Worthy is the Lamb: Characteristics of a Successful Church

Text: Revelation 3:7-13

Theme: The Lord of glory has a message for his church today: When He presents us with an open door, we'd better step through it before it is shut in our face.

As in all the letter to the Seven Churches of Asia, this letter is sent to the senior pastor of the Church at Philadelphia. This church is one of only two of the seven that receives no condemnation from the Lord. Like several of Philadelphia’s sister churches, this congregation was under severe threat from a powerful Jewish presence in the city. Therefore, the names of Christ chosen here reflect that situation and reassure the beleaguered Philadelphia Christians that the Messiah is indeed on their side, not on the side of the synagogue of Satan.

The Christians at Philadelphia are a picture of the faithful church. Christ looks at them and see three characteristics that need to mark every congregation of confessing believers — faithfulness to Christ and His Word, Dependance upon the Holy Spirit, and Steadfastness despite opposition and persecution.

I. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA HAD LITTLE POWER, BUT BIG INFLUENCE

1. the city of Philadelphia was a city set on a hill which defended the post road which ran through the Hermus Valley

2. it was named after its founder, Attalus Philadelphus

a. legend tells us that Attalus was so devoted to his older brother, Eumenes that the term Philadelphia become a synonymous for "brotherly love"

3. the Christians of Philadelphia adopted the city's name and its location as a model for their ministry

a. though it was a small congregation their presence was like a city set atop a hill — it could not be ignored

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

b. their ministry was the incarnation of the city's name

1) they were full of brotherly love

4. here was a church that, according to verse eight had little strength yet it was powerful in its influence

a. what this means is that the church was small, poor and insignificant by the world’s standards

1) but it was a church that impacted its community for Christ

b. when archeologists excavated the old city of Philadelphia Christian symbols were found throughout the city as were the ruins of 25 house churches

A. JESUS CHRIST WAS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (Revelation 3:7, NIV)

1. in all the other letters, our Lord uses symbols to describe himself that come from the vision John had of him, recorded in Chapter 1

a. in this letter, however, Jesus makes no reference to that vision

b. he uses other titles to describe himself telling them plainly who he is and what he does

2. evidently the church at Philadelphia, like the church at Smyrna, was being persecuted by the Jews of the community

a. like at Smyrna, Jesus once again refers to the Jews in Philadelphia as synagogue of Satan

1) this synagogue of Satan was a group of unbelieving Jews who were persecuting Christians

2) the majority of the persecution the New Testament church faced came from the Jewish community

a) even most of the Roman persecution was an effort to appease the Jewish authorities

b. these groups were guilty of slandering the church in Smyrna and opposing the church in Philadelphia in some way

1) the church's message that Jesus Christ was "the way, the truth and the life" did not set well with members of the Jewish Synagogue who believed that Jesus was a blasphemer and justly executed by their brothers in Jerusalem

2) John writes that they are liars because by rejecting the Jewish Messiah, they have renounced their status as “true” Jews, and that is why Jesus calls them “liars”

c. Jesus assures His church that he truly is the One spoken of in the Scriptures

3. Jesus is the Holy One

a. the term "Holy One" was a phrase used by the Jews to designate the Lord's Anointed One — that is, Messiah

"In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 17:7, NIV)

b. Jesus Christ is the Holy One

1) this means he is totally righteous — a man in every respect, but a man who never sinned, so that he could become sin for us on the cross of Calvary

a) His character is without flaw or blemish

2) he is totally God — the express image of the Heavenly Father — to know Jesus is to know God

4. Jesus is the True One

a. the word true in this passage refers to someone or something that is genuine, authentic, and real

ILLUS In 1872 Elijah McCoy invented an automatic lubricator for oiling the steam engines of locomotives and ships. Lubricators were a boon for railroads, as they enabled trains to run faster and more profitably with less need to stop for lubrication and maintenance. Similar automatic oilers had been invented, but none of them worked as well as Elijah’s. Over time train engineers came to trust in Elijah’s oiling system so much that when assigned an Engine the would ask, “Is it fitted with the real McCoy oiler.” In time, the idiom the real McCoy came to refer to something genuine, or authentic.

b. when John describes Jesus as the True One, he is calling Jesus the real McCoy, the one, and only, real, and genuine Savior of the world

1) all other claimants are fakes and charlatans

5. Jesus is the Holy One, and the True One who "holds the keys of David"

a. the background for this title is found in Isaiah 22:22

1) a man named Eliakim received the key of the chief steward of the King David’s household

2) as the representative of the king, Eliakim was authorized to exercise full administrative authority in the king's name

3) it was Eliakim who would decide who could or could not have access to the king

b. the point that Jesus is making is that His will cannot be opposed

1) He governs the events of history on earth

2) He will open some doors; he will close other doors

a) what he opens no one can shut, what he shuts, no one can open

b) no human power can contravene what he determines

4) it is Jesus, not religious ritual, or right living who gives us access to the kingdom

6. the Holy One is the True One who"holds the key of David was the head of the church at Philadelphia

a. Jesus remains the head of his church — it is an authority he has not abdicated ... not to Pope, and not to Pastor

B. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA WAS AN EVANGELISTIC CONGREGATION

1. why is this small, seemingly unimportant church, so praised by its Lord?

a. in these seven verses there is not even a hint of disappointment or condemnation

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8, NIV)

ILLUS. The Apostle Paul uses this analogy about himself. On his second missionary journey he tried to go into the province of Asia to preach the gospel but was forbidden by the Holy Spirit; it was a shut door. Then he tried to go into Bithynia, on the southern shore of the Black Sea, but was not allowed of the Lord -- another shut door. But when he came to Troas he had a vision of a man from Macedonia, and he learned that the Lord had opened a door for him into Europe. Paul's commitment to enter that open door has changed the history of the whole Western world, affecting all of civilization since that time.

b. we are not given any details about their deeds but we can probably assume what some of them were

1) Jesus looks at this church and knows the changes which have been wrought in the hearts of individuals whom have had the gospel preached unto them

2) he knows of the shattered and broken lives that they have helped put back together

3) he knows of those who's lives were characterized by hate, but who are now full of love

2. Jesus praises this church because they were an evangelistic congregation

a. their priority was winning people to Jesus Christ!

b. rare is the church that grows primarily by reaching the lost and unchurched

c. most of us — even the mega-churches — grow primarily by trading sheep and goats

3. their evangelistic enthusiasm is so profound that Jesus has set before them an door of opportunity to claim their town and their region for Christ

v. 8 ". . . See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."

ILLUS. It is sad when God opens doors, and we fail to step through them. After World War II Japan was a wide open door to Christian work. General Douglas MacArthur, in fact, called upon Christians in America to send 5,000 missionaries through that open door. But America failed to answer that call. To this day, less than 1% of Japan is Christian.

II. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA HAD BIG SUCCESS IN SPITE OF GREAT OPPRESSION

1. last Sunday we looked at the characteristics of a dying church

a. Primary Focus on Internal Ministry Rather than External Ministry

b. Activities and Programing Trumps Bible Learning

c. Holiness among the People Is Minimized

2. this Sunday, let’s look at the characteristics of a thriving church

a. Jesus gives them to us in this passage ... they’re not the only characteristics of a thriving church, but they are a good start

1) Faithful to Christ and His Word

2) Dependent upon the Holy Spirit, and

3) Steadfast Despite Opposition and Persecution

A. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL CHURCHES

1. successful churches do lots of things well, but there are three non-negotiable things they must do well

2. 1st, They Were Faithful To Christ and His Word

a. Jesus says, vs. 8 "... you have kept my word, and have not denied my name ..."

1) I am becoming more and more convinced that one of the great weaknesses of the church today grows out of our neglect, and thus our ignorance of, the Bible

b. our business is not to interpret the bible so that it fits the way we live, but to read it and fashion our lives by it

c. to obey God’s word is to affirm the name of Christ

“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:3, NIV84) .

1) unfortunately, too many churches, and too many Christians across our land have found the commands of the Lord burdensome and have abandoned them

2. 2nd, They Were Dependent upon the Holy Spirit

a. Jesus characterized this church as having "little power"

1) he’s referring to the power that comes from influence, wealth, and political connectedness

2) indeed, that’s how many churches today measure their success

b. but the power they did have is a power that dwarfs any power the world knows

1) they had the Holy Spirit

2) here was a church which had no recourse but to rely on faith, and prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit

c. Acts 1:4 says, “Don’t leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised which you’ve heard me speak about. John baptized with water but in a few days you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit ... “

1) if you’re a Christian, you already have the Holy Spirit living inside you

2) but we must rely on his power on a moment by moment basis

3) the Spirit of God is given to us for witnessing, for ministry, for holy living, and for missions

d. the church in the 1st century was alive and powerful because it was indwelt by the Holy Spirit

3. 3rd, They were steadfast in the face of opposition and persecution

a. this was a congregation that kept my command to endure patiently vs. 10

b. in spite of opposition here was a church which maintained its witness in a hostile environment

c. ultimately this congregation will be kept from "the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth."

III. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA TEACHES US SOME BIG LESSONS

A. A CHURCH IS FAITHFUL WHEN JESUS IS HEAD OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

1. when he is, that church will be successful regardless of how small it may be

2. the task of the leaders in our church is not to run the church

a. our task is to determine how the Lord, as Head, wishes the church to proceed

1) the vast majority of his will for the church is found in the Scriptures

3. this demands that every leader in our church be a person of prayer, that we know

God's Word and are attuned to His Spirit

B. A CHURCH IS FAITHFUL WHEN EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS ARE AT THE CORE OF ALL ACTIVITY

1. evangelism takes faithfulness and hard work — not gimmicks

a. the Christians at Philadelphia didn’t use the gimmicks, gadgets, promotions, and programs that we are told today are “absolutely essential”

1) they just used the Word of God

ILLUS. John Wesley said, "Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the Kingdom of God on earth."

2. there is a growing philosophy among church growth experts that the church must learn how to cater to the wishes of "church shoppers"

3. they tell us that we must learn how to "market" the church to make it more attractive to the person in the street

4. church growth is seen more and more as a business enterprise rather than a combination of the movement of the Holy Spirit and faithful Christian witness

ILLUS. The motto of the “church growth” expert is: “Package it right and ‘they will come.”

5. the problem is that many modern church growth strategies reinforce selfish, small-mindedness rather than promoting and proclaiming a fuller vision of the church

6. I can't help but feel that what the Lord expects from us is commitment and discipline

C. A CHURCH IS FAITHFUL WHEN IT IS STEADFAST DESPITE OPPOSITION

1. in the coming years, we’re going to see whether the church is or is not steadfast when it faces the opposition of an increasingly secular culture

ILLUS. Consider what happened just last week. The American Bar Association has been a key gatekeeper for the federal courts since it began evaluating judicial nominees in the 1940s. For decades, the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has evaluated judges for their competence, integrity and judicial temperament, issuing grades that range from ‘well qualified’ to ‘not qualified.’ The ratings are meant to help presidents and senators, who may not be familiar with individual judicial candidates, make informed nominations and votes. The problem is that, like so many other professional organizations, the ABA is becoming more and more secularized, and even hostile to Christians. Last week the ABA pronounced a Nebraska lawyer unfit to serve on the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Why? Because of his, ‘deeply-held social agenda.’ The Lawyer is Leonard Steven Grasz. The ABA interviewer declared that Grasz was “too biased” to be a judge. In case you don’t know it, “passionately held social agenda” are code for “He is a confessing, church-attending Christian.” Grasz is Catholic and pro-life. He sends his children to a Parochial School. To Mr. Grasz, marriage equality is a “threat” and evolution should be taught as a theory, not as a fact. According to the American Bar Association, these convictions make him “unqualified” to serve as a Federal Judge.

2. the day if fast approaching when being a confessing Christian may well hinder your career

a. this will be a real test of faithfulness for Christians — when we can no longer pursue certain career choices or the American dream because we prefer Christ to professional organizations anti-biblical agendas

D. A CHURCH IS RELEVANT WHEN “BROTHERLY LOVE” RULES THE CONGREGATION

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7, NIV)

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:14-16, NIV)

ILLUS. Charles Wesley, the great Methodist preacher, once said, “Is your heart as my heart? Then give me your hand.”

1. that’s good sound theology for the local church

a. if Jesus is in my heart, and if Jesus is in your heart, then we have common ground for fellowship

2. in Christ—the person of God’s son—there is community

a. there is a beauty in Christian fellowship

b. sometimes there is a burden to Christian fellowship

3. the fellowship of love is something that visitors in church may no be able to explain or define, but they know when it is there and when it is not

a. a person or a family we get up, dress, pass a dozen other churches, and drive all the way across town if he knows that a warm experience awaits and true love prevails