WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:01.780 Good morning, church. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:06.259 Friends, one thing we do here at Trinity 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:12.259 is that we do our very best to humbly preach God's Word. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:16.980 We try hard to take our key and our tune from Scripture. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:20.780 And so what that means is that whenever we come to a passage 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:24.920 which talks about difficult things, we do not shy away. 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:29.879 This morning, the two subjects that Scripture presents for us 00:00:29.879 --> 00:00:31.500 are difficult for many. 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:36.719 These two things are the subjects of suffering and death. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:40.179 These are the two things in this world 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:42.399 that most people would do anything to avoid. 00:00:42.879 --> 00:00:46.200 Most people, in fact, don't even like to talk about these things. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:49.899 But today, our passage in Scripture has much to say 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:51.899 about suffering and death, 00:00:51.899 --> 00:00:54.859 and so we're going to take these subjects head-on. 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:58.519 This is important to do because if you haven't noticed, 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.280 suffering and death are two things that hard as we try, 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:03.560 we cannot avoid. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:05.159 They are inescapable, 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:09.219 and because of this, people fear them above all else. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:12.939 But Christian, I wonder, 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:15.320 what about you? 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:19.419 Are you afraid of suffering? 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:22.439 Are you afraid of death? 00:01:23.919 --> 00:01:27.439 What do you do, or what should you do when faced with these things? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.500 Perhaps you are suffering now. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:32.879 How are you enduring? 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:36.000 Perhaps you know that your end is coming. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:38.419 How are you responding? 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:43.060 Well, if you find yourself afraid, 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:44.599 and we all do at times, 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:47.060 if you find yourself afraid of these things, 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:48.159 then take heart, 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:50.460 because the letter we are about to read 00:01:50.460 --> 00:01:51.920 has good counsel for you. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:54.379 In this letter, in the book of Revelation, 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:57.200 Jesus tells the ancient church of Smyrna 00:01:57.200 --> 00:01:59.359 that they are going to suffer, 00:02:00.099 --> 00:02:02.060 and that some of them may even die. 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:04.439 But Jesus says to them 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:06.140 to not be afraid. 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:07.700 And He promises 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:10.400 that He will defeat suffering and death. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:12.639 And what He promises to them, 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.680 He promises to you, O Christian. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:19.219 So let us walk through these things this morning. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:22.199 The passage we have before us 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:23.759 can be found in the book of Revelation, 00:02:24.139 --> 00:02:26.319 chapter 2, verses 8 through 11. 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:29.479 This corresponds with page 965 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:31.340 in your pew Bible. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:33.240 And just by way of reminder, 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:35.180 the author of the book of Revelation 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:36.780 is John the Apostle, 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:38.260 a disciple of Jesus. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:40.540 And in this book of Revelation, 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:42.219 Jesus has appeared to John 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:43.180 in a heavenly vision, 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:45.600 and He's currently dictating letters to John 00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:48.340 to send to local churches in Asia Minor. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:52.480 And this brief letter we have before us today 00:02:52.480 --> 00:02:55.100 was addressed to the church in ancient Smyrna. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:58.140 And this little letter reads like this. 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:03.199 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 00:03:03.939 --> 00:03:06.659 the words of the first and the last 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:09.899 who died and came to life. 00:03:10.479 --> 00:03:13.939 I know your tribulation and your poverty, 00:03:14.399 --> 00:03:15.419 but you are rich, 00:03:15.799 --> 00:03:17.579 and the slander of those who say 00:03:17.579 --> 00:03:19.259 that they are Jews and are not, 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:21.259 but are a synagogue of Satan. 00:03:21.799 --> 00:03:24.579 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:28.080 Behold, the devil is about to throw 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.300 some of you into prison 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.120 that you may be tested, 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.400 and for ten days you will have tribulation. 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:37.300 Be faithful unto death, 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:40.140 and I will give you the crown of life. 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:42.780 He who has an ear, 00:03:42.880 --> 00:03:45.600 let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 00:03:46.760 --> 00:03:48.360 The one who conquers 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:51.920 will not be hurt by the second death. 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:56.659 Here Jesus counsels the church in Smyrna 00:03:56.659 --> 00:03:58.639 not to fear suffering 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:01.079 and to be faithful even unto death. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:04.859 And these will be our two themes this morning. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:07.879 First, we will start with a little bit 00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:09.379 of background to this letter. 00:04:09.519 --> 00:04:11.299 We'll sketch out the historical context 00:04:11.299 --> 00:04:13.779 to help us understand the sufferings 00:04:13.779 --> 00:04:16.259 that the church in Smyrna was facing 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:17.480 and what they were to face. 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:20.439 And then we'll focus on two things. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.560 First, what Jesus says about suffering. 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:28.079 And second, what Jesus says about death. 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:30.279 And we will see what counsel 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:32.459 he gives to those who face such things. 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:34.860 And we'll see what counsel he gives to you. 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:37.399 Let's pray together. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:40.560 Oh, Father in heaven, 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:41.740 we thank you for your word. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:43.319 We thank you for its timeliness. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.040 And Lord, for how you cut to our hearts with it. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:50.420 Father, we pray 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:53.740 that through your word this morning 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:55.240 you would give consolation 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:56.540 and comfort and encouragement 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:57.660 to those who are suffering 00:04:57.660 --> 00:04:59.120 and to those who face death. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:00.980 Lord, we pray that we would treasure 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:02.860 your word in our hearts. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:06.180 Lord, that if now we do not face these things, 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:07.620 that in the future when we do, 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:09.740 we will remember your counsel 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:12.259 and we would cast ourselves upon you, 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:15.160 the one who has conquered suffering and death. 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:20.320 Father, we pray all this in the name of Jesus. 00:05:21.320 --> 00:05:21.540 Amen. 00:05:23.700 --> 00:05:25.439 Let us begin with a little bit 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:27.440 of historical background to this letter. 00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:28.580 Remember, this letter was written 00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:30.200 to the ancient church in Smyrna. 00:05:30.880 --> 00:05:34.220 And Smyrna was a very wealthy city 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:35.420 in the ancient world. 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:37.200 It was known for its spices, 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:38.540 for trade, 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:40.160 and its beautiful buildings. 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:42.900 And it was also one of the chief centers 00:05:42.900 --> 00:05:46.620 of imperial worship of the Roman emperor. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:50.180 It was, in fact, specially selected for this purpose. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:53.220 What this means is that the people of Smyrna 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:54.840 would have been making sacrifices 00:05:54.840 --> 00:05:57.460 to the Roman emperor pretty much every day. 00:05:57.940 --> 00:05:58.940 And along with this, 00:05:59.320 --> 00:06:01.960 Smyrna also had a vibrant Jewish community. 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:05.319 But it must be noted that 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:07.659 of all the different ethnic groups 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:08.739 in the Roman Empire, 00:06:09.839 --> 00:06:12.060 Jews at this time were exempted 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:14.439 from the requirements of emperor worship 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:16.659 by special agreement with the government. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:20.079 This means that while probably everyone in Smyrna 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.199 was required to worship the Roman emperor, 00:06:22.919 --> 00:06:26.139 the Jewish inhabitants likely were not. 00:06:27.419 --> 00:06:29.339 And all these things help us to understand 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:31.240 Jesus' words to the church in Smyrna, 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:32.840 because when we take this letter 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:34.160 and we place it in the light 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:35.680 of these historical facts, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:38.879 we can draw some reasonable conclusions. 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:40.960 First, it seems, for example, 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:42.720 that the Christians of Smyrna 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:44.540 must have felt pressure 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.319 to worship the Roman emperor 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:49.180 due to the imperially backed Roman cult 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:51.079 that was present in the city. 00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:54.759 And in fact, this pressure may have been immense. 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:57.040 Along with this, 00:06:57.420 --> 00:06:58.900 Christians also would have been living 00:06:58.900 --> 00:07:01.019 amongst very wealthy people. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.800 They would have lived among people 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:03.900 who flaunted their riches, 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:05.139 who had opulent homes, 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:06.920 who possessed many servants and slaves. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:10.240 Yet, as Jesus tells us in his letter to the church, 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:13.519 the Christians in Smyrna were poor. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.400 Furthermore, as I said, 00:07:16.460 --> 00:07:17.780 we know from the historical record 00:07:17.780 --> 00:07:21.259 that there was a vigorous and thriving Jewish population. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:22.780 We gleaned from the letter 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:24.360 that the Jewish community of Smyrna 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:27.600 seems to have been slandering the Christians of Smyrna. 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:29.320 They seem to have been saying 00:07:29.320 --> 00:07:32.960 that the Christians were not actually Jews. 00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:35.560 That is, that they were not actually worshiping 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:36.840 the God of Israel. 00:07:38.520 --> 00:07:40.500 This is relevant because, 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:41.820 as I mentioned before, 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:42.780 the Jews of Smyrna, 00:07:42.860 --> 00:07:44.460 like all Jews in the Roman Empire, 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:46.140 they were exempted 00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:48.340 from worshiping the Roman emperor. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.080 We know also, 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.500 from reading the book of Acts, 00:07:51.580 --> 00:07:52.820 that in the early days of the church, 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:55.520 Christians would often worship in synagogues, 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:57.620 since in the early church, 00:07:57.859 --> 00:07:59.839 most Christians were Jews to begin with. 00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:02.719 So the reasonable inference here 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:04.620 is that in a place like Smyrna, 00:08:04.979 --> 00:08:07.399 there was immense pressure to worship the emperor. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:09.039 But despite this, 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:12.199 Christians could likely have found a safe haven, 00:08:12.359 --> 00:08:13.979 a shelter from persecution, 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:18.359 but only if they worshipped in the local synagogue. 00:08:19.599 --> 00:08:20.500 This, for example, 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:22.959 is something that even the apostles did for a time 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:24.219 in the early church, 00:08:24.659 --> 00:08:27.120 where the apostles continued to identify as Jews 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:28.439 and worship in the synagogues. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:30.239 We see this throughout the book of Acts. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:34.299 But there was a problem in Smyrna, 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:37.299 because the letter in Revelation says 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:38.399 that the Jews in Smyrna 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:39.899 were slandering the Christians 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:43.439 and saying that they were not Jews. 00:08:44.579 --> 00:08:46.079 A reasonable conclusion 00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:48.299 that scholars have made from these things 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:50.419 is that the Christians of Smyrna, 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:53.019 who had sought refuge in the synagogues, 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:56.079 had been kicked out of the synagogues, 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:57.979 and therefore they were exposed 00:08:57.979 --> 00:08:59.439 to persecution 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:01.899 and the forced worship of the Roman emperor. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:03.759 They seemed to have been accused 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.779 by ethnic Jews 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:07.000 of not being faithful to the God of Israel, 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:09.079 because they followed the Messiah Jesus. 00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:10.719 And hence these Christians 00:09:10.719 --> 00:09:13.079 were excommunicated from the synagogue, 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:14.720 and the result is that 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.740 they were no longer exempted 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:17.820 from worshiping the emperor, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.040 and they were exposed to persecution 00:09:20.040 --> 00:09:22.860 if they remained faithful to Christ. 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:26.020 Taken altogether, 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:27.000 we can conclude 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.920 that the church in Smyrna was suffering. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.420 They were poor. 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:32.080 They were slandered. 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:34.680 And as the passage explains, 00:09:34.900 --> 00:09:37.040 they soon would suffer imprisonment. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:39.420 But what does Jesus say 00:09:39.420 --> 00:09:40.660 to the church in Smyrna 00:09:40.660 --> 00:09:41.700 in view of these things? 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:43.600 What word does Jesus have 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.560 for those in Smyrna 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:45.320 who are suffering? 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:48.460 Remember, Christian, 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:51.640 what Jesus says to the church in Smyrna, 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.259 he in many ways says to you. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:57.300 So let me rephrase that question. 00:09:57.780 --> 00:09:58.340 Instead of, 00:09:58.759 --> 00:09:59.820 what word does Jesus have 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:00.700 for those in Smyrna 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.600 who are suffering? 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:03.240 Let us ask this morning, 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:05.620 what word does Jesus have for you 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:07.020 who are suffering 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:09.060 or who are facing death? 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:13.019 Let us start first 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:14.619 with what Jesus says about suffering, 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:15.559 and then secondly, 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:18.579 we'll discuss what Jesus says about death. 00:10:19.239 --> 00:10:19.959 So let's begin. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.019 In Revelation 2-9, 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:24.239 the first thing Jesus says 00:10:24.239 --> 00:10:26.519 to those who are suffering is this, 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:31.679 I know your tribulation. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:35.319 Friends, are you suffering today? 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.620 Jesus says to you, 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:39.539 I know your tribulation. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:44.099 You are not forgotten by God. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:45.519 He knows your tears. 00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:46.559 He knows your doubt. 00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:47.620 He knows your pain. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.339 If you are jobless, 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.019 homeless, 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:50.979 anxious, 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:51.759 hopeless, 00:10:52.479 --> 00:10:53.579 He knows these things. 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:56.600 If you are called at work 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.220 to stand firm in the gospel 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.759 and so to risk your career 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.960 or your income, 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.820 if you're called to cease from sin 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:05.600 and jeopardize your relationships 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:07.080 with your family or your friends, 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.460 all for the sake of Jesus, 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.620 whatever it is you are suffering, 00:11:12.040 --> 00:11:13.620 whether it is bodily illness 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:15.259 or external oppression 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.660 or mental anguish, 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.060 whatever it may be, 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.780 Jesus says to you, 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:22.940 I know your tribulation. 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:26.300 Jesus is not blind to these things. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:27.020 He knows. 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:27.820 He sees. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:29.040 He understands. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.360 Scripture declares 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:33.860 in Hebrews chapter 218, 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:36.120 because Jesus himself 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.040 has suffered when tested, 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:40.460 he is able to help those 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:42.100 who are being tested. 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:45.120 Friends, this is the first thing 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.120 Scripture says to you 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:46.860 who are suffering. 00:11:47.040 --> 00:11:47.860 Jesus knows. 00:11:48.140 --> 00:11:49.240 Jesus is aware. 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:52.140 Jesus is intimately familiar 00:11:52.140 --> 00:11:52.980 with suffering. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:54.279 He is not unacquainted 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.200 with these things. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:57.300 He himself suffered, 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.740 and so he's able to help you 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:01.700 who are being tested by suffering. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.639 You are not alone. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.180 You are not forgotten by God. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.600 Jesus knows. 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:10.120 Every tear you have shed 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:12.240 and every drop you have bled. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:14.740 Be comforted in this, 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.759 my brothers and sisters. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:18.300 But there's a second word 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.700 that Jesus has for you 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.480 who are suffering. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.940 He goes on to say 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:23.420 to the church of Smyrna 00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:25.180 in Revelation 2.9, 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:27.320 He says, 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:30.259 I know your poverty, 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.820 but you are rich. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:35.860 To put this another way, 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:37.000 though it appears, 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:37.800 Jesus says, 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.860 that you are poor now, 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:41.980 you in actuality are rich. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.519 Though it appears 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:44.879 that you are suffering now 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:45.940 in the heavenly 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:47.379 and spiritual reality 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.800 that Jesus has ushered in, 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:50.139 all these hardships, 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.599 are working together 00:12:51.599 --> 00:12:52.659 for your good, 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.099 both now and in the future. 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.639 And this is not some 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.159 far-off promise 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.679 of spiritual riches. 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:01.319 It is a promise 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:02.799 of spiritual riches 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.500 that can be redeemed 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.359 here and now 00:13:06.359 --> 00:13:08.039 in the present moment, 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:10.559 in this very instant. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.120 This is why Jesus says 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.699 to the church, 00:13:13.859 --> 00:13:15.219 I know your poverty, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:17.259 but you are rich. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.920 Jesus does not say, 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.800 I know your poverty, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.440 take heart, 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:23.180 you will be spiritually rich 00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:23.820 in the future 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.700 when I return. 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.639 Instead, He says, 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.720 I know your poverty, 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.779 but you are rich 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:31.139 here and now. 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.480 This idea 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.080 that the heavenly blessings 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.639 in Christ 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.820 are present now 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.220 is illustrated 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.340 by Jesus' promise 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:41.560 in the Gospel of Mark 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:42.399 in chapter 10. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.320 Jesus says, 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.940 Truly I say to you, 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.560 there is no one 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.800 who has left house 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:48.320 or brothers 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:48.879 or sisters 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.379 or mother 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:49.900 or father 00:13:49.900 --> 00:13:50.580 or children 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.340 or lands 00:13:51.340 --> 00:13:52.300 for my sake 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:53.320 or for the sake 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:53.980 of the Gospel 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.900 who will not receive 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:58.180 a hundredfold now 00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.000 in this time 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.140 houses 00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:01.980 and brothers 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.660 and sisters 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.240 and mothers 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.920 and children 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:04.600 and lands 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.760 with persecutions 00:14:06.760 --> 00:14:09.720 and in the age to come 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:11.020 eternal life. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.980 but many who are first 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.779 will be last 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:15.000 and the last first. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.299 Notice here 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.399 the promises of Jesus 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.579 for you, Christian. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:21.759 He says that 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.740 if you follow Me, 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.899 you will suffer 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.720 in this life, 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.899 but in the life, 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.600 this life, 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:27.980 you also will receive 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.199 a hundredfold 00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:30.039 in return. 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:31.819 You'll receive 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:33.079 spiritual friends 00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:34.519 and spiritual brothers 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:35.379 and sisters 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.799 and spiritual children 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.600 and houses 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.480 and countries. 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.960 And Jesus says, 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.680 in the future, 00:14:40.800 --> 00:14:42.040 though you are last now, 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.660 you will be first then. 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:45.960 Hence, 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.580 if we return 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.060 to the church 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:47.600 in Smyrna, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.879 Jesus says that 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.600 though Smyrna 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.240 was at that time 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.840 poor 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:53.420 in an earthly sense, 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.879 in actuality, 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.720 they were rich 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.560 towards God 00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:59.019 in that very moment. 00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.960 And Jesus 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:02.519 says the same 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.480 to you, Christian. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.780 Though you may be 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:05.400 poor now, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.620 you are rich 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.379 in God. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:10.840 And this goes 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.460 for all kinds 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:12.019 of suffering, 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.399 whatever form 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.000 it may take, 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.460 be it poverty, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.460 physical pain, 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:16.919 despair, 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:17.840 slander, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.559 betrayal, 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.379 persecution, 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:21.039 or anything else. 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:22.939 If you are a follower 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:24.279 of Jesus Christ, 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:30.700 there is not just 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:32.899 a renewed body 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.639 awaiting for you 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.039 in heaven, 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:37.159 but even now, 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.459 you walk, 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:39.279 you run 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:41.299 in the spiritual gifts. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.860 You possess 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:45.279 the unsurpassable gifts 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.959 and abilities 00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:46.980 of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.159 These are yours now. 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:48.599 Joy, 00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:49.179 hope, 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:49.719 love, 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.980 fellowship with the saints 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.519 and with God above. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:56.159 If you weep now, 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.679 those tears are being 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.860 and will be wiped away. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.079 If you suffer slander, 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:01.740 take heart 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.799 because in this moment, 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.560 you're found innocent 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:06.399 before God 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.159 and you will also 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:09.000 be found innocent 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.060 in the day of judgment. 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.919 If you suffer today 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.039 with the shackles 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.539 of addiction, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.759 you can be freed 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.779 now 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:18.039 and in the future, 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.899 those temptations 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:20.100 will pass away forever 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.220 when Jesus comes. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.560 All this to say 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.620 that if in this life, 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.220 in this world, 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.000 you are suffering, 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.820 what Jesus promises 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.820 and what he calls you 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.460 to recognize 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:31.019 is that an actual reality 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.560 of the matter 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.639 is that day by day 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.400 there are blessings 00:16:33.400 --> 00:16:34.379 being poured out 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.879 on you this very moment 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:38.200 and there is spiritual treasure 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.200 stored up for you 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.680 in heaven 00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:41.180 in the world to come. 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:43.879 Well, friends, 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.300 from these, 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.340 we can derive 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.400 a third word 00:16:46.400 --> 00:16:47.280 that Jesus says 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.440 to those who are suffering. 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.980 The church in Smyrna 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.280 was poor, 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:52.600 but Jesus said 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.460 they were rich. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.340 This is an example 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.560 of a profound 00:16:56.560 --> 00:16:57.800 gospel truth. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.699 It turns out 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:00.399 that when you are suffering 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.120 in the path 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.539 of obedience to Jesus, 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.339 God has promised 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.579 that he will take 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.379 your sufferings 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.659 and he does not simply 00:17:07.659 --> 00:17:09.460 bless you 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:11.879 in a general spiritual way 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:12.799 in the present moment 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.720 in your suffering, 00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:17.039 but he takes your suffering 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.259 and he works upon it 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.000 with a kind 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.559 of precise antidote, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.980 a counter agent 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.859 that turns 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:26.099 that specific suffering, 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.659 that turns 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.140 that specific evil 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.680 into an exact 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.920 corresponding 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:33.120 and matching gift. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.460 So if you are poor 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.220 in this world, 00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:36.340 then faithfully, 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.120 humbly, 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.400 enduring that poverty 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:40.100 makes you rich in God. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.440 If you are slandered 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.360 in this world, 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.259 then patiently persevering 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.240 in that slander 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.940 by God's grace 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.120 turns that slander 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.680 into vindication. 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:51.779 If you are abandoned 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.160 by friends or family 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.320 for following Christ, 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.200 then you are called 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:58.119 the friend of God. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.539 And you receive 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.019 the fellowship 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.119 of the Holy Spirit 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.279 and the fellowship 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.619 of spiritual brothers 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.859 and sisters in Christ 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.879 and this kind 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:08.220 of spiritual inversion 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.259 where God 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:11.539 turns your suffering 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.299 into blessing. 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.639 This is the very thing 00:18:13.639 --> 00:18:14.619 that Jesus promises 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:16.399 in his Sermon on the Mount. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:16.899 He says, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.039 blessed are the poor 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:18.619 in spirit, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.899 for theirs is the kingdom 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.379 of heaven. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.659 Blessed are those 00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.480 who mourn, 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.840 for they shall be comforted. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.140 Blessed are the meek, 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.400 for they shall inherit 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:27.980 the earth. 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.320 What we've covered 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.560 so far is this. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.060 Remember, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.560 when you are suffering, 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.060 remember first, 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.779 God knows 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.980 and understands, 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:39.380 for he suffered also. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.920 He has not abandoned you. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.860 You are not alone. 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:43.160 He is with you. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.759 Secondly, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.440 though you are suffering, 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.840 you are blessed 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:49.019 both in the world 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.620 to come 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:52.019 and in this present world. 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.079 You are blessed 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:54.420 in the here and now 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.119 as well 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.720 as in the hereafter. 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.400 And thirdly, 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.119 God takes that specific 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.480 suffering you are enduring 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.460 and he works 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.759 a corresponding blessing 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:06.379 through your patient 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:08.400 and faithful endurance 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.700 by his grace. 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.700 Now I know 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.619 and understand 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.460 what toil 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.220 and hardships 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.779 suffering can be. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.500 I understand 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.859 how such things 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:21.539 can blind you 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.879 from seeing 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:24.059 these spiritual promises 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.419 and spiritual realities. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.000 As many of you 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.599 are aware, 00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:28.299 I was born 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.599 with a severe heart defect. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.599 I've had two 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.619 open heart surgeries. 00:19:32.199 --> 00:19:33.119 I have more surgeries 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.719 to come. 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:35.419 I know what it is like 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.259 to be a boy 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.919 in agony 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.979 in a hospital bed 00:19:37.979 --> 00:19:38.479 crying, 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:38.939 Lord, 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.159 why is this happening 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.740 to me? 00:19:42.679 --> 00:19:43.859 Why have you allowed 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.500 me to suffer? 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.779 I know what it is 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.359 to see all the other 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.700 children grow healthy 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.299 and able to run 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.660 and play in ways 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.480 that I could not. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.660 For many years, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.139 friends, 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.980 I grew bitter 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.039 against God. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:01.180 I could not see 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.819 his promises 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.720 for me. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.500 But then, 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.279 brothers and sisters, 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.079 Jesus Christ 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.460 stepped into my life 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.019 and what I learned 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.720 from him 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.279 is that in Christ Jesus 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.740 who suffered for us, 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.899 in him 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:17.640 our suffering works 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.800 an eternal weight 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:19.400 of glory 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.660 that is not worthy 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:22.040 to be compared 00:20:22.040 --> 00:20:23.620 with anything 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.980 in this world. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.940 The Apostle Paul 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.700 speaks of this. 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:28.800 He says to the Corinthians, 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:31.280 for this light, 00:20:32.300 --> 00:20:33.820 momentary affliction 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.540 is preparing for us 00:20:35.540 --> 00:20:36.580 an eternal weight 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.220 of glory 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.880 beyond all comparison 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.420 as we look 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.259 not to things 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.140 that are seen 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.960 but to the things 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.800 that are unseen. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.779 for the things 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.419 that are seen 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.220 are transient 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.680 but the things 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.500 that are unseen 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.379 are eternal. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.819 Friends, 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.379 those of you 00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.059 who have tasted 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:56.039 this weight of glory 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.220 beyond all comparison, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.159 you know 00:20:58.159 --> 00:20:59.359 of what I speak. 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:00.779 And those of you 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.579 who have not yet 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.019 tasted this truth, 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.919 come to Jesus, 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.299 behold him, 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.559 and you will understand 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:10.859 that all these sufferings 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.639 of this world 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:13.320 are nothing 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:15.300 compared to knowing Christ. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.580 You see, friends, 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.060 we worship a God 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:21.720 who does not fear suffering. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.140 He himself 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:24.540 came down 00:21:24.540 --> 00:21:25.460 into this world 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.540 in the person of Jesus 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:28.160 and he knowingly 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.840 and willingly 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.880 and volitionally 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:31.400 suffered the punishment 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.320 of a slave 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.120 on the cross. 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.680 And he became like us 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.400 in every way. 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:37.900 Scripture says 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:39.220 in the book of Hebrews, 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.279 in the days 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.200 of his flesh, 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.539 Jesus offered up 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.700 prayers and supplications 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.640 with loud cries 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.380 and tears 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.660 to him who was able 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.940 to save him from death. 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.460 And he was heard 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.039 because of his reverence. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.920 And although 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.220 he was a son, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.960 he learned obedience 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.240 through what he suffered. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.100 And being made perfect, 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.360 he became the source 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.860 of eternal salvation 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:02.940 to all who obey him. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.620 Christians, 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.279 if Jesus 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.440 became perfect 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.279 through suffering, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.440 how much more 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.579 will God take 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.799 our imperfect lives 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.819 and perfect them 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.660 through the suffering 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.779 we experience? 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.420 Therefore, 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.940 on account of this, 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.000 Jesus says 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.539 to the church 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.099 in Smyrna 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.819 in Revelation 2.10, 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.980 do not fear 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.920 what you are about 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.619 to suffer. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.799 The profound truth 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.720 of the matter is, 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.420 O Christian, 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:37.360 that when you find 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.539 yourself to be poor, 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.660 turn to God 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:42.400 and become rich. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.300 When you are in pain, 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:46.820 cast yourself upon him 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:48.300 and receive the consolation 00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:49.039 of his presence. 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.039 When you are lonely, 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.240 receive the fellowship 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.240 of the Holy Spirit. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.960 When you are betrayed 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.060 or persecuted, 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.460 go to the one 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.160 who is betrayed 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.220 and persecuted 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.279 for you. 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.200 Endure suffering 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.840 for Christ 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.380 and Christ 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.220 will redeem it. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.079 And therefore, 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.779 do not fear suffering. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.620 Well, friends, 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.299 we've discussed 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.579 suffering, 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.799 but there is one more 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.460 important matter 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.920 to cover. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.660 We all must face suffering. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.039 That much is clear. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.720 But what of 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.839 that other reality 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.920 that we all must face? 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.799 What about death? 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:25.839 death? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.680 This is unavoidable 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:30.180 for us, too. 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.059 So what words 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.980 does Jesus say 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.059 to us 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:35.339 who are facing death? 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.919 Jesus says this 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:38.940 to the church 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.480 in Smyrna 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.879 in Revelation 2, 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.619 10 through 11. 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.759 He says, 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:43.740 Be faithful 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.980 unto death 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:47.539 and I will give you 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.399 the crown of life. 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.680 He who has an ear, 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.839 let him hear 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.740 what the Spirit 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.720 says to the churches. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:55.839 The one who conquers 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.579 will not be hurt 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.600 by the second death. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.240 From these words, 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.640 friends, 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.059 we gather 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.380 that this persecution 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.299 that was to come 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.940 upon the church 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.460 in Smyrna 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.339 was going to be 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.380 very severe. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.880 So Jesus exhorts them. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.680 He says, 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.339 Be faithful 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.059 unto death 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.259 and he says this 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.980 with a promise 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:17.059 and I will give you 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.019 the crown of life. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.700 It should be mentioned 00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.240 again 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.839 that what Jesus says 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.720 to the church 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.240 in Smyrna, 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.240 he says to you, 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:25.859 Christian, 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.539 Be faithful 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.640 in all things 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.839 even unto death 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.799 and I will give you 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.680 the crown of life. 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.519 By this, 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.200 Jesus means 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.099 that we should be willing 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.079 to sacrifice 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.880 all things 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.700 in obedience 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.400 to him 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.160 and his word 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.500 even at the cost 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.519 of our lives 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.980 just as Jesus 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.099 laid his life down 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.759 for us. 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.720 And by being faithful 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.440 unto death, 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.240 Jesus also means 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.220 that we should be 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.259 faithful to him 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:54.759 throughout our whole lives 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.279 even to the point 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.400 of death. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.339 For you see, 00:24:59.420 --> 00:24:59.940 says Jesus, 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.940 if you are faithful 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.660 unto death, 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.599 you will receive 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:05.279 the crown of life 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.819 and to the one 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:07.519 who conquers, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.880 you will not be hurt 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:11.500 by the second death. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.200 Now, 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.160 this phrase, 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.980 the second death, 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.900 can be mysterious 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.559 to some 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.859 but it's clear 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.539 from the scriptures 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.539 that Jesus 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.359 is speaking 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.980 of that second death 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.119 of hell. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.680 That second death 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.579 that comes 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.799 after bodily death 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.819 where one 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.440 is eternally cast 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.420 from the presence 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.000 of God. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.639 And if this 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.960 is the second death, 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.539 then logically 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:39.920 the first death 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.279 is the earthly death 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:43.059 when our earthly body 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.579 passes away. 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:46.200 And so given this, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:46.960 there are two kinds 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.359 of deaths 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.559 from Jesus' perspective. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.879 The first death 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:51.740 is that which is 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.720 the earthly 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.940 or bodily death 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.799 that we all face. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.259 And the second death 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.839 is that which takes 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:59.059 place in hell 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.440 and is reserved 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.440 for those who reject 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.940 Jesus. 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:04.000 We as Christians, 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.899 we all face 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.039 the first death, 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.480 the death of our bodies. 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.799 But afterwards, 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.700 we are all rescued 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.299 from it. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.559 We are rescued 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.619 from that first death 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:16.079 by being resurrected. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.179 resurrected. 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:18.139 And then when judgment 00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.740 comes, 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.000 we are spared 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.099 from the second death 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.779 by being redeemed 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.480 and forgiven 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.220 by Jesus. 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:26.039 So we as Christians 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.759 do not face 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.639 the second death 00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.740 at all. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.119 Logically then, 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.720 if we are resurrected 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.899 after the first death 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.379 and we do not face 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.240 the second death, 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.299 then what can we conclude 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:41.259 but that we should not 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.859 fear either death? 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:45.939 Christian, 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.619 the sum of what 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.639 I'm saying is this. 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.799 When your end 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.519 is coming, 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.959 when your time 00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:52.759 on this earth 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.119 hastens to a close, 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.639 when the sun 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.919 is setting on your life, 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.979 whether you have lived 00:26:57.979 --> 00:26:59.119 many or few years, 00:26:59.219 --> 00:27:00.559 whatever age you are in, 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.199 when the door 00:27:01.199 --> 00:27:01.799 to this world 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.439 is closing, 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.379 then you have 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.179 nothing to fear. 00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:08.259 Jesus has promised 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.199 to resurrect you 00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:10.019 from this death 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.359 and he has promised 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.139 that you will not 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:12.680 be hurt 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:14.480 by the second death. 00:27:15.780 --> 00:27:16.860 And the whole 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.560 New Testament 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:19.300 proclaims 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:21.759 that Jesus 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.840 will rescue you 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.960 from these things. 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.900 In fact, 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.420 the whole New Testament 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.520 proclaims 00:27:28.520 --> 00:27:29.920 that Jesus 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.100 came to die 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.300 in your place 00:27:32.300 --> 00:27:33.700 to destroy death. 00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:35.480 The whole purpose 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.240 of Jesus 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.100 departing from 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.040 his throne in heaven 00:27:38.040 --> 00:27:39.020 and becoming human 00:27:39.020 --> 00:27:40.340 and partaking 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.300 of flesh and blood 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.639 was so that he might 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:44.019 die to destroy death 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.619 for you 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.879 and for God's glory. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.759 Scripture says 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.159 in Hebrews chapter 2, 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.319 since therefore 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:53.039 the children, 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.919 that's us, 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.180 since therefore 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.139 the children share 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:57.000 in flesh and blood, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.359 Jesus himself 00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.519 likewise partook 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:01.019 of the same things, 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.539 that through death 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.759 he might destroy 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.299 the one 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.440 who has the power 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.019 of death, 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.220 that is the devil, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.180 and deliver 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.960 all those 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.620 who through fear 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.079 of death 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.420 were subject 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.680 to lifelong slavery. 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.259 And so for you, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:17.660 Christian, 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.600 when you are facing death, 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.720 when your end 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.259 is coming, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.620 do not fear. 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.940 Jesus has destroyed 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:27.039 the power of death 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.039 and the grave. 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:28.980 And therefore, 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.279 Jesus says to the church 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.940 in Smyrna, 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.059 be faithful unto death 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:35.220 and I will give you 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.139 the crown of life. 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.339 And he adds, 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.440 the one who conquers 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.419 will not be hurt 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:41.679 by the second death. 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.299 But after all these things, 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.500 I should mention 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.639 there is also 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.740 in Jesus' letter 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.440 to the church 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.240 in Smyrna 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:53.019 an additional word 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.079 of consolation 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.599 about facing death. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.159 This is at the very 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:58.079 beginning of the letter. 00:28:58.659 --> 00:29:00.179 It's in Revelation chapter 2, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.740 verse 8. 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.980 At the very start, 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.819 Jesus announces himself 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:05.240 and he says, 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:06.160 quote, 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.120 I am the first 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.240 and the last 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.480 who is dead 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:12.420 and has come to life. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.099 In this verse, 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:17.160 Jesus identifies himself 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:19.720 as the one who was dead 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:21.319 and who came to life. 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:23.039 Brothers and sisters, 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.259 what a precious Savior 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.279 we have in Jesus. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.299 He's able to rescue you 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.920 from death 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:29.440 because he's been there. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.960 He's gone down 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.779 to the gates of hell 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.279 in person. 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.559 He fought death 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.880 and won. 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.960 It is he 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.240 who was dead 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.960 and came to life again. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.840 He knows 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:43.460 all about death. 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.920 He went to its 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.559 outer limits. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.480 He saw it face to face. 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.700 He descended 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:50.019 to the pit. 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.539 He let it come upon him 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.759 and he defeated it 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.759 for all time 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.820 for you 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.559 and for all you 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.619 who believe. 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:00.139 The grave, 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.299 the tomb, 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.139 the crypt, 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.980 none of these things 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.240 had power 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:06.279 over Jesus. 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:09.000 Scripture likens 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.359 Jesus defeating death 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:12.019 to Jesus defeating 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.819 the great dragon 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:14.419 or Jesus commuting 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:14.819 your sentence 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.460 or freeing you 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.139 from prison 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:19.139 or taking your place. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.559 And all this imagery 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.559 serves to communicate 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.659 that you do not need 00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.460 to fear death, 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.180 O Christian. 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.680 Death has died 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:28.079 through Jesus Christ 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.900 and you, 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.900 when you die, 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.079 you will live forever 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:33.120 beholding your Savior 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:34.160 face to face, 00:30:34.840 --> 00:30:36.940 which is better by far. 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.019 Christians, 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.019 I have one final word 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.779 of exhortation 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.700 to you. 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.039 Jesus says 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.860 to the church 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.400 in Smyrna 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.819 in Revelation 2.10, 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:49.059 he says to those 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.039 Christians back then 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.920 that some of them 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:52.400 would be imprisoned 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.279 for ten days 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.819 and he counsels them 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.660 to be faithful 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.779 unto death. 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.859 And I wish I could tell you 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.480 what the Christians 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.039 in Smyrna 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.399 suffered in that time 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:03.559 and how they persevered 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.399 in their imprisonment, 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.579 but all that 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.319 has been lost 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.160 to history. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.440 We don't know 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:09.759 exactly what happened 00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:11.539 regarding that imprisonment, 00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:13.940 but we do have 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:16.299 another witness, 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:18.519 another witness 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.160 from a member 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.619 of that very church 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:21.539 in Smyrna 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:23.119 who received 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.599 this letter 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.219 from Jesus. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.759 History tells us 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.899 that the Apostle John 00:31:27.899 --> 00:31:28.639 sent this letter 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.099 to the church 00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:29.579 in Smyrna 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:32.000 probably in the 80s 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.000 or in the early 90s 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.859 of the first century 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.119 when he wrote 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.919 the book of Revelation. 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.859 And it so happens 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:39.199 that one of John's 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.919 own disciples 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:41.439 was actually 00:31:41.439 --> 00:31:42.939 from Smyrna 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.699 itself 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:45.779 and he went on 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.660 to become 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.200 the leader 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:48.160 of the church 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.880 in Smyrna. 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.279 This man's name 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:53.200 was Polycarp 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:55.180 and it actually 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.480 is very possible 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.380 that Polycarp 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.360 was even sitting 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:59.980 in Smyrna's congregation 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.400 on that very day 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:03.580 when Jesus' letter 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.240 in Revelation 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.400 was read to them. 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.380 And we know a bit 00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:08.700 about Polycarp's life. 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.059 We know it seems 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:11.600 that he took 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.539 this letter to heart 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.899 because he remained 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:15.240 steadfast in suffering 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.920 through many decades 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.500 of ministry. 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.559 We know this in part 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.420 because of a letter 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.480 that Polycarp wrote 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.819 that we still have. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.119 He wrote this letter 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:26.420 around 107 A.D. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:29.059 and he records 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:30.059 this passage 00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:31.240 about suffering. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.480 He says this, 00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:35.399 Let us therefore 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.659 hold steadfastly 00:32:36.659 --> 00:32:37.859 and unceasingly 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.940 to our hope 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.859 and the guarantee 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.700 of our righteousness 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:42.259 who is Christ Jesus 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:44.079 who bore our sins 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:44.779 in his body 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.579 upon the tree, 00:32:45.579 --> 00:32:46.579 who committed 00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.480 no sin 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.759 and no deceit 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.920 was found in his mouth. 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.879 Instead, 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.140 for our sakes, 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.940 he endured all things 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.099 in order that we might 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.779 live in him. 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.200 Let us therefore 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.379 become imitators 00:32:58.379 --> 00:32:59.680 of his patient endurance 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:02.000 and if we should suffer 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.619 for the sake of his name, 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:06.160 let us glorify him. 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.279 For this is the example 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.259 he set for us 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.240 in his own person 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.559 and this is what 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.839 we have believed. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.259 Friends, 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.099 here Polycarp 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.400 echoes Jesus' letter 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.759 and exhorts his church 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.359 in Smyrna 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.299 to be faithful 00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:22.160 in suffering. 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.299 And many years later, 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.900 Polycarp modeled 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:27.099 not just what it is 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.279 to suffer for Jesus, 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.299 but also what it is 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.440 to not fear death 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.140 for Jesus. 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.779 After a long 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.940 and fruitful ministry, 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.880 Polycarp was brought 00:33:36.880 --> 00:33:38.140 before a Roman governor 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:39.380 who threatened 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.600 to execute him 00:33:40.600 --> 00:33:41.500 if he did not 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.480 deny Jesus. 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.060 And Polycarp 00:33:44.060 --> 00:33:45.280 uttered these words. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.960 He said, 00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:48.600 for 86 years 00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:50.980 I have been his servant 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.960 and he has done me 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.660 no wrong. 00:33:54.520 --> 00:33:56.200 How can I blaspheme 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:58.380 my king who saved me? 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.740 And then with those words, 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:04.360 Polycarp went off to die. 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:08.119 Polycarp remembered 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:10.159 Jesus' words 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:12.039 to his congregation 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.559 so many decades before. 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:16.079 The words where Jesus said, 00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:17.000 do not fear 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:18.299 what you are about 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.880 to suffer 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.619 and be faithful 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.420 unto death 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.639 and I will give you 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.500 the crown of life. 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.239 Friends, 00:34:25.359 --> 00:34:26.119 the sum and total 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.059 of our Christian life 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.960 is to lay our lives 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.859 down for Jesus. 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.359 When suffering 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.119 and death 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:32.000 come upon you 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.639 and they will, 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:34.259 whether they come 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:35.219 through persecution 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:37.319 or bodily ailment 00:34:37.319 --> 00:34:39.139 or family catastrophe 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.699 or through any 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.879 other circumstance, 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:44.420 then like Polycarp, 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.619 remember our Lord Jesus 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.519 who suffered 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.519 for you 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.559 and who died 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.079 for you 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:52.159 and become imitators 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.319 of that patient 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:54.619 endurance of Jesus. 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.239 Remember his words 00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:57.940 to the church 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.539 in Smyrna, 00:34:58.539 --> 00:35:00.380 do not fear suffering 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:02.779 and do not fear death 00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:05.599 for though for a time 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:07.820 you will have to endure 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:08.559 these things, 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:11.039 Jesus knows your suffering 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:13.039 and he is working for you 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:13.960 in such things 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:16.539 an eternal weight 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.380 of glory 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.980 and an everlasting 00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:20.659 spiritual treasure 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:22.820 that you may partake of 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:23.719 here and now 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:25.360 and forevermore. 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:27.840 friends, 00:35:27.920 --> 00:35:28.620 let's pray together. 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:30.559 Oh Father, 00:35:30.640 --> 00:35:31.519 we come to you 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:33.880 and we bow our hearts 00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.599 before you. 00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:38.660 Lord, 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:42.940 we pray for those of us 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.660 who are suffering 00:35:43.660 --> 00:35:44.380 right now. 00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:45.480 We pray, Lord, 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.559 that you would comfort them, 00:35:46.700 --> 00:35:47.800 that you would encourage them. 00:35:48.660 --> 00:35:48.780 Lord, 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:49.980 that you would bless them 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:51.260 in the midst of trials 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:52.420 and temptations 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.160 and tests. 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:55.299 We pray, Lord, 00:35:55.379 --> 00:35:56.239 that when we suffer 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:57.399 we would turn to you 00:35:57.399 --> 00:35:58.980 and receive comfort 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.819 and consolation 00:35:59.819 --> 00:36:00.920 from your Holy Spirit. 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:03.819 Father, 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.440 we pray 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.639 that we would not fear 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.299 these things 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:07.579 but that in them 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.379 we would see 00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:09.799 that unsurpassable 00:36:09.799 --> 00:36:10.960 weight of glory 00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:12.960 that far outweighs 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.739 all these things 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.599 in this world. 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:15.599 Lord, 00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.199 we pray 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:17.299 that you would wipe away 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:17.899 our tears, 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.739 that you would help us 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.679 to stand fast, 00:36:19.879 --> 00:36:20.079 Lord, 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:22.159 if we face persecution, 00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.179 that you would help us 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:23.920 to endure. 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.239 Lord, 00:36:25.299 --> 00:36:25.980 we pray that you would 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.699 give us joy 00:36:26.699 --> 00:36:27.559 in these things, 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:29.159 that we would rejoice 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.920 knowing that you are glorified 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.799 and that, 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.440 Lord Jesus, 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.460 you will return. 00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:35.719 And we pray this 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:37.059 in the mighty name 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.099 of Jesus. 00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:39.940 Amen. 00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.079 Amen. 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:40.099 Amen. 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.119 Amen. 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.139 Amen.