Seven Keys
Living Life in Uncertain Times
RF, January 21, 2017
The Persecuted Church: Smyrna
The Key of Faithfulness
VIDEO INTEO
CONNECT I want you to imagine
that as soon as I started speaking, armed gunmen in fatigues and draped head
coverings entered the back of the auditorium and took control. They shoot me on
sight and proceed to kidnap our leaders, executing them in the courtyard or
leading them into waiting vehicles for imprisonment and torture. Everyone else
faces a choice: curse God or die!
TENSION This scenario is playing
out around the world and has even occurred in our hemisphere and on our
continent. I believe it is only a matter of time before this event is repeated
in our country, our state, our city, and even this church.
Revelations declares that
persecution, imprisonment, and death await the church before Jesus comes again.
How do we prepare for what is to come?
SOLUTION The problem is fear. If
we can overcome fear, then we can beat the enemy at his own game!
INSTRUCTION
Revelation
2:8 (NKJV) And
to the angel of the church
in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the
Last, who was dead, and came to life:
Jesus is speaking to the church and to the leaders of the church…
Revelation
2:9 (NKJV) I
know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but
you are rich); and I know the blasphemy
of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan.
One of two churches which received no rebuke… Our works speak a
testimony…
James 2:18
(NKJV) But someone will say, “You have
faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will
show you my faith by my works.
Tribulation… affliction, trouble, pressure, suffering, distress…
John 16:33
NKJV “These things I have spoken to
you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John
16:1–3 (NKJV) “These
things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2They
will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills
you will think that he offers God service. 3And these things they
will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
2 Timothy 3:12
(NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live
godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Poverty… When the enemy comes in and takes over, our very ability to
make money and spend money will be affected. Only those who take the ‘mark
of the beast’ will be allowed to buy and sell!
Revelation
2:10-11 (NKJV) Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be
tested, and you will have tribulation ten
days. Be
faithful until death, and I will give you
the crown of life. 11“He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall
not be hurt by the second death.”’
Do not
fear… Used over 60 times in various forms throughout all the Bible. Why? People
were afraid! Fear is faith in the threats of the devil! There are at least five
great fears we all experience.
1. Fear of man
Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV) The
fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
2. Fear of death
Hebrews 2:15 (NKJV) and release those who
through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
3. Fear of failure
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
4. Fear of the future
Isaiah
43:1–2 (NKJV) But
now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O
Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You
are Mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And
through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the
fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
5. Fear of loss
Job
3:25 (NKJV) For
the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to
me.
APPLICATION How do we overcome fear?
1. Take each thought captive to the
Word of God!
Psalm
23:4 (NKJV) Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 27:1 (NKJV) The
LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Matthew 10:28 (NKJV) And
do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear
Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Romans
8:15 (NKJV) For
you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
2
Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound
mind.
2. Settle the issue that God is
enough.
Philippians
3:7–8 (NKJV) But
what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss
for Christ. 8Yet indeed I also count all
things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
If I lose
everything, God is enough! Story:
Planning the funeral...
3. Be faithful unto death!
Three
Hebrew Children: We will not bow!
THE PRIZE: "The Crown of Life"...
eternal life...
INSPIRATION "The Armenian Genocide at Smyrna"
HASHTAG #donotfear
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