An exposition of Revelation 2:8-11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 22, 2008.
The Pain of Betrayal
Have you ever felt the pain of betrayal? It is intensified by the closeness of the relationship, and the circumstance of an hour-of-need situation. In our day personal loyalty is out the window. This has worked its way in every aspect of our lives, even in our faith, the church, and to Christ. Oh yes, we will be loyal to Christ so long as it doesn’t inconvenience us, and we get out of it what we desire. Looking at the Scriptures we see that God places a high value on loyalty. John chose a life of loyalty to Christ, and paid for it by being exiled to the island of Patmos.
Today we come to the words to the church in Smyrna. If there were a one-word epitaph for the church in Smyrna it would be the word “loyalty.” They were one of only two addresses to the seven churches who were not reprimanded. Two points follow:
1. The sovereign Lord of the church demands our loyalty, even in the face of hardship and extreme persecution and trial.
2. In response to your faithfulness the Lord of the church promises a great reward.