Sermon Outlines . Volume 04 | Issue 02

Continuing The Revelation Of Jesus Christ Series

By Michael Catt

The Revelation Of Jesus Christ To The Church At Smyrna:
“What Comes Out Of You When You Are Squeezed?”
Revelation 2:8-11

There are two universal languages:

  1. MUSIC
  2. SUFFERING

“He Is Able” – My emotions run together in a flood of doubt and pain. We’ve prayed as best we can, now we must leave it in His hands. Yet, I know when my eyes fail to see, He is able. Even though it seems impossible to me, He is able. If He chooses not to move in the way we prayed He would, confident He’s working all together for my good, I will stand, behind His Word, for He is able.

Church history and tradition tell us that all the apostles died as martyrs except for John – who most likely died in exile.

  • Peter and Bartholomew – crucified upside down
  • Andrew died on a cross shaped like an X
  • Matthew died by the sword in Ethiopia
  • Thomas was pierced with a lance
  • Simon the Zealot was sawn in two
  • Matthias and Paul were beheaded
  • Philip reportedly died by hanging

I. THE CHURCH IN THE CITY. 2:8

“Smyrna” –

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WRITER. 2:8

“the first and the last”

“who was dead, and has come to life”

“I know” v. 9

III. THE COMPLIMENT OF THE LORD TO THE CHURCH. 2:9 A. He evaluates their condition.

  • Distress “your tribulation” –
  • Destitute “your poverty” – “but you are rich” – Vance Havner – “It is not easy to preach on Smyrna nowadays. The average American congregation is in no mood to appreciate such a church. In a day of quick prosperity and giveaway shows, it is not easy to interest a well-fed, well-clothed, well-housed Sunday morning crowd in the Smyrna brand of loyalty. We are more like Laodicea, rich and increased in goods and needing nothing.”
  • Defamation “blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan”

B. He tells us where the persecution is coming from:

  • Those who were claiming to be Jews, but they weren’t the real and true children of Abraham.
  • Satan – He is the source of all suffering and persecution.
  • John 8:44, 45
  • Matthew 23:1-39
  • Romans 9:6, 7
  • God said through Jeremiah, “I will punish all who are circumcised and yet uncircumcised.
  • Matthew 12:30
  • Jesus was rejected by the Jews as the Messiah – the Jews rejected the Christian faith and the church as the body of Christ.
  • The Jewish leaders persecuted Paul and Barnabas.
  • When Polycarp, the pastor of the church at Smyrna in the 2nd century was burned at the stake, the Jews of the city gathered the wood – on the Sabbath – because they hated him so much.

C. He encourages the congregation.

  1. Fear not: “do not fear”
  2. Be faithful: “until death”
  3. Be fit for the crown: “I will give you the crown of life”