What Can We Learn From Smyrna? (Revelation 2:8-11)

VIDEO 

What Can We Learn From Smyrna? (Revelation 2:8-11) 

GIST:  He knows your pain, and He’s your hope.

This morning, we’re continuing our study through Revelation and are coming to the second of seven letters from Jesus to churches across ancient Asia Minor. As we’ve been pointing out, these seven churches represent the Church as a whole, so there is much we can glean from what Jesus says in them. This particular letter was written to the church in Smyrna which is one of only two churches for whom Jesus has no rebukes. Yeah, it’s probably worth our time to look at why. ☺️ 

Historically, Smyrna is really interesting. Actually, one of the most interesting points is the amount of history it has. There seems to have always been some civilization in this spot. According to the good old Encyclopedia Britannica, “Excavations indicate settlement… dating from the 3rd millennium [BC].” Unlike Ephesus, there is still a thriving community here today. Now called Izmir, it is the third most populated city in Turkey with approximately 4 million inhabitants. Also, unlike Ephesus, there is still a Christian presence in the city today.

At the time of this letter, it was another prominent harbor city in Asia Minor and a center of science and medicine. Historically, it was also known as the most beautiful city in the region, and was often referred to as the crown or diadem of Smyrna (The Encyclopedia of the Bible). However, this city was also the center of Caesar Worship. Along with having temples to major Greek gods like Zeus, Aphrodite, and Apollo (and a temple in tribute to the epic writer: Homer, who was likely born here), "every year, every citizen of Smyrna had to burn incense to Caesar... and receive then a certificate that you had done that. Without a certificate, you would be persecuted because you were violating the highest law in Smyrna. To be without a certificate, as must have been the case for Christians who would not say Caesar is Lord, but only Jesus is Lord, was to risk discovery and death" (John MacArthur on Smyrna). Persecution, in fact, seems to be the theme for the church in Smyrna. In reference to this, nearly every commentary and sermon I studied on this passage mentioned the example of Polycarp. He was a disciple of John and later a pastor in Smyrna in the first century. In his late 80's, years after this letter would have been written, he was burned at the stake due to persecution. After being told to deny Christ, church history records that Polycarp answered (though probably with a far less British sounding voice than the translation that has survived ☺️),  “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?” 

I think that leads nicely into the substance of this letter. → 

8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 "'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'”

I probably had a longer than necessary introduction, but our gist for today is mercifully short. As we look at this church who received no rebukes but faced tremendously persecution, here’s the gist I want us to take away today:He knows your pain, and He’s your hope. 

I. He Knows Your Pain

The phrase that struck me the most this week was just these two opening words from verse 9 which actually start each of the seven letters: I know. Honestly, we could just leave it at that. I won’t ☺️, because I feel like we should break down the rest of this text together, but please don’t leave without hearing this: whatever you’re going through, He knows, and He cares, and He is doing something around you. Now, let’s look more specifically how He expresses this in the letter.

What He Knows

9 "'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

Tribulation. They were facing persecution. Life wasn’t easy. Because they were standing faithfully for Jesus, they were not only social outcasts, but their lives were in danger...But they weren’t forgotten. Guys, don’t forget this. In your pain, you’re never forgotten or abandoned either. I was listening to Focus on the Family this week, and they were interviewing a missionary who was imprisoned for two years for his witness. What he endured was traumatic, and he felt complete isolation not only from his family and the Church but from God. When we face tribulation, it is natural for us to feel alone. Satan wants this, but it’s not true. Jesus knows. He sees. He cares.

Poverty. I love the parenthetical element to this next statement. This church is said to be poor...but rich. Externally, they had nothing. The Greek term here implies complete destitution. Jesus told us to expect this, right? “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). 

Yet, they were eternally and spiritually rich. In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, He tells us: “19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).

     We live in a wealth obsessed society. Let us never forget there are riches of far more value. Smyrna didn’t have “means”, but Jesus knew what they were laying up for eternity was so much more precious. Clearly, they needed to hear that. Maybe you did this morning, too. 

Slander. Not only were they facing persecution and poverty, but they were also the victims of slander. Specifically, this was coming from what Jesus calls the “synagogue of Satan”. Let’s make sure we understand here that this isn’t an antisemitic statement. These were individuals who called themselves Jews but were not. Church history tells us that the church in Smyrna, including Ploycarp at a later date, faced persecution which resulted from Jewish leaders essentially throwing the Christians under the Roman bus in an attempt to get rid of them. These individuals weren’t living like true Jews because Jews were set aside as the people of God. Following Him would be following Jesus. Instead, these who should have been walking with the early church were pulling them down. You might experience that as well. 

He knew. He knows. Let’s look at this awesome picture then of→ 

Who He Is

“8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 

First and Last Who Died And Rose. Remember, each letter starts with a description of Jesus from the image we saw in chapter 1. The image used here is one that reminds us of Jesus' eternity and sacrifice. Who is writing to this church in the midst of great suffering? The God who has always been and always will be. The God who holds all of life's trials and joys in His hands. AND, the God who came and suffered and died so that we could be rescued and truly live. He’s the one who knows your hurt, and→ 

II. He’s Your Hope

The next portion of the letter zeroes in on a combination of promises and admonitions. Let’s look at these promises first. Then, we’ll take the admonishes as those nice, built-in takeaways ☺️. 

What He Promises

“10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'”

You Will Suffer. That might not be the most encouraging of the promises here ☺️. However, He’s very clear. They are about to suffer. They will be thrown into prison. These are definites. This might actually speak to why the church stood through so much persecution and not just in Smyrna. It didn’t see suffering as something uncommon to the Christian experience. Instead, they knew it was par for the course and could be used by so→ 

You Can Be Tested. This actually reads a lot like the story of Job to me. This testing is allowed by Jesus and executed by the devil. Trials present us with an opportunity for growth. Of course, the opposite can also happen. That’s where the testing comes in. Will we cling to Jesus and grow closer or cling to frustration or fear and turn away? 

Let’s also not miss this promise that gives us the strength to cling to Him and face what comes→ 

It Won’t Last Forever. I just want to briefly address the ten days mentioned here. As is often the case in Revelation, much speculation surrounds these numbers. Could this mean ten actual days? Sure. Could it stand for some longer symbolic period of time? Possibly. Either way, what is being emphasized here? No matter how long this persecution is, it is not forever! In fact, relative to eternity, it is very brief. Stand firm. This isn’t the end of the story!

If You’re Faithful Unto Death, You Will Receive Life. The final promises point, again, to the beauty of Heaven. Here, He tells the church facing encroaching death that there is glorious life at the end for those who trust Him. And→ 

You Might Be Suffering Now, But Death Will Not Hurt You. In life, this church endured much pain. The second death, however, is spiritual (Hell). That isn’t the future for believers. After this life, there is no more suffering.

Now, to the provided→ 

TAKEAWAYS

1. Don’t Fear. This world is scary...without Jesus. You don’t have to live like that!

2. Be Faithful Unto Death. As you look forward to rich, eternal life!

3. Listen. Don’t miss this! And→ 

4. Be encouraged by the God who knows.

God Only Knows by For King and Country

Another Beautiful Version of God Only Knows

Fully Known by Tauren Wells

PONDERING... Who Is This Child? Part I (Isaiah 9:6)

VIDEO

Who Is This Child? Part I (AM Sermon Notes)

GIST: Jesus humbled Himself for us. 

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:6-7

As I prepared our next lesson in Acts while at the hospital with baby Xander, I had these verses pop into my head, and they never left. Therefore, this morning we’re doing something unusual for me. We’re taking a break from our current study and spending the next few weeks walking through what has become a very famous “Christmas passage”. Let’s read Isaiah 9:6-7. 

“6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

I love this beautiful passage and have grown-up reading it as a classic Christmas text. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I realize there’s a bit of controversy around it. Jewish rabbis teach that this passage has no reference to the future Messiah at all, but instead these were words spoken to the wicked king Ahaz about his son Hezekiah who would come as a good and Godly king. To be fair, you can definitely see how Hezekiah fulfills this… but only in part. This is something we see all throughout Scripture that is commonly referred to as dual-fulfillment. While Hezekiah would come and serve God faithfully in his reign, he wasn’t perfect and didn’t have a perfect or eternal reign, but Jesus does! So Hezekiah served more as glimpse of things to come, and this prophecy was then fully realized in Jesus. Furthermore, the New Testament, which we’ve demonstrated in the past (and I’d love to discuss further if you have any questions), has been proven to be the trustworthy Word of God, references passages within this section of Isaiah and applies them to Jesus. In fact, Matthew 4:16 even quotes the beginning of this chapter (Isaiah 9:2), “2  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”, which demonstrates why the child needed to be born. Likewise, studying His life, we can also see how these descriptions apply to Jesus— and that’s what I want us to spend these next few weeks discussing.

As we move through what I truly consider the most wonderful time of the year ☺️, I want us to focus in on who this Child is who came to us in a manger. Here’s our gist for this morning: Jesus humbled Himself for us. Do you ever think about this? In considering that, I want to focus on just the first two lines of this passage and consider what is called the incarnation, Jesus coming as fully God and fully man. Let’s start by looking at→ 

I. THE GIFT OF THE INCARNATION

I want to focus in on the first phrase: “For to us a child is born.” What this points to is what is frequently referred to as Jesus’ humiliation. Why? Because Jesus is the eternal God. He didn’t begin to exist when He came as a baby in Bethlehem, but has always been since before the creation of the world. AND, He did not have to come and rescue us from the sin we’ve chosen. He chose to come, and He chose to take our place. That’s what the incarnation is all about. Like the author of Hebrews expresses in chapter 4:15-16, “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

He humbled Himself and came to us in a way that should blow your mind. By definition, the incarnation is beyond our comprehension. Jesus did not cease to be God, but He took on humanity— true humanity. He went through life in the same way we do, just without messing up! He was fully God, but chose to live as fully man AND not just as any man. His life was the example of self-sacrifice. He faced more than any of us ever will. Not only did He encounter deep persecutions, but He also literally took on Hell, which He did not deserve. Why? Well, that leads us to our second point (already even! ☺️) →   

II. THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION

Look at this again. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”. Why did He do this? For us. For you! Why did He come if He didn’t have to? Why did He suffer humiliation and shame and endure Hell though He’d lived perfectly? Because of His unfailing, unconditional love...for you! That’s the amazing grace we sing about! I don’t want to draw this out unnecessarily, but focus in on this as you consider Jesus this season as the baby in the manger: that baby came to save you from the sin you cling to that’s killing you— and He did this by giving everything because He loves you. This isn’t past tense. He loved you then, and He loves you still the same. No matter what you’re facing today, please hear that, which brings us, actually, to our last point→  

III. THE HOPE OF THE INCARNATION

What do I mean by hope here? In closing, look at just at the last phrase in the verses we’ve been considering:  “… and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” He’s God who came for you and died for you, but He didn’t just suffer— He rose again conquering death and defeating sin once and for all! He is and has always been completely sovereign over all. This truth should be so incredibly comforting. Especially as Providence Baptist Church, we need constantly to remember we serve the God who is in control of… EVERYTHING! Nothing— no power, no authority, no conflict, no crisis, no pain— is EVER out of His hands! That’s the hope of the incarnation. This child who came is more than a symbol of seasonal goodwill. He truly is the God who loves you and calls you to take up your cross and follow Him as He leads you exactly where you’re meant to be!

In closing, let’s consider a few quick→ 

TAKEAWAYS

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder”

1. Jesus humbled Himself for you.

2. He’s sovereign over the world– and your life!

3. Trust the Savior who came in the manger. 

PONDERING... John 10:19-30

John 10:19-30  There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.  20  Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?"  21  Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"  22  At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,  23  and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.  24  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."  25  Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,  26  but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.  27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  28  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  29  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  30  I and the Father are one."

What's Happening:

1. Division (vs 19-21) 19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.  20  Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?"  21  Others said, "These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

Again we see that 1. This is still on this heels of the healing in John 9, and 10. There was great division amongst the people because of Jesus. You cannot be indifferent towards Christ. No one ever was. No one ever will be. To hear His claims is to react.

2. Feast of dedication..time jump (vs 22-23) 22  At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,  23  and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

This is the feast of renewing/ renovation (also known as this feast of lights...aka Hanukkah). It happened about 2 1/2ish months after the feast of tabernacles (previous verses) around December 20th or 25th. This would have been a colder rainy season which would explain why he went into the porch or colonnade of Solomon (built annually in the winter for convos).

This feast was instituted by Judas Maccabaeus, in the year 164 b.c. The temple and city were taken by Antiochus Epiphanes in the year 167 b.c. He killed 40,000 inhabitants, and sold 40,000 more as slaves. In addition to this, he sacrificed a sow on the altar of burnt-offerings, and a broth being made of this, he sprinkled it all over the temple. The city and temple were recovered three years afterward by Judas Maccabaeus, and the temple was purified with great pomp and solemnity. The ceremony of purification continued through eight days, during which Judas presented magnificent victims, and celebrated the praise of God with hymns and psalms (Josephus, Ant., b. xii. ch. 11).- Barnes

3. Jews ask to be told plainly... He had (vs 24-25) 24  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."  25  Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

John 6:35  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

John 7:37-39  On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  38  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"  39  Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 8:23-25  He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.  24  I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."  25  So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.

Also, He points out that His works (miracles and misson) supplement His words.

4. Disbelieving non-sheep (vs 26) 26  but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

Contrasting with how Sheep respond, these Jews are told that they do not believe because they are not sheep. (More on this in a second.)

5. My sheep...eternal security/preservation of the saints (vs 27-28) 27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  28  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

As we've been mentioning, His sheep (Christians) listen and respond to His voice. When this happens, they are gloriously and eternally saved from damnation.

6. All hinges on the strength of the Father who 1st called and now holds (and to whom Jesus is equal) (vs 29-30) 29  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  30  I and the Father are one."

A couple observations:

1. There are people who will hear, see, and experience the Truth of God and not believe---thus, not be saved. They are not part of His flock.

2. Yet, there are sheep who will hear His voice, and will follow Him. They will have eternal life, and they will never perish since no one will ever be able to take them from the Father's hand. In other words, they will never cease to be saved or lose their salvation.

A couple points of application:

1. We cannot know who these people are and must preach to everyone. God has chosen to use us as His tools to spread His Word, the good news of His salvation. We cannot understand the complexities of who will and will not be saved, but God, who is vastly more qualified, does, and we know that "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance"(2 Peter 3:9 ESV). There will be people saved because He is calling them! Therefore, we need to leave this distinction of sheep and non-sheep in His hands where it forever belongs, and seek only to do His good will. Those who follow Him are sheep. Those who die not following Him are not sheep.

2. Those who are saved can be sure that this salvation will last forever! God's hands are more than able to hold.

3. However, just because we know that salvation is eternal does not mean that everyone who thinks they are saved has eternal security. Remember, the Bible tells us that if we believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be, the Son of God dying in your place and rising that you might rise also with Him and returning to take His church home, and if you give Him control of your life, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 John 5:13 breaks this down even further and says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (ESV). I challenge you to look at 1 John and see what the Holy Spirit inspired John to write on this subject. Here are a few quick notes.

Christians:

1. Turn from darkness to light (1John 1, 3:3-4)

2. Model their lives after Christ and obey His Word (1John 2:1-8,29)

3. Love...period, and the brothers especially (1John 2:7-11, 3:10, 14-15; 5:2)

4. Change their alleigiences/do not love the world/sin (1John 2:15-17)

5. Love Jesus (1John 2:19-27)

6. Approach God as Father (1John 3:1-3)

7. Have the Holy Spirit and live in community with believers (1John 4:12-13, 5:10-11)

8. Affirm sound doctrine (1John 2:20-23; 4:2,6)

See verses below:

1 John 1:1-10  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—  2  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—  3  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  4  And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.  5  This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  10  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 3:3-4  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.  4  Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

1 John 2:1-8  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  2  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  3  And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.  4  Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  5  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:  6  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  7  Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  8  At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

1 John 2:29  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

1 John 2:7-11  Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  8  At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.  9  Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.  10  Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.  11  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:10  By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1 John 3:14-15  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.  15  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

1 John 2:15-17  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  16  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  17  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:19-27  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.  20  But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.  21  I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.  22  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  23  No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.  24  Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.  25  And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.  26  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.  27  But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 3:1-3  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  2  Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  3  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

1 John 4:12-13  No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.  13  By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

1 John 5:10-11  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.  11  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 2:20-23  But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.  21  I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.  22  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  23  No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 4:2-6  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,  3  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.  4  Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  5  They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.  6  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

PONDERING... John 10:17-18

Brief Outline from Youth Lesson:

John 10:17-18  For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.  18  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

For this reason- Not the only reason, but we see here that the Father loves the Son because of His sacrifice for us!

Because I lay down my life/That I may take it up again- These two are inseparable. He laid down His life so that He could take it up again. These was not a purposeless sacrifice. He always intended that our salvation would be completed in Him.

No one takes it- This was never a "have to"; Jesus was under no obligation to save us. Missing this is missing His love. Obligatory duty can be done in a loving manner, but true love goes beyond obligation and often involves sacrifice. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly. He is love. 

I have authority/Charge from the Father- soveriegnty and submission

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.