The purest Christian graces are those forged in the furnace of adversity

The Context: The City of Smyrna

·        
The meaning of the _______________: The name Smyrna comes from the root word myrrh

·        
A city of beauty and ______________: “Crown of Asia”

·        
Political loyalty and the imperial _____________: A primary seat of emperor worship

Christ’s Unshakable Authority

·        
“The first and the last” – An Old Testament
title reserved exclusively for __________ (Isaiah 44:6)

·        
“Who died and came to life” - Establishes
empathy; Christ experienced the ultimate persecution (death) but triumphed
through _________________.

The Nature of Their Suffering

·        
Crushing
________________

·        
Absolute
_________________

·        
Malicious
________________

The Command

·        
“Do not fear” – Trust in God’s purpose and
_________

·        
“Be faithful unto death” – _____________________
in your faith even if it costs you your life

The Promise

·        
Crown of life - The victor's garland or wreath awarded to athletes in the Greek games.

Jesus is inviting them to see themselves not as defeated victims, but as _______________ and overcomers in the race of faith.

·        
Saved from the second death - The second death is defined in Revelation 20:14 as the “lake
of fire,” eternal separation from God.

Believers are born twice and die once, while unbelievers are born once and die twice.

Encouragements From Jesus For Our Suffering

1.      
Jesus is deeply aware of our _______________ and suffering

2.     
Jesus is _______________ over suffering – it is divinely limited and purposeful

3.     
_____________God's refining purpose in your trials

4.     
______________your measure of wealth and success

5.     
________________________
in the face of modern opposition and worldly compromise

6.     
Do not
fear hardships or worry about your __________

7.     
Do not
be ruled by a _________________________

8.    
_______________
for the persecuted church globally (see The Voice of the Martyrs @ www.persecution.com)

“Suffering is
unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you.” Tim Keller

Ready to take your Next Step?

·        
Go by the Next Steps area today after the
service

·        
Use your phone and the tap card on the seat back
in front of you to go to the Next Steps tab

·        
Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the
offering box

·        
Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps.”