Sermon Tone Analysis

Church in Philadelphia

Lets call it the faithful church

Jesus Descriptor is Jesus is Holy, Jesus is True, who has the key of David ( comes out if Isaiah 22:22 it really means the one who has the keys has full authority to use them in the kings name) ( The key that belonged to Israel now belongs to Jesus) It is the Messianic key not just a Jewish key)

Jesus has full authority to let you in or keep you out.

No one else has the heavenly authority.

It reminds me of the scripture, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me.

Background

Philadelphia means church of brotherly love

situated on a main route - called the gateway to the east

The city was known for earthquakes - so a lot of inhabitants lived in the country side.

The Jews were aggressive against the church

The Good

Was not a powerful church but it was a faithful one.

God put before them an open door - a great opportunity - an open door opportunity

Paul prayed for an open door in Colossians

The Bad

No words of criticism.

The Situation

There were those who called themselves Jews but were not - there were liars

They were those who look like something on the outside but on the inside they are not.

This is a picture of rejection - You cannot be a Christian or a Jew if you reject the messiah.

You must come and recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.

It is also a picture of a Israel being restored - I will make them come and bow.

Isnt it amazing that God never gives up on His people.

Jews grafted in again.

The latter part of that message to the church has some interesting points to it

I will keep you from the hour of testing - this some say refers to the tribulation and that the church will be pulled out at the beginning of it.

God was going to honor this church They were going to be pillars and have crowns

They will have eternal stability and Blessed by God ( crowns denote victory)

The name you bear is the name of Christ - the name the world bears is the mark of the beast.

Church in Laodicea

Laodicea- The Lukewarm Church

JESUS Descriptor - the so be it - the faithful and true witness - He is the beginning of all good things.

Background

It was a very wealthy city - it was a commercial and financial center.

A banking center.

It would be like the bay area tech hub of America ( which is moving out to Salt Lake City and cities in Texas)

It was on two major trade routes

It was a church which incorporated a hot spring and had large aqueducts because it needed to be piped in

It had a famous school of medicine there - they created salve for the eyes for those suffering with eye weakness or disease.

It was a city that had amazing black wool.

They were a proud, defiant, conceited group

The Good

Doesn’t say anything about how good they are.

But Jesus does say that he loves them .

He reproves them because He loves them.

It is a reminder that you could be feeling like you have taken 2 steps forward and 3 backward but Jesus still loves you.

The Bad

They think they are doing well but they were not

They were Lukewarm ( not hot or warm) one theologian said it means unresponsive.

another theologian said it is a listless, tepid, indifferent, passionless spirituality.

Warm water that was useless for medicinal purposes or refreshing.

Hot water was used for medicinal purposes

Cold water is used for refreshing

In other words you might have money but you are useless to the kingdom

The problem was with there attitude.

- I don’t need God - that really does come straight against everything the gospel offers.

You wretched, weak pitiful, blind and naked people.

In our present state we are hopeless, helpless, spiritually dark in ourselves.

We cannot buy our way out of it.

In one of our Alpha Classes Bono - said he reached the ultimate of success in the world but was one of the loneliest people on the planet.

Wealth and fame does not buy internal happiness with God.

He is just one to name a few rich , powerful, famous people who would tells us the same thing.

The Solution

Get your wealth from Jesus

Get your strength from the Holy Spirit

Get salve that is made in heaven - that will give you true sight

Buy from him a white robe rather than be naked in black wool.

Again he said - Be zealous and repent.

Jesus stands at the door of the church - He is on the outside looking in - He was not invited in .

We can take it personally - Have we invited Christ in.

We can take it corporately - Is Jesus present with us or do we leave him outside becasue we got everything going well without Him

The Conclusion

It is not size or strength it is all about faith and faithfulness.

Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities!

In your life examine yourself.

What is the world providing that might have you deceived in your faith.

Last week we had communion and we used the scripture examine yourself.

Self examination by way of scripture really humbles you.

Jesus is standing at the door of your life and says hey invite me in.

I can help you.