Philadelphia: The Faithful Church

Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13

INDRODUCTION

Philadelphia - A cultural outpost

The Gateway to the East

Little Athens

Frequent Earthquakes

1. A WEAK BODY (Verse 8)

Philadelphia in contrast to Sardis.

Weak in number, weak in influence, weak in resources.

But there is no criticism from Christ - they were weak but they were faithful!

Jesus prefers a small faithful church over a large unfaithful one.

Faithfulness matters more than numbers

Meekness, weakness and humility are preferred over power, prestige and pride.

2. A STRONG HEAD (Verses 7-10)

Leo Messi - Small stature, needed hormones at La Masia - But a brilliant mind.

Christ’s body in Philadelphia was weak, but He the head was strong! So their weakness became a strength!

So many 1st person verbs in this letter!

I have set before you an open door - Opportunity

I will make them come and bow down before your feet… - Success

I will keep you from the hour of trial - Protection

3. AN OPEN DOOR (Verse 8)

Philadelphia was a Greek outpost in Asia - it was built to establish and disseminate Greek culture. Jesus is saying to the Church - You are a Kingdom outpost - I have set before you an open door of opportunity to establish and demonstrate the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the mission of the Church!

The church of Philadelphia probably felt very small, insignificant and powerless. Perhaps they were tempted to be conservative and retreatest in their outlook - what hope do we have of influencing this city? We aren’t powerful enough. But Jesus said - it is an open door. And what I have opened no one can shut.

An open goal!!

He hasn’t just opened the door - he has the keys! Isaiah 22.

The Lord has set before us an open goal, will we take advantage?

Charles Spurgeon story of a man who came to him asking him how he could start being more evangelistic at work. Spurgeon asked him what his work was - the man said that he was a train conductor. Spurgeon asked him whether the FireStoker on the engine was a Christian - the driver said, I don’t know. Then Spurgeon said, well start by asking!

Mike Peridhua

4. A FUTURE HOPE (Verses 11-13)

Existential hope vs Eschatological hope.

I am coming soon.

Hold fast so that no one may steal your crown.

I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God… Philadelphia was a city of pillars - it was known as Little Athens, and had it’s own mini Acropolis. These Christians would have been familiar with architectural language. The pillar was symbolic of strength and endurance. However, it was a city which suffered frequent earthquakes. The inhabitants would frequently have to run for their lives out onto the plain to avoid buildings collapsing on top of them. Jesus is saying - for those of you who conquer, I will make you a pillar in a temple that you will never have to run out from!

I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God and my own new name. The city of Philadelphia changed it’s name a number of times in the first century, it was changed from Philadelphia to Neocaesaria after the emperor Tiberias who funded the rebuild of the city after an earthquake in AD 17. Then around the time the book of revelation was written the city changed its name again to Flavia after the emperor Vespasian’s family. Christ is saying I will put my name upon you - declaring you to be mine, and these are names that will never change. You will never cease to belong to me!

5. CONCLUSION

If you feel weak and under prepared to make an impact for Christ - remember the Philadelphians! Their strength was in their head not their body. Trust that Christ will open doors for you to share your faith - trust that He has the key to open hearts when you share.