Welcome to Worship
February 27, 2022
8:30am
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. —(Revelation 2:10)
Welcome to Worship: Rev. Bill Archer
Worship Song: Who You Say I Am
Prayer: Rev. Peggy Peek
Redland Happenings and Welcome: Rev. Peggy Peek
Worship Song: O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
Ministry and Mission Moment: Lois Garin
Musical Meditation: With Me All the Time
Don Dunnevant
Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11
Sermon Series: Body-Building Lessons from the Seven Churches
Sermon Title: Smyrna
Rev. Mark Adams
Sermon Notes:
8 - “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of Him Who is the First and the Last, Who died and came to life again.
9 – 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.
10 – 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.
11 – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” —Revelation 2:8-11
1.) What do we know about the
of this letter?
a. They were undergoing severe
b. They were enduring extreme
“It is not easy to preach on Smyrna now-a-days. The average American congregation is in no mood to appreciate such a church. It is not easy to interest a well-fed, well-clothed—well-housed Sunday morning crowd in the ‘Smyrna brand’ of loyalty. We are not interested in what it costs to be a Christian, but in what we GET by being one. In a day of ‘Health, Wealth, and Happiness in Ten Easy Lessons or Money Refunded,’ for many, Christianity has become simply a better way to get rich or have a big time. We would make a bellboy out of the Lord and a Santa Claus out of the Almighty.” —Vance Havener
“The churches of the first century were marked by material poverty and spiritual power, while many of the churches of our day are marked by material wealth and spiritual weakness.” —J. Ralph Grant
“I counted dollars while God counted crosses. I counted gain while He counted losses.
I counted my worth by the things gained in store, but He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
I coveted honors and sought for degrees. He wept as He counted the hours on my knees.
I never knew till one day by a grave, how vain are the things that we spend life to save.
I did not yet know, ‘til a Friend from above, said, rich is he who is rich in God’s love.” —Anonymous poem
c. They were facing
2.) What do we know about this letter’s
?
a. He is the
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you with My victorious right hand.” —Isaiah 41
b. He
3.) What is Jesus’ main
in His letter?
a. “Do not be
“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.” —Revelation 2:10
b. “Continue to be faithful—even to the point of
“When we get to Heaven the worst suffering we will have endured on earth will seem like nothing worse than one night in a bad motel.” —Mother Teresa
“Our LIGHT AND MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” —2 Corinthians 4:17
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” —Romans 8:18
Time of Decision and Commitment: O Come to the Altar
Benediction: Rev. Mark Adams