church of Smyrna. To be honest with you, this is a church that I wanted to bypass. As you look at the seven letters, I believe five out of the seven letters, Jesus is rebuking." [01:20] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "He's letting these churches know, hey, the way that you've been doing things, the way that you've been going about things isn't actually correct, and I need you to turn, and I need you to go a different direction. I need you to repent, meaning turn into a different direction. But when we come to this church, the second letter, Jesus is not rebuking this church. Jesus is actually commanding. He's commanding this church, and he's preparing this church for what's to come. I mean, when you read this letter, it's not the most encouraging letters in the Bible. It's not one of those things that when you're at work and you get an email, Jesus is emailing you, and you open it up. You're like, wow, I'm so excited for this. Thank you, Jesus. This was incredible." [02:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "But it's something that we have to go about, and I think it's actually prophetic in nature. It was prophetic then. It's prophetic now. Prophetic meaning that there is future insight into this. There's things that are. There's things that are. We can extract from that that are still relevant in it this morning, and so I'm going to do my best to exegete this text, and it's going to be a bit of a teaching, preaching message this morning, and I'm excited about it, and well, I'm really, I'm a little scared about it, but I'm excited about it at the same time, so we're going to go ahead and pick up in Revelation chapter 2, verses 8 through 11." [02:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I share that story because in many ways I feel like that's what it is as it pertains to our faith journey you I feel that oftentimes we come into this faith relationship with Jesus we come into this this idea that Jesus died on the cross that he rose on the third day for my sins and I could be forgiven and I can have life and life forevermore and do you want to know this Jesus and we know this Jesus and we pray this prayer and we cry the tears and the mokos and all this other stuff and we say yes to Jesus but we really don't know what we're signing up for I think oftentimes the biggest disservice that we do to people when we ask them to pray a prayer on Sunday after service and then we can boast on the mount of people that said yes to Jesus we're suckering people into something that they did not know what they signed up for oftentimes we think that following Jesus is going to be this easy thing it's going to be blessings on blessings on blessings it's going to be dope it's going to be incredible and it is but there's such another side to it that we dismiss there's another angle that we saw kind of leave out we we we over we peruse certain words that Jesus said because yes Jesus offers salvation he offers heaven he offers blessings but it also comes with another side the bible says nobody goes and builds a house without first examining what it's going to cost lest they begin the project realize it was too much leave it unbuilt and then onlookers come by and say but weren't they going to build the house he's using that in connection with don't say yes to Jesus until you count the cost of what it means to truly follow him lest you follow him something happens that you didn't agree with or that you didn't know what's going to happen and then it just doesn't happen and you're like oh my gosh I don't know what's going to happen Jesus distorts your perspective on God and you fall away and then people will say but isn't that the person that invited me to church isn't that that person that used to follow Jesus isn't that that person used to post about that and what am I sharing about you know Jesus Jesus said some crazy things Jesus said that people will hate you because of me Jesus said that there will be times where you will not have a place to lay your head or food to eat if you follow me Jesus said that your family might abandon you if you follow me Jesus said things that in this life you will face trials of many kinds that's the stuff that we like to leave out that's the stuff that we like to forget because we like thinking of Jesus and the kingdom as this utopic society on earth where everything goes our way and everything is beautiful and everything is awesome and the reality is that part of that is true and part of it is not because our heart yearns for something more and that's the kingdom of God yet we're still in this flesh." [12:13] (177 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "In this church right here, I think about the fact that Jesus could have said anything and he told this church, you're getting ready to go through the fire. You're getting ready to face trials and tribulation and persecution. How many of you can say, when I said yes to Jesus, I signed up for that. I don't know about you, but looking back, I didn't think about that. This church, Jesus, we love you. Jesus, we'll follow you. Jesus, we didn't sign. Up for that. And here's this church that is getting ready to go through the most difficult season of their lives. You have to understand something. This city was about 35 miles north of Ephesus. We talked about Ephesus in week one. Ephesus was a port city, a culture -creating city. Smyrna was the same thing. It was in Turkey. Turkey has like the amount of the greatest, the least amount of Christians even to today. Being a follower of Jesus then was difficult. Being a follower of Jesus then was difficult. Being a follower of Jesus then was difficult. Being a follower of Jesus now is even more difficult in a sense." [14:47] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "the church because it already happened when jesus said the church of satan it was not a church that was lighting candles and incense and drawing pentagrams on the floor and offering animal sacrifices he was saying that the jewish people that did not believe that he was the messiah and had allowed practices of this world to make their way into the church was the church of satan so that was attempting to make its way into the church and jesus says mira no mas that little god that they talk about ain't true i'm the real deal holy field i'm the one that was and is to come i'm the one that died and resurrected and the only one are y 'all with me this morning but jesus gets ready to prepare them for the persecution that they're about to experience this letter in the name of the city is prophetic you have to understand be careful what you name things you be careful what you call things because there is power in names the tongue has a power of life and death smyrna translated from the hebrew into the greek is myrrh myrrh is an anointing oil that was used when they embalmed dead people it was a fragrance that would create a nice aroma so the as the body rots that the aroma would be sweet and it would counter the smell of death myrrh would be the very thing that when the uh the three wise men went to baby jesus little baby jesus and they said i'm the one that's going to kill you i'm the one that's going to kill you in the manger when they went to baby jesus they would offer him frankincense and myrrh why would wise men give a baby an oil that is used to embalm dead bodies because it was symbolic that he would die and be resurrected on the third day so it was a symbolism and it was a symbolism of what was to come and you have to understand that it is important that we understand that because in their affliction in their affliction they would offer him frankincense and myrrh and they would offer him frankincense in their persecution as they stood firm as they didn't deny jesus as they withstood the test as they stood and continued to follow him it would be as a sweet fragrance unto the lord do you know that that's biblical you know the bible even says that our worship can be a sweet aroma unto god do you know that the way that you live your life in the midst of difficult moments can be as a" [16:33] (137 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "sweet fragrance unto the nostril of god or a bad stench i want you to think about that so he was telling them you're getting ready to go through some challenges you're getting ready to suffer some things now the question is who persecuted these people the church of satan other believers who hadn't believed that jesus was the messiah and had created their own type of way they would be the ones that would be coming after the they'll be the ones who'll be coming after this church you have to understand something as followers of jesus the more you live out your faith i think the more we're going to be persecuted the more you truly live out your faith let me back up a little bit we have never seen or tasted persecution to the extent that it exists we have never tasted nor seen or experienced persecution as there was in this biblical text through these different writers there are people all around the world that by simply saying yes to jesus like we offer at the end of each service we could be murdered there's people all around the world who as they carry their bible if they get caught with their bible they could be murdered and their family could be murdered they can be imprisoned there are people that are gathering whether it rains whether it snows whether tornadoes because they are so poor and broken that they know they need something greater than themselves to save them from their current hell that they live there's a desperation there's a hunger in the midst of persecution i believe it's unfortunate but when you see a move of god it typically has come when there's been a ton of oppression when there's been a ton of difficulty is when the move of god because when people are desperate desperate times call for desperate measures but you have to understand it seems like the world is getting worse and it seems like the world is getting worse and it seems like the world is getting worse and it seems like more and more christians are trying to escape the inevitable it seems like more of us want to create a utopic society than the kingdom on earth and so a lot of christians are attempting to flee what's coming by running to another place by trying to erect certain political people" [18:51] (134 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "by trying to push certain agendas by complaining about all kinds of things because what we're trying to do is we're trying to force our views on a society that doesn't even know the God that has given us the views that we have and we don't realize like Daniel Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were exiles in the midst of Babylon were those who know Jesus in the midst of people who do not know Jesus how do people who do not know Jesus come to know Jesus if we keep running to other spaces so we have a we have we have a decision to make either we continue to live and allow our light to shine or we go take our light to somewhere else where it's already bright are y 'all with me this morning and so we're in an age where you can no longer agree to disagree you're in an age where we no longer stick to truth but we go by feelings and emotions we're in an age where to believe in God is going to be looked down upon and already is not any God but Jesus is looked down upon see in this town you could worship any other God you can worship any other pagan God and be okay but the minute you worship Jesus you were in trouble that should say a whole lot about the power of Jesus and so the truth is I think this is a popular message huh everybody's excited about this one huh top 10 on YouTube right here this one's gonna go viral clips I can't wait you're gonna suffer right that's like the opening clip negative four likes gets reported on Instagram but listen I think that the more that you live for Jesus the more you're gonna face difficult moments the more you're gonna face opposition and here's here's the truth respectfully I present to you I believe that we forget what the Bible says at the end I think that we forget that we forget that we forget that we forget that we forget that we forget that it says at times will get worse things will get worse people will become lawless people become lovers of themselves fathers will turn on sons and sons will turn on fathers and the reality is how will they hear of a loving Savior nobody is sent how can they believe in him if nobody speaks that is us we're the ones in charge to do so and so I think that the more we live for Jesus the harder it's gonna be listen to what he said to them let's see the church in Smyrna they didn't attempt to avoid the persecution they didn't flee it's like Jesus said yo it's gonna get bad but they didn't like run to the next city they didn't like attempt to create their own stuff this is what it is do not be afraid of what you're about to suffer I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you and even you will suffer persecution for ten days you have to understand something is there something special about ten days we're not completely sure in the book of Daniel chapter one when they were getting ready to go through a tribulation it was gonna be for ten days so you see something mirrored in the Old Testament and now it's mirrored here in the Old Testament for ten days you're gonna suffer persecution he says be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you life as your victors crown see he was telling them that death would be the ultimate price to pay for their faith and the belief I want you to think about that for just a minute their love for Jesus was so radical that they truly were willing to lay down their lives to follow Jesus we struggle to lay down the snooze button to wake up and follow Jesus we struggle because we want comfort and convenience over difficulty and discipleship and sometimes we think that we have it bad but if you really looked at and put things into perspective they had it bad but their love for Jesus was so devout they were willing to lay down their lives listen to what James I got so with this morning James 1 12 says blessed are those who what who endure who remain firm who stand the test who do not move who do not flee when they are tested when they pass the test they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him you know what's interesting is that I think that a lot of times we don't focus on heaven the Bible says to put our focus on the things above scripture constantly calls us to keep our eyes focused on the goal to win the prize to keep our eyes on the things above keep our eyes heavenward and I think oftentimes what happens is we lose sight of heaven and we just put a sight on what's going on around us and we lose this heavenly perspective and we don't realize that there is more that heaven is the goal that heaven is the aim that heaven is the prize and we've been entrusted to bring as many people as we possibly can with us to populate heaven because gonna be a massive party and Diplo is gonna be DJ and I can't wait cuz he's gonna get saved it's gonna be great some of you have to Google that later it's okay I still have Jesus but if you've ever had a conversation with a senior saint I don't know someone in their 60s maybe 70s 80s who's a follower of Jesus all they talk about is heaven The worship songs that they used to sing, the hymns that they used to sing were about heaven, and now we've made worship about us." [21:31] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "And if you've ever been and done a hospital visit with a saint who is getting ready to pass, they're excited to go see Jesus. They're excited for the day that they get to be with Jesus. To be absent from the body is to be present with him. Some of these people were so broken and desperate that they wanted heaven more than anything because it would rid them of the earthly hell that they were living. But imagine, imagine with me for just a moment what our lives would look like if we just had the proper perspective. If our focus was heaven, if our focus was taken off of all of the things around us and simply placed on him, what would our lives look like? How would that change everything? How would that shift everything? See, it brings me back. As followers of Jesus, you are going to face persecution. Why? You have to listen to this. For our struggle is not against. It's flesh and blood." [26:34] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "But against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And I think we forget this is real. I think we forget that this is a spiritual matter. I think that we forget that there's actually an adversary, and it's not El Cucuy. It's Satan. You know what's interesting? There's a spiritual battle. Even on church on Sundays, there's a constant spiritual battle. I want you to know how spiritual this is. This morning when we came in, there was a seance that was done outside of our kids' building, and there was a burning of things, and there was something with dried flowers, and some sort of stuff, and lettering, and then it was smeared all over our window." [27:36] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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