Seven Letters: Session 7 The Church at Philadelphia - The Faithful Church Revelation 3:7-13 The Church at Philadelphia - The Faithful Church Big Ideas: • Jesus makes it personal (intimate knowledge) with this church • Praise and Exhortations • Corrections and Warnings • Open Doors • Patient Endurance & Faithfulness • Pillars in the Temple Revelation 3:7-13 Ears to Hear (v. 13) 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ Mark 4:23-24(NKJV) 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. A little history on Philadelphia Jesus establishes who He is and His authority. (v.7) ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: Open Doors (v. 8) 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV) 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Two thoughts on what “Open Door” could mean: 1) The door being open to the kingdom of God through Jesus and no one can shut that door. John 10:9 (NKJV) 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 2)A door of opportunity to share the Gospel with others. 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Colossians 4:3 (NKJV) 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. An open door to pray with the persecuted church. Open Doors. https://www.opendoorsusa.org/WWL Little Strength (Weakness) • This could mean being physically tired. Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. • It could also mean not having great wealth, influence, or political standing or social status. 1 Corinthians 1:25-27(NKJV) 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV) 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Numbers 13:33(NKJV) 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” • if God asks you to do something He will empower you to accomplish it through Him. 2 Corinthians 9: 8(NKJV) 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Philippians 4:13(NKJV) 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 1 Peter 5:6-9 (NKJV) 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. • Have kept My word, and have not denied My name. James 1:22(NKJV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 1 John 3:18(NKJV) 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. Synagogue of Satan (v.9) 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Patient Endurance & Faithfulness (v.10-11) 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Galatians 6:9(NKJV) 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Hebrews 10:36-39(NKJV) 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” • Hold Fast Hebrews 10:23(NKJV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Colossians 1:23(NKJV) 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 2 John 8 (NKJV) 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV) 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. • Faithfulness reaps the reward! Matthew 25:23 (NKJV) 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Pillars in the Temple (Vv. 12) 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV) 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. • Take away questions: • How do you measure the Word or what lens do you use to look at the Word? • What doors has Christ opened for you to make Him known in your life and world? • How have you allowed yourself to be distracted from living fully for Christ by not having the right influence, enough money, or status? • In what areas of your life do you need God to empower you and give you courage to live for Him in a greater way? • In what ways can you set your mind to patiently endure for Christ? • How is Jesus showing up in a real and personal way in your life? What is He speaking to you? • What is your biggest take away from this message and series so far?