By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sermon Series: Jesus’ Message to the Churches
Sermon Text: Revelation 2:8-11
Sermon Theme
The situation of the church in Smyrna is very different from the one in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7). Ephesus was a faithful church which unfortunately had lost the original love of the gospel and so was in danger of losing its witness. In contrast, the church of Smyrna had a strong witness. Jesus offers them no criticism, only encouragement. This was a church facing persecution. The Christians in Smyrna were attacked by Jews and pagans alike. Behind all this was the power and rage of Satan. A church struggling against strong opposition was in no danger of losing its faith or its love. Jesus tells this church not to fear and to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10). This is a church under severe testing. It is actually in such times that Christ gives us the greatest peace (John 16:33).
Sermon Outline
- Rich. Smyrna was a wealthy and prosperous city. It was called “the crown of Asia.” Yet by all accounts the church there was under fire. They were afflicted and in poverty. It may be they were being denied certain rights and privileges for their faith. The early Christians were accused of cannibalism (the Lord’s Supper), immorality (loving each other), disloyalty (they did not worship the emperor) and ultimately atheism (because they denied the gods of Rome). At the time of the writing of this epistle the opposition was still growing. It would flare up to become full fledged persecution. Yet Jesus says that this church was rich (Revelation 2:9). They were not rich in material things. They were rich in their faith in Christ. Frequently it is in suffering that we encounter the full riches that are in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 4:19).
- Resist. Jesus is preparing this church for serious conflict. He speaks of their being thrown into prison “so that you may be tested” (Revelation 2:10). Jesus is saying several things here that must be held in balance. First, they are not to fear what they are about to suffer. Jesus can say this because he is not only the “first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6). He is also with them as the conqueror of death (Revelation 2:8). Second, they are to beware of the devil (Revelation 2:10). They should not be ignorant of his designs (II Corinthians 2:11). Third, they are to be tested. They will be thrown into prison “for ten days.” This may be a literal prison but it need not be. It is a place of testing. The “ten days” represents a finite period of time. The test will not continue indefinitely (I Corinthians 10:13). In all this they are to resist the forces of evil and the devil (James 4:7; I Peter 5:8-9). Why do they have to do all this? And what does this have to do with us?
- Reward. The crown was an established symbol in Smyrna. Jesus calls this church to be faithful until death. He promises them the reward of “the crown of life.” This church had been faithful in a way that even the esteemed church of Ephesus was not. This was not because they were better Christians than those in Ephesus. Their testing however had kept them focused. Through their suffering they had learned to be completely dependent on the word of God. They did not have the luxury to pick and choose. This in effect was the tragedy of the Ephesians who had chosen truth over love. The church of Smyrna is a model for us today. The key figure in Smyrna was a young man when the Book of Revelation was written. He would go on to become the bishop of Smyrna and would serve for fifty years. At the age of eighty six he was arrested and tried for being a Christian. The Roman Governor, not wanting to condemn him, pled with him to simply say he was cursing Christ for the moment. Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Polycarp went to his death. And the church in Smyrna is the only one of the churches of Revelation that has never ceased to exist.
Questions for Us
- American Christians are the most wealthy Christians in history. What can we learn from the poverty and riches of Smyrna?
- Why do you think the theme of testing is so emphasized in the New Testament? How are we being tested today?
- It may become costly in the future to stand as a Christian. What are some fo the ways we can prepare ourselves to be “faithful unto death?”
