The Phonie at Philadelphia

The Phonie at Philadelphia • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

0 ratings

· 10 views

Notes

Transcript

Revelation 3:7–13 KJV 1900

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; 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. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Labor Without Liabilities

“I know thy works” (v. 8a).

There is a striking similarity between the church at Smyrna and the church at Philadelphia. It was to these two churches that Jesus offered nothing but praise. The other churches were called to repentance, but nothing is said about repentance to Smyrna and Philadelphia. This does not mean that these churches were perfect. No church is perfect. Every church, including these, has its flaws. They may not have been perfect in their accomplishment, but they were perfect in their aim. They didn’t hit the target, but they were aiming at it. The Lord knew their works. He knew the motivation behind their works, and He found no fault with what they were doing. He voiced no complaint about their commitment. He listed all of their assets but none of their liabilities.

Smyrna and Philadelphia were very much alike, but they were also different. Smyrna was poor and Philadelphia was puny. Smyrna had a problem with money and Philadelphia had a problem with might. However, Smyrna was enriched by the Lord and Philadelphia was enabled by Him. One church labored without luxuries, and both labored without liabilities.

Though Smyrna and Philadelphia had much in common with each other, something was found among them that made them just like every other church. As there were liars, hypocrites, heretics and false prophets at other places, there were phonies at Philadelphia. They are present in every place, and we will have to labor among them as long as the church is in the world. Some may say that their presence is a hindrance and constitutes a liability to our labor. While this is true, the liability of which I speak is not before the world but before the Lord. Smyrna and Philadelphia had their liabilities, but Jesus listed none.

Philadelphia was not without fault, but Jesus found nothing wrong with what they did. It should be the desire of every church to serve the Lord with such self-denial and devotion that He would find their labors without liabilities.

Jesus said nothing negative about the church but what He said to the congregation at Philadelphia can be summed up in six negative statements. The first negative statement Jesus made to the church was concerning.

I. THE DOOR NO MAN COULD SHUT

“I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (v. 8c, d).

The door opened to them was Jesus Himself John 10:7, 9. By the blood of His cross, He has opened to us a new and living way into the holiest Hebrews 10:19, 20. Through Him we have immediate and unhindered access to the Father. The doors of the synagogue had been shut to them, but Jesus was the door no man could shut. Men close their doors, but God keeps His open. Man may leave us out, but God lets us in.

Not only is Jesus the open door, but He is also the only door John 10:1; Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He is the only door to fellowship with the Father and He is open for all to enter by faith.

A door is opened in order that we might go in and out. Jesus is the open door through which we go out to bring others in and no one can stop us from doing it. Men manipulated by Satan may try to close the door, but it can’t be done. No one can shut what Jesus opens. These words must have been a great comfort to the church at Philadelphia.

Take a moment to consider

A. The Cordiality of Their Location

“Philadelphia” (v. 7a).

The word “Philadelphia”means “brotherly love.” It refers to love among friends and it carries the idea of cordiality. Philadelphia’s name made people think of it as a friendly town. Its name leaves the impression that it was a good place to meet and make friends. Whether or not the city lived up to its name, it had this name.

In this city of brotherly love, it was the business of the church to introduce the people of Philadelphia to the “friend that sticketh closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24b A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

He would be the greatest friend they would ever find, and He would make their city the friendliest place in the world. Consider now

B. The Characteristics of Their Lord

“These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David” (v. 7b–d).

The first characteristic of their Lord is “holy.” Holiness is an attribute of Almighty God. It lays emphasis on His separation from sin and it refers to all He is and does. Holiness marks His character and conduct. Jesus used this characteristic to stress the fact that He is God. Because He is holy He is sinless and it was impossible for Him to sin Hebrews 7:26;

2 Corinthians 5:21; For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The second characteristic of their Lord is “true.” He is true because He is the truth John 14:6. Jesus is true because He is holy and God cannot lie Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. We can believe all He has said because He is true.

The third characteristic of their Lord is that He holds “the key of David.” These words were first spoken about Eliakim in 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. He was a type of Christ. To him was given the key of David to open and shut the royal house as he pleased. The one who carries the keys carries the authority. Only as he opens can we go in.

The unbelieving Jews thought of themselves as the heirs of David and that they had the keys to his house. Jesus identifies Himself as the only heir to David’s throne and that He would be the one to unlock the door and sit upon the throne. By their acceptance of Him they would be able to come in and by their rejection of Him they would be shut out. Jesus has complete control over the royal household. To Him belongs the undisputed authority to admit or refuse an entrance to the blessings of the heavenly kingdom.

Consider next

C. The Consciousness of Their Labor

“I know thy works” (v. 8a).

Jesus was fully conscious of all they did. Nothing escapes His all-seeing eyes. Others may not have been aware of their works but Jesus saw their efforts and was satisfied. They must have been comforted in His consciousness.

The second negative statement Jesus made to the church was concerning

II. THE DENIAL NO MAN COULD SPEAK

“And hast not denied my name” (v. 8f).

The name of Jesus stands for all He is and all He does.

His name meant much to the church at Philadelphia, and no one could deny it. They brought honor to His name by their lives and lips. They did not question any of His doctrines or deeds and they stood up to speak out in His defence. They were unashamed of Jesus and unafraid of the opposition. They owned His dear name as their most precious possession on earth and would not give it up for anything.

Jesus said two things about this loyal company. First He spoke of

A. Their Energy to Hold Out

“thou hast a little strength” (v. 8d).

These words probably meant that the church at Philadelphia was a small congregation. The largest church has only a few workers. A small church has even less. This small church was the only church in the area and there was a lot of work to be done. The daily demands of their work in a godless city were enough to exhaust anyone but they had enough energy to hold out. They must have been tempted to quit but they didn’t yield to it.

They didn’t use their weakness as an excuse for doing nothing. They did what they could and kept on doing it. In addition to the energy to hold out Jesus spoke of

B. Their Effort to Hold On

“and hast kept my word” (v. 8e).

They held up the name of Jesus and held out in His service because they held on to the Word of God. Those who hold on to the Word of God will keep going after others who have given up and they will lift the name of Jesus every day of their lives.

Those who keep His Word will never deny His name. Men doubt His works when they don’t keep His Word.

The third negative statement Jesus made to the church was concerning

III. THE DECEPTION NO MAN COULD SEE

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie” (v. 9a–e).

There always has been and always will be pretenders among the people of God. There are always tares with the wheat. They are not who they say they are and their deception is hidden to the human eye. However, Jesus knows they are liars and He will expose their devilish deception.

The word “Jews,”as it is used in the text, refers to their identity as God’s people. In Romans 2:28, 29 Paul explains that God’s people are not distinguished by their national descent or religious heritage. What makes God’s people is not what they have experienced outwardly but inwardly. The distinctive feature of God’s people is not found in their flesh but in their faith.

The Jews at Philadelphia were phonies. They were of their father, the devil John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. and the place where they worshipped was the synagogue of Satan.

They had no consideration for that little church in Philadelphia but Jesus told them that this was going to change. He informed the church of

A. The Respect He Would Compel

“I will make them to come and worship before thy feet” (v. 9g).

This does not mean they will be converted to the gospel. This is more of a reference to a change of behavior than a change of belief. They treated God’s people like dirt but they will be forced to change their minds and render respect. Their change of mind will probably be too late to change their destiny.

In addition to the respect, He would compel is

B. The Recognition He Would Cause

“and to know that I have loved thee” (v. 9h).

There is coming a time when the world will know that we are God’s people and that He has loved us with an everlasting love ( Jeremiah 31:3; John 13:1; 1 John 3:2). Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

The fourth negative statement Jesus made was concerning

IV. THE DEFENSE NO MAN COULD SUPPLY

“I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation” (v. 10b).

Philadelphia had a little strength but not enough to defend itself against the onslaught of the wicked one. Their only protection was in the strong arm of Jesus Christ. What no man could provide was supplied by their Savior. Apart from Him they had no hope. He alone could help them. His power to protect was the defense no man could supply.

The word “keep”appears two times in this verse and the second is the result of the first. Because they kept, He would keep them. The first keep has to do with,

A. Their Grip On the Word

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience” (v. 10a).

This means that they kept His Word that called for their patience. He asked for their patience and they obeyed His word. Our grip on the Word is shown by doing what the Word requires. The second keep has to do with

B. Their Guardian in the World

“I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (v. 10b, c).

Those who keep His Word will be kept by Him. He sticks by those who stick by Him. He holds them up who hold Him up. The “hour of temptation” refers to the Great Tribulation. The church will be kept from this terrible time. We will be taken out of the world before this horrible hour.

Before the church is guarded from this hour, it is guarded through the hours. If we remain in this world Jesus will be our mighty defender against demonic attacks. He will be our shield against the wiles of the devil. He will hold and hide us in His loving and mighty arms.

The fifth negative statement Jesus made was concerning

V. THE DIADEM NO MAN COULD STEAL

“That no man take thy crown” (v. 11d).

If they kept holding on, no man could take their crown. The same is true for us. The crown does not refer to our relationship with Christ. Nothing can take that away from us. The crown speaks of our reward as servants. There are several crowns promised to faithful servants but if we are not on our guard, they can be stolen from us. However, if we hold on to the holy, no one will be able to take our crown from us.

The warning to guard their crown is set within the framework of

A. A Sure Promise

“Behold, I come quickly” (v. 11a, b).

Jesus is coming again. As surely as he came the first time, He is coming a second time Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Hebrews 9:28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

He is coming quickly, or suddenly, and what He said to the church at Philadelphia is repeated in Revelation 22:12, 20.

Whether or not they were successful in guarding their crowns depended on

B. A Steadfast Performance

“hold that fast which thou hast” (v. 11c).

They had a little strength, the name of Jesus, His Word and the promise of His coming. If they held on to these things, no man would be able to take their crown.

The sixth and last negative statement Jesus made was concerning

VI. THE DEPARTURE NO MAN COULD STOP

“and he shall go out no more” (v. 12b).

Philadelphia was in a volcanic area. This was a blessing and a curse. Philadelphia’s rich soil provided grape farmers with an economic opportunity. However, Philadelphia was often shaken by earthquakes and people lived in continual fear of their lives. When the tremors began, the people left the city to find a place of safety and their departure was something no man could stop.

However, Jesus would bring it to a halt. He said, “and he shall go out no more.” What Jesus promised by these words was freedom from fear Hebrews 2:14, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Those who overcome the forces of the devil will also overcome the fear of death.

Listen to what Jesus said He would do for the overcomers. First, He spoke of

A. The Monument That Would Be Built

“Will I make a pillar in the temple of my God” (v. 12a).

A pillar speaks of strength and stability. Those who had a little strength would be made into a pillar of strength. They would stand forever in the temple of God. Second, Jesus spoke of

B. The Mark That Would Be Borne

“I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God … and I will write upon him my new name” (v. 12c).

We write our names on those things that belong to us. There is a three-fold inscription on the pillar. The name of God will be written on it to show that it belongs to God. The name of the city of God is written on it to show that it is the property of the heavenly city. The new name of Jesus will be written on it to reveal the fulness of His character and our special relationship with Him.

All that Jesus promised to the church at Philadelphia was dependent on their sensitivity to the Spirit of God. As they heard and obeyed His voice, they would have the fulness of His blessings.

The church is not perfect but it can still be pleasing to God. It is not necessary for a church to be large and influential to receive praise from the Lord. All that is needed is to hold on to God’s Word and be held up by Him. If our work centers in these things, our labors will be without liabilities.

Related Media

Related Sermons