SE7EN: Week 2 > To the Church in Smyrna: “Provision in Poverty and Pain”

Week #2: To the Church in Smyrna:
“Provision in poverty and pain”

The Power of “that”

There are times when the experience of being a Daughter or Son of Adam redeemed by the Second Adam is a glorious reality; those are life’s transcendentally joyous moments. We might call them “a little taste of heaven.”

There are also times when the reality of being a Son or Daughter of Adam means that the curse of Our Fall seems to overwhelm; those are life’s all-too-inescapable distortions and deaths to life, relief, and goodness. We might call them “a bitter taste of hell.”

This realm of our existence is, indeed, “the Shadowlands.” Not everything is bright and clear, yet Light is here and it illumines the darkness. The early church at Smyrna lived through extremes of Light and darkness. Their story teaches us that this sometimes tortured “living” is absolutely within the Lord’s Ultimate Purposes for His People. Consider this verse:

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…

There is an unmistakable relationship between suffering and sanctity; we have no greater example of this than Our Lord. And He invites us into the “fellowship of His suffering” that we might be transformed into His likeness.

We have brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering. Some of them are even being thrown into prison. The devil is all over them to steal and destroy. Yet, as we learned last week, Christ is with them, taking them through these “bitter tastes of hell” because He knows that a Shadowless Glory awaits.

Tests will come, that we might prove His surpassing glory.

News & Announcements:

• Prayer gathering this Wednesday: 7:00 @ the church
• Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer January – Cardiovascular Care Unit
• A Little Night Magic!
  Valentine’s Dinner for Couples
  @ Broadview Mansion
  Saturday, Feb. 11
  Guys: ask Harvey & Cary how you can help…
  and start practicing your manners!
• Summer in the USA!
  Lord-willing, we will once again host Basque students next summer. If you want to play a part, pray a part, or help plan a part, please let Bob V. know.
• Annual Business Meeting
  Right after church – a review of last year’s numbers and ministry; ideas/opportunities for 2012
  Lunch provided.
• Weekly Soul Food:
  Women: 6:00-7:00 p.m., Thursdays @ church.
  Men: 6:00-7:00 p.m., Mondays @ Dave Park’s Place
  6:00 a.m., Wednesdays @ church (Fraternity)
  Readers: Tuesdays @ Noah Poirot’s, C.S. Lewis speaks with British accent weekly @ 7:00 p.m.

Next week:

#3 of 7: What Jacob’s Well can learn from… The Church at Pergamum > Living for Christ in the midst of strong Satanic influence