Revelation 3 – Philadelphia (Thomas)
- Teaching 9.7.10
- Revelation 3:7-13
- To the Church in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia: city of brotherly love
- Revelation 3:7-8
- “”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. 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.”
- Little strength
- Because we are weak and small, Jesus can work with us
- Not a big institution!
- Arrogance will kill you
- This church is very unique
- It is the only church that Christ has no complaints against
- “You guys are sweet!”
- They are sweet because they have little strength
- Church is PEOPLE, not a building
- People who actually care
- Brothers and sisters
- Relationships, not institutions
- 2 Corinthians 6:16
- “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”
- This has always been God’s ambition
- God always wants a RELATIONAL base
- Not into a religion
- Begins with Jesus dwelling in our hearts
- This has always been God’s ambition
- “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”
- These are the words of him who is holy and true
- This makes Jesus different from you and me
- He does not have needs or wants
- He does not screw anyone over
- He really LOVES us
- He is not manipulating or lying
- He is the AUTHOR of TRUTH
- He is trustworthy and will lead you to the truth
- Who holds the key of David
- The son of David is going to come
- Building the kingdom of God
- Jesus was clear
- His kingdom is NOT of this world
- Black and white so clear
- But for years, Christians have tried to make this world God’s kingdom
- Trying to build a truth and love based society!
- Jesus’ power is not clobbering power, it is truthful power
- Real love, real truth, real authority, real authenticity
- What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open
- This is HIS kingdom
- Just because we have a big institution, does not mean we are strong
- He is in charge
- This is a big surprise to a lot of people
- I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut
- This does work
- There is a lot of excitement for this church
- You have kept my word and have not denied my name
- This is vital
- The very heart of what makes church work
- Understanding what God says
- Keep getting into the Bible
- This is the joy
- Sharing this freedom from human institutions and the kosmos
- Little strength
- Revelation 3:9
- “I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”
- Synagogue of Satan
- Some people claim to be Jewish, but some truly were not
- These people were all about their institutions
- He will make those people bow down and say that they were wrong
- The most persecuted people in history have been Christians
- And their persecutors were the institutions
- Synagogue of Satan
- Revelation 3:10
- “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”
- This is a tripped out promise
- Eventually there will be a time where society will collapse
- God will pull the plug on evil
- One day there will be an institution that will be so magnificent
- But God will bow out and let it be
- Chaos, destruction and death will happen sooner than later
- BUT Philadelphia will be saved from this chaos
- Revelation 3:11
- “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
- Was written around 90 A.D. yet over 2000 years later, we are still waiting
- Be ready for Jesus to come again
- No one will take your crown
- What is this crown?
- Our significant loving relationships
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
- “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
- YOU ARE OUR GLORY AND JOY
- “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
- Do not let anyone take your crown away!
- It wants to steal your opportunities and friendships
- We cannot just give in
- It is worth it to hold on to what we have
- What is this crown?
- Was written around 90 A.D. yet over 2000 years later, we are still waiting
- Revelation 3:12
- “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”
- Make a pillar in the temple of my God
- Pillar: supports the whole structure
- We will have significant relationships
- Our crown
- These pillars will last
- Write on him:
- Name of my God
- Name of the cirty of my God
- My new name
- These are all going to be characteristics of this new city
- It is going to be an awesome city!
- Filled with the loving, significant relationships
- You can somewhat experience this today
- Hold fast to what we have
- OUR RELATIONSHIPS
- Hold fast to what we have
- Make a pillar in the temple of my God
- Revelation 3:13
- “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
- You better listen to what is going on
- This world is trying to drown you
- This world is trying to smother you
- You better listen to what is going on
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