Pulpit Curriculum: Endure Persecution With Faith

October 20^th – October 26^th, 2024

Want to have this page read aloud to you? Click here for instructions

Sermon Summary

As we continue our journey through the series “Seven Lessons for Today’s Church”, we layover to observe the church at Smyrna. A church that was enduring persecution and poverty, yet Jesus declared to be “rich”

The Smyrnaeans were already enduring persecution, yet Jesus warned that more was on the horizon, WHAT! More persecution? Yes, but with that warning also came the promise, if they would remain faithful unto death, Jesus would give them the crown of life.

This sermon is a great encouragement to the heart of the listener; to the one who is anchored in Christ it is an assurance that they have nothing to fear, regardless of the trials that they are facing. To the unsaved listener it is a message of a hope that can be his if he would place his trust In Christ. Altogether, he who has ears to hear, hears how Jesus commends His church, how He comforts His church and how He commits to rewarding His church for their faithfulness.

Verse of the Week

Revelation 2:10
¹⁰“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life”

Going Deeper

Review: Revelation 2:8-11

1a) What Scripture reference(s) have you committed to memory, that defines the sovereignty of God? How has acceptance of God’s sovereignty affected and or effected your prayers?

1b) Jesus introduces Himself to the church at Smyrna in a different way to that of Ephesus, are you led to believe that there is any significance to this? If yes, why? If no, why not?

2) In verse 9 of the sermon text, Jesus declared “I know your tribulation and your poverty”. Though Jesus knows, He does not always deliver His children from persecution. Specifically, in the New Testament, what Scripture (s) confirms this fact. How does it help you in submitting to God’s sovereignty?

2b) In Jesus’ discourse with His disciples in Matthew 10:28. He instructs them to “not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” What is the relevance of this instruction in the context of Revelation 2:10?

3a) Throughout Scripture we have evidence that God rewards those who remain steadfast in Him. Discuss at least two of these Scriptures and the impact they have had on your striving to be or to remain faithful.

3b) The preacher described the crown of life as a “winners crown”, explaining that it was not earned through lineage but was awarded after completing an “event” according to the rules. Apart from the sermon text, where else in Scripture is the crown of life promised and what were the most compelling factors?

3c) Explain your understanding of Jesus saying “be faithful unto death …”.

Assess Your Life

_{The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In discussions with your friends and family, or in your Small Group, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.}

Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life

Am I faithful to Christ?
How do I know that I am faithful and what does my faithfulness looks like?

2 “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) …”
Do I have a tendency of characterizing another Christian’s spiritual wellbeing solely on his physical state?
How does Jesus’ declaration of the Smyrnaean church being rich, in the midst of great persecution and poverty, alter this practice?

Application

_{One key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.}

I will reflect and itemise the changes that I need to make to become more faithful when facing persecution.
During this week, as I experience them, I will document any areas of my life where I recognise unfaithfulness in my life (paying specific attention to moments of doubt, inconsistencies with my commitment to spiritual disciplines, overt or subtle disobedience). I will commit to spending time in prayer and reflection during this week about my findings.

I will ask_____ to hold me accountable in this.

Sermon Main Points

Main points of the sermon are:

1 Remember Who Holds His Life (Revelation 2:8)
Jesus is in control of both life and death, He is the reason that we live and have our being, no matter how violent the storm, when Jesus is the Anchor, our lives are secure in Him.

2 Trust In The Riches Of God’s Grace (Revelation 2:9)
Though sometimes it feels like it, God doesn’t ever abandon us when we are experiencing trials and tribulations., His servant James bids us to count it all joy, knowing that testing of our faith produces steadfastness. God is faithful, and believers can trust that His faithfulness is sufficient.

3 Be Faithful Even Unto Death (Revelation 2:10-11)
The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering, persecution or trials; also we need not fear death as it is merely a door that leads to eternity. Jesus calls believers to endure with faith and He promises the reward of the crown of life - eternal victory with Him.

Quotes

• Unlike what some may believe or think, God doesn’t abandon us when we are experiencing “bad” times.

• Our struggles are not with flesh and blood, but with the enemy, Satan, who uses people to accomplish his purposes

• The Christian life is not about avoiding suffering but about enduring it with faith, knowing that the reward is eternal.

• The persecuted believers in Smyrna were not promised escape from tribulation; they were promised instead something far greater - the grace to endure afflictions without fear and the pledge that the One who died and came to life again will certainly bring them through to the “crown of life.

Sermon Reflection

What stood out for me in this sermon?

What can I do to remember this?

5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps

1. Observe the text.
_{(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)}

2. Interpret the text.
_{(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)}

3. Apply the text.
_{(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)}

Day 1 - Genesis 16:6-13

After her encounter with God, Hagar declared Him to be the” God who sees me”.