Sermon Cloud

The Seven Churches of Revelation
Pt. 2, The Rich Church (Smyrna)

Letters have always been an important part of my life:

• I remember at a young age stumbling across a military duffle bag full of letters
• I had a bad habit of keeping the letters I would get from my friends in class
• When I finally laid it on the line with Buffy, I wrote her a letter to tell her I loved her
• When I proposed to Buffy, I did it in the form of a letter or a short story

We are in a new sermon series where we are reading seven letters.  These letters are written by the Beloved John, but are really letters from Jesus to the seven churches of Asia Minor.  These churches are seven literal historical congregations which geographically form a semi-circle in Asia Minor, between modern day Greece and Turkey off the Aegean Sea

The challenging aspect about these letters is that although they were written to seven historical churches around 90-96 A.D., they are also written to us today.  You will notices that Jesus’ directive is the same in all seven sections, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Well, last week, we learned that what we see on the outside may be a completely incorrect barometer concerning what is going on in the inside.  Looks can be deceiving when it comes to people and in addition, looks can be deceiving when it comes to a church.  We read last week about the church at Ephesus who from the outside was doing all the right stuff, but they had LEFT their first love (which was Jesus).  Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 13:1 that, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a slanging cymbal”

This morning, we will break the pattern a little.  Today’s passage will focus on a church where Jesus has nothing bad to say.  Two of the seven churches will fall into this category.  Jesus simply speaks to our third church, Smyrna, with a description of who He is, then gives a strong commendation, then encourages the church with a promise.

Read Revelation 2:8-11.

I have nicknamed this church at Smyrna, The Rich Church.  I was drawn to the fact that Jesus calls this church rich.  I don’t know about you, but I want to be part of a church that is rich.

What I want us to think about this morning is, Why is this church so rich?  Or even better, How is this church so rich?

Well, at first glance, you might notice that Jesus points out three commendations for the church at Smyrna.  The church worked hard for Jesus, had many trials, and was poor.

Here is the context for the church at Smyrna.  The city of Smyrna was a bastion for worshiping the spirit of Rome.  Actually, they practiced Ceasar-Worship.  Residents of Smyrna were expected not just to support their government, but they were expected to radically worship their Caesars.

Since Christians were to refrain from worshiping any man, to be a Christian was to literally lay down your life!  Committing to Christ mean that you would often lose your job, hence, you became poor.

Ironically, Smyrna literally translates into “myrrh.”  You know myrrh best by its reference in the Christmas story as a gift given to baby Jesus by a wise man.  Myrrh was a spice that was wrapped in the folds of the cloth of a dead body.  Why give a gift that symbolizing death?  The same reason that the church at Smyrna was known as the suffering church.  Because they were being put to death physically for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Now, I know what you are thinking, this was then, and today we don’t have this kind of discrimination when it comes to the church or becoming a Christian in 2008.  Think again.

Illustration: It was just a few months ago when I received word from a missionary and close friend who was part of our church back in 2000 and has even preached in this church a few years ago, and was called into the classroom where he taught with government officials filling the room to warn him that he had three days to pack his family’s stuff and move out of South East Asia.

Illustration: If you still don’t believe me, watch this video about Abdul…VIDEO.

Yet, in all this, Jesus still says, YOU ARE RICH.  How are they rich?

I believe the answer is in the simple phrase, “I know.”  Notice that Jesus says very pointed that He knows…He knows…He knows.  What does he know?

·         Jesus knows your hurts. (2:9)

o   Don’t you like it when someone says,

1.      I know what it is like to bury a child or mother or father

2.      I know what it is like to be passed over for the promotion

3.      I know what it is like to be at whit’s end while at home all day

4.      I know what it is like to be without what you really want

5.      I know what it is like be abandoned by a family member or friend

6.      I know what it is like to be alone

7.      I know what it is like to struggle with that temptation

o   Jesus is saying, He knows!!  And Jesus knows ALL about it.

o   Doesn’t that mean something to just know that someone knows?

o   That’s why kids run to their parents when hurt, they want someone to know.

o   Illustration: Lacie fell on her bike this week and when people see her band aid and ask her about it, it seems as if everyone tells her when they fell on their bike.

·         Jesus knows your sacrifice. (2:9)

o   Even when they think no one knows what they have paid and given up for Christ, Jesus knows exactly and He see it all.

·         Jesus knows your enemy. (2:9)

o   In reality, your enemy is not flesh and blood, but it is Satan.

o   Satan is so set against you because he knows we will get what he will not.

o   Satan hates you and he hates the church.

o   Satan wants you to suffer and be bitter to God for it.

o   Let me guess, you are asking in your mind, but why does God allow it?

1.      To TEST you.

2.      The most precious stones and metals are the ones that have pressure applied to them.

3.      Jesus wants you to have confidence that you are His!

·         Jesus knows your future. (2:10)

o   There are those that will receive a great inheritance…a Crown Of Life.

o   There are several Greek words for crown, but Jesus uses a word that refers to a wreath that was given for THREE occasions.

1.      Given to an athlete who is victorious…who runs and wins.

2.      Given to a servant of the city who faithfully serves

3.      Given to a participant in a wedding festival

o   It is as if Jesus is saying run the race and don’t stop…don’t give up!

o   It is as if Jesus is saying serve the city of God!

o   It is as if Jesus is saying there will be a wedding feast where Jesus marries His bride, the Church

Those that are waiting for this reward are very rich!!

Illustration: Polycarp