Letter to Smyrna | Pastor Dalton Stoltz | Liberty Live Church

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Here I am again, asking for deliverance from my aching heart. My friend, will you commend these one? [MUSIC] Here I am again, broken, lost, and I am counting on your faithfulness. To bring me back to you. [MUSIC] The enemy's surrounding, I'm begging you to find me. I lean on every promise that I know, and I proclaim. No scheming could take your love away. You will remain, and I proclaim. You're alive in one fighting in my place. The victories in the empty grave. I'm saving some beside you all my days. Where you are, I'll run. Following your footsteps, let your room be done. Father, help me set my mind on things above. Tomorrow's in your pain.

Yeah. Oh, I know your love surrounds me. There's no place you won't find me. So I lean on every promise that you spoke. Oh, and I proclaim. No scheming could take your love away. ♪ You will remain ♪ ♪ And I proclaim ♪ ♪ You lie in my own party in my place ♪ ♪ The victory is in the empty grave ♪ ♪ I'm safe in some sight of all my days ♪ ♪ Beside you all my daily ♪ ♪ No demon, no trial ♪ ♪ Could put any miles between your love and me ♪ ♪ No ruler, no power could steal any hour ♪ ♪ Away from eternity ♪ ♪ There is no harm, no death, no darkness ♪ ♪ Or death that could come into your sovereignty ♪ ♪ One will fear tomorrow ♪ ♪ The failure no sorrow could take your love forever ♪ ♪ Away from me ♪ ♪ And I proclaim ♪ ♪ No schema man could take your love away ♪ ♪ You will remain ♪ ♪ And I proclaim ♪ ♪ You lie in my own party in my place ♪ ♪ The victory is in the empty grave ♪ ♪ I'm safe in some sight of all my days ♪ ♪ Beside you all my days ♪ ♪ I'm safe in some sight of all my days ♪

♪ Beside you all my days ♪ ♪ Beside you all my days ♪ ♪ Beside you all my days ♪ (audience applauding) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) ♪ How we need ♪ ♪ Our spirit of the living God ♪ ♪ Purifies, purifies ♪ ♪ All alone ♪ (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) (gentle piano music)

(gentle piano music) (gentle piano music) - Good morning, welcome to Liberty Live Church. We are so glad you decided to join us. - Today's your first day at Liberty, we'd love to meet you. So, text connect to 40371, tap the seat back in front of you, or visit us at one of our next step centers after the service today. We can't wait to meet you. (speaking in foreign language) (speaking in foreign language) - Because of your generosity, lives are being changed right here in Hampton Roads and around the world. When you give, you partner with us to help change lives, communities, and the world for Jesus Christ. You can give through our website, tap the seat in front of you, or through an envelope at your campus today. Thank you for investing in all that God is doing through the work here at Liberty. - You know, God is moving in so many incredible ways here at Liberty, from kids, to students, to young adults, to senior adults. There are so many ways for you to find community, discover your purpose, and grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus. So right now, let's look at some exciting things

coming up. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - Don't miss what's happening all throughout the week. So follow us on social media and connect with your campus Facebook group. Thanks again for being here today, where it's not just church, it's life. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) - Good morning, Liberty. What a great day to be in the house of the Lord. We are so glad you're joining us here online for church this morning. You could be anywhere right now, and you're joining us, and you are a part of the Liberty family, and we love you. - We do love you. Hey, we wanna do some shout outs this morning. Introduce yourself in the chat. Let us know where you're streaming from, because it is Labor Day weekend. - It is, long weekend. - We could have a lot of folks out camping, at the beach, out for gardens, out of water country. Wherever you are streaming from today,

we're just so glad you're here. We hope you get some rest this Labor Day weekend. - Yeah. - And if it's your first time here. - If it's your first time. - Yeah, you can scan that QR code on the screen, or call, what can they do? - Make a text connect to 403-7-1, and fill out that online connection card, and let us know it was your first time, and we'll see you in your free gift. - Yes, we will. I gotta get some free gifts out, folks. I've been really wanting to send out some free gifts. - Jenny has not been sending out free gifts. - I have not. - You people, who are first timers. - Let us know. - Let us know. - That's right, we would love to know, but you gotta listen on that form. So let's do some shout outs this morning. Keep putting your name in the chat, 'cause you might get a shout out. Hey, Betsy Hale from Westfield, Pennsylvania. - Pennsylvania. - We have a lot of Pennsylvanians. - We do. - Is that how you say it? Pennsylvanians?

Pennsylvanians. - I don't know if anyone calls themselves, but-- - Pennsylvan. - I guess Virginians. - Virginians? - Yeah, I guess so. - Yeah, let us know in the chat. David Gibson from Columbus, Ohio. He is a way for work for a little while, so thanks for tuning in while you're traveling for work. Heather and Alyssa, watching from Alabama, Amanda Tucker online from Gordon'sville, Virginia. Nancy Nancy, 7064, watching from Kuwait. - Kuwait, wow. - Yes, yeah, all the way from Kuwait. Don't know if you're living there, if you're a missionary, if you're in our military, but thank you for watching from Kuwait and Helen from Work in Chesterfield. So a lot of people watch from work, too. - Yeah, a lot of people out and about were just watching because they found this online. each and everyone will be tuning in with us. That's right we sure are and one way that you could get connected with this big family is by circling up into small groups. If you live in the Hampton Roads area you can connect locally we've got them all over Hampton Roads and some of them meet at our campuses throughout the week and if you live far away we have groups that meet online. Yes we do. You can connect an online group so just go to our group finder libertylive.church/groups or you could just text the word groups to 40371 and you can search the group finder there because our group semester just started. It just started last week. Yeah now is the time to join. It started last week but my group isn't even starting until this Wednesday so you're not missing too much folks.

If your lady joined Jenny's ladies group. We meet in Smithfield so anybody in all the way fill out that form on group finder I'll connect with you this week. Yeah one big family and it's going to be a great day this morning and church pastor Dalton is going to be bringing the word this morning and our sermon series seven letters to the churches. You got it you got it it's a hard sermon series title but it's going to be a great day we want to get you to service we're so glad you're here and we'll see you later. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] ♪ Blessed are those who run to Him ♪ ♪ Who place their hope and confidence in Jesus ♪ ♪ He won't forsake them ♪ ♪ Blessed are those who seek His face ♪ ♪ Who bend the knee and fix their gaze on Jesus ♪ ♪ They won't be shaken ♪ ♪ Come on and praise the Lord with me ♪ ♪ Sing if you love His name ♪ ♪ Come on and bless your voice with me ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ (soft piano music) ♪ Blessed are those who walk with Him ♪ ♪ Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage with Jesus ♪ ♪ They'll see His glory ♪

♪ And blessed are those who die to live ♪ ♪ Whose joy it is to give it all for Jesus ♪ ♪ And for Him only of Jesus ♪ ♪ All for your glory ♪ ♪ Come on and praise the Lord with me ♪ ♪ Sing if you love His name ♪ ♪ Come on and bless your voice with me ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ Come on and praise your offering ♪ ♪ Sing if you love His grace ♪ ♪ Come on and bless of your holy hands ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ Blessed are those who sanctuary ♪ ♪ Blessed God in the fields of Fanny ♪ ♪ Blessed God in the darkest valley ♪ ♪ Every chance I get I'll bless your name ♪ ♪ Blessed God with my hands are empty ♪ ♪ Blessed God with the praise that caused me ♪ ♪ Blessed God with no body is watching ♪ ♪ Every chance I get I'll bless your name ♪ ♪ There's no room for me ♪ ♪ Let's start when the walls are falling ♪ ♪ Let's start 'cause it goes before me ♪ ♪ Every chance I get I'll bless your name ♪ ♪ Let's start putting hopes of angry ♪ ♪ Let's start folks always with me ♪ ♪ Blessed God for his soul is worthy ♪ ♪ Every chance I get I'll bless your name ♪ ♪ Yes every chance I get I'll bless your name ♪ ♪ Every chance I get I'll come on and pray ♪

♪ Lord with me ♪ ♪ Sing if you love this place ♪ ♪ Come on and lift your voice with me ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ Come on and bring your offering ♪ ♪ Sing if you've known his grace ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ He's worthy of all our praise ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ Come on and lift up your holy hands ♪ ♪ You have all ♪ class that I am free in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray, calling on the power of heaven, I proclaim every weapon formed against me in the spray, in the mighty name of Jesus. One church in the severe family today, I draw a permanent boundary of mine, being on the high of no rights to come near my family, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech to come near my family, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's

lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's lips, no speech could ever run to God's ♪ Oh, we must pray in the mighty name ♪ ♪ In the mighty name ♪ ♪ In the mighty name ♪

♪ In the mighty name of Jesus ♪ ♪ Oh, I know ♪ ♪ Oh, the power of fear and darkness ♪ ♪ In the scroll ♪ ♪ 'Cause every kid to every victory ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, in the mighty name ♪ ♪ In the mighty name, the mighty name ♪ ♪ In the mighty name of Jesus ♪ ♪ In the mighty name of Jesus ♪ ♪ We believe it ♪ ♪ We believe it in a name of Jesus ♪ ♪ Oh, Jesus ♪ Come on, will you just say the name of Jesus in this place? Come on, say the name of Jesus. I wonder if you know that there is an enemy that has been scheming against you, an enemy that has been undermining working against God's plan for your life. Been working in conjunction with your flesh. He knows how you think. He knows how you get tempted. He knows where you're drawn. Do you realize there's a very real enemy that's been working against you to destroy Jesus looked at Peter And said to the apostle Peter Peter I've given you the keys to the kingdom Whatever you find on earth will be bound in heaven Whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven So more than even knowing that there's an enemy who's against you. I wonder if you know that Jesus is for you That he has done everything necessary

To give you victory and authority well your weapons are carnal They're powerful to the pulling down of strongholds, and so I want to remind somebody this morning That depression has no power in your house because of the work of Jesus That addiction has no power in your house because of the work of Jesus That the enemy has been trying to get in your kids hearts and minds But the enemy has no power over your children or over their lives because of the authority and the name of Jesus I went with pastor AJ this week, and we were invited by a father To come over to his house. He said well y'all just anoint my house and pray over it. We've been under attack And I just want the pastors to come pray for breakthrough in the name of Jesus I'm telling you as we walk that house and prayed I got a holy confidence of the victory of Jesus in their life And I want you to have that confidence this morning I'm so glad you're here. You were meant to be here. I mean that I don't just say that tritely I believe you're supposed to be here and you're meant to be here and God wants to speak to you and reveal him Self in this service You may have been here a million times But God has something fresh for you today, and I want to encourage you if it's your first time That God sees you he knows you and he's the reason that you're here this morning Whether you realize it or not and I want to be the first to tell you welcome home Because more than a building more than services We're a family and I believe you're supposed to be a part of God's family And so we welcome all of our first-time guests come on church family We would love to be able to connect with you in fact There's a connection point on the seat back in front of you and at any point throughout this service You tap the seat back in front of you a Form will come up right there where you can connect with us We'd love to be known to know how to pray for you and your family I know we've already come through 21 days of prayer, but even as I walked and talked to people this morning I heard about ways that we could be praying and we'd love the opportunity to be able to pray for your family There's a place right there for you to put prayer requests and every single Monday morning our staff gathers together

And we pray over every request that someone sent in and so we'd love the opportunity to be able to pray for you I want you to meet a few other people sitting around you give somebody a high-five a Handshake and tell them you're glad to see them at church this morning You can be seated as we prepare to hear the word turn your attention to the screens You You You You You Well good morning Liberty who's excited to be in church today Come on So thankful that you're joining us at one of our campuses those of you watching online to Missionaries and people serving in our military around the world We welcome you a special shout out to those of you joining us from correct correctional facilities hear me You're not a project to us your family and we love you Liberty family. Can you welcome all of our guests? Let them know we're thankful that they're here So glad you're joining us We are in the series seven letters to the churches and if you have a copy of God's word You can be turning with me right now to Revelation chapter two as you're turning there just a few housekeeping I'm the Greenbriar campus pastor, but I also get to help out in our school of ministry. And I'm just telling you, I'm so thankful just for your generosity and just so that we can have residents and they do an amazing job. I want you to know one of our former graduates just got hired as an executive pastor at a church in Guam. I am telling you, we literally have people serving around the world. Come on, give Jesus high his praise

for all of our school of ministry graduates. And so I want you to know there's something in the school of ministry for you too. We have seminary style courses available. Our pastors just put together the gospel of Mark. And so I know some small groups are studying it together. So you can do it in a group or you can do it by yourself, but we have again, many different courses available and again, so many of you have taken them. But I also want to say thank you because I know many of you are, you're praying for Nepal and you've been asking, how can we give? How can we make a difference? Listen, I know you can give to many different organizations, but when you give through your church, you know, you're giving help and hope in Jesus' name. And so you just go online on our website. If you go down and click on send relief, 100% of the funds given through send relief will go to help and do ministry in Nepal right now. Well, I can hardly believe that 25 years ago, I was in a little coffee shop in Listewell, Ontario, Canada, when the news came over the radio and that the Twin Towers had been struck. I know like many of you, you remember where you were. And I remember, again, seeing the images of people running from the buildings to save their lives. And I also remember people running towards the buildings to help those in need. And I think it would be fitting if we could have it,

each one of our campuses, firefighters, EMS, police officers, military, would you please stand at each one of our campuses, all of our first responders so we can honor you, we thank God for you. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) We're so, so thankful and grateful for you that even when life, your calling in life calls you to sacrifice it all, you're willing. And that says something again, just about the work God's done in your heart and your life. We're so thankful for you. I wanna us to pray before we dig into God's work together. God, we just thank you again, just for who you are. God, we love you. God, thank you for loving us. God, thank you for being faithful. And God, I pray that we would be willing to be faithful to you. Holy Spirit, I pray that you would encourage, challenge, convict, and correct us. And God, I pray for a holy boldness to apply the word of God to our lives. Lord, may we not simply be hears of the word, but doers of it. It's in Jesus' name, I pray. And all of God's children said, amen. Well, if you've got a copy of God's word, we're gonna begin reading in Revelation, chapter two, verse eight.

It says, "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna," writes, "I want you to understand," Smyrna was a real city. Smyrna was a real place. This is a real church. It's in modern-day Western Turkey. And Izmir is the name of the city today, where Smyrna was. And it's the third largest city in Western Turkey today. But this is, again, a real city, a real people, a real church. And they received the shortest letter, which means you get to hear the longest sermon. Amen. (congregation laughing) Continuing on, it says, "The words of the first and the last "who died and came to life." Listen, before Jesus tells them about things that they're gonna face, He tells them about who He is. He is the first and the last. This is a divine title for the king of kings and Lord of lords. Actually, about 800 years before these words were written, before Jesus says this, and John pens them, I want you to know the prophet Isaiah records it. Thus says the Lord, the king of Israel. And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts. I am the first, and I am the, you say it.

Besides me, there is no God, also in Revelation chapter one. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead, but he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first, I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. Listen, Jesus genuinely died a real physical death, but Jesus on the third day had a real life. He had a real literal physical resurrection. Amen, he's alive forevermore. And so the question is, is why does he begin with saying some suffering, talking about suffering to these believers? Listen, it's an assurance and a comfort to them to know that Jesus has already been there. There's no unexplored territory there. Jesus has already faced what they're about to face. He's already went through what they're about to go through, and I'm telling you it's unbelievable. Now, I want you to picture Smyrna for just a moment. It's a beautiful harbor city, it's a wealthy city. It's a place of influence and prestige. Again, it's actually quite incredible, and there's a mount called Mount Pegas there, and it rose above the harbor and above the city. And the skyline, it looked like a crown, and it was referred to as the crown of Smyrna. Now, if you were here last week or you watched last week, you heard an amazing message by Pastor Daniel.

And if you missed it, I want to encourage you, go back and watch it. It was really encouraging and challenging. But Pastor Daniel had some real pictures that he took of Ephesus, which again, Ephesus and Smyrna are about 35 miles apart. I was so inspired by them. And I'm like, I gotta get you all some pictures. Y'all ready to see some pictures? Are you sure? Okay. Now, they're not quite as good as Pastor Daniel's, but y'all like that ain't real. I'm sorry, I haven't been to Smyrna. Thank you, Chachi BT and AI, all right. You say, what? No, this is actually, again, this is a really cool sketch. It's an artistic reconstruction. I think you can notice, obviously, the harbor. I think you can notice Mount Hagos. But I want you to look at the top of that picture, you can see the Acropolis. And you can see what they would refer to as the crown of Smyrna, especially at nighttime, it could help be lit up. And the believers would see this every single day. And Jesus is telling them, listen, very clearly, be faithful unto death. And I will give you, not the crown of Smyrna,

but the crown of life. A far more important crown. Listen, they could see one crown with their physical eyes, but Jesus called them to live for another crown, a crown of faith. And you see, this was really important because Smyrna was incredibly loyal to Rome. It was normal in that culture, and in that day and time period to say, Caesar is Lord. But for the child of God, they knew the truth, that Jesus Christ is Lord. They knew that it could cost them quite literally everything, but they wouldn't cry out that Caesar is Lord. If you're taking notes, I want you to write this down. Jesus knows your pressure. He knew their pressure, and he knows your pressure. Look at verse nine, it says, "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. I love these first two words, "I know." Jesus isn't distant, Jesus is an absent, Jesus is personal, he's intimate, he's real. And if you're his child, I'm telling you, he knows you up close and personal. He knows you. I think it's quite interesting that Jesus doesn't dismiss their poverty,

he doesn't dismiss their pressure, he doesn't ignore that it's not a reality for them. He acknowledges it, I know your tribulations. This carries the idea of being oppressed, of being crushed, You see, Smyrna, though, also is the Greek word for the word "mer." Some of you are like, "I know that word." Yeah, gold, frankincense, and "mer" are what the wise men brought to Jesus. But did you know as well Nicodemus brought "mer" at Jesus' burial with allos? So again, it's a great fragrance that hear me, that you only start to smell after it's been crushed or cut or pressed together. So when you crush it, when you press it, something beautiful comes out of it. What a picture! Think about that for a moment. When they were being crushed, hear me. The church of Smyrna, when they were being crushed, faithfulness came out. Loyalty to the Lord. So I'm telling you that pressure can reveal that which is genuine inside of you. Circumstances, although they might be weighty, they might be crushing you from the outside. Man, if you're full of the Lord Jesus, man, the presence of God comes out of your life, amen? So although they were poor and persecuted and pressured, suffering did not crush them, it purified them. Write this down. Jesus redefines your riches. Jesus redefines your riches. I know your tribulations and your poverty, but you are rich. Listen again, the poverty was real. And we're not talking like, hey, kind of just kind of scraping by. We're talking bottom of the barrel pour. The lowest of low. And he tells them, listen, it's not the only score that's being kept here.

You know, there's two types of scoreboards. There's a scoreboard that people in this life measure, and there's a scoreboard that's going to show up in eternity. And cannot tell you sometimes those scoreboards look completely different. Paul writes this. He said, "A sorrowful yet always rejoicing. As poor, yet making many, you say it, rich as having nothing yet possessing everything." Think about this for just a moment. The Apostle Paul is again just showing the juxtaposition here. It's not only there. Look at Proverbs 13, 7. "One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing, and another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth." A few years ago, I said something and it wasn't of me. I just knew it was just the Lord because I'm not that smart. I was teaching some younger pastors because I'm a young pastor. Amen? Appreciate that confidence. Yes, I am a young pastor. I was teaching younger pastors in a discussion. And something came out, and then again, it's the truth from the God's Word here. And it applies to the church at Smyrna. But hear me, we live in a culture that overvalues the visible and undervalues the invisible. Can I tell you that our culture measures success by power, by position, by degrees, by money, by all these different metrics? But I'm telling you, Jesus measures by that which will matter in eternity. I had a meeting earlier this week at a little place called First Watch. Anyone been blessed to go there before? Hallelujah. There's something I really like at First Watch. It's this little thing called Million Dollar Bacon. I know some of y'all have had it, but I was expecting more of y'all to have it.

You guys got to try this stuff. Amen. Praise him, amen. You get some bacon. You get some bacon. Bacon by itself is fantastic. But you get some bacon, then you throw on a little bit of maple syrup. You throw on some spices. You got sweet and savory. Sweet and salty. And I am just telling you. If I had a hank, yeah, I'd be waving it. It is so good. My taste buds just erupt and they're like, this is like a million dollars, baby. And within a few minutes, my arteries are like, I'm clogged. I'm clogged. One thing says a million dollars. I'm telling you that Rome was looking at the church of Smyrna and saying, "You're poor. You're poor. You're poor." And Jesus was looking at the church of Smyrna and saying, "You are rich. You are rich. You are rich." Completely different scoreboards. Completely different. So the question is, not, "What does my life look like?" That's not the right question. The right question is, "What does Jesus say about my life?" That's the right question. Can I tell you too, for the church at Smyrna, that Jesus calmed their fears and Jesus can

calm your fears? Hear me. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. You're like, "Well, Pastor, that's encouraging." Can I tell you, Jesus doesn't say nothing bad is going to happen to you. That's a false gospel. Jesus never says nothing bad will ever happen. He tells them that suffering is coming, but he does give them a clear command. He says, "Stop fearing." On Friday night, I went to a football game. Friday night lights. Come on. Who sticks out of footballs back? Yeah. Come on. Bad for Western Michigan right now. But I went to a Friday night football game with my wife and my wife, if you don't know, she's an elementary school teacher and she teaches second grade at Greenboro Christian Academy and my wife is the best school teacher. I knew that before Friday night, but from when we parked to the time we got to our seats, it took about 30 minutes because everybody's coming up to my wife, all of her former students, all of her current students, they're all running up, "Mrs. Stolts, Mrs. Stolts, I'm telling you, it is hard being a trophy husband." So I was just smiling. I was just being present and so we were just going on and finally get to our seats, but she told me about this kindergartener's student. You know, it's been getting into school and kindergarten's third young, trying to figure it out and she saw this kindergartener about to put rocks up their nose and then she said, "Stop! Don't do that!

Don't do that!" And he just drops the rocks. He says, "Mrs. Stolts?" She said, "Yeah?" She said, "I've got to pull my nose." She said, "Did you already put rocks up your nose?" They said, "A hundred of them!" Sometimes kindergartners aren't afraid of things that they ought to be afraid of. Can I tell you sometimes you're afraid of things that you ought not to be afraid of? Sometimes you're afraid of what other people think. You're afraid of rejection. You're afraid of what something might cost you and I'm telling you for the church at Smyrna and for you and for me, we are commanded, do not fear. Look at what the Lord says and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body and body and hell. Few years ago, Pastor Logan, who is our kids pastor at the Greenbrier campus and I, we were in the Horn of Africa and we were training house church leaders. The overwhelming majority of them were converts to Christ from Islam and the missionaries from our church who were involved there that said, "Hey, you should ask how many of them have been in prison." And so we did. We said, "How many of you have been in prison and hands went up around the room?" And one lady had been in prison four times. And you see what was really interesting is they're ultimately asking a different question than the most people in the Western church asked. They weren't asking how do we stay safe. They were asking how do we stay faithful. Those are two completely different questions and there are questions that you and I must answer.

How do we stay faithful to King Jesus? How do we stay faithful and loyal to him? Do you understand? That's what Smyrna did. Go to Jesus with no promise of safety. He called them to faithfulness. Hear me. Write it down. Jesus also limits your suffering. Jesus limits your suffering. Look at this. Do not fear what you are about to say. into prison, that you may be tested and for 10 days, you will have tribulation. Listen, their suffering was real, but it was limited. Why? Because Satan is not sovereign, Jesus is. Jesus has the final authority. And so they were gonna experience suffering for 10 days, but that was it in this case. I'm telling you that for every word that we read in this passage, hey, I'm poor, listen, I am rich, there is so much juxtaposition. There's so many promises anchored in the character and nature of our good God, amen? And so again, it doesn't dismiss that there was gonna be suffering, no there was, but in this you rejoice though, now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith,

more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Hear me. Sometimes God does not remove the furnace. Do you remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Listen, in the fiery furnace, listen, they were not afraid, I am telling you, they believed that even if God would not deliver him, they were not gonna bow. Think about Esther for a second. She said, "If I perish, I perish." Think about Stephen, the first martyr for Christ, just as stones are raining down on his face, he is looking up and beholding the resurrected Christ. No matter what it was gonna cost them, they were gonna be faithful unto death. I'm telling you that faithfulness does not require knowing the ending. Faithfulness is all about declaring that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, no matter what happens. Down any road at any cost, will we follow him? Hear me, he's called us to be faithful. Jesus calls you to finish faithful, amen? Look at this. Be faithful unto death, that could be the title of the message, be faithful unto 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. The ones who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. Hear me. Not faithful, only well comfortable. Not faithful, while it's still socially acceptable to attend church. Not faithful because of a business deal you think you might get by showing up to church. Hear me. We are going for a different crown. This crown is a different crown. The Greek word is actually Stefanos. It's not a king's crown, it's a victor's crown. It's for someone who actually has completed the race, someone who has been faithful, someone who has actually endured. James gives us a really good parallel. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Think about that for a moment again. Smyrna as a city, believers there, every day waking up and seeing the crown of Smyrna. Visible glory, but King Jesus says there's a better crown. Jesus says there is a better crown. No, see the world offers a temporary crown,

but I offer an eternal one. Yes, Smyrna understood something to church, understood something very important. It was about what was invisible that mattered far more than that which was visible. And Jesus closes out Revelation chapter 20. He says, "Then death and Hades were thrown "into the lake of fire. "This is the second death and the lake of fire." Hear me, Rome could threaten the first death. They could do nothing about the second death. This world might come after you, but I am telling you, if you're a child of God, they can do nothing about your eternal life. It's in his hands. Jesus says again, listen, Rome might take your freedom. They might take your possessions. They might take everything, but you're mine. Earlier this week, I tried to teach one class a semester at Regent University to try to stay sharp. And I got a long way to go. But I realized, again, some of my illustrations don't land like I think they do. That made me self-conscious when I said, we are to be free in Christ. And you guys all know the movie Braveheart Freedom. And all my students looked at me and said, what? Hear me. There is freedom in Christ that this world man can never offer you.

The Church of Smyrna had a bishop, and his name was Pauli Carp. Several decades after this letter was written to the church at Smyrna, Rome wanted to take his life. And he was given a way out. They said, renounce Christ and live. Agree that an honor, Caesar, and you will be free. And listen to what Pauli Carp said. 80 and six years have I served him, and he never did me any Rome. How then can I blaspheme my king who saved me? The church that heard the message be faithful unto death, produced a man that was faithful unto death. Can I tell you, no matter the threat, no matter the pressure, he didn't cave, and he remained faithful. That is the real crown of Smyrna. Can I tell you where people wanted to say Smyrna was no one for their buildings, and influence, and wealth, or beauty? The church, Pauli Carp was no one for faithfulness to Jesus. Liberty, may we be not known for buildings, for influence, for wealth, for whatever adjective you might want to use to describe us, but may we be known for faithfulness to Jesus Christ until death? May that be our mark that the Holy Spirit is moving in our lives and transforming us, so much so that no matter what this world offers, we would say, not I, but Christ. Church, this week is a special week

in our extended family. It's birthday week. My brother-in-law, Taylor's birthday today, it's my son's birthday later this week, and my mother-in-law, it's her birthday as well, coming up this week. And I'm trying to win the son-in-law of the year this week, this year rather, son-in-law of the year. If you don't know, I am the only son-in-law. It's a pretty stiff competition. So my mother-in-law's turning 39 this year. But if you don't know, part of our story, I was Pastor Grant and Ms. Tammy's tour guide. You see, I feel like she chose me before Lindsey ever did. I was a freshman at Liberty University, and Lindsey and Taylor were high school seniors, and I was given a tour in Pastor Grant, Ms. Tammy were on that tour bus. And at the end of the tour, she gave Lindsey a call, and she said, "Hey, hey, Lindsey, I met someone really nice. I think it's the type of guy that--" And Lindsay's like, "Ooh, tell me about him." She's like, "Well, he's Canadian. "And he plays hockey." And Lindsay said, "Sounds like we have nothing in common." Click. Well, a few days later, Pastor Grant and Ms. Tammy came back to where I worked and they brought Taylor and Lindsay. And Pastor Grant said, "Hey, do you wanna come out

"to the car and meet my kids?" And I'm just trying to do my job. I'm like, "Sure, yeah, no problem." And so Lindsay has the window rolled down. I say, "Hey, how are you?" She says, "Hello." And Rosa, right back up. And again, Ms. Tammy, though, she says, "Hey, I love your address. "I'd love to write a card to your mom, "just to tell her you did such a good job." I said, "You know, that would actually mean the world to me. "You know, my mom's battling cancer right now, "and so that'd be super sweet. "You hear me?" Before Lindsay and I knew anything, it felt like Ms. Tammy knew something. And I'm here to tell you, before you knew anything, before the foundations of the world, our God was for you. Our God loved you. Now, I want you to know before the foundations of the world that wasn't playing B. It was playing A all alone. He had a plan to send Jesus, the Son of God, to the cross. You see, Jesus lived the life. You could not live, paid the price that you could not pay. And the Bible says, "Whoever calls upon the name "of the Lord shall be saved." So the question I have for you is this,

is have you put your faith and trust in Him? The church at Smyrna understood there was more to this life than what was visible. And I want you to know, I want you to see that God has been for you, pursuing you, and today is the day where you can put your faith and trust in Him. If you've never done that, I wanna encourage you right now, just to bow your head all across our campuses, just take a moment. If you've never put your faith in Jesus today's the day, would you pray something silently but sincerely in your own heart? Would you say, "Dear Lord Jesus, "I need you." Jesus, I'm turning from trusting in my own human efforts. I'm turning from trusting in my self. Jesus, I'm turning to you. God forgive me of my sin. I'm putting my faith and trust in the finished work at Calvary. God, give me assurance that when I die heaven will be my home. Jesus be the Lord and savior of my life. It's in Jesus' holy and matchless name I pray. And all of God's children said, amen. Well, scripture says that all of heaven rejoices when just one person prays that prayer. And so church family, can we rejoice with everybody who just prayed that prayer? The Lord's season, He knows you.

We'd love the chance to be able to follow up with you, whether it's tapping the sea back in front of you or filling out a form right there online or texting yes to 40371. All of those avenues give you a chance to let us know that you prayed that prayer. We want to come alongside you. We'd love to give you resources as you take steps to follow the Lord, even get you connected to community that can help you grow in your faith. But I want everyone to stand all over this place. We're entering the most important moment in this entire service. It's the moment where we respond to what God's spoken. I want to encourage you all over this place. Listen, Pastor Dalton preaches a good 15 minutes shorter than me, so you don't got to rush to be anywhere right now. I'm asking, what did God speak to you about? There may be fear in your life. God's calling you to let go of that. There may be an area of faithfulness. God's calling you, too. He wants us to be faithful to the very end. There's some people that are just under circumstantial pressure, the enemies attacking. I'm telling you, there's a fragrance that this season of suffering is going to bring out of your life that could be produced no other way. And so we're going to open the altar, as we always do.

I want to invite our pastors, our prayer team, down front, we'd love the opportunity to be able to pray for you. I was able to anoint multiple people first hour and pray for them and things they're going through in their life. We'd love the opportunity to pray for you. The altar's open. And you may need the Lord to come through and provision in your life in ways that you're begging Him to work like only you can come and seek the Lord and find Him here. Surrender to Him. And as always, we're gonna sing and we're gonna worship. But don't worry about anybody else. My question is, what did God speak to you? And before you leave this place, respond in faithfulness to Him. I'm gonna pray for you and then we'll respond together. Holy Spirit, you're here. I believe you're speaking. I believe you're guiding. I believe you're directing like only you can. So God, I'm asking that we would be found faithful in obedience to you. God, I pray knowing that you're the God of all comfort. And I'm asking that in this moment, you would comfort people in their affliction like only you can. I thank you that we're never tempted beyond what we can bear. But with every temptation, you provide the way of escape.

God, I thank you that your spirit is growing us and teaching us, bringing fruit in our lives. So I pray that we would get right with you and abide with you in such a way that we would be found faithful to the end. Do it for your namesake and for your boy. In Jesus, name we pray. Amen. As we sing, as we pray, you come. (gentle music) ♪ Don't use my shepherd ♪ ♪ And he's everything I need ♪ ♪ You, I wanna burn ♪ ♪ I wanna feel it again ♪ ♪ He said that he loves me ♪ ♪ He said that he's with me ♪ ♪ You know, I walked in the fire ♪ ♪ And I'll start on the day and see ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Lord me ♪ ♪ So I won't take hard deserts and gods ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Lord me ♪ ♪ If I know my father, I know my father ♪ ♪ I know my father's good plans ♪ ♪ I know my father has good plans ♪ ♪ Lord, he's my slave, Lord ♪ ♪ 'Til I sit and tell my name to me ♪

♪ I'm an equator ♪ ♪ You're out in the sky ♪ ♪ Then come to see me ♪ ♪ Why you so wonder ♪ ♪ Christ will start inside me ♪ ♪ So I could be brave ♪ ♪ In walking the field and I believe ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Lord me ♪ ♪ So I won't take hard deserts and gods ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Lord me ♪ ♪ I know my father, I know my father ♪ ♪ He hides good plans ♪ ♪ He hides good plans ♪ ♪ Lord, he hides good ones ♪ ♪ I won't take hard deserts and gods ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Christ will start inside me ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ Christ will start inside me ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ I know my father, I know my father ♪ ♪ He hides good plans ♪ ♪ Christ will start inside me ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪ ♪ He hides good ones ♪

♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ ♪ I've never seen that I'm just a slave ♪ You saw me drowning in the house of God You saw me, you could dance In mercy you'll follow our journey So free will not find me You saw me drowning in the house of God You saw me, you could dance In mercy you'll follow our journey So free will not find me You saw me drowning in the house of God You saw me, you could dance In mercy you'll follow our journey So free will not find me You saw me drowning in the house of God You see how it's good place You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You'll follow my heart, you'll follow my heart You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance

You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance You see how it's good place, you could dance Man what an incredible service today, we're so grateful that you tuned in and we hope and pray that the Lord spoke to your heart

Maybe you're ready to take a next step, whatever that is, could be baptism Maybe you are choosing to follow the Lord for the first time today We would love to connect with you and help you take your next step Simply text yes to 40371 and someone from our staff will reach out to you and help you in whatever your next step of faith looks like Liberty family, thank you again for worshiping with us on this Labor Day weekend We hope you have an incredible holiday, a blessed week and we'll see you next Sunday God you are here, your word is power, you have authority Yes you do, God, God you are here, proving you Over your enemies, holy, holy, God Almighty, worthy, worthy is the limit To you open sea, strength and honor, the all deserving great I am To you all praise, to you all praise, how great you are, how great you are Jesus your name, forever raise, how great you are