I Know Your Hardships

I KNOW YOUR HARDSHIPS
Sermon by Judy Turner, Oct. 11, 2009
Based on Revelation 2:8-11

The Revelation Was Given to Encourage the Church

Last week John started a series of sermons from the Revelation to John, Chapters 2 and 3. The Revelation opens with Jesus standing among seven churches in Asia, what is now western Turkey. These seven churches represent all the churches of Jesus in all times and places. Today we look at Revelation 2:8-10 and hear Jesus’ words spoken to His followers in a city called Smyrna. The Christians in Smyra are having a really hard time. Jesus reveals to John what He wants to say to this struggling church to encourage them in their suffering. As we said last week, the Revelation was given not to tell us exactly what will happen at the end of the world, or when, but to show us that Jesus is in charge and He is working in His church in all times and places to accomplish His purpose. The Revelation is to encourage us, in the midst of difficulties and evil in a broken world, to know it’s all going to turn out according to God’s wonderful plan. In the end, Jesus’ faithful servants will reign with him forever in a perfected universe. Revelation was not given so we would devote ourselves to trying to crack the “secret code” of its symbols, figuring out timelines or end-times scenarios. It was given so we can live faithfully and courageously for Jesus in our time, here and now! Even as we suffer.

Jesus’ Message to Us When We Suffer
What does Jesus say to the church in all times and places when we suffer?
Revelation 2:8b-11
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

False Teaching in Our Time
There is a false teaching we deal with in our time. Some very popular and prosperous preachers are teaching today that if as Christians we have enough faith, we will not suffer in any way. If we just follow their teaching (based on some scripture passages pulled out of context), if we just muster enough faith, we will be healthy, prosperous, and won’t have any problems. People like that teaching because it seems to put us in control and insure the good life we want. People flock to preachers and churches that teach the “prosperity gospel” or “name it and claim it” faith. People are also hurt by that teaching, because often life doesn’t work that way. Very devoted Christians suffer illness, struggle financially, have family problems, all kinds of problems. And their suffering is compounded by the false belief that it’s all their fault. Somehow they didn’t have enough faith. Sometimes they feel judged by their Christian friends who are into the “name it and claim it” teaching. Sometimes they feel abandoned in their suffering, and even turn against God.
What is true about suffering?
1. Sometimes we do suffer because of sin in our lives. We make choices contrary to the principles of God’s word and we are going to suffer consequences. But even then, God doesn’t give up on us. When we repent, God forgives and is there to help us as we struggle with those consequences and helps us establish new patterns and rebuild our lives.
2. But often suffering comes not because of anything we’ve done, but simply because we live in a fallen world. We suffer sickness, aging, death; we suffer from the bad choices of others. But God has promised to work for our good even in this suffering. So we’re told in scripture that in the midst of suffering we can rejoice! God is refining us, shaping our character, helping us become more like Jesus as we trust Him through our suffering.
3. Sometimes we suffer because we are faithfully following Jesus in a world that is still hostile to Him. As He suffered, so we suffer. And count it a privilege.

Suffering of the Christians in Smyrna

We need to know a couple of things about Smyrna at the time this was written. It was a prosperous city with an excellent harbor and beautiful civic facilities. It was a very patriotic city; it was unusually loyal to the Roman Empire. It was the law in Smyrna to worship the Roman Emperor. Christians had a problem with that law. They didn’t worship the emperor. They worshipped Jesus as Lord. The Jews were the only group who were excluded from the law of emperor worship. Now, as long as Christians were seen as Jews, they could be excluded from emperor worship. But the Jewish community in Smyrna was antagonistic to the Christians and made sure the Roman officials knew that Christians were not part of their synagogue and that they should be prosecuted for violating the law. In the city of Smyrna, where it would be the easy way to be “closet Christians”, Jesus’ followers were boldly giving witness to Jesus. In an environment where compromise with worldly ways and false worship would be the safe way to go, they courageously said “no” to compromise. They were suffering because they were faithful to their Lord.

Our Hardships

We of Christ’s body here in Berryville Arkansas, what are our hardships? How are we tempted to “go under the radar”, to be “closet Christians”, to compromise?
I wasn’t aware until recently how hard it is for Christian young people in this community. Talk to a teenager who goes to Berryville High about what it’s like if the other kids know you are a Christian. You may hear that Christians are looked down on and ridiculed. Some of us are in work environments where if we talk about Jesus, we are reprimanded, or if we refuse to be dishonest, we are criticized. Some of us fear we will be shunned by friends and colleagues if we refuse their ways and values, or if we are too obviously Christian. Going under the radar, compromise is tempting.
And right now, our church is going through some growing pains. God is at work here. We are feeling anxiety about changes. We are feeling the stress of trying to do a lot of ministry with a few workers. We talking big plans for the future, but we don’t see how we’re going to get there. We are seeing prayers answered in some amazing, powerful ways, but we are also experiencing the attacks of the evil one who does not want this church to move forward. The easy way would be to just go back to the way things were, not to dream big dreams for God. Not to try doing more to make His love real for the people in our community. Not to work through the irritations and hurts we experience with each other. The easy way would be to stop believing that God has a great plan for our future together, to drop out, to give up, to say “this is just too hard, Jesus.”

What Jesus Says to Us in Our Hardship

Bible scholar John Stott identifies in these words of Jesus 7 truths about himself:
1. He is eternal
He is the “first and last” The one we follow was there before the creation of the world, and will have the last word.
2. He is victorious
We live in the power of the One “who died and came to life again”. He has already defeated everything that comes against us. He has defeated even death itself. So we have nothing to fear.
3. He is all-knowing
He says, “I know your afflictions”. In our struggles, in our suffering it makes all the difference to know that Jesus knows. Jesus cares. Jesus is with us.
Did you see the movie, “Prince Caspian?” There is a scene from that movie I think about when I am suffering affliction and feel under attack. The scene is toward the end, where the armies of Aslan, the lion who represents Jesus, have been attacked by the evil forces trying to destroy all who follow Aslan. It looks hopeless. The forces of Aslan are outnumbered. The battle will soon be lost. They can’t hold out much longer. Their only hope is if Aslan will show up. The littlest girl, Lucy, who has never lost faith in Aslan, courageously goes out to find him. When she finds him, he responds to her cry for help. The tide of the battle turns. Then we see the evil forces with all their weapons retreating across a bridge. There stands little Lucy all alone blocking their way at the end of the bridge. A little girl, against the evil armies. But she has a confident smile on her face as she pulls out her little knife. Then we see why she is so confident as Aslan, the mighty lion steps out of the woods and comes by her side. He roars and the waters rise, and evil is defeated.
When we faithfully follow Jesus, we are not alone. He sees. He knows. He
is by our side. He has the power to defeat anything and everything that
comes against us.
4. He knows the Truth
Jesus sees from an eternal perspective. “I know your poverty, yet you are rich!” The world can look at us as poor, but if we are growing in God’s love and wisdom and power, then Jesus sees us as rich. We possess what ultimately matters.
5. He is in control
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.” The time of suffering will be limited. Jesus allows his followers to be tested, but not beyond our power to endure. Jesus says to evil, “This far, and no farther; this long and no longer.”
6. He is purposeful
Our adversary tests us in order to destroy. God allows us to be tested in order to refine and strengthen us. (James 1:2-4 and I Peter 1:7). Look beyond the trial to its purpose.
7. He is generous
Jesus says, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Jesus promises the most wonderful reward for those who endure, persevere, run the race faithfully. It is God’s nature to be generous with everyone. We can know His generosity in this life, and throughout eternity. But when we are willing to really commit to being a disciple, when we want with our whole hearts to love and serve Jesus, we will be drawn into the inner circle of his close friends. In that inner circle of fellowship we share His sufferings, but we also share His joy, peace and power. And we will receive the greatest blessings, which only His trusted friends know.
A Christian was dying, and his family was gathered around. This man had devoted his life to serving Jesus, and people, even his family, saw so many Christ-like qualities in him. His family was crying and grieving. The dying man suddenly looked up, was absolutely radiant, and said, “Don’t be sad. This is my coronation day!”

Don’t you want to know that after you take your last breath, the next hand you’ll feel in yours is the hand of Jesus? The next face you’ll see is the face of your Lord? And the next voice you hear will be the voice of Jesus saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
Jesus says to us now, “Be faithful even unto death. And I will give you the crown of life.”