Christ Wants A Lasting Church
Notes
Transcript
Your labor is not in vain.
Introduction: There are times in our lives were we throw pity parties. We start to say that nobody understands. We start to feel like nobody cares. We start to feel like you are the only one that is having money problems (children, job, health). We start to become defeated and forget that God is on the throne. There are times when we feel like our labor is in vain. But the God of the Universe
Transition: Your labor is not in vain
The Lord Jesus Christ has His eye on you and He knows what you are going through
I. Christ wants a church that will endure Pain
I. Christ wants a church that will endure Pain
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Christ examines their predicament says I know your works understand, and comprehend.
Christ knew that this church stood for and what they were going through.
You have given your time, your talent, and your treasure. Christ knowALLOW
…situations to shake ME..,
…trials to terminate ME…
..challenges to crush ME…
…obstacles to overcome ME…
…difficulties to destroy ME…
…problems to paralyze ME…
II. Christ wants a church that will endure Poverty
II. Christ wants a church that will endure Poverty
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Ill: There is a guy at my seminary that lost his job, house, car, and hopefully not his wife because he decided to follow God’s will.
Exp: The church experience suffering because of their service to the Lord. This suffering came from the persecution of the Christian church (naming Caesar as lord).
Christ understands that in this life poverty is wrapped up in possessions but Christ says this church is rich because of the faith in Him. Our riches are in spiritual things Ephesians 1:2 says we have all spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
ILL: A woman writes a check to give to the dead husband that wanted to take his money with him. She put the check in the grave and said cash it when you get where you are going. You cannot take it with you.
App: Maybe there are some ladies that have decided to get rid of that live in lover and now your bills are piling up. Maybe you have decided to leave those old friends alone and now you are all alone. Maybe there are some that decided to stop buying ‘hot’ material from off the streets and now your money is tight. Maybe you have decided to stop lying for your friends and it has put a strain on your relationship.
God is saying that it is not in the riches that you have here on this earth. But it is when you are rich in love.
Rich in peace,
rich in mercy,
rich in praises,
rich in grace,
rich in God
Stand on knowledge that you are rich in God.
Because of your commitment to Christ it has cause suffering in your life. But not only will your service bring suffering, but it will bring sacrifice.
III. Christ wants a church that will endure Persecution
III. Christ wants a church that will endure Persecution
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
A> Don’t be Fearful
State of fear, be alarmed, (experienced, undergo (Behold, pay attention, listen) The devil through his instruments will put some of the Christians of Smyrna into prison, and their persecution will last ten days. Prison was not for punishment, but a place to await sentence, whether for forced labour in salt mines, or deportation, or death. The persecution will be short, but it could suffice for some to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Ill: Barak would not go without Deborah
Song ‘I’ll go if I have to go by myself”
App: We must be willing to die for Christ. If a gun is put to your head you must
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
NOT ONLY DON’T BE FEARFUL BUT Don’t be faithless
Faith is the substance of things hope for but the evidence of things not seen. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Don’t give up, but be faithful. Continue to work, continue to fight the good fight of faith.
Ill: My father told me “Son be faithful” because God blesses faithfulness
App: Believe, Trust, Put your confidence in God for He will
When you exercise faith God promises
Answer to Prayer
Sonship
Power
Soul Rest
Spiritual Inheritance
Spiritual Foundation
Spiritual Assurance
IV. Christ wants a church that will Perform
IV. Christ wants a church that will Perform
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
Based on His Existence
8b These things saith the first and the last
Exp: Eternally existence before time started God was when time stops God will be. He preexist all and He will outlast all. At one time the city of Smyrna had died but was brought back. Christ is before you and he will be after you.
Ill: God told Job where were you when I put the stars in the sky
App: Nobody is before Him. Nobody is beyond Him. Nobody will outlive Him. Nobody will outlast Him. But if we would hold on to the existence of God, we will be with Him.
Based on His Experience (Conclusion)
Exp: Tell a brief story of Jesus life (plotted to kill him, came and arrested Christ in the garden, took Him from judgment hall to judgment hall, condemned Him, nail Him to a rugged Christ, died on that Christ, but on Sunday morning He got up with power)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
App: You might be feeling that giving your life for Christ is not worth it but because Christ was dead and is alive is. Don’t worry about dying. Jesus got up so that you may get up when he cracks the sky.
Based on His Exemption
11b ….He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Exp: If we continue to be faithful, continue to hold on to the Lord Jesus the text say that we will overcome. You will not be hurt by the second death. You may die one time but you will not die anymore.
App: Live for him, give him your life, give him your heart, give him your all and all because your labor is not in vain. Your time, treasure, talent, praise, etc is not in vain
Don’t Worry
Wait on the LORD
Don’t Be Troubled
Trust in the LORD
Don’t Fear
Put your Faith in the LORD
IN CHRIST THERE IS
DETERMINATION TO FACE OUR DIFFICULTIES
COURAGE TO FACE OUR CRISES
PEACE TO FACE OUR PROBLEMS
FAITH TO FACE OUR FEARS
ASSURANCE TO FACE OUR ANXIETIES
STRENGTH TO FACE OUR SORROWS
COMFORT TO FACE OUR CONCERNS
SUPPORT TO FACE OUR SITUATIONS
HOPE TO FACE OUR HELPLESSNESS
Tranquil in the midst of Trials
Courageous in the midst of a Crisis
Brave in the midst of Battle
Daring in the midst of Danger
Heroic in the midst of Hardship
Persevering in the midst of Pain
And Determined in the midst of a Difficulty