This study was first taught on October 25, 2011

Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.2.1)

No audio available for this study.

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Background
Last week, we took a closer look at the only, but very significant complaint the Lord had against the church in Ephesus: “thou hast left thy first love”. In looking at the word, ‘left’, we noted that it is in the past tense, meaning that the church had already abandoned or deserted or forgotten their first love. This was not something that was in progress; no wonder the Lord goes further to tell the church to “remember” from where they had fallen. We also saw that the expression, ‘first love’, refers to an object or subject of pre-eminent affection, attention, or devotion, or something or someone that is treasured and uppermost in a person’s heart. We saw that the Lord was indeed referring to Himself as the ‘first love’ which the church has abandoned or deserted. We thus saw that the Lord’s complaint against the church in Ephesus, as well as to the church today, is that the church has abandoned and deserted Him, and in His place has found another object of affection. We noted that the Lord is saying that He is no longer the centre of affection, attention, and devotion of the church; neither is He treasured or uppermost in the hearts of believers in the church. The implication of this is that the church’s activities and works are selective, and based on what, who, where, and when they want to serve.

In relating the abandonment of the Lord by the church, we noted that the Lord’s comment in Matthew 7:22, suggests that the claim of many people to doing the work of God in His name (that is, by His authority), will not necessarily grant access to the kingdom of heaven. Rather, it is doing His work, on the basis of our faith in Him, our love for Him, and our hope in Him, that will enable us have access. This is why Christ calls people to first be with Him (and therefore get to grow in faith and hope in Him, and develop love for Him), before He sends them out to preach, to cast out demons, and to heal the sick. What the Lord expects us to say to Him when we stand before Him therefore, is not that we have preached, cast out demons, performed miracles, and laboured in His vineyard, in His name, but that we have done these things, also based on His instructions to us, and, on our pre-eminent affection and devotion to Him!

We concluded by noting that unless Christ is pre-eminent and uppermost in our ministry to people and in our service before God, we would be doing what we please; not what pleases Him; and we will not obey Him, but pursue our personal desire for fame and gain!

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-22; Revelation 2:8-11
Tonight, we shall be looking at the Lord’s message to the church in Smyrna, as we consider another determinant for access into the kingdom of heaven. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will help us to receive this message, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
In His message to the church in Smyrna, the Lord did not have a complaint against them; instead, He had words of encouragement for them all the way. He stated that He was aware of the suffering and hardship they were going through; and then let them know that there was still more suffering and hardship to come. He however, encouraged them to remain faithful to Him, so that they can receive the reward of eternity in heaven.
Matthew 5:10-12; Romans 5:1-4; James 1:2-4; Revelations 3:17; Luke 16:19-31; Mark 16:7; 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 17-19; Matthew 19:16-24; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 10:18-33; John 16:1-3; 15:19; Luke 21:12-19, 34; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:3-11; Daniel 3:1-30; 6:1-23; Acts 6:9—7:60; 23:1-11; Hebrews 11:32-40; 12:1-4.

Conclusion
Whilst many believers have visions of grandeur when it comes to doing the work of God, it is interesting to note that the Lord’s message to a church that was going through tribulation, poverty, and slander was one of encouragement. The message to the church today, is that a major consideration for gaining access into the kingdom of God, is whether or not we are able to endure tribulation, persecution, and hardship of all sorts for the name of Christ, even if it means dying in the process.

Suffering, which includes, physical, economic, and social hardship, is a major Christian theme that is now almost extinct. The church of God is being bombarded with messages from the pits of hell, contrary to the word of God: messages that speak of bliss, rather than one that encourages suffering for Christ; messages that speak of always being on top; rather than one that exhorts us to persevere through hardship; messages that speak of having wealth beyond reason, rather than challenging us to live within the provision of God; messages that tell us to not be satisfied with what God has made available to us, rather than admonitions to be content in whatsoever God has given us; among others. Messages contrary to the word of God do not make us ready for the inevitable. The Lord Himself had forewarned His disciples as documented in the gospels, as He again forewarned the church in Smyrna, and is even now, warning us about the reality of living as Christians: enduring hardship, and being careful not to become overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and the cares of this life. We are admonished to pursue moderation, and be prepared for hardship as soldiers of Christ, not being overly concerned for the things of this life.

The bible is replete with instances of men and women of faith being tried through tribulation and persecution. In some cases, these people of faith, through their faith in God endured hardship even until death, not receiving the promise of eternal life, but kept in waiting, until we also come to that place of fulfilment. As we have many of those who have gone before us, let us also hold fast unto God until the time of His appearing. The kingdom of heaven will not be open to those who avoid or refuse the tribulations, poverty, and slandering that is necessary in the course of their work for God.

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