take up his cross, and follow Me. The cross is an instrument of death. Will you praise Him in pain? Not only that, but the Lord Jesus can sympathize because He, too, is a man, a human being, even now in heaven, the God-man. The master of the house was to take an awl, a punch, and pierce the ear of the slave and drive it against the wall, against the door of the house; a sign and a symbol that this slave was driven to the loving service of his master forever [Deuteronomy 15:16-17]. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.. And unbelief will ask, How can such a thing be? A long time ago, in the 1700s in a little town in Yorkshire, a county in northern England, there was a very, very poor family. and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Fathers which sent Me. Any true disciple of our Lord has a deep, haunting, never-sated thirst for the word of God. Its been translated into English. As we think of Gods love, what could we do but be faithful? It is a great vast city, today called Izmir. When the boy was sixteen years old, he went to hear George Whitefield preach, and he was converted; wonderfully converted, listening to George Whitefield preach the gospel. And in Jerusalem, they nailed Him to a cross [Matthew 27:32-50]. Dont think youre the only one to have this struggle. As the song says, Just one glimpse of him in glory will the toils of life repay. Surely, seeing Jesus face to face will be reward enough for our faithfulness. We all love to be acclaimed. You cannot help but admire this young man. Continuing with our series through the seven letters to the seven churches, this morning to the church in Smyrna. Picking things up after Polycarp has been arrested and hes being brought into the stadium in Smyrna. But when that acclamation and acceptance violates our commitment to Christ, it is to be repudiated by the disciple of our Lord. Its been translated into English. And the Lord, looking deep in the soul of the young fellow, said to him, Your heart is in the world. Some of you perhaps pray for it every day, that would be wonderful. We can remember the things of God. ON POINT, I When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Its called the Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3 And said, And what you do and what you believe and how you carry yourself is thought strange? WebSermon Series: RevelationSermon Title: The Church of Smyrna: Be Faithful Unto DeathScripture Text: Revelation 2:8-11Speaker: Rev. He gained the information, but on his way back to report to General Washington he was recognized and seized and hanged in what is today New York City, on Market Street and East Broadway. It wasnt the procedure at this time that you would try to stamp out every Christian, but if somebody ratted you out, often your family, and you were brought there, then you were made to recant. I dont want it to come. Suppose I were to stand in this pulpit and speak and discuss English literature three times once a week? That is to say, even in Charlotte, North Carolina should you be a true, passionate, on fire, biblical Christian, absolutely in love with Jesus, no matter what it counts, at some point you will face opposition. IF we are in CHRIST. For me I have it written down. . To Smyrna, the challenge is one of keep on keeping on or continue to do what you are already doing. INTRODUCTION: Just looking in department stores. 16:3), B. This is a study of the book of Genesis. WebWe know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. [First John] 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth To Him be the glory, honor, majesty, and eternal throne, from generation to generation. He knows your broken heart in a way that no one else does. Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. There are some men who are incorrect, who use that verse to say like this: Be faithful to your deathbed, and if you are, you will be saved. There is no thoughtthere is not an approach of a thought like that. Inspirational devotions delivered right to your email inbox. Theyre such a testimony to Gods grace. If they die faithfully, they get a crown of life. Lets peer inside Pauls heart, and see whats in there. While we stand and while we pray. Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. Try to set an example from time to time to pray for it here from the pulpit. And when the young man asked, Master, all of these commandments have I kept from my youth, but my heart is still hungry and empty, what lack I yet that I might obtain eternal life? And on the first anniversary of that wonderful experience, he wrote that marvelous hymn: [O for a Thousand Tongues, Charles Wesley]. That is what the Bible said about Jesus: Jesus, looking upon him, loved him [Mark 10:21]. They will be there on your social media feed, theyll be there on your Instagram, calls to be like-minded ally in things that Christ cannot commend. Remember, they considered the Christians to be atheists because they didnt have any statues, they didnt have idols. And they will come and go, and the worse they can do to you is put you to death. Jesus Himself said, Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul, rather fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.. It may mean that you are faithful in the midst of opposition, when your own children make different choices, sad choices, sinful choices, and say that you dont love them and youre not loving if you wont affirm what theyre doing. He went away grieved, for he had great possessions: loving the wrong world [Mark 10:22]. Friends. We all love to be praised. It is in riches. When I was a youth growing up, Clarence Darrow, the great agnostic and atheist, literally covered the horizon in the legal profession. Remember Jesus says those who utter all kinds of false things about you, who slander you, that, too, is a kind of persecution and we ought to pray that we will not grow spiritually flabby as a church should we be called upon to face persecution. Currently 160,000 Christians, by one estimate, are martyred every year. Which naturally leads to the second command, at the end of verse 10 Be faithful unto death. The Word of God tells us to have compassion for our brothers and sisters who are facing difficulty and prison and opposition, and some will even pay the ultimate price of martyrdom. It is far too easy to go through the motions of being faithful without really being faithful. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel (Gal. Some of you will be thrown into prison for a time. Fearing death is natural, but Jesus means to set us free. If youre faithful unto death, you will get the crown of life. Now, before I mention the last one may I recapitulate? Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Ps. There will be a temptation to want to raise your flag as well and say, Here I am, you can count on me. Or to wear the sort of clothes that everyone would wear. Many people have is just the opposite. Well, the magistrate was not happy with this. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it. A pathway deliberately chosen death to the deepest desires of the flesh, 3:14). I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Methodist. And Jesus is waiting for the day of our coming. Well, we are all like that. read more. There is nothing but praise from our Lord for the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. 6:9). Listen to the words of our Lord in Luke 6:26: Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! We are not in this world to be acclaimed, we are to be true to our Lord, no matter what repudiation or scoffing or scorning. Now, listen to His exact word: Give away what you have. The gate is too strait, and the way is too narrow for a man to enter heaven holding the love of the world in his arms [Matthew 7:13-14]. After the resurrection He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. His townspeople where He grew up in Nazareth took Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built to cast Him along to His death [Luke 4:28-29]. And in the second chapter of the Book of the Revelation, in the tenth verse, in the address of our Lord to the church, He says, be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life [Revelation 2:10]. We have to remember the reality to come which will last forever and the reality that exists now. "Faithful unto Death" Sixth Sunday after Pentecost St. Mark 6:14-29 July 16, 2006 IN NOMINE JESU In the rite of Confirmation, the confirmands are reminded of what Romans 10:17: Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God. If someone loved Jesus, he never tires of hearing about Him. The love of your life is in money. And yet, my God, keep me from turning back. Denial of self(Matthew 16:24-25), A. In fact, Polycarp was a disciple of John, who wrote this book of Revelation. In 23 B.C. My fortieth year as a pastor still preaching the Word, V. A continuing living faith in Christ, A. Verse 10: Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Oh, by the way, its while Jesus Christ was reigning as King forever. Most people dont consider that they will die. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. In broad, open daylight where everyone could see, he knelt down before the Lord, the Prophet from Nazareth saying, Agathai didaskai [Mark 10:17]. This comes in chapter 21, the final chapter in some of the manuscripts of The Martyrdom of Polycarp. Matthew 10:38: He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. And Matthew 16:24: If any one will come after Me, let him . II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul was looking with Come. Give it up and come, take up the cross, and follow me. We would like if He had said, Do not fear because you wont suffer. I would much prefer that. That is an extreme and harsh word taken in itself. 15:58). . Will you be willing to be faithful when youre misunderstood as a Christian? WebBe thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He knew they would be tested severely. 3 attributes we find in Pauls heart: 1. Polycarp was born in A.D. 69, so just before the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of the Temple, well within the lifespan of some who would have been eyewitnesses to Christ and his work. But whether it is a diadem or a garland, whether it is a royal crown or a victors crown, God says if we are faithful and true, at the end of the way He will reward us with a crown of life [Revelation 2:10]. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. read more, Scripture: We can remember the love that God has for us. Call to worship: They were most affluent and well-to-do. EASTER SUNDAY 2014 SERMON He wants to be acclaimed and accepted and praised by them. Say away with the atheist.. Jesus is not going to lose. As we remember the words of Scripture, we will be able to fight off temptation and thus remain faithful. The third thing that had happened is by the end of the first century, some Jews had compromised with Rome. The fourth characteristic, the fourth mark of a true disciple of our Lordone who continues unswervingly in the Word of God. Text: 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: 9 I know your tribulation and poverty, yet you are rich. As we begin the New Year, I felt compelled to preach a series that deals with the foundational element of our faith the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When He wants to be associated with them. 31:23). 21:25). Every sabbatical, every seventh year, the slave in a Hebrew household was to be free. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. WebUnto death! The shears with rust are spoiled and yet. WebTrue faithfulness to God is maintained to the end. He hands it back to you doubly blessed; sanctified, hallowed when I place Jesus first in my life. The one who overcomes, who conquers, will not be hurt by the second death, that is, the eternal punishment in the lake of fire. We know what the commentator says, and we know what the politician says, and we know what the philosopher says, and we know what the academician says. Could I take time to turn aside? 2 letter from Jesus to the church at Smyrna. But look at Jesus (John 1:10-11, Mark 5:40, living faith, consumed with one desire to please Him(John 12:42-43), 1. Romans 6: 10-23 And you cannot enter heaven loving the wrong world. Your browser does not support the audio tag. Hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, C. Faith But we also know that suffering brings with it many temptations. THREE IMPORTANT LOOKS OR PAUL'S LAST TESTIMONY The Resurrection of Jesus says it all. People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? One of the marks, I say, of a true disciple of Christ, he never wearies, hes never seen, hes never sated listening to the Word of God. Number two let us be faithful even in our limited kinds of persecution. And anchoring every one of these commands, I said this to the leadership training on Friday night, theres a reason that chapters 4 and 5 come after chapter 2 and 3, because it is the vision of the One who sits on the throne that is the antidote for everything that challenges the churches in chapters 2 through 3. The other place it is used is to describe the face of that young man. Later in the letter we read such is the story of blessed Polycarp, although he, together with those from Philadelphia, was the 12th person martyred in Smyrna, he alone is especially remembered by everyone so that he is spoken of everywhere, even by pagans. 31:23). 1 John 5:13-17. 14 views Watch this sermon on a Roku or Apple TV! Faithfulness means you keep bearing witness to Jesus. . Thats the cry in each one of these churches. When one is baptized into Christ and becomes a Christian, he begins a new life ( Rom. Suffering is suffering. 10:17), 1. [He] went inside the house and sat down and wrote what I think is the most preciously beautiful hymn in the English language. Dont fear, its all about to get better. He doesnt say that. And when John Fawcett stood and preached before the king, the king was so moved he said to the preacher, Ask anything and I will give it to thee. And the wonderful preacher replied, Sir, I have nothing for myself, but one of my families has a boy, a wayward boy who faces the sentence of death for forgery, in the strict laws of that time. The connection of this passage will help us to understand its meaning. repudiation of the world, a. Jesus The most remarkable Polycarp, who proved to be an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, bishop of the catholic church, meaning the orthodox, universal church in Smyrna. Those who seem to be strong in the faith prove to not have been in the faith. But notice who this Jesus is. After several months of study we have come to the concluding passage of 1st John. What was important to them in the beginning was no longer important. The Basis of the Gospel Its a letter from Jesus, who is the Jewish Messiah. I dont look forward to it. However, many Christians are not as faithful as they need to be in their service to God. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Denomination: That sadly has happened. He knew what it was to suffer as a man. Where is your? Yes, death is an enemy for sure, but there is a worse enemy. He was a friend of Ignatius and he was a mentor to Irenaeus. And He uses the word stugnaz, translated lowering, the sky is stugnaz, it is lowering. Luke 14:25 and 26: And there went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, his wife, and children, his brothers, and sisters, and yea, his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. So 36billion total. I would never think to say, Away with the atheists. I would Would I stand fast? The real hero is not he who makes the fastest schedule but he who lasts the longest. I absolutely love how the story ends. Doubt will say, How? . [Luke 9:62]: No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.. It is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Cor. Revelation 2:10, Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Would You hold fast Your Church around the world, facing so much more in opposition than we face, and when we are called upon to face whatever trials and difficulties, whether suffering at the hands of others or suffering from natural disasters and infirmity and the age of life, may we be faithful even unto death. And he was invited to preach before the king, King George III, in 1780. 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