Philadelphia

Opener: Kept by God

Thank everyone for their generosity.

Please open to Revelation 3:7-13. We will going through Jesus’ message to the Church in Philadelphia. To start off today I am going to read you some abbreviated stories from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.

Felix, bishop of Rome. This prelate was advanced to the Roman in 274. He was the first martyr to under a new ruler, being beheaded on the twenty- second of December, in the same year.

Agapetus, a young gentleman, who sold his estate, and gave the money to the poor, was seized as a Christian, tortured, and then beheaded at Praeneste, a city within a day's journey of Rome.

Marcus and Marcellianus were twins, natives of Rome, and of noble descent. Their parents were heathens, but the tutors, to whom the education of the children was intrusted, brought them up as Christians. Their faithfulness at length subdued those who wished them to become pagans, and their parents and whole family became converts to a faith they had before hated. They were martyred by being tied to posts, and having their feet pierced with nails. After remaining in this situation for a day and a night, their sufferings were put an end to by thrusting lances through their bodies.

Zoe, the wife of the jailer, who had the care of the before- mentioned martyrs, was also converted by them, and hung upon a tree, with a fire of straw lighted under her. When her body was taken down, it was thrown into a river, with a large stone tied to it, in order to sink it.

In 286 there was a legion of Christian soldiers numbering 6,666 soldiers. The emperor ordered them to do three things make general sacrifices no doubt to the emperor, swear allegiance, and exterminate Christians in Gaul. They absolutely refused. So the emperor, Maximian, then ordered every 10th man to be put to the sword, killed (666 soldiers). The group of brave soldiers still refused. He told them to do it again (that’s another 600 soldiers). They still held firm and tried to respectfully explain themselves to the emperor while explaining their loyalty to him. There resolved only angered him more and he put them all to death.

Friends that's 274 to 286 in early Christian history. They knew what it meant to live and die for the Lord. They knew what it meant to count the cost. They knew what it mean to not live for this present fading world but on the hope of eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus. They new what it meant to be kept by God no matter the circumstances!

Point 1. Power is perfected in weakness “Little Power”

Revelation 3:7–13 NASB95

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 out of heaven from My God, and My new name. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Jesus the Jewish Messiah

In verse 7 Jesus is quite literally called “The Holy One and the True One.” I want to bring your attention to verse 8, “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

The one who has the “key of David” is the one who will open this door! And notice those whom they have conflict are those who are of the “synagogue of Satan.” In other words those who could also make a claim to David.

Holy One

Jesus is “The Holy One” a common term for the God of Israel. Make no mistake that is who Jesus is. He is the Creator God. The Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and The End. He is the one that was “I AM” before Abraham was ever called. He is the One who called Abraham’s descendants out Egypt. Hebrews 11 says Moses chose the reproach of Christ over the riches of Egypt. He is the giver of the Law and the Holy One of Israel.

Key of David

But You see Jesus isn’t only that. He is also the Son of David and rightful heir to the throne. He “has the Key of David”. The one who would sit on the throne of David forever!

Isaiah 9:6–7 NASB95

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

This is a core idea of the Gospel. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is the God who is holy and just and whose shoulders are broad enough to mercifully bear the sin of the WORLD. He is also man. This is just as important. He fittingly took our place. The Scriptures say, “There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” What man couldn’t do God did taking on the “likeness of sinful flesh”. But remember this important point Jesus not only took our sin and shame, He gave us His righteousness.

But what is true of Jesus on a global level is also true of Jesus on a national level with the state of Israel. This is really important!

Jesus not only was the suffering servant of Israel… see Isaiah 53. He was also the King of Israel.

In God’s design and plan to be the Jewish Messiah was to be the Savior of the World, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

So what was going on in Philadelphia?

No I don’t mean Philadelphia PA, I mean the city of Philadelphia in in ancient Asia Minor.

Historical Background

Well quite simply they were going through some of the same things Smyrna went through. It says in Revelation 2:9, “the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” It says of of Philadelphia in Revelation 3: “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie”

Jesus says of Smyrna, “I know your poverty” and of Philadelphia, “you have little power.”

Unlike some of the other churches that were places of influence, wealth, and at least so called power Philadelphia had little power. In fact they were in many ways victims. Oppressed. Just like Smyrna likely excluded by the Jews and if you remember under the Roman empire this means they would have lost their exemption status. The Romans had craftily aloud their conquered subjects to retain their religion. They learned this made the people more compliant. But new religions were aloud. Now Jesus didn’t create a new religion. God’s plan has always been the same: Jesus is the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the earth. Israel was supposed to receive the Messiah and one day will. Nevertheless this subjected the Christians to the death penalty for not participating in emperor worship and other things.

Little Power

But there is a long history in the Bible of God working through those who have “little power” and for the Christian this is the “norm”. For the Christian this is “NORMAL!”.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 NASB95

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Paul writes the book of Philippians under house arrest and possibly chained to a Roman guard and says, “The Gospel is not chained.”

Paul says had a ministry of suffering but saw the powerful working of Christ made known.

2 Cor 12:9 Paul says:

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 12

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Power perfected in weakness.

In 1 Corinthians 15 he says...

1 Cor 15 “Sown in weakness raised in power”.

Power Perfected in Weakness is Rooted in The Cross

This all rooted in the cross of Christ itself. A man abandoned by His followers, arrested, tried and falsely accused, sentenced to death, stripped naked, beaten and abused, nailed to a cross and mocked… save yourself if you can. What looks like defeat in the natural was something quite powerful in the Spirit. He was making atonement for our sins. He was making peace with God. He was rendering powerless Satan and His armies. He was putting to death, Death!

The accomplishments of the cross where then of course vindicated by the resurrection. Sown in weakness… raised in power!

HALLELUJAH! What glory! What power!

Do you see why it is such an affront to Christ to appeal to your own works, religious rituals, your own merit, your own wealth, power, to try and establish yourself before a Holy God! Because when you do that you make a mockery all over again of the humility of Christ.

Practical Examples

Self Focus

I have seen Christians who are week and the powerful make this fundamental mistake!

And I know what it is like to make this mistake.

It is about where you put your focus!

God opposes the proud. Power breads pride. If you have you actively must deny yourself by the Grace God supplies. You have to get those eyes off yourself, just as Christ did, and love God and love others.

But weakness can put your focus entirely on yourself as well. You can focus entirely on the problem, self pity, have what is called a victims mentality and lose focus of Christ entirely.

Let me give you an example

CT Studd. (Dan Graves, Christianity Today)

In 1878, a visiting preacher asked the young man, a well-known cricket player, if he was a Christian. When Studd knelt and thanked God for salvation, peace and joy flooded his soul. Unfortunately, he did not share his faith with others. As a consequence, he became spiritually cold. For six years he lived a life which he described as "backslidden." The love of the world crept in.

In 1883, Studd went to hear Dwight L. Moody speak. His soul was stirred afresh. Immediately, he began to tell others about Christ. Studd would later say that he had tasted all the pleasures of the world, but none gave him so much pleasure as bringing his first soul to trust in Jesus.

C.T. Studd was a famous cricket player. He was a famous athlete and wealthy. He inherited a fortune as well. C.T. Studd decided to go join Hudson Taylor on the mission field and give away his entire inheritance. He gave the last $3,400 to his soon to be bride but she gave it away with the same faith.

He famously said, “"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him,"

When they hit hard times financially and they did he said, “"Funds are low again, hallelujah! That means God trusts us and is willing to leave His reputation in our hands,"

He ended up years later dying on the mission field ministry in Sudan the largest un-reached people group at that time.

He said, “"How could I spend the best years of my life in living for the honors of this world, when thousands of souls are perishing every day?"”

He also famously said this great quote:

"Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I want to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell." - C. T. Studd

What great faith and trust in the power of God vs his own strength. Amen?

Point 2: Jesus will keep us!

But there is one strategic difference so it seems between Smyrna and Philadelphia. Smyrna was about to go through smaller testing of their faith, “you will have tribulation for ten days,” and then called to be faithful unto death.

Philadelphia it seems has already been through enough. So Jesus promises to keep them from future suffering!

Listen to this as I read again:

Revelation 3:8–10 NASB95

8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Notice they have “kept” His word in verse 8 and have “kept” “the word of [Jesus’] perseverance” in verse 10. and because of that He says “I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

Jesus talks a lot like this elsewhere and so do other new testament writers.

BUT before we go there I want to tell you what this verse doesn’t mean.

It doesn’t mean they won’t suffer! In fact the verse can be translated correctly “keep you from” or “keep you through”. But either way understand they were already suffering! Sometimes Christians hear what they want to hear! They jump to the church with the most positive things said about them and go oh yeah that's me! Philadelphia is that church. There is nothing but positive things said and their is promise of being kept in this life and the next. But do you really want to be Philadelphia? Do you want to drink from their cup? They of little power who had already persevered through much trial? Think about it.

When it says “keep you from” it doesn’t mean take them out of this world. They were not “raptured” late in the first century. But God can keep us in the midst of trial and He can keep us from the trial.

God Keeps Us

As I have said many times before Jesus literally taught his disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation.” Now there are some trials and temptations that you must go through. Jesus was told there was no other way at times. But He knew to ask! The answer isn’t always no. What If I told you, you can experience God’s deliverance and victory before the war by simply asking God. You can also know that God is looking out for you. Certainly in this fallen and sinful world suffering is no stranger to the Christian.

1 Peter 1:5–7 NASB95

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

We see God’s protection for salvation through faith. We see Him leading them through the midst of it as well. There is even refinement taking place.

James says the same thing:

James 1:2–4 NASB95

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But know this there can come a time when you have endured enough. Now that is not most of us. Here is the thing it is not so much the amount you have suffered for the Lord but how much you have grown through it! This is key… suffering with a bad attitude gets you know where. Suffering without faith is not profitable for the Christian. I am not try to dog pile on anyone who is going through a challenge or trial today. Let me know how we can help and serve you. But I also know what is best for you based on the word of God.

It takes great faith to do what James says and “consider it all joy” does it not? It takes seeing this world as a transient place and not the final home nor goal of the Christian. In fact we are living this life in such away, self sacrificially, because we have a hope and reward with the Lord that far surpasses anything in this life!

We must have faith though! Persevering faith!

They had “kept the word of His perseverance.” Jesus wasn’t asking them to do anything He hadn’t already done. Jesus persevered through hell and by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us. You may have little power in this world. But you have great power in the Holy Spirit. Now I know as charismatic Christians we want to jump to signs and wonders and super prophets. They don’t hold a candle next to the Christian who perseveres through trial and tribulation. Next to the Christian who who has the brand marks of Christ Jesus. Next to the Christian who carries in his body the death of Jesus.

Power is perfected in weakness.

What is sewn in weakness is raised in life.

You want to be a new testament Christian learn to sacrifice for others and for the Lord! Learn to serve in deed and in truth. We as Christians should never seek trial or tribulation but you better believe we can begin to workout that muscle by living sacrificially now.

Keep and kept

Jesus says in

Matthew 10:32–33 NASB95

32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

Paul says in

2 Timothy 2:10–13 NASB95

10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Paul also says after laying out the incomparable greatness of Christ

Colossians 1:22–23 NASB95

22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Notice the steadfast faith is what the Lord is looking for from us.

We have a great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us who have suffered the reproach of Christ. Who have been faithful unto death!

The author of Hebrews could say to Christians who had their property stolen from them, been unjustly imprisoned, and been ostracized from their community “you haven’t resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin.” In others words you haven’t been martyred yet. Got room for growth still.

So let me say to the living and in the body still today, “You ain’t dead yet. you got more to do for the Lord!”

At the same time He is ALWAYS faithful. He will rest assured establish us in His kingdom if we persevere to the end. The father holds us in His hand and the devil cannot snatch us out of his hand. So we keep on trusting Him and He keeps us.

CLOSING But here is the KEY

The key is keeping your eyes on the one who has the Key of David! Trusting in the finished work of the cross!

Jesus is the conquering King. The messiah. He is on His throne today! One day that throne will come down to earth and even death will be done away with. But understand He has already defeated death at the cross. The reason He could say, “I have the keys of death and hades” is because by His righteous death He killed death on that cross and He victoriously rose from the dead vindicated. Keys in hands.

You see if you try to preserve on your own power? You will be little power in the Lord. But if you remember, regardless of circumstance and blessing in your life, by comparison what you have is rubish next to the eternal glory and power in Christ Jesus you will have great power in Christ.

If you sew to the flesh you will reap the flesh.

But if you sew to the Spirit you will reap from the Spirit!

Jesus is the key. Trusting solely on what He has done and who He is. Perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit. It is called faithfulness! Look it up. But if you take the fruit of the Spirit and go “look what I have done” you will have missed the one conquered the grave to birth new life in you and has been with you every step of the way!

Biblical Faith by definition is to look to God not yourself! Justification (forgiving our sins and imputing His righteousness) and regeneration (being born again, made a new creation) are entirely a work of God! Folks when it says we are saved by grace through faith. Faith is the means by which grace flows but it is not a work that is completed to merit grace! Big difference! Now true faith does work. But that comes after the grace is realized in the believers life.

What is the key to perseverance? Grace through faith. Hold fast to Jesus! Hold fast to His perseverance! If you try to justify yourself with your own perseverance you will have missed the forest for the trees. You must persevere but that perseverance must flow from Christ’s perseverance!

Let me put it another way that is really simple! They were not given the key of David! They where given the ONE who has the key of David! That is the difference!