Jesus Walks U Through （Revelation 2:8-11） SERMON Jesus Walks U Through （Revelation 2:8-11） Rev. Andy Ching @Cumberland Presbyterian Chinese Church (SF) January 23, 2016

Libya 1/２４/2016 程國儀/啟示錄2:8-11

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. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about 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 life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11)

θλίψιν afflictions, sufferings, persecution, tribulation = crush = to apply heavy pressure

πτΩχείαν Poverty = needy = living hand-to-mouth πτΩχείαν = Nothingness

Christians were Slandered… The Lord’s Supper Love one another Love Christ more than parents One and only one God Jesus Christ the Lord Burning of Nero Caesar’s palace

The Smyrna Church = The beaten, the ostracized and the blamed FOR THEIR FAITH

And the Promise is… … 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. 

Peter says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:15-17)

Jesus Walks U Thru 4 Pro 1) … yet you are rich! (2:9) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. (Philippines 4:12-14)

Can you trust Christ? (Psalmist says) I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. (Psalm 37:25)

2nd & 3rd Promises of Christ Revelation 2:10 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. Fear not For a time

Fear not because … But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah, 43:1-3)

2nd Promise: Fear not because U R NOT ALONE Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. (Psalm 23) (Jesus:) I will be with you always until the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20)

3rd Promise: Fear not because IT WON’T LAST FOREVER For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)

3rd Promise: Fear not because IT WON’T LAST FOREVER No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

4th Promise: Crown of Life These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again… Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown… The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11)

I died and came to life again Polycarp For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Jesus walks you thru with … His richness His presence His control His eternal