| | Explore | | |

November 18, 2007

Revelation 2:8-11

Hard Yards

 

Christianity and persecution go hand in hand.

 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”  (1 Peter 4:12)

  If you have Christianity without persecution, something is wrong.

   Jesus fled from popularity and welcomed persecution.

    If we want to be popular with the world we won’t find Jesus nearby.

     Here in Canada, we need to start looking around for Jesus.

      If we were radically following Him we would not know acceptance.

       We would not feel cozy in our world.

        And we would certainly not be easily distracted.

         We would not allow non-essentials to interfere with our worship of Him.

          Nor would we be content to watch others live without Jesus.

           Our brand of Christianity is too focused on the outside of the cup.

           For example, I struggled to dress as I am today.

            My choice of clothing created a mini-crisis.

             But is a suit and tie on Sunday the evidence of Christ in the heart?

              If it was illegal to attend church how would you dress?

               We have established standards for Christian living.

                And those standards have nothing to do with Jesus.

                 Next week I will be back in a suit and tie.

                  I will abide by expectations.

                   If I bow to that pressure, what would I do facing persecution?

Letters were written to 7 congregations in Revelation.

 Five of those seven churches were called to repent.

  They had allowed the world to influence their worship and ministry.

   Sardis had a good reputation among the people.

    Laodicea was prosperous in material possessions.

     Thyatira and Pergamum were tolerant and accepting churches.

      Ephesus was hard working and diligent.

       They had all the marks of respectability.

        They were on the verge of being embraced by the world around them.

         In fact it had already started.

          The focus of love in Ephesus had already shifted.

           Laodicea was already lukewarm.

Only the churches in Smyrna and Philadelphia were not told to repent.

 So what was life like for Smyrna and Philadelphia?

  Let’s read together what life was like in Smyrna (2:9-10)

   Neither Smyrna nor Philadelphia had it easy.

    They were not embraced by the world.

     While others caved under the world’s pressures they did not.

      Jesus saw their afflictions and poverty (2:9).

       He knew they were being slandered (2:9).

        He knew that they were suffering (2:10).

         He was aware of the prisons and persecution (2:10).

          He recognized their depleted resources (3:8).

           He saw what they had endured (3:10).

            He acknowledged their resilience against deception (3:9).

            And they paid with their very lives.

Next week the 95th Grey Cup will be played.

 Let’s illustrate life with a football field.

  The Bible tells us the world is roughly 6,000 years old.

   Never mind about the speculation and theories of scientists.

    Some scientists give estimates between 1 and 2 billion years.

     That is a huge variation.

      It says to me they really are not sure what they are talking about.

       The Bible does not present creation as a theory.

        It presents creation as a fact.

         So we have roughly 6,000 years of history.

          For the sake of illustration let’s stretch it to 6,600 years.

           It would take 6 CFL football fields to illustrate our history.

           Every 10 yards marks 100 years.

            King David was around the 360 yard line.

             Noah was around the 100 yard line.

              Jesus is positioned at the 460 yard line.

               The 7 Churches of Revelation are around the 465 yard line.

                And here we are at the 660.

Ever since the 100 yard line a person living to old age covers 6 or 7 yards.

 Rarely does anyone get a first down.

  The Christians in Smyrna made about 6 or 7 yards.

   Those were tough yards.

    The emperor of Rome was considered to be divine.

     Shrines, temples, altars told society that Caesar was god.

      He was considered supreme, saviour, sovereign.

       Believers in Jesus could not embrace Caesar.

        They refused to participate in emperor worship.

         They would not offer sacrifices to him and hated his currency.

          To them the emperor was a beast not a blessing.

           Because they resisted Christians were viewed as misfits.

           They were subjected to humiliation, harassment and persecution.

            Their 6 or 7 yards of turf were tough.

Our yards seem to be easier.

 Why is that?

  Is the defense weaker now than it was at the 460 and points between?

   No, Satan is just as much an enemy today as he was in Noah’s and Jesus’ day.

    Could it be because we are handling the ball well here in Canada?

     But the resistance is not strong because we aren’t running any plays.

      We are not crossing the line of skirmish.

       If we never cross the line of skirmish we will never cross the goal line.

        Why mount a defense if the offense never crosses the line of skirmish?

         Where at yard 660 do we find the strongest saints?

          Where do we see the deepest devotion?

           Where is the purest passion found?

           Is it when the turf is tough or when Christianity is easy?

John wrote to people who had it hard.

 And John encouraged them to endure patiently.

  He said the enemy is tough but Jesus has overcome.

   And they suffered, they endured, they refused to be intimidated.

    Some of them fumbled the ball.

     But those who endured did not run for the sidelines.

          They kept pounding right up the middle.

           Let’s live in such a way that the defense has to show up.

            Satan always lurks where Jesus is.

            He knows that Jesus is the enemy, not people.

             Those in whom Jesus dwells are enemies of Satan.

              Perhaps you look at Smyrna and think the price is too high.

               A lot of would-be followers of Jesus turned away.

                If being a follower meant a hard life they were not interested.

                 If it meant changing their plans, they took the easy way.

                  It costs to be a disciple.

                   “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you . . . suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And,
   "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
      what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”  (1 Peter 4:13-19)

                    Jesus is dwelling in people all around this world.

                     Is Jesus dwelling in you?

                      Then be prepared for a tough 6 or 7 yards.

                       But at the same time start practicing a new song.

                        The saints rejoice through the suffering.

                        That joy, the joy of Jesus’ presence can be yours.

                         Trust Him with your life.

                        Trust the One who bore your sin on the cross.