Small But Mighty - Seven Letters To Seven Churches

"Letter To Smyrna"
7.19.15

The Iliad and The Odyssey, two tales of men, their struggles,and the gods they worshiped. Tales of heroes and the gods who supported them. These two classic tales were written by Homer, famed son of Smyrna. You can imagine the devotees of these man made gods and their fervor to preserve them. So much, that when the Romans conquered Greece, they merged their mythologies. But not the Christians. There is only one God and one God-man who walked this earth. The friction between these groups and their beliefs set the stage for the letter Jesus sends to the Church of Smyrna.

In addition to these ancient gods, the people of Smyrna worshiped a new one: Caesar. Not enough to be king, he was exalted to the heights of god-ship. Worship. Revered. Here too, the people of Smyrna and the Church of Smyrna differed. Here the point of conflict and persecution was set ablaze by the friction of two competing ideologies. In this boiling pot of strife, Jesus has these words for the church in Smyrna and to us today.

Identity of Jesus:
(v.8) I am the First and The Last, the one who died and lives again.

Jesus is staking his claim as the one true God. In a city where there were many gods, he confirms for the people of the church that he is THE GOD. He was here before time and will be here beyond the end of time. Jesus declares his godhood with an echo of YHWH Jehovah in Isaiah 44:6 where the LORD God Almighty declares himself to be the first and last, and apart from his there is no other God. Jesus confirmed this in John 8:58 during his discussion with the religious leaders of his time on earth when he declared that before Abraham was, he existed!

Jesus is the one who died and lives again. There are many men who have led groups to believe new things about gods and the universe. Cults and followings that result in the same conclusion: a leader who dies. Name a world religion centered on a man or woman who walked this earth, and we can visit their grave and witness their body still there. Not so for Jesus! Strip away the myriad of arguments and logic games people will play to dismiss Christianity, and stand on this one truth: Our God loved us so much that he sent his Son to come to earth, pay our penalty for sin, and then had the power to resurrect himself on the third day! This Son was witnessed by numerous people over a 40 day period before he returned to heaven.

I believe that Jesus is telling us he is the eternal God who was, is, and will be who lived a life like ours, died a physical death, but now lives again! We should have no fear of the past, the present or the future! And we should have no fear of death!

Commendation: 
(vs.9) Jesus knows their affliction and poverty. He knows that they are slandered by false teachers who belong to the Synagogue of Satan.

Smyrna sits fifty miles north of Ephesus, and is a port city relying on the trade business for wealth. But for a list of reasons, they were not as wealthy or successful as their sister city Ephesus. Within the economy of the city, being a Christian did not help. Prejudice and hatred held Christians out of sharing the financial resources that their pagan peers enjoyed. But they were rich: they had Jesus! Christ is telling them and us, as he did numerous times while he walked the earth, that the true riches are not found in things, but in him. Even as Christians we sometimes talk about being in heaven and discuss our mansions and streets of gold and other "items" that we will have. The greatest treasure in heaven is not an item, but the person of Jesus Christ!

Complaint & Correction:

There are none. One of only two churches to have nothing bad said of them. What a wonderful things to be said about us if possible! To be so faithful to Jesus and true to him that there is no need for correction. Sadly, I cannot make that statement about myself or the church collective of today.

Promise:
(vs. 10b, 11) If we are faithful even to the point of death, we will receive the crown of life. and if we are victorious then we will not be harmed by the second death.

 The Bible is a wonderful book that gives testimony to itself. In James 1:12 we read "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised those who love him." Trials. Tests. Persecution. When we remain faithful through them, we will receive that crown of life. This crown is not given easily. When it is bestowed, it is for eternity. With it, we are free from fear from the second death. The death described in Revelation 20:14 & 21:8 - eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire. The lake which will hold Satan, death, and hell itself. All will be equal in their punishment there. BUT! We who are in Christ and faithful to him, will never see that second death!

There are a number of examples where faithful Christians have been true to Christ up to and including death. I point to one such example: Ignatius of Smyrna in A.D. 108. He traveled to Smyrna for the experience of persecution which was going on there under the rule of Trajan. Once there, he wrote to his fellow believers in Rome these thoughts:

"Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ!"  

He was captured, and sentenced to death for the amusement of the citizens. When facing his death, he uttered this proclamation:


"I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread."

I pray that I never have to face such persecution, but if I should, may I have such faith to face it!

Three things to take away for this letter:

1. Hang in there! Jesus is bigger than the events of men! He was at the beginning, will be at the end, and he is here with us today!
2. Things will get tough, but there is a great reward! We too often think of only today. Keep pressing on towards the goal, and we will be rewarded with the greatest riches we can imagine: the very presence of Christ!
3. In the economy of God, suffering can be a blessing, not a curse. Too often in biblical times (and even today) it is perceived of people who suffer that they are receiving their "just reward" for some evil they have committed. While ti can be true, that people suffer as a result of their sin and its consequences, it is also true that God uses difficult times to refine us and perfect us.
 

Small But Mighty - Seven Letters To Seven Churches

"Letter To Ephesus"
7.12.15

A simple white line on one side of the screen, and a second white line on the other side of the screen with a "ball" of small pixels bouncing back and forth. This was the beginning of a very profitable video game industry. This simple "PONG" game launched the video game revolution. Many companies rushed into the exciting enterprise, but none greater than Atari. In its hey day, Atari could do no wrong. Everything seemed to turn to gold for them. And in 1982 the gaming company had its next big hit: a game based on the mega movie E.T. With little time, and rushed production, Atari introduced the world to a truly boring game experience. It was so bad, that many of the games were bought back by the company and buried in secret burial spots in the desert. The failure was enough to set the gaming industry on its ears and nearly out for good. It would take a few years and a new leader in the gaming system universe, Nintendo NES, to set the gaming industry right again. Atari would never be the same, and the once powerful force was permanently humbled.

Ephesus was in a similar situation during the first century. As part of a port system of goods traveling throughout the middle east and Mediterranean, it had accumulated a great wealth. They built bigger docks, and bigger boats came in. With bigger boats, came bigger profits. Then the sea turned on them. Silt began collecting in heir harbors and making it difficult to dock the boats. As the water began moving back from the city, the boats found new ports and the wealth followed. The once mighty city was humbled.

They found some relief in the sale of silversmith goods related to tourism to the local Temple of Artemis. This industry was growing until a new religion called the Way (Christianity) came to town. It became such a conflict, that we read in Acts 19 where the silversmiths and other temple related business owners gathered together to protest Paul and his followers. They sought them out in an effort to find them and hurt them for the reduction of profit in their trades. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed, but it demonstrates the level of tension in the city and the level of persecution the believers in this faith community faced.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 we find seven short letters authored by Jesus to seven churches in first century Asia. These small but mighty letters sit wedged between the awe striking picture of a resurrected Christ appearing to John and the depiction of the final weeks of man on earth. In each letter Jesus gives the churches and us a picture of his purpose, his observations, and promises to each of us as we are open to hear what he has to say. Jesus begins with the church of Ephesus.

Identity of Jesus:
(v.1) He holds the seven stars and walks among seven lamps.

In Daniel 12:3 we read that those who lead others to righteousness (our calling as Christians in Matthew 28) are like stars who shine forever. In Exodus 25 we read a description of a seven bowled lamp that was made to give light in the Holy Temple of God. This lamp would be a reminder of the light of God to the world. This light would be embodied by Jesus himself (John 1) and we who are now united with Jesus as believers will serve as the light in darkness (Ephesians 5:8).

We see here that Jesus holds us in his hands (see John 10:28) and the local congregations of believers serve as a lamp in the cities of this world giving light in darkness. Jesus walks among us. He knows us. He protects us. He is with us.

Commendation:
(vs.2-3) The Ephesians are hard working with perseverance; they cannot tolerate wicked people; have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not; and have endured hardships. They know what is right and they do not tolerate teachers who bring another gospel to them.

Complaint:
(v.4) They have lost their first love.

While these church members have all the spiritual zeal you could hope for, they do it out of a position of personal correctness, not out of love. Jesus holds it against them that they have stopped loving him as the motivation for their passion, but have fell in love with the teachings rather than the teacher.

Correction and Consequence:
(v.5) Repent and do what they did at first or God will remove their lamp.

Jesus gives a simple remedy to their problem: repent. Return to their first actions - loving and caring for the Jesus and the lost of their city. He reminds them to take inventory of how far they have fallen! A love that has grown cold can be rekindled, but it take effort.

The church did not repent, and their lamp was eventually removed. Today the shore is nearly 20 miles away from the "port city" of Ephesus. Not only did the financial blessing move, but the spiritual one as well. Today Ephesus is a tourist town for those wishing to visit the past. No church is found there - the map is gone.

Promise:
(v.7) Whoever has ears, let them hear: He who is victorious will have the right to eat from the tree of life which is in paradise with God.

A few things to note here: first, check on the sides of your head. Go ahead, check. Found some ears? Good, then that means this message is for you! Second, if you are like me, the idea of being victorious is often an unattainable goal. I know my own heart and my actions too often do not reflect a victorious Christ filled life. I can find myself seemingly in defeat more than I care to admit.

But, and this is BIG, we do not have to provide the victory! In 1 Corinthians 15:57 we read that victory come through Jesus! He has already won! We are asked to live out that victory and stop living as a defeated sinner. We do not have to win the battle, but we are asked to act like it is already won! If we stay faithful to that truth, then we will be able to eat of the Tree of Life which we find out later is found in the new Jerusalem along with the throne of God.

From this little letter we can see three clear truths for us:

1. God recognizes and values diligence in teaching and faithfulness to his commands.
2. He values our love and fervor for him as being greater than just "being right".
3. If we remain faithful to his victory, then we will enjoy eternal life in the presence of God.

Celebrating Liberty 2015

“God bless America, America bless God”

This week we celebrate the anniversary of the independence of the United States as a sovereign nation. We rightfully sing and celebrate the freedom we enjoy. We fire bright colors into the dark night sky and shudder at the pronouncing “boom” of each firework as they resound our liberty for all who hear. But perhaps this year those colors were not as bright, the sound of liberty not as clear since we become a nation described in Isaiah 5:20, as one “who calls evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.”

We are a nation founded with men who revered God and knew that His divine hand guided us. George Washington in his inaugural speech set the standard by which all following generations should be measured, including our own. Concerning the law of our land, he stated:

“I behold the surest pledges that the foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; … there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that which exists in the economy and course of nature, an inseparable union between virtue and happiness.”

Should he, the inaugural government, or any subsequent government leave this foundation, Washington warned of its consequences:

“The favoring smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.”

This call was to those who served in the capacity of leadership and to the citizens at large. We are after all a nation “by the people and of the people.” It is the responsibility of each individual politician and citizen to seek God’s sovereign leadership. Perhaps Washington was thinking of the LORD’s own charge in Deuteronomy 30 when the Israelites were about to establish their new nation. The LORD said:

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.”

Four eight years Washington worked hand and hand with many great men to produce a government and nation who would, like Israel to the ancient world, be a beacon of light reflecting the blessings and wonder of our great God! With the establishment of policies and procedures, Washington developed a formula for success that has lasted over two centuries. In his farewell speech of 1796, our first President left with the same dedication to personal spiritual virtue and morality which inspired him to begin his service in 1789. He charges us all with these words:

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would a man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness… And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

To what religious principle is Washington urging us towards? Perhaps it is the principles of Christian living outlined by Paul to the Romans. In the chapter 12, verses 9 thru 12 Paul challenges the Romans to:

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

In fulfillment of Paul’s challenge, and being a man of prayer, Washington, after his inaugural speech, led the first congress to St. Paul’s Chapel where he petitioned our Heavenly Father with these pleas:

“That Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and peaceful temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Washington’s prayer echoes the requirements of the LORD in Micah 6: “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” And if we fail to do this collectively as a nation or individually as citizens? There is a promise for judgement by God, but mercifully he states that he is willing to forgive if “my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways.” 

(2 Chronicles 7)

  

Like Israel, we have been called to freedom. Our freedom lies in Jesus and “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1) And if Christ has set us free, then we are “free indeed”. (John 8:36) This freedom is individualistic and collective. We are set free as individuals as we accept Christ and follow him as LORD and savior. And this freedom is collective because we are not just single parts, but components of a whole. So when we see current times produce “evil as good and darkness as light”, it is our individual and collective duty to “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

(Romans 12:21)

This good which Paul writes about cannot be restricted by any government or nation. It is a good which flows from the author and creator of all nations. Paul describes this good being lived out as the fruit of a spirit led life. It is a life filled with:

“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5)

Of all these traits, the greatest of them is love (1 Corinthians 13). So as we celebrate the independence of this great nation, let us do so with the knowledge that its freedom is established and sustained on the individual freedom of men and women who are independent of the chains of sin by the love of God who “gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

True love saves. It rescues. It does not sit idly by while others march forward to destruction. True love died for you and I while we were still sinners. So we should let our light of freedom shine so that others may see it and bring glory to God (Matthew 5). Perhaps you see the future as cloudy and the light of freedom dimming, then I conclude with these words from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

“Be still, sad heart and cease repining; behind the clouds the sun is still shining!”

That sun is the SON, and he sits on the eternal throne of his Father. That truth will never change. So go out this week and always, remembering to live in freedom is to live in virtue, and against that – no man can legislate.

“God Bless America, and America, Please Bless God!”