To the Church…Part 7: Faithful

INTRODUCTION

Revelation 3:7–13 ESV

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.’

1) Faithfulness is Greater Than Influence! (v.7-8)

Christ holds all authority (v.7)

In His authority, He has found the Church of Philadelphia to be genuine and therefore extends to them access to Himself (v.8)

The Church of Philadelphia may not be large or have great influence among the people of the city nor especially the Jews, but they have remained faithful! (v.8)

What makes a successful church?

Often we consider numbers.

Often we consider influence and impact.

Under the Authority of Authorities, the true answer is faithfulness no matter the situation!

Success as a Christian is Keeping Jesus Word and Not Denying His Name!

Obey the Bible, Promote Jesus’ Gospel.

What is the Gospel?

We are all precious creations of God (His image bearers), created on purpose and for purpose (to know God, know the greatness of Him, to worship Him, and share His greatness with others).

In our sin and selfishness we have fallen short of God’s glory and set ourselves towards death and destruction.

But God in His great love, sent His only Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life and be the perfect One to pay the penalty for our Sin.

He willingly died on a cross and shed His blood so that we might be saved through Him.

He displayed His power and authority over sin and death by rising from the dead 3 days after his crucifixion.

He invites us to repent from our sin and turn to Him for life and salvation by declaring Him as Lord over all things, including us!

In Him we find forgiveness, redemption from sin, and new life with restored purpose and the holy ambition to love and obey God, know the greatness of Him, worship Him, and share His greatness with others.

We may measure success by the influence and impact we may have on others, but Jesus measures success by the influence and impact He has on us, therefore faithfulness to Him is greater than influence on others.

2) Proven Endurance is Greater Than Exposed Platitudes (v.9-11)

Because of proven faithfulness and endurance, the Christians of Philadelphia were promised the shielding presence of Jesus in a storm of trial and tribulation.

Jesus gives them warning that things will be worse

He gives them comfort to know that He will be with them in the middle of it all

He encourages them to remain steadfast and to “hold fast” to their faithfulness to Him.

He gives them the encouragement to Finish Strong.

Like a runner in a race, don’t let up or give out as you approach the finish line and risk giving up the prize. Run all the way through and finish strong!

Too often, Christians give lip service to Jesus. They proclaim His name, but their lives are not focused on obedience and living out the Gospel.

Jesus gives us warning that testing and trials will come in our lives. The closer we get to His second coming, this becomes increasingly pressing.

When an orange is squeezed we get to see what it really contains. In our lives, when we are squeezed we see what is really inside our hearts.

Jesus says that for the Christians who are genuine, their endurance is proven by their daily faithfulness to Him.

Therefore when hardships come, they are sheltered in the midst of the storm.

When their world is in shambles around them, they have found peaceful refuge and relief in Him.

For those that simply offer platitudes and lip service, their lack of faithfulness is exposed and the drama of the storm clouds their hearts and minds to the things of God, such as those whom Jesus once again calls a synagogue of Satan (v.9).

Jesus graciously applauds the Christians of Philadelphia and cheers them on in their proven endurance.

3) Eternal Reward is Greater Than Temporal Notoriety (v.12-13)

The Christians of Philadelphia may not have been regarded as strong in this live, but in the scope of eternity…

They are considered pillars of temple of God (Strength)

Firmly secure in their place of belonging

Their significance is established in Name they bear:

Name of God!

Name of the city of God!

Name of new identity in Jesus!

Those who are regarded as small, weak, and insignificant by the Jews and the Roman world are transformed by Christ!

Faithful living in this live has eternal implications!

Our goal as Christians must be daily, enduring faithfulness to God. That is the measure of success for Christians.

The world around us may regard faithful Christians obscure and inconsequential, but Jesus, who holds all authority, declares faithful Christians to be of great value and rewards them eternally.

CLOSING

We all desire to be purposeful and impactful in our lives. We all want to make a difference and matter to someone. The best way to do that is not found in the eyes of the world around us. The best way to matter and make a difference is to be faithful to Christ daily: Keep His Word and bear His Name!

Will you commit to patient endurance and faithfulness to Jesus?