Acknowledgment of Their Excellence
The church at Smyrna demonstrates excellence through their unblameable and sincere mind, patience, and commitment to following Jesus Christ.
Ignatius of Antioch commends the believers in Smyrna for their blameless and sincere patience, acknowledging their steadfast faith as a permanent possession. He expresses gratitude for their unity in Christ and their commitment to following Jesus as their Savior, as testified by their bishop Polybius. Ignatius rejoices in the joy shared with the believers in Smyrna, emphasizing the importance of being followers of Jesus Christ.
Text
I know that ye possess an unblameable and sincere mind in patience, and that not only for present use, but as a permanent possession, as Polybius your bishop has shown me, who has come to Smyrna by the will of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, with the co-operation of the Spirit, and so sympathized in the joy which I, who am bound in Christ Jesus, possess, that I beheld your whole multitude in Him.
Having therefore received through him the testimony of your good-will according to God, I gloried to find that you were the followers of Jesus Christ the Saviour.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction
- The Church's Character
- Unblameable and Sincere Mind
- Patience as a Permanent Possession
Key Quotes
“I beheld your whole multitude in Him.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“I gloried to find that you were the followers of Jesus Christ the Saviour.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- Develop a sincere and unblameable mind by cultivating patience and a commitment to God.
- Recognize the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering the church to follow Jesus Christ.
- Strive to demonstrate good-will according to God in your thoughts, words, and actions.