The Kind Of Church God Blesses and Open Doors to..

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: 8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that [no one can close] because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Re 3:7–8.Our Goal: Matching Christ’s character despite our shortcomings.

While John was on the Island of Patmos. He states in scripture that he was in the Spirit on the Lords day and he heard a loud voice saying, “saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Re 1:11.

The Seven Churches

Philadelphia means “The city of brotherly Love.”

Therefore, we can conclude that those that inhabited the city were saved people and they showed it by loving each other.

Out of all the churches, Philadelphia was the youngest, and had the longest prosperity as a Christian City.

Despite its small size, spiritual power flowed in the Philadelphia church.

John F. MacArthur

Philadelphia was also was known as “Little Athens.”

Philadelphia was filled with numerous heathen temples.

I want to take a little bit of time just to touch on this subject called Emperor Worship.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Emperor Worship

A kind of state religion in which an emperor, or a dynasty of emperors (or rulers of another title), are worshiped as messiahs, demigods, or deities.

The Kind of Church God Blesses.

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:

The kind of church that God blesses is a church that knows his Attributes and tries to mimic them.

The Masters Attributes.

The Sermon Notebook: New Testament The Kind of Church God Blesses (Revelation 3:7–13)

The Master’s Attributes—Jesus comes to this church and He identifies Himself in two powerful ways.

The word “holy”tells us that Jesus was sinless and pure. To say that he is holy is to say that he is “utterly separated from sin.”

He comes as the Sinless One.

Bible says he’s holy (1 Peter 2:22)

Hell Says he is holy (Mark 1:24)

Heaven says he’s holy (Luke 1:35

Jesus says that Jesus is holy (John 8:46)

He comes as the Sincere One.

The word “True” means “that which is genuine.”

The Sermon Notebook: New Testament The Kind of Church God Blesses (Revelation 3:7–13)

These early believers were surrounded daily by the false. False gods and false worship abounded in their culture. Jesus wants them to know that He is the real deal. They are not wasting their time serving Him. They did not make a mistake when they turned their back on their idols and pagan gods.

We live in the age of imitations (false).

Sugar substitutes

Meat substitutes

Salt substitutes

Rent-A-Dates

Virtual Reality

CHURCH PROBLEMS

Every Church has its problems. We all have flaws because we are not perfect people. We’ve even heard it said that church is a hospital for the sick

The Church of Philadelphia had its problems. It struggled with flesh and their weakness.

Yet, even though this church had its weaknesses it was commended by the Lord for their faithfulness to him and his work in the world.

This Philadelphia church fought through the struggles with the sins of the flesh, but this church was also the CHURCH that GOD decided to bless.

The believers at Philadelphia were also marked by obedience; they kept Christ’s word.

John F. MacArthur

If we want to be the Church that GOD blesses, then we need to follow this model.

I want to be part of a church that God wants to bless.

The Church of Philadelphia wasn’t only a blessed, but they were also given an open door.

Christ opens the Door.

8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that [no one can close] because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Sermon Outlines for Special Occasions Christ’s Open Door

The expression “open door” indicates opportunity for either repentance or service.

Good works refer to human actions undertaken in obedience to God and in conformity with his will.

When God says here “I know your works” he is saying I know that you are true and fake.

The Church genuine church in Philadelphia had to come against counterfeits.

1 Corinthians 16:9 CSB

because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.

The counterfeit fit church rose up as opposition in the church of Philadelphia.

When God opens a door their will be opposition.

Remember that when GOD opens a door he’ll open it wide.

When you see a door wide open its so you can be effective.

Effective in Ministry.

Effective in Prayer.

How does Jesus open the door for us in this very moment before us?

A new year of blessing through learning (Matthew 11:29)

A new year of blessing through giving. (2 Corinthians 8:5)

A new year of progress through witnessing (Acts 1:8)

Again, when God opens the door no one can close. There is no demon, no man or opposition that can close it.

The term “because you have little power” means. No matter how small you see yourself, as long as you keep his word and do not deny his name, the door will be open.

We pray that this church have a wide open door for ministry.

Question?

Am I truly faithful to God’s word and unwavering in my commitment to follow Him, even in the face of challenges and opposition, as commended in Revelation 3:8?

Take time to reflect on this and honestly evaluate your own spiritual journey.

How can you apply tonights insights into your life.

END.