FAITHFUL BELIEVERS
LUKE 2:36-38; REVELATION 2:1-11
Introduction:
Anna was a widow of about 84 years of age. She was a “prophetess” (a teacher). She served the Lord by fasting, prayer, and testimony. She was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ. She was there when Simeon blessed Jesus, the “consolation of Israel.”
Anna serves as a good example of a faithful Christian. There are two types of believers. There is the Ephesian type of believer and the Smyrna type of believer. After hearing this message ask yourself, which type do you consider yourself?
I. ANNA, THE EXAMPLE OF THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER. Luke 2:36-38,
A. Anna, despite her age, was always in the house of God.
B. She fasted and was a “prayer warrior.”
C. She witnessed to everyone about her Savior, Luke 2:38, “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
D. She was a teacher (prophetess), Titus 2:3-4, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”
II. THE EPHESIAN TYPE OF BELIEVER. Revelation 2:1-7.
A. Ephesus, “a famous church planted by the apostle Paul (Acts 19), and afterwards watered and governed by John, who had his residence very much there.”
B. The Lord knows:
1. Thy works (your business; undertakings; acts; deeds), v. 2
2. Thy labor (trouble; weariness).
3. Thy patience (steadfastness; constancy; endurance; perseverance).
C. But you FELL.
1. “Thou hast left thy first love,” v. 4.
2. Remember:
a. Where you fell from, v. 5.
b. Repent and do the first works.
D. Labor for His name sake again, v. 3, “And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”
III. THE SMYRNA TYPE OF BELIEVER. Revelation 2:8-11.
A. Smyrna, “a city of great trade and wealth, perhaps the only city of all the seven that is still known by the same name, now however no longer distinguished for its Christian church being overrun by Mahomedism.” Matthew Henry
B. I know:
1. Thy works (deeds; labor; accomplishments).
2. Thy tribulation (affliction; trouble; persecution; pressure).
3. Thy poverty (destitute of riches and abundance).
C. “But thou art rich,” v. 9.
1. The Lord notes that they lack many of the material things that other churches had.
2. However, they had great wealth in spiritual things. They were abundantly supplied in the grace of God.
D. I Know also:
1. The blasphemy of the Jews, v. 9b, “and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”
2. That the Jews were not the only covenant people of God. The Christians had been grafted in while the Jew had been rejected, Romans 11:20-21, “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”
3. The things that you will suffer for my name’s sake, v. 10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
CONCLUSION
While the Ephesian church was faithful to guard the doctrines of the Word of God, they left off winning people to Jesus Christ and became cold and stagnant.
On the other hand the Church at Smyrna, which also guard the doctrines of the Word of God, grew in the Grace of God spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and reaching those about them even in difficult times.
Persecution has always been a purifying element in the Lord’s churches. Perhaps that is what we need to separate the believers from the professors.