Sermons About Synagogue
The Church in Smyrna: Revelation 2:8
The church in Smyrna was made up of poor people who had endured many hardships. Jesus, the First and the Last, who defeated death, knows their tribulation, poverty, and the slander from the Jews that they have endured. Jesus tells them that he hears them, and yet they continue suffering. Not only does he call the church to not be afraid, he calls them to be faithful by treasuring him above all else, even to the point of death. He promises that the sufferings we experience right now, no matter how heavy they are, will one day seem light and momentary compared to the glory that he holds in store for his people. He suffered to end our suffering. He suffered so that no matter how much we have suffered at death, it is over. We will have an eternity with him.
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Mission and Message (Acts 17:16-34)
After Paul's conversion (Acts 9) he began to fulfill God's purpose for him on mission. In Acts 17 we learn about Paul's gospel message and how it changed as his audience changed.
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A New Authority
Mark's first picture of Jesus in ministry is a the story of a powerful ministry confrontation. Jesus comes into a synagogue to teach and the people are amazed at the authority in his words and character. A demon immediately cries out, and again the people marvel at Jesus' authority to silence the demon. What do we do with One with such authority? How are we to respond? Like the disciples, the only right response is to follow.
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