To Him Who Overcomes: Smyrna | Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx | Notes
Overflow Church Grand Prairie, Tx
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To Him Who Overcomes: Smyrna





Acts 19:11–12 (NIV) 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Acts 19:17–19 (NIV) 17 …The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

Acts 19:20 (NIV) The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Revelation 2:1–7 (NIV) 2 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  2 I know your deedsyour hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. 

Affirmations to the Church in Ephesus:
1. Good deeds.
Revelation 2:2 (NIV) 2 I know your deedsyour hard work and your perseverance.
2. Faithful Endurance. 
  • Revelation 2:2, 3 (NIV) ... and your perseverance.... 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary."
3. Stood up for truth.
Revelation 2:2 (NIV) "You cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false."
1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every Spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The measuring stick of testing is Christ and the Word.

4. Hatred of evil. 
Revelation 2:6 (NIV) "You have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."

Nicolaitans:
"Jesus sees intolerance of evil as a virtue."

"We don't want the affirmation of the world; we want the affirmation of Jesus!"

Correction & Directive:
Revelation 2:4 (NIV) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

Jesus doesn't just want radical obedience; He wants your affection.

Ephesians 6:24 (NIV) Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

"Don't get caught up serving God and forget to love him."

"He expects and gives grace for delighted obedience."

5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from it's place.
1. Remember.
2. Repent. 
3. Return.

The Reward:
Revelation 2:7 (NIV)
 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."