Untitled Sermon

Revelation 3:7–13 ESV

“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. “ ‘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. 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. 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. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

the church loved by Jesus

he has the key of David, and with it he open and closes, and no one can change that.

SECURITY? JESUS PROVIDES SECURITY? 100 % fool proof security

church:

jesus has given them an open door that no one can close because they have little power.

LITTLE POWER: NOT MUCH INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD? BEING CONSTANTLY ATTACKED?

have followed Jesus’ words and not denied him.

Jesus will humble those of Satan’s synogogue at make them bow at their feet.

these are people who say they are Christian but are not?

they will know who Jesus really loves!

because they endured, they will be kept safe from testing

hour of testing- end times?

jesus is coming soon.

so hold on.

PROOF OF JESUS’ LOVE:

the church loved by Jesus

THOSE WHO ARE LIARS WILL BE HUMBLED

THEY WILL BE KEPT FROM “HOUR OF TESTING”

SO WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

KEEP BEING FAITHFUL EVEN THOSE LITTLE POWER

the one who conquers:

jesus will make a pillar in God’s temple

they will never go out (leave?)

will write on them God’s name and God’s city’s name

jerusalem!

Jesus loves his church. He shows his love

What does a church loved by Jesus look like?

what this church looks like, how Jesus cares for them, and how Jesus rewards them.

The kind of church Jesus shows his love to

A church who completely depends on God

They have little power

excluded in the world

Yet they are faithful to Jesus

Obey his words and not denying Jesus.

This is a church that knows that true power comes from God.

where does our “power” come from? to what do we turn for strength?

though they are not powerful in the world, they are powerful in regards to their faith.

not our place in the world but in Jesus.

How Jesus cares for them

They are secured a place in God’s kingdom/heaven

Jesus alone says who can and can’t enter God’s kingdom

admitting people into heaven

this means not everyone goes to heaven. only true believers, only those who follow Jesus faithfully

They are given admittance

Jesus is completely reliable

No one can interfere or change Jesus’ decision.

He humbles their enemies

Jews were hostile towards Christians

those who say they are actually followers of Jesus but are not

Jews were hostile towards Christians

Ethnic Jew vs spiritual Jew

A true Jew in God’s eyes is one who also believes in Jesus, but these Jews were only ethnically Jews.

Jesus would make them bow before Philly church

non believers would have no more power

this would be evidence of who Jesus loves

those Jesus loves will be raised up in the end.

He keeps them safe during the tribulation

hour of testing is for non believers

these Christians would be protected

what does this mean for us?

application:

examine where our strength comes from

We can be confident in our place in GOd’s kingdom

do we look to the world or to God?

as Christians, it needs to be God.

trust in Jesus’ words and promises

he cares for us

he will keep us to the end.

conclusion:

rewards is a permanent place in heaven.

pillar in temple, name written on him

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