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*Title: Why Church?
Smyrna - Faithful to the Calling*
*Text: Revelation 2: 8 - 11*
*Date: January 20, 2008*
*Introduction:*
As we continue in our series on “Why Church?”
We come to the second church found in Revelation.
It is the church of Smyrna.
There are many things about this church, as with the other churches in Revelation, that relate to us today.
It is necessary that we take a close look at this particular church so that we may see more about what it means to be Faithful to the Calling.
\\ \\ It is a blessing to look at this particular church.
There are many things about it that really have the ability to touch our hearts and cause us to stop and think about our relationship with Jesus Christ!
There are things about it that make me examine myself.
You say, preacher, just how is that a blessing?
Any time that you are confronted with the word of the living God, and it points out those areas where you are lacking, it serves as a blessing.
When we can see that the very reason that God points things out in our lives is for the purpose of correcting those things:
It should bless you and give you a real joy in your heart just to know that the God, creator of the universe, desires to be close and personal with you.
\\ \\
*I.
As we begin looking at the church at Smyrna, look at Revelation 2:8.
“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write.”
*
A. The Lord is addressing the conduct of this particular church.
\\ \\ 1.
There is much to learn just from the place of Smyrna.
a.
This city as far as culture and history is concerned was among the largest of the cities in the Mediterranean.
b.
It was a port city, which was beautiful in its appearance.
c.
The city was among the wealthiest of all the cities in Asia at this time, and the estimated population during the time of this letter was approaching 100,000 people.
2. The name Smyrna actually means myrrh.
a.
When you think about the Magi as they bore gifts to Jesus, they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
b. Myrrh is a perfume that was used in the embalming process.
c. Myrrh, was a perfume that only gave off its fragrance when it was crushed.
B. History tells us that the city of Smyrna endured earthquakes, attacks and raids, numerous oppressions, if it was a possibility that it could happen, they saw it.
1.
No matter how many times they were oppressed, they always seemed to rebound better than they were before economically.
2. Idol worship was prevalent throughout Smyrna, as it was in the majority of the larger cities of that time.
a. Archeology has shown us several of the idol temples that were constructed during that day, the expense and beauty was unbelievable.
*C.
Then there was this church.
*
1.
It was the church of Smyrna.
a.
It had the same name as the city in which it was founded.
b.
It endured the same sufferings as the city in which it existed.
c.
It suffered hardships just like every one else.
2. But, there was something different about this church.
a.
This was one of two churches found in these seven letters where there was no rebuke offered.
b. Jesus had nothing bad to say about this church, but He did have a message for them.
c. Notice how Jesus addressed this church.
In verse 8 He said, “These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.”
3. The reference is not of the same weight as we find in chapter one & verse 8.
a.
There Jesus said that He is the Alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.
b.
Here, He is giving much more weight than that to His message.
c.
It is the strongest sense of assurance that can be expressed in the Greek language.
d. Jesus is affirming who he is to this church, and it is for a reason
4. Just as this church had suffered many things, persecutions, shattering events, raids from enemies, etc,
a. Jesus is affirming to them that He is the one who suffered as well.
b.
He is the one that was dead, and sprang back to life.
c.
There were numerous times that this city was completely devastated by either natural disasters, or enemy attacks.
d.
Every time they endured what appeared to be the final blow, they came back to life.
e. Jesus here relates to this church by demonstrating how that He has that very same thing in common with them.
He is saying to them ,“Just like you have suffered, I have suffered.
Just as you were dead, and came back to life as a church, I was also dead, and came back to life.
Jesus is simply saying “Be Faithful in the Calling!”
TS> In addressing the church in this manner,
Jesus was emphasizing the victory that is found in the act of resurrection.
He above all is the one who knows the most about resurrection power.
Just as He told Martha at the tomb of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life”
Jesus is the one that holds the very life giving power.
Without Him, no life can exist.
*II.
But notice what He said in verse 9. “I know thy works.”
*
There is absolutely no doubt that this church was engaged in numerous good works.
However, the emphasis of this letter is not on the works of this church.
Nowhere in the passage is works mentioned in their activities of service.
Jesus does not mention their care for the lost.
He says nothing about their zeal for the word of God.
He doesn’t mention anything about visitation programs, children’s workers, building projects, training unions, no mention of any kind of work.
*A.
What He does mention is their steadfastness in the numerous trials and persecutions that they have endured.
*
1.
There is one key word that you need to see.
Notice the word “know.”
a.
He said, “I know.”
· I know all about it.
· I know what you are going through.
· I know the things you are suffering.
· I know the persecution you have seen.
· I know the trials that you have faced.
· I know the hardships you endure.
· I have seen everything that you have been put through, and nothing has escaped me.
Application:
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