WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.500 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:17.160 ! Thank you all. If you could turn in your Bibles, we will return to our study of Revelation. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.000 And we will turn to chapter 2, verses 8-11. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:25.960 If you are visiting this morning, my name is Bill Herrett. I am an associate pastor here at Southwood. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:29.160 And I am grateful to be able to lead you through God's word. 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:34.640 This morning, as we turn our hearts and minds to our God. 00:00:35.219 --> 00:00:41.480 And so, this morning, before we get started, I want to ask you a couple questions. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:47.460 And that's first, what do you turn to for comfort? 00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:52.460 And what do you turn to for hope in your life? 00:00:52.460 --> 00:01:00.320 And as a room full of church attenders, goers, members, we would probably give the very church answer, 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:01.719 Oh, Jesus. 00:01:03.160 --> 00:01:05.319 Where do you go when you are hurting? 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:15.939 I want you to imagine a time long ago, long before online games, screens, streaming, 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:22.139 people who would be hurting in a time, let's call the 1990s. 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:31.359 Some of us would go to our rooms in the midst of deep sadness, hurt, pain, struggle. 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:35.079 And we'd pull out this thing called a cassette tape. 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:36.340 Kids, ask your parents. 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:42.960 And we'd grab that tape and maybe we scribbled on that tape and it said sad songs. 00:01:45.740 --> 00:01:53.480 Whether it was an R&B classic or Pearl Jam, you might have taken that tape and put it in. 00:01:53.520 --> 00:01:58.980 And it's a mixtape if you're unaware of sad songs that you recorded off the radio. 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:01.060 So again, kids, ask your parents. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:09.060 And you would isolate these songs onto a mixtape of sadness that you would go in to your room, 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:14.480 you would shut the door and you would find yourself in all your feelings. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:21.480 Whether it was grief, pain, sadness, we would go to this place. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:29.299 And I know this may sound to you a silly story and it may be real, it may not be. 00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:39.299 But many of us, Christians included, those who have found their hope and faith in Christ, 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:47.519 we find ourselves turning to other things when we face strife and struggle. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:52.360 When we see pain, suffering, and hurt in our lives. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:56.700 And in this world that we live in, we use this word a lot. 00:02:56.920 --> 00:03:03.640 I think it's, as I've gotten older, I realize it's more and more perhaps in the vernacular, 00:03:03.760 --> 00:03:06.500 but perhaps I just didn't pay attention when I was younger. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:08.040 But we self-medicate. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:12.460 We find ways to numb the pain. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:16.439 We find ways to avoid the pain. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:20.420 We want to get rid of it as much as possible. 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:23.900 And we want to feel better. 00:03:25.260 --> 00:03:33.120 And in this passage, we are going to see the great, amazing, incredible Savior, 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:39.960 the Son of God, Jesus, address very real pain and persecution, 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:43.280 suffering in the church in Smyrna. 00:03:45.920 --> 00:03:50.140 And he tells them where they need to turn and fix their eyes. 00:03:50.700 --> 00:03:54.000 He tells them what they must hold fast to. 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:57.420 He tells them where their comfort comes from. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:04:01.200 He tells them where their hope is found. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.579 And so this morning, I'm going to read to you first. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:07.479 Let's read from Revelation chapter 2. 00:04:07.619 --> 00:04:13.299 This is Jesus addressing the church in Smyrna through John in the book of Revelation, 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.579 chapter 2, verses 8 through 11. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:18.319 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:23.219 the words of the first and the last who died and came to life. 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:28.180 I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:34.040 And the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 00:04:35.020 --> 00:04:37.420 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:41.980 Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:43.680 that you may be tested. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:46.560 And for 10 days, you will have tribulation. 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:50.020 Be faithful unto death. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:52.519 And I will give you the crown of life. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:57.359 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:02.120 The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. 00:05:02.719 --> 00:05:03.599 This is God's word. 00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:04.060 Let's pray. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:09.000 Father, would you, as you speak to us through your word, 00:05:09.919 --> 00:05:15.139 would you help us to see clearly the greatness of Jesus, 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:19.219 the beauty of a life rooted in him, 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:22.740 the comfort we have as his people, 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:26.480 and the great hope that we have no matter what we may face. 00:05:28.060 --> 00:05:31.100 Lord, the great hope we have in eternity with you. 00:05:32.320 --> 00:05:34.020 And so, Lord, we thank you for today. 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:35.360 We thank you for your word. 00:05:35.460 --> 00:05:39.160 It is perfect and inerrant and infallible. 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:43.240 And we thank you that it teaches us how we might serve and follow you in all that we do. 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:45.560 We love you and pray this in Jesus' name. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:46.820 Amen. 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:46.959 Amen. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:51.060 So there's three things we're going to talk about this morning. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:54.719 And one is much more informational than anything else. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:06:01.300 It's our first point is that Jesus looks to Smyrna and he addresses the pain of the church. 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:02.439 Right? 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:04.159 He knows their pain. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:07.320 And we're going to go a little bit more in depth in this idea of him knowing their pain. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:10.660 But Jesus is addressing the pain of the church. 00:06:10.700 --> 00:06:16.140 And one of the things that's important to remember about this letter to Smyrna is that Jesus is not rebuking them. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:18.540 He's not calling them back to their first love. 00:06:18.640 --> 00:06:20.560 He is encouraging them. 00:06:20.960 --> 00:06:22.440 For he knows their suffering. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:23.480 He knows their pain. 00:06:23.520 --> 00:06:24.420 And he's addressing it. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:28.180 And so what kind of pain is Jesus pointing out? 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:29.939 What kind of pain is Jesus seeing? 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:35.240 He sees that the church is suffering for Christ's kingdom. 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:37.360 He is suffering. 00:06:37.520 --> 00:06:39.420 They are suffering for the gospel. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:41.980 For the good news of what Jesus has done. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:45.420 And so we need to ask ourselves, how are they suffering? 00:06:45.740 --> 00:06:53.200 And there's a word that gets used here for their tribulation, their overarching struggle and pain. 00:06:54.180 --> 00:06:54.420 Right? 00:06:54.480 --> 00:07:00.340 The word that is used here is he's talking about this very kind of more broad struggle. 00:07:01.080 --> 00:07:01.480 Right? 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:07.800 And the language of the Greek kind of tells us more that it has something to do with more of a generic problem. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:09.040 Right? 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:14.600 But then Jesus hones in and he goes deeper than just saying, you guys have got problems. 00:07:15.200 --> 00:07:18.319 He talks about them being poverty stricken. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:22.680 Though you have your poverty, right? 00:07:23.460 --> 00:07:29.640 And says, not just struggling, but poor in the sense of financial and well-being. 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:37.100 And everything we know about the church there is not just that they are impoverished because perhaps they are facing pain. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:47.160 Perhaps their poverty is because they are also generous because there's notes that tell us that in the ancient church in times of great trial and struggle, the Christians would be willing to give away more and more. 00:07:47.260 --> 00:07:55.439 And so their poverty is not just because of the pain they're suffering through, but because of their generosity and their understanding of care for one another. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:08:00.259 But what Jesus addresses is that he knows that they are poverty stricken. 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.740 And they are poor. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:11.280 He also addresses this idea of slander from those that say they are Jews and are not. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:17.740 They are from the synagogue of Satan, giving them really strong and dark description. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:21.620 And these two things would have been very interconnected. 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:27.560 The slander that they're experiencing, the impoverished state that they're in, right? 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:29.720 They are in Smyrna, right? 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:34.279 A Roman city full of pagan worship, full of emperor worship. 00:08:35.060 --> 00:08:43.039 And then they also have another group in the Jewish community saying that they worship a God that is different from the Jews. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.279 And one commentator puts it, and I'm kind of going to summarize his words. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:50.740 He's like, Rome was antagonistic to new religions. 00:08:51.959 --> 00:08:55.879 And in the Roman world, the Jews would have had a special place. 00:08:57.079 --> 00:09:03.480 But what would be happening is Gentiles or God-fearers would be joining the church. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:06.259 And this could stir up frustration. 00:09:07.719 --> 00:09:11.319 And the Jews of the time would point out that they're not like us. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:15.580 They're not just another split or sect of Judaism. 00:09:16.780 --> 00:09:20.100 They would be describing them as something else. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.940 And so slander means to misrepresent them in who they are. 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:28.740 And they would tell them that they are not at all a specialized group of Jews. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:33.020 And they would belittle and destroy their reputations. 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:44.199 And so they would be worshiping in such a way that the Romans and Smyrna, the pagans, they all would be upset. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.679 The Jews would be upset. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:47.899 They would be calling them blasphemers. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:52.740 And they would be living in an antagonistic culture. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:56.100 And so what should we expect? 00:09:57.100 --> 00:10:01.600 As Jesus addresses their poverty and the slander they're facing. 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:13.279 They would be affecting the spiritual and financial status quo of a culture that has money, time, power, 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:18.580 invested in the religious practices of its people. 00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:27.820 And you'd think that if in a world that the church in Smyrna would be living in, that that would be enough. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:29.700 That would be enough trouble for them. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:36.200 That there are people who are misrepresenting them, calling them out for things that are untrue. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:39.360 Accusing them of evil and pain. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:45.879 But he warns them even more. 00:10:47.800 --> 00:10:53.259 He warns them that the suffering is not just done in the slander and in the poverty. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:11:00.419 He says, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested. 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:03.800 And for 10 days you will have tribulation. 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:07.840 Be faithful unto death. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:14.360 He warns them that their suffering is going to continue. 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:18.500 And they're going to be thrown into prison for their belief, for their faith. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:22.879 And it's a suffering that some of us have hard time imagining. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:28.800 And not just imprisonment, but he kind of gives a time of 10 days. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:32.840 And there's lots of debate within kind of this idea. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:37.700 It could mean a literal 10 days and Jesus being prophetic and telling exactly what's going to happen. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:42.800 It could mean some sort of like a saying of 10 days. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:47.060 It could mean an idea of 10 days as kind of a representative time. 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:54.160 Regardless of the term, Jesus is telling them that they will face prison for their faith. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:12:02.799 And even worse, the thing we, most of us fear, death. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:07.159 Not just that they would be hurting. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:08.480 Not just that they would be poor. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.959 Not just that they would be in prison. 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:13.939 But death is even possible. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:19.660 Be faithful unto death. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:28.580 This is a picture of Jesus knowing the very suffering of his church. 00:12:29.280 --> 00:12:30.500 Of his people. 00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:32.840 Whom he loves. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:38.500 So what do we do with this suffering? 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:42.980 What can we do with this suffering? 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:46.120 We live in a very different time. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:49.639 We live in a very different place. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:53.100 The circumstances of Southwood. 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:54.720 The circumstances of Huntsville. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:56.399 The circumstances of your schools. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.980 The circumstances of your neighborhoods. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:13:03.519 They are very different than what the church in Smyrna are facing. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:09.620 And I think one of the things that's amazing is that we have. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:13.039 And I'm hesitant to ever really mention any of our mission partners. 00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:15.399 Because I know that we've had conversations with them. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:18.180 And about the different suffering that they have faced. 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:21.639 Mission partners that have not been allowed to buy certain buildings. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:26.440 Because they don't want to let any Christian have a hold on anything. 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:28.440 Or property in their country. 00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:32.160 Mission partners that are turned away. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.340 Because they know that the Christians that perhaps have come before them. 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:40.000 Did so with ill intentions. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:46.480 We know that there are mission partners who have struggled against proclaiming the gospel. 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:51.660 Because they themselves would be called out as people who are disruptors. 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:57.839 People who are here to break up what the government or perhaps even the city wants. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:04.199 And they would be antagonistic to those who believe in something else. 00:14:05.719 --> 00:14:08.539 And one of the beautiful things that we do get to do at Southwood. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:12.919 Is we get to engage with Christians across the world. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.059 We've met some of them. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.399 They've come to this very room. 00:14:16.459 --> 00:14:17.500 They've preached from this pulpit. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:20.580 And they've told us about the things that are going on. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:25.240 And yet God has called us as our brothers and sisters to them. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.720 That we are called to engage with them. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.860 And pray for them. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.200 And encourage them. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:33.240 And remind them over and over and over again. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:36.159 That their mission is not fruitless. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:43.459 And so we as people of Christ. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:51.419 Must engage and step into and acknowledge that this is really a part of the church. 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:53.600 And what it faces across the world. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:57.799 Oftentimes we will withdraw. 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.000 Or we want to forget. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:05.059 Or we want to be people who don't actually look to the pain and suffering. 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:08.099 Of our fellow brothers and sisters across the world. 00:15:08.859 --> 00:15:12.899 I know I am guilty of withdrawing. 00:15:13.479 --> 00:15:16.839 When we see hurt and persecution. 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:21.679 Pain and suffering of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:26.859 We must be people who turn to our fellows and brothers. 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.639 And remind ourselves that we have some sort of unique. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.460 And beautiful and mystical connection. 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:35.199 To every brother and sister in Christ. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:36.699 Because of the work of Jesus. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.740 We can't look away from it. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:43.740 We must be people who engage it. 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.659 And I'm not going to tell you all the ways that you. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.740 I could list out. 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.740 Here's what you should do. 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.939 Here's how you can be. 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.860 Here's what you need to. 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.539 How you need to show up and go. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:54.139 I think first and foremost. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.799 We need to be people of prayer. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:59.120 For our brothers and sisters that face persecution. 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.240 We have to lean in. 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.559 And understand. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:05.359 That this is not just their battle. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.159 But it is ours as well. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.899 We must be people. 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.759 Who continually. 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.120 And repeatedly. 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:16.059 Turn our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.939 Back to Jesus. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.779 So that they might be encouraged. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.319 In his presence among them. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:27.480 And I know this is really different for us. 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:29.680 Because we're not going to walk out. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.840 And people in our neighborhood. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:33.320 Are not going to be protesting us. 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:35.340 For the sake of our belief. 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.980 But we have to acknowledge. 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:39.440 That Jesus. 00:16:40.280 --> 00:16:42.520 Is going to bring. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.400 Conflict with us. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.980 When we start to address things. 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.520 Like you are a sinner. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.000 And you need a savior. 00:16:49.260 --> 00:16:51.380 And there's a kingdom greater than anything else. 00:16:51.380 --> 00:16:52.140 In this world. 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.920 And so we have to be people. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.860 Who actually lean into. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.180 That conflict. 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.220 Jesus addresses the conflict. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.500 But then he does something. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.259 Incredible. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:05.160 That hopefully. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.039 Goes well for all of us as well. 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.460 He comforts the church. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.240 The church in Smyrna. 00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:11.940 Doesn't just say. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.000 Well you got this problem. 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.620 Jesus doesn't say. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.340 You got this problem. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.320 Good luck. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.700 Jesus offers comfort. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.580 And I think this is. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.420 What I wanted to make sure we said. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:22.299 And that's why I was trying to make this second point. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.000 That I'm making. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.759 And then our third point. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.480 Different is that. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:27.000 Jesus is comforting the church. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.919 In the now. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.759 This is the now. 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:30.599 Reality. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.240 Okay. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.519 We live in a world. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:35.399 That we can go to any. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.399 News organization. 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.460 We can find articles. 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.940 About Christians facing. 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.019 Hurt and persecution. 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.200 And pain and suffering. 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.079 And even death. 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:47.899 And Jesus offers comfort. 00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:49.339 To those who are even. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.679 Suffering now. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.379 He reminds them. 00:17:53.379 --> 00:17:55.240 Of what they actually have. 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.799 As Christians. 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.980 Not just their situation. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.720 They have something. 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.960 Much more. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.240 He says. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.179 I know your tribulation. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:05.059 I know your trouble. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.379 And your poverty. 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.259 But you are rich. 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.339 Rich. 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.779 He reminds them. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.700 Of who they are. 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.059 Not that they are rich. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.420 In wealth. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.240 And in finances. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.079 And in property. 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.940 And in business. 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.299 But they are rich. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.759 Because they have Christ. 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.460 It reminds me. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.140 Of the parables. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.960 Jesus tells. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.779 In Matthew. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.379 Of the hidden treasure. 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:28.779 And of the pearl of great value. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.859 The kingdom of heaven. 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:31.119 Is like a treasure. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.079 Hidden in a field. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.420 Which a man found. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.259 And covered up. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.200 Then in his joy. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.400 He goes and sells. 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.640 All that he has. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.440 And buys that field. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.640 The parable. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.700 Of the pearl of great value. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:43.039 Again. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:43.940 The kingdom of heaven. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.600 Is like a merchant. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.779 In search of fine pearls. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.519 Who on finding. 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.380 One pearl. 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.620 Of great value. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.240 Went and sold. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.299 All that he had. 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.900 And bought it. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.720 All that he had. 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.819 Everything else. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.580 Is worthless. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.380 Compared to owning. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.559 The one thing. 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.440 And in this case. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.360 The one thing. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:00.160 Is God's kingdom. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.500 Found in Christ. 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.360 In Christ alone. 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.180 And so. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.960 In these stories. 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.640 We have this. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.579 This picture. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.720 Of the one thing. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.880 And Jesus. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.680 Is reminding Smyrna. 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.220 Of the one thing. 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:14.960 Yes. 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.500 You are. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:16.920 Impoverished. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.960 You are in poverty. 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.340 But you are rich. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.480 He goes on. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.180 And I think he's. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.039 In comforting the church. 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:29.160 Not just in reminding them. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.840 That they are rich. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.500 Though they face great troubles. 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.380 They are more than rich. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.380 More than that. 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.440 They tells them about. 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:36.080 What it means. 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.940 As a follower of Christ. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.740 They have something more. 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.480 They have eternal life. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.759 In Mark chapter 8. 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.559 Jesus talks about. 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.080 He called the crowd. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.220 Alongside the disciples. 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:52.580 And he says. 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:54.340 Whoever wants to be my disciple. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.580 Must deny themselves. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.860 Take up their cross. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.519 And follow me. 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:59.660 For whoever wants to save their life. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.660 Will lose it. 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.920 But whoever loses their life. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.259 For me. 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.360 For the gospel. 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.360 Will save it. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.800 What good is it. 00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:07.200 For someone to gain the whole world. 00:20:07.320 --> 00:20:08.160 Yet forfeit. 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.400 Their soul. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.800 The Smyrna church. 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:16.019 Is more rich. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.000 Than they could ever. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.900 Imagine. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.100 Because they have. 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:22.060 This great pearl. 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.140 This great treasure. 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:26.880 They have their very soul. 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:27.960 Eternally. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.020 They are more rich. 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.220 Than they could ever imagine. 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.240 And there is no present struggle. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.820 Or trouble. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.740 That could take that away from them. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:39.019 So not only. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:41.000 Is Christ reminding them. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.660 Their riches in Christ. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.660 He is reminding them. 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.599 Of something else. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.019 That is there. 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:48.500 He knows their pain. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:51.920 Christ offers to them. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:54.500 The fact that he knows them. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:57.220 And as I was reflecting on this passage. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.120 I kept coming back. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.380 To this idea of Jesus promising. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.859 Behold I am with you. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.220 Even to the end of the age. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.779 And how beautiful is it. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.139 That Christ knows. 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.160 What they are going through. 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.759 He is present. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.559 In their struggle. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.099 And suffering. 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.000 He knows it. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.660 And he knows them. 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.339 And he is not far away. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.639 But he is very near. 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:16.240 By the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.920 Christ knows. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.879 What they are enduring. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.599 And more than that. 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.980 Christ himself. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.960 Knows suffering. 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:31.440 At the very beginning. 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:31.899 It says. 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.299 The words of the first. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.059 And the last. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.099 The one who died. 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:36.559 And came to life. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.720 Jesus' own death. 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:42.299 In this passage. 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.119 Is a reminder. 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.519 To the church in Smyrna. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:47.039 That he knows their suffering. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.639 Even in death. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.319 Even death on a cross. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:54.240 Jesus has endured pain. 00:21:54.379 --> 00:21:54.659 And suffering. 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.500 And we could go through. 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.399 The whole litany. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.399 Of his suffering. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.740 When it comes to his death. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.879 And his crucifixion. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.820 And his betrayal. 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.860 And his hurts. 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.740 That he would know. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:06.000 And this is incredible. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.760 Because this is. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.740 What God has done. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:10.940 He has provided us. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.700 With a comfort. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.420 Of knowing. 00:22:12.420 --> 00:22:13.260 That our God. 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.460 Will not forsake us. 00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:15.600 In the midst of our suffering. 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.380 And our trials. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:20.360 And this. 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.480 This. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.760 This. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:21.840 Verse. 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:23.120 In chapter 8. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.680 When it says. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.880 To the angel of Smyrna. 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.760 In Smyrna. 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.080 Write. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.100 The words of the first. 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.600 And the last. 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.000 Who died. 00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.900 And came to life. 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.940 Jesus. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:33.560 Has conquered death. 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:35.240 Not just. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.360 Experienced it. 00:22:36.520 --> 00:22:37.600 But conquered it. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:39.119 And so. 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.539 If we can. 00:22:39.719 --> 00:22:40.379 If we can. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.179 Go to Jesus. 00:22:41.459 --> 00:22:42.359 For comfort. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.419 In the midst of the struggle. 00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:44.419 That we experience. 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:44.919 In this life. 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.899 Here and now. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.699 He does more than that. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.919 By pushing us. 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.740 Towards something. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.399 Beyond. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:51.459 Even the here and now. 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.379 And shows us. 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:53.240 That there's life. 00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.740 Beyond this world. 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.419 That we are kind of. 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.740 Experiencing right now. 00:22:59.379 --> 00:22:59.859 Who. 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.219 Can promise us. 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:01.779 A hope. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.480 It won't be. 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.519 The things of this world. 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.279 That we turn to. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.799 It won't be. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:09.059 The weak. 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:10.139 And the. 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.099 Thin. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.960 Things that we. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.440 Grab a hold of. 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:14.819 To give us. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.319 Money. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.879 Power. 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.039 A good savings. 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.839 A good job. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.759 A good marriage. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.379 A good family. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.519 Those things are all great. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.160 When they honor Christ. 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.119 But those things. 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.319 When they become our idol. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.259 When they become the thing. 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.359 That we hold on to. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.099 To make us. 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:29.079 Feel comfort. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.980 In this world. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.619 They will fall short. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.119 Everything. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.500 Will fall short. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:37.319 And so we can trust. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:37.960 For comfort. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.200 In Jesus. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.220 Because he knows. 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.759 Our suffering. 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.619 But more than that. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.619 We can look to him. 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.240 For hope. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.440 Because he's the only one. 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.519 Who has conquered death. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.640 And so. 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.579 Jesus looks. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.500 To their suffering. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.859 And he offers to them. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.279 Comfort. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.259 In the midst of it. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.180 But he offers them. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.339 Something even more. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.200 Beyond it. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:59.799 Only the one. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.220 Who can defeat death. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:03.519 Can make these kind of promises. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.620 And give them. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.720 The kind of crown. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.519 That lasts. 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.720 And so Christ alone. 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.580 This is our last point. 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:11.600 That Christ alone. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.940 Gives them the hope. 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:14.580 Of a greater crown. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.319 Beyond their suffering. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.700 Beyond the things. 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.380 That they're experiencing. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.120 Beyond the things. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.840 That we experience. 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.340 In this world. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.600 Christ alone. 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.600 Can offer them. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.660 A crown. 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.860 That is greater. 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:29.399 He has given them. 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.959 Beauty and richness. 00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:31.779 In life. 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.159 And he will give them. 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.439 The victor's crown. 00:24:34.959 --> 00:24:36.099 Even in death. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.459 Because here's the words. 00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:40.019 He who has ear. 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.539 Let him hear. 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.319 What the spirit says. 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.659 The one who conquers. 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:43.859 Will not be hurt. 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:44.879 By the second death. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:47.219 That is a promise. 00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:49.279 That only Jesus can keep. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.539 That is a promise. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.099 That Jesus gives us. 00:24:53.219 --> 00:24:53.740 In our hope. 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:55.079 Is beyond our suffering. 00:24:55.199 --> 00:24:55.779 In this world. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:25:01.359 See what's happening here. 00:25:01.459 --> 00:25:01.899 Is. 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.579 Jesus kind of also. 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:04.039 Gives us. 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.000 A little bit of a resume. 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.039 About why. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.619 This is something. 00:25:06.719 --> 00:25:07.500 We can cling to. 00:25:07.979 --> 00:25:08.619 In our hope. 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.279 The reminder of. 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.799 Of verse 8. 00:25:12.959 --> 00:25:13.500 Says this. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.599 The words of the first and last. 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.099 Who died. 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:15.899 And came to life. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.859 And this is a repeated verse. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:19.579 From Revelation chapter 1. 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.459 Verses 17 and 18. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.559 When I saw him. 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.460 I fell at his feet. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.059 As though dead. 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:24.880 But he laid his right hand on me. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.720 Saying fear not. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.740 For I. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.220 Fear not. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.620 I am the first and the last. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.539 And the living one. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.279 I died. 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:30.840 And behold. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.740 I am alive. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.220 Forevermore. 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:35.240 And I have the keys. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.319 Of death and Hades. 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.240 Jesus. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.160 Is reminding us. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.660 Here that he is God. 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.860 He has the keys. 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.799 To death and life. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:44.160 He has power. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.600 Power over all these things. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.720 And so we see Jesus. 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.759 And his deity. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.600 And all his deity. 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.580 Having power over death. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.120 He himself. 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.700 Conquering death. 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.019 He tells them. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.500 Be faithful unto death. 00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:00.300 And I will give you. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.880 The crown of life. 00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:04.200 He who has. 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.279 Ear to hear. 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.980 Let him hear. 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.860 What the spirit says. 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.180 The church. 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.060 The one who conquers. 00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.300 Will not be hurt. 00:26:09.300 --> 00:26:10.300 By the second death. 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.860 And in this crown. 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.000 As we've thought. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.619 About there's a lot. 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.220 Of royalty language. 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:16.740 In. 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.299 Revelation. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.119 In a lot of ways. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.819 But this is one. 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.339 That is. 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.640 To the victor's crown. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.519 This is not. 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.279 The kind of crown. 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.539 That you were thinking of. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:27.819 So. 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.359 I wanted to. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.940 Think on this. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.799 As I studied. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.240 I thought. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.240 I thought I was talking. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.859 About a dated. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.180 Think of a dated reference. 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.420 But apparently. 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.259 It's not as dated. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.019 Because one of the kids. 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.599 Already saw me. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.339 Carrying this in. 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.160 Today. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.599 And. 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.859 I thought. 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.839 I'm not going to put it on. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.319 I promise. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.299 But I thought of. 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:49.519 The Burger King crown. 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.299 That is the crown. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.399 That as a child. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.319 And having a dad. 00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:55.179 Who really loved. 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.500 A Whopper. 00:26:59.219 --> 00:27:00.500 I just can't see it today. 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.500 If I have the choice. 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.159 For Chick-fil-A. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.959 Except maybe on a Sunday. 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:07.140 That this is the crown. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.220 I kept thinking of. 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:09.840 Whenever I thought of it. 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:11.120 And I know it's not the right crown. 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.140 But. 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.420 If you grew up. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.360 Going to Burger King. 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.960 You knew. 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:17.640 That if you put this crown on. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.279 No one was making you king. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.840 Or queen. 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.819 Of any land. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.579 Right. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.799 Right. 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:24.360 It never really was. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.920 It was not real. 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:28.700 It didn't really give you any power. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.920 I didn't walk in. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.059 And I'm like. 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.400 Sir. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.319 Your finest. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.480 Of chicken nuggets. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.879 I didn't do that. 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.839 Because this is. 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.799 A paper crown. 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.299 It is. 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.319 Something. 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.359 I can ball up. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.299 And throw away. 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.519 And be done with. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.819 And so. 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.480 In the same way. 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:47.759 Like. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.319 We have these across the street. 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.799 Because we often will do it. 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.379 Where we'll have games. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.879 And we have these. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.319 Fake. 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.079 Plastic. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.299 Gold. 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.039 Metals. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.460 Right. 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.419 This one I can put on. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.220 I'm not going to do it. 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.700 Because I don't want to. 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.539 Bump the mic. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:03.019 You can put on these crown. 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.639 These gold medals. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.000 And be like. 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.819 I have won. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.679 I have. 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.399 Beaten every other. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.679 Middle schooler. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.779 In the game we're playing. 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.759 And now I have received. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.059 This everlasting. 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.019 Plastic. 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.179 Gold medal. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.980 And everyone knows. 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.220 That. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.559 At least with. 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:22.039 With some form of sense. 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.779 We can look to this crown. 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.299 And look to this gold medal. 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.319 And we can know. 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:28.399 That these things do not last. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:32.220 And there's something. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.280 Greater. 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.720 In the crown. 00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:36.940 That Jesus is offering his people. 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.660 He knows. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.900 That they are suffering. 00:28:42.300 --> 00:28:43.220 He knows. 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.620 That they are in pain. 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.500 He knows. 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.759 That they are. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.840 Struggling. 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:49.440 And he knows. 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.019 That that could lead. 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.040 Even to death. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.660 But Jesus is the one. 00:28:55.780 --> 00:28:56.980 With the real victor's crown. 00:28:56.980 --> 00:29:00.440 Because he has defeated death. 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.620 He has risen again. 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.480 And so he alone. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.839 In this world of. 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.700 Things we put our trust in. 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.779 He's the only thing. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.660 That gives us hope. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.900 And a crown that lasts. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.000 A victor's crown. 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.799 Because he has accomplished. 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.680 Forever on the cross. 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.839 The work. 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.279 Of atonement. 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.980 He alone. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.539 He alone. 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.759 Has brought us. 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.120 From death. 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.940 To life. 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.820 He alone. 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:27.880 Has given us. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:28.740 Power. 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.940 In this place. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.460 Because we have life eternal. 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.240 In Christ. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.600 He alone. 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.559 Gives us life. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.620 That tells us. 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.640 We can never. 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:42.799 Be hurt. 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.680 By second death. 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.920 Because we. 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.080 Will have life. 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.840 And life eternal. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.459 God. 00:29:48.459 --> 00:29:48.839 And Christ. 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.039 And Christ. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:52.419 Is the only one. 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.839 There is no other way. 00:29:54.959 --> 00:29:56.480 You can find victory. 00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.799 Except in him. 00:29:59.159 --> 00:30:00.000 There is none. 00:30:00.419 --> 00:30:01.299 Who can hand out. 00:30:01.459 --> 00:30:02.379 A gold medal to you. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.079 Otherwise. 00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:04.259 You're just receiving. 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.139 A paper crown. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.699 Otherwise. 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:06.759 You're just receiving. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.480 A plastic. 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.699 Gold medal. 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:12.259 Only Jesus. 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.420 Can offer. 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.559 Real hope. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.920 In the greater crown. 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.440 That is beyond. 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.120 Suffering. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.680 In this world. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.140 And as we turn our eyes. 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.440 To. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.819 To our own hearts. 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.279 For a moment. 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.460 Let's think on those things. 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.059 Think. 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:27.620 Think on the. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.080 What are the. 00:30:28.080 --> 00:30:29.039 The paper crowns. 00:30:29.080 --> 00:30:29.460 What are the. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.140 Plastic. 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.059 Metals. 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.400 What are the places you go. 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.299 When you. 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.160 Turn. 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.779 For comfort. 00:30:36.580 --> 00:30:36.819 For hope. 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.659 Where are those places. 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:38.339 That you. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.480 Give up on. 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:40.579 Jesus. 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.379 And you instead. 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.119 Turn your hearts. 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.579 And minds. 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.220 And lives. 00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:44.159 Onto accomplishing. 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.879 For yourselves. 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.319 Jesus. 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.559 Tells us. 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.639 I am the first. 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.539 And I am the last. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:56.279 I'm the living one. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.919 I died. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.539 And behold. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.839 I am alive. 00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.200 Forevermore. 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.439 I have the keys. 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.460 To death. 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.039 And Hades. 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:08.240 The church. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.019 In Smyrna. 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.119 Needed. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.059 To be reminded. 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:13.379 That their great hope. 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.480 Is not found. 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.759 In the suffering. 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.399 It's just surviving. 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.019 The suffering. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.759 They're going through. 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.359 Their great hope. 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:20.859 Is found. 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.480 Into Jesus. 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.779 Who carries them. 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.279 Now. 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.159 And forever. 00:31:24.159 --> 00:31:25.500 Into eternal life. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.139 And as you look. 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.519 To yourself. 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.200 As you look. 00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:32.579 For. 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:34.119 These kind of. 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.759 Treasures. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:36.640 To give you hope. 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.180 And value. 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:39.259 Would you run from them. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.019 Would you reject them. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.400 Would you remember. 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.420 There is a greater. 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.299 Crown. 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.019 For you. 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.039 That lasts. 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.680 Now. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.539 And forever. 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.980 Let's pray. 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.599 Father. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.740 We are so grateful. 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.539 For. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:56.879 Lord. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.539 Your kingdom. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.839 Your work. 00:31:58.839 --> 00:32:00.799 Your word. 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.619 And the faithfulness. 00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:03.039 Of Jesus. 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.000 He alone. 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.919 Could give life. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.779 And life eternally. 00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:09.099 Lord. 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:10.000 Would you help us. 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.500 To remember. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.240 That you. 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:14.859 You are. 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.240 Our greatest treasure. 00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.199 You are our great. 00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:17.839 Victory. 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:19.099 You are our great hope. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.980 And you Lord. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.399 Give us comfort. 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.919 In the midst. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.539 Of our struggles. 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.059 Today. 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:24.759 Lord. 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.419 We love you. 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.439 We know. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.359 That you are with us. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.459 And we pray. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.799 That you would strengthen us. 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.719 And encourage us. 00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:31.619 And help us. 00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:32.359 As we seek. 00:32:32.439 --> 00:32:32.839 To honor. 00:32:33.199 --> 00:32:34.319 And glorify you. 00:32:35.719 --> 00:32:36.379 And help us. 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:37.240 To cling tightly. 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.740 Not to nothing else. 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:39.919 But Jesus. 00:32:40.479 --> 00:32:41.919 The one who has conquered death. 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:42.879 Forever. 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:44.139 Amen. 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.879 For more information. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.139 Visit us online. 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.179 At southwood.org.