Partners in Suffering and Kingdom Endurance

In the midst of all our longing, suffering, and searching, Jesus stands as the deepest desire of our hearts and the sustaining presence of His church. The opening vision of Revelation reveals not only the majesty and glory of Christ, but also His nearness—He is not distant or detached, but stands among His people, intimately involved in their lives. John, writing as a companion in suffering, kingdom, and patient endurance, paints a picture of the church’s reality throughout history: we are called to persevere through trials, to live as citizens of a different kingdom, and to actively partner with God in His mission on earth.

Suffering, or “phlipsis,” is not just a season but a constant reality for the church. It encompasses both the intense persecution faced by believers throughout history and the daily pressures that threaten to conform us to the world. Yet, in the midst of this, we are also partners in the kingdom—rescued from darkness, transformed by Christ, and sent out to invite others into His light. Our calling is not passive endurance, but “hupomeno”—an active, steadfast perseverance that holds fast to faith and purpose even under the heaviest burdens.

This partnership is not theoretical; it is lived out in the tension between affliction and hope. Even as we witness suffering and feel the weight of the world’s brokenness, we also see the fruit of the gospel—lives changed, hearts awakened, and a new openness to Jesus, especially among the next generation. The invitation is to move beyond mere attendance or intellectual assent, to become true partners in God’s kingdom, allowing our lives to be instruments through which His light shines.

The vision John receives is not just of a glorious, transcendent Christ, but of a Savior who stands in the midst of His church. The lampstands represent the churches, and Jesus is found among them—present in their struggles, victories, and transformation. He is the source of their light; apart from Him, the church has no power to shine. The call is to lift our eyes, recognize His nearness, and respond in worship, surrender, and partnership. Jesus is at the center, inviting us to bring our joys, sorrows, and sins to Him, and to let His presence renew and empower us to be His light in the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Suffering is a present and ongoing reality for the church, not just an occasional season. The Greek word “phlipsis” encompasses both the intense persecution faced by believers and the daily pressures that seek to conform us to the world. Recognizing this helps us not to be surprised by hardship, but to see it as part of our calling as followers of Christ, who promised that in this world we would have trouble. [12:40]
• 2. Our identity as citizens of the kingdom of God means we are fundamentally different from the world around us. Through Christ, we are transferred from darkness to light, called to be transformed and to participate in God’s mission of redemption. This identity shapes our values, our hope, and our purpose, even as we live as exiles in a world that does not yet fully reflect God’s reign. [15:10]
• 3. Patient endurance, or “hupomeno,” is not passive resignation but active perseverance. It is the unswerving commitment to faith and purpose, even under great pressure or suffering. This endurance is only possible because Christ Himself is with us, sustaining us and calling us to press on with hope and courage. [16:56]
• 4. The presence of Jesus among the lampstands is a profound comfort and challenge. He is not distant or uninvolved, but stands in the midst of His church, intimately aware of our struggles and victories. This nearness means that our worship, repentance, and mission are all empowered by His living presence, and we are never alone in our journey. [28:29]
• 5. The church is called to be a lampstand, not the source of light but the vessel through which Christ’s glory shines. Our effectiveness and witness depend not on our own strength, but on our nearness to Jesus and our willingness to let His light fill and radiate through us. The invitation is to draw near, surrender, and allow His presence to transform us and the world around us. [33:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:27] - Opening Prayer: Longing for God’s Presence
• [01:24] - Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-20
• [04:02] - Series Overview: The Identity and Calling of the Church
• [07:07] - The Church’s Reality: Suffering and Endurance
• [09:58] - Understanding “Phlipsis”: Suffering and Pressure
• [13:48] - Partners in the Kingdom: Our New Identity
• [16:29] - Patient Endurance: The Call to Persevere
• [19:52] - Signs of Hope: God Moving in Our Generation
• [21:32] - The Invitation to Kingdom Partnership
• [23:16] - John’s Vision: The Glorified Christ
• [25:49] - The Majesty and Attributes of Jesus
• [27:52] - Jesus Among the Lampstands: His Nearness
• [30:54] - Christ’s Intimate Knowledge of His Church
• [33:04] - The Church as Lampstand: Shining Christ’s Light
• [34:26] - Responding in Prayer and Worship

Bible Reading

Revelation 1:9-20 (NIV) —
> 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
> 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
> 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
> 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
> 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
> 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.
> 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
> 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
> 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
> 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
> 19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
> 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Observation Questions

1. According to John, what three things does he say he is a companion in with the church? (See verse 9 and [07:37])
2. What are the two meanings of the Greek word “phlipsis” (suffering) as described in the sermon? ([09:58])
3. In John’s vision, where is Jesus standing, and what do the lampstands represent? ([27:52])
4. What are some of the descriptions John gives of Jesus in his vision? (verses 13-16 and [25:49])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does John emphasize that suffering (“phlipsis”) is not just a season but a constant reality for the church? How might this perspective change the way believers view hardship? ([12:40])
2. What does it mean for the church to be “partners in the kingdom” and how does this identity shape the way Christians live in the world? ([15:10])
3. The sermon describes “patient endurance” (hupomeno) as active perseverance rather than passive waiting. What might this look like in the life of a believer facing pressure or suffering? ([16:56])
4. Why is it significant that Jesus is described as standing among the lampstands (the churches) rather than being distant or far off? How does this affect the church’s sense of mission and comfort? ([28:29])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that suffering and pressure are a present reality for the church, not just something that happens occasionally. What are some daily pressures or “phlipsis” you experience that make it hard to follow Jesus? How do you usually respond to them? ([12:40])
2. John describes believers as “partners in the kingdom.” In what ways do you see yourself actively participating in God’s mission, and where do you feel more like a bystander? What is one step you could take to move from attendance to partnership? ([21:32])
3. “Patient endurance” (hupomeno) is described as holding fast to faith and purpose even under heavy burdens. Can you share a time when you had to persevere in your faith? What helped you keep going? ([16:56])
4. The vision of Jesus among the lampstands is meant to be both a comfort and a challenge. How does knowing that Jesus is present with you in your struggles and victories change the way you approach worship, prayer, or repentance? ([28:29])
5. The church is called to be a lampstand, not the source of light but the vessel through which Christ’s glory shines. Are there areas in your life or in our church where we are trying to “shine” in our own strength instead of relying on Jesus? What would it look like to surrender those areas to Him? ([33:04])
6. The sermon invites us to bring our joys, sorrows, and sins to Jesus and let His presence renew us. Is there something specific you need to bring to Jesus this week—whether a burden, a sin, or a hope? How can the group support you in this? ([36:56])
7. The next generation is described as being open and hungry for Jesus. How can you personally or as a group be part of inviting others, especially young people, into the light of Christ? ([19:52])