Revelation 3:7-13
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Lane Carpenter
Lane Carpenter
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
PRAYER
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INTRO
Philadelphia was named after a king of Pergamos, Attalus Philadelphus, who built the city. The word Philadelphia, meaning “brotherly love,”.
It is the only one of the seven cities of Revelation that was not a major city in the province of Asia at the time. However, it was on the southern highway connecting Pergamum to south Asia Minor, making it strategically important to settlers and military personnel. Earning it the title “gateway to the east”.
Philadelphia was located roughly 20 miles southwest of a volcano and in a region prone to seismic activity. An earthquake in AD 17 badly damaged the city, prompting Emperor Tiberius to forgo taxation for five years to many of the region’s cities, including Philadelphia, so they could be rebuilt. Tying it to Rome.
Because of the volcanic activity that the region is filled with nutrient-rich soil. The economy at Philadelphia consisted of the cultivation of grapes for wine which is probably why it supported the pagan cult of Dionysus which is the god of wine.
MESSAGE
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Angel = messenger / heavenly creature
Guardian Angel of the Church
Heavenly Being tasked with bringing this message to John
Heavenly being tasked with bringing this message to one of these churches
The head of each of these churches… human being… Elder / Pastor
Philadelphia = brotherly love… this was a true church!!
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Let brotherly love continue.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
What can we learn from this Brother Loving Church? How can we be a brother loving Church… Christian?
How A Brother Loving Church Sees Jesus
How A Brother Loving Church Sees Jesus
Revelation 3:7 “7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”
A brother loving christian sees Jesus as…
The Holy One.
separate / other than
title for GOD !
25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
Purity / Righteousness / spotless
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
A brother loving christian sees Jesus as…
The True One.
genuine / faithful / trustworthy / honest
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
He is the One True God
reliable / dependable
A brother loving christian sees Jesus as…
The Mighty One.
Revelation 1:18 “18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
“who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”
Absolute power !!
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
A brother loving christian sees Jesus as…
The Promised One.
Adam - Abraham - David
The Lamb who is to take away the sin of the world…
How a Brother Loving Church Shares the Gospel
How a Brother Loving Church Shares the Gospel
Revelation 3:8 “8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
A brother loving Christian shares the Gospel…
By the Power of the Spirit not the Power of the Flesh.
Philadelphia was not the biggest, richest, best city were they
Jesus recognized their little power
They had Supernatural Power !!
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
Power not only to give but also to keep !
14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
A brother loving Christian shares the Gospel…
When they are true to the name of Jesus.
We all have reason to compromise …
He is :
Holy / True / Sovereign / Messiah / God
The only Way…
A brother loving Christian shares the Gospel…
When they are energized for evangelistic opportunity.
They are strategically situated
You are strategically situated !!
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
Are we praying and looking for doors to be opened to us !?
How a Brother Loving Church Finishes Well
How a Brother Loving Church Finishes Well
Revelation 3:9 “9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.”
A brother loving christian finish well…
By trusting in their adopted position.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Turning the promise on its head…
Christians are the real Israel
Jews inwardly no externally
There will be a remnant !!
Faith based / Works based
A brother loving christian finish well…
Revelation 3:10 “10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”
By trusting in their saviours protection.
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
He who is faithful and true is willing and able to protect you !
Rapture or Tribulation …
If God is for us…
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
A brother loving christian finish well…
Revelation 3:11 “11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
By watching for their saviours return.
expectation / anticipation
having a goal makes the journey easier …
Oregon Trail
A brother loving christian finish well…
Revelation 3:12 “12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”
By longing for their reward.
God wants you - - to be with Him, FOREVER!!
Wizard of Oz - no place like home
natural disaster - “we have nothing left”
Your Forever Home !!
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 3:13 “13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
CLOSE
Let us strive to be like the feebly fervent Philadelphians!
PRAYER
GROUP QUESTIONS
GROUP QUESTIONS
How would you describe a church that does not have a heart for the lost? Can that church be a healthy church?
What traits would you add that characterize a Great Commission church? How can you pursue those traits in your local church?
How can a church cultivate a sense of Jesus’ awesomeness?
The church at Philadelphia had “limited strength” or influence. What limitations to gospel faithfulness does it seem you have that Christ can use and overcome?
What prospects for missions and evangelism has the Lord opened for you? How can you be faithful to take advantage of those opportunities?
The Lord promises future vindication for His church, which has suffered for its faith. How does this vision give you strength to remain faithful?
How would you explain the difficulties and the best interpretation of verse 10 to a new Christian?
What is the main application for our lives of verse 10? How does it provide comfort for all believers?
What does it mean that Jesus is “coming quickly”? How do you look forward to that day without getting absorbed in fruitless speculation?
In verse 12, what is the reward given to those who persevere? How is it better than any earthly treasure?