Last Things First | Faith When You Feel Like Giving Up

Teaching from Justin Weece | March 16th, 2025 

Revelation 2:8-11 (Smyrna) 

Life has a way of pushing us to our breaking point. That relationship that fell apart. The health diagnosis you didn't see coming. The loss that left you wondering where God was in all of this. Whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're just exploring faith, we all face moments when giving up seems easier than holding on. The church in Smyrna knew exactly what this felt like. They weren't just facing personal struggles - their whole world was crumbling around them. But in the middle of their darkest moments, something unexpected emerged: a community of real people choosing to believe even when it would have been easier to walk away. Not because they had all the answers, but because they had each other. Their story challenges us with an important truth: faith isn't about having it all figured out. It's about showing up - for God and for each other - especially when life gets hard. Whether you're holding onto faith by a thread or just wondering if any of this is real, their courage reminds us that we weren't meant to face life's storms alone. This week, we're diving into what real faith looks like in real life. Not the Instagram version where everything works out perfectly, but the messy, honest version where we learn to trust God and lean on each other when our world feels like it's falling apart. Because sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply refuse to give up - and the best thing we can do is refuse to let others give up alone. Because hope isn't a solo sport, and neither is faith. 

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To learn more and to get connected, visit us online at ironcoast.church. This teaching was recorded live during our in-person gathering which happens every Sunday at 10am in Crooker Theater located in Brunswick, Maine. 

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