Faith Lutheran Church

123 Park Lane • Moorpark, CA 93021 • (805) 532 1049

Sunday Worship • 8:00am & 10:15am

To The One Who Overcomes Part 3:
Do Not Be Afraid -
The Church in Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

Pastor Bob Hiller
7/20/2008

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:10b-11

Person: Jesus is the first to ________ from the ________ and the final __________ of all things.

Praise: Christ is pleased with their __________ of __________ in the face of poverty and persecution.

Problem: Under such circumstances ________ may arise.

Promise: Our present sufferings are __________ compared to the __________ blessings that are ours in Christ.

Scripture Readings
Isaiah 44:6-8
Revelation 2:8-11
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Take It With You!

During this series please consider reading through the first three chapters of Revelation daily with your family or on your own. After each sermon, questions will be provided to guide your reading and prayer time. God's blessings in your study!

1. Read Revelation 2:8 and Isaiah 44:6. Notice how Jesus is making a claim to be the God of the Old Testament! What does it mean for Jesus to be the First and the Last? Read also 1 Corinthians 15:23.

2. In the 20th Century there were more Christians killed for their faith than in all the other centuries before it combined! Christians are regularly under attack from the devil. What comfort do we find in Revelation 2:8-11 for those who face such attacks?

3. Here in America we are not persecuted to the point that we have shed our blood for our faith. In fact, we are blessed with the freedom to worhship God according to His Word. This is not true everywhere. This week, get your family together and find an organization that supports the persecuted church around the world and see how you can help!