Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
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Analytical
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Tone of specific sentences
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*GREYFRIARS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH*
Minister: Rev John Oliver Evans
*“A VISION FOR THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE”*
Studies in Revelation
*1.
THE WORD TO EPHESUS*
Passage: Revelation 2: 1 - 7
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\\ *GREYFRIARS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH*
Minister: Rev John Oliver Evans
*“A VISION FOR THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE”*
Studies in Revelation
*2 THE WORD TO **SMYRNA*
Passage: Revelation 2:8‑11
Introduction: This is the shortest of the seven letters.
Smyrna was one of the most important cities of the province, rivalling with Ephesus and Pergamum for the title of "First of Asia".
It was beautiful and large and a model of town planning.
At the ends of its famous Golden Street stood the temples to Cybele and Zeus while along it were located temples to Apollo, Ascelepius and Aphrodite.
It was extremely wealthy.
It fervently followed Rome and was a great centre of Emperor worship, being the first to have the privilege of building a temple in honour of Tiberius Caesar.
It also contained a large Jewish population, fanatically anti‑Christian.
*l.
Their Confidence (8):*
Here is the basis of their assurance in the midst of a hostile environment, in the face of their own fears, hesitations and uncertainty.
See how the reigning Lord identifies himself.
It relates back to the introductory vision (1:17,18).
It also relates to the specific thrust of the message to the Church.
It is not civic pride or the imperial cult which is first.
He is first.
He was before them all.
He will endure after them all.
He is Lord.
He overcame death itself and is indeed the ever‑living one.
~* DISCUSSION: Share what it means to you that Jesus is the first and the last ‑ the Living One.
*2.
Their Condition (9):*
“I know your afflictions and poverty”, says the Lord.
Is this an echo of Israel in Egypt when the Lord says he has seen their trouble and heard their cries?
God cares about us.
Their tribulation and poverty is certainly bound up with their Christian faith and lack of money.
In such a situation they are the minority, disadvantaged, deprived, powerless and vulnerable.
Yet they are "rich" ‑ in the things of God, in faith, love and hope, in grace and in the Spirit.
Whatever else we might or might not have, are we rich in these things?
They, not their accusers, are the true Israel.
Can you think of a verse in the Gospel or from Paul that would bear that up?
The opposing Jews are "a synagogue of Satan" ‑ opposing rather than loyal, false rather than true.
~* DISCUSSION: Like believers in Smyrna what are the pressures on the Church today to conform to the society and culture in which we are placed?
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*3.
Their Continuance (10‑11):*
Difficult times are predicted ‑ harassment, imprisonment, even possibly death.
Notice the phrase "ten days" implies limited duration.
They are urged to maintain their discipleship and their testimony ‑"Be faithful unto death".
The one who urges such fidelity is himself the victor.
He will help them.
The promise is sure.
“I will give you the crown (stephanos) of life”.
This is the garland which signifies victory, joy and faithful service.
Such faithful overcoming means that not even the second death can touch us.
~* DISCUSSION: Listen to what the Spirit is saying!
In what specific areas do you think the Spirit is calling us today to be faithful unto death?
\\ *GREYFRIARS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH*
Minister: Rev John Oliver Evans
*“A VISION FOR THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE”*
Studies in Revelation
*3.
THE WORD TO PERGAMUM*
Passage: Revelation 2:12 ‑ 17
Introduction: Rivalled by both Ephesus and Smyrna, Pergamum was in fact the Roman provincial capital.
One commentator says: "If Ephesus was the New York of Asia, Pergamum was its Washington!
It was the political power base of the region.
It had a magnificent library, excelled only by that of Alexandria.
Because of the fame of the Temple of Asclepios and the pilgrims who came seeking healing, the city has been called "the Lourdes of the Province of Asia".
Other temples honoured Dionysius, Athena, Demeter as well as Zeus.
Morever, Pergamum was a notable centre of emperor worship having, some say, three temples for this purpose.
Thus Pergamum exemplefies “an alternative society” to the Kingdom of God, catering for the body, mind and spirit.
Throughout all the machinery of the State, the political institution, the Spirit of Rome was the dominant heart‑beat.
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The Tribute the Church received (12‑13):*
The Lord who addresses his own is described as having "the sharp two‑edged sword"‑ a symbol of authority and judgement.
(Rome had given to Pergamum the rare power of capital punishment).
Thus the glorified Lord is the One who, ultimately, has the power of life and death over people.
Note 1:16 ‑ the sharp two-edged sword is equated with the words~/message Christ utters [cf.
later in 2:16].
They are commended [13] for their faithfulness in a difficult situation - “I know where you dwell”.
· See the reference not only to Satan's presence ("where Satan dwells") but to Satan's power and authority (“Satan's throne”).
Again we are reminded of Eph.6:12ff.
Some have seen the throne concept as being a reference to the physical description of the City built on a hill dominating the plain, or to the cult of Asklepios, whose sign was the serpent or to the fact of Caesar‑worship.
· See the reference to persecution and the death of Antipas.
Note how he is described and compare with 1:5!
· See the reference to their loyalty.
They held fast "my name" and did not deny~/renounce “my faith”.
They held up under pressure.
DISCUSSION: How would you describe the pressures of our environment today in Aotearoa New Zealand?
How can we show we hold fast His name?
*2.
The Tolerance they condoned (14‑15):*
"But I have a few things against you", recalls the word to Ephesus, although there is a marked difference in the content.
Satan is truly at work.
He not only persecutes, he deceives ‑ hence the reference to Balaam (cf Judges 31:16; 25:1‑3).
The Church not only suffers, it is seduced from the truth.
The distinction between the Church and the world becomes blurred.
Can there be too much tolerance in the Church and not enough firm discipline?
Remember Matthew 5:13.
To effect a working compromise with the world undercuts Kingdom‑effectiveness.
The call to "repent" means the faithful must take action to reprove and restore the erring.
Otherwise the Lord himself will come to judge the faithless.
(Note the use of "you" and "them" in 16).
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