Philadelphia - The Faithful Church
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
As we have done with the other churches, before we dive into the letter to the church of Philadelphia, let’s learn just a little about the city:
Philadelphia was the youngest of all the cities of the seven churches.
The city was founded after 189 B.C. by a king of Pergamum named Eumenes II.
Philadelphia was located on an 800ft hill overlooking a main road.
Philadelphia benefited from its location because the city was at the junction of several important trade routes.
Philadelphia was located on the main route of the Imperial Post from Rome to the East and the city was called ‘the gateway to the East.’
Because of the many pagan worship temples the city of Philadelphia was also known as ‘little Athens.’
The city is built on four or five hills in a picturesque setting. Volcanic cliffs stand behind the city and fertile plains lie before it. The area is very prone to earthquakes because it sits on a geological fault line. In fact, a terrible earthquake leveled the city in 17 A.D., but was rebuilt with the help of Caesar Tiberius.
Because of the volcanic nature of the soil, the city became famous for growing grapes on what is called, “the burnt land.” The area was also rich in hot springs which people bathed for medicinal purposes.
Philadelphia is now called Ala-Shehir which means “City of God.”
It was in this spiritually unstable and physically unstable city that God planted His church to be His witness in a pagan ungodly society.
Let’s take a look this morning at this letter and see what the Lord has for us…first of all, let’s look at:
The Counselor
The Counselor
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Jesus Christ presented Himself to the church at Philadelphia as “He that is holy.” This is equal to declaring that He is God, which, of course, He is. Jesus Christ is holy in His character, His words, His actions, and His purposes. As the Holy One, He is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing can be compared to Him.
But He is also the One who is true—that is, genuine. He is the original, not a copy; the authentic God and not a manufactured one. There were hundreds of false gods and goddesses in those days (1 Cor. 8:5–6), but only Jesus Christ could rightfully claim to be the true God.
G. Campbell Morgan distinguishes between holy and true. As the Holy One, the Lord is right in His character. As the True One, He is right in His conduct.
When character is right, conduct will be right. Since Christ is perfect in what He is, He is also perfect in what He does.
Spurgeon wrote, “What a man is at home is the real man, and though he be a saint abroad, if he be a devil at home, you can be sure the last is his real character.”
We find three qualities right here…The first two describe what He is - holy and true…The third quality we find describes what He does.
Christ has the key to David’s throne - Isaiah 22:22 “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; So he shall open, and none shall shut; And he shall shut, and none shall open.”
The key of David was the key to the palace and royal treasury.
The key is the symbol of His authority.
The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the One the promise was made of. He is the One with the power of God because He is the One who is holy and true.
He refers to Himself as the One who opens and the One who shuts. This reveals the real, authentic, and genuine power of God. When the Lord Jesus opens the door for us no one can shut it; when He shuts the door no one can open it. No powers can deter Him; no plans can challenge Him; He is God alone.
Speaking of doors:
He holds the key to the door of Salvation.
Only Jesus can open the door into eternal life for those who will come to Him!
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
He holds the key to the door of Service. He opens the doors and no man can shut them. He decides when we serve, where we serve and how long we serve.
9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
He holds the key to the door of Safety. No one can touch those who are locked away within Jesus Christ.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
We find in the next verse:
The Commendation
The Commendation
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
The Lord Jesus knows our works. The church at Philadelphia received praise from God because they were working with and for the Son of God.
The Lord Jesus knows our works! He knows our actions at home, on the job, at school, on the road, and He knows our service for Him. The Lord Jesus knows what we do and why we do it.
◦ If you do it because no one else will, it’s a job. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
◦ If you do it just enough to get by, it’s a job. If you do it to the best of your ability, it’s a ministry.
◦ If you quit because someone criticized you, it was a job. If you keep serving, it’s a ministry.
◦ If you quit because no one praised you, it was a job. If you do it because you think it needs to be done, it’s a ministry.
◦ It is hard to get excited about a job. It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry.
◦ If your concern is just success, it’s a job. If your concern is faithfulness to God, it’s a ministry.
◦ People may say, ‘Well done,’ when you do your job. The Lord will say, ‘Well done,’ when you complete your ministry.
Let me tell you something...If you have a job in the church it will become a burden to you. If you have a ministry it will be a blessing to you.
If everything I do each day were written in a book, if every evening I could see how that day’s page would look.
I feel that on each passing day, my record would improve, my thoughtless deeds I’d rectify, all dross I would remove.
Oh, help me Lord, to not forget my record at thy throne, and that my every thought and deed, each day to Thee is known.
Dwell Thou within my heart, I pray, from dawn to setting sun, that, when my record is reviewed, I may hear Thy ‘Well Done.”
The Lord Jesus says, ‘See, I have set before you an open door; and no one can shut it;”
The Lord Jesus has the keys; Jesus opens the doors; Jesus sets before His church opportunities for ministry, for evangelism, for worship.
The church at Philadelphia had spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear where to go and when to go. A church in the will of God will have open doors for ministry from the Lord.
Christ set before this church an open door because He knew they would go through it. The Lord Jesus knew that this church would love Him, honor Him, and serve Him with all their hearts.
Many churches never get an open door from the Lord because Jesus knows they won’t do anything with it.
God will never open a door for us if we just come to church, set on the pews, and fear that God might require something of us.
The church at Philadelphia wanted the Lord to require something of them.
Revelation 3:8 (KJV 1900)
8 ...for thou hast a little strength...
The Christians in Philadelphia were apparently few in number. They had little numerical strength. This does not mean they were marked by feebleness. Contrary to that, they made full use of the strength they possessed. They were faithful.
Let me make a point right here...I do not read that our Lord’s followers were ever in the numerical majority. Go home and search your Bibles...
* Abraham had an army of 318, and defeated four kings.
* Gideon had an army of 300 and defeated 35,000 Midianites.
* Elijah, himself, was against 450 prophets of Baal
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and command of the Lord.”
Jesus said, “Thou hast kept my word.”
They were faithful and true to the Gospel. They did not yield to those who raised doubts and speculations about His Word.
Christ was more impressed with their quality than their quantity.
The Lord is looking for holiness and faithfulness in His church.
This church received the Word, believed the Word, loved the Word, and obeyed the Word of God.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Adrian Rogers said, “They were saturated with the Word of God and dedicated to the Son of God; therefore they were activated by the Spirit of God.”
Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities.
The Lord Jesus praised the church at Philadelphia for their love for His word and for His name.
Does the Lord see Himself in us?
Are we a church in the will of God?