The Church at Philadelphia!

Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens"

The City of Philadelphia!▪It was located in narrow pass between

two mountain ranges and stood as a literal door between Asia & Asia Minor!

▪It too was a military strong hold like Thyatira, help to slow the enemy advancing either from the sea or from Asia (the East)

▪Named after Attalus II because of his love for his brother!

▪It was the youngest of the 7 cities and often called “little Greece.”

The Church at Philadelphia!▪Many believe this was the smallest of the

Seven Churches of Asia. “You have but little power/strength” (Rev. 3:8)

▪It is the only other church not commanded to repent, but rather to “remain faithful!”

▪Smyrna & Philadelphia are the only two places that we find “the synagogue of Satan!” (Rev. 2:9 & 3:9)

▸When God is moving expect Satan to setup camp!

▸When you turn the light on, bugs come out!

I. Consider Our Opportunities!▪Jesus comes to them as both the sinless One

and the sincere One! (Rev. 3:7)

▸Sinless = He is the Holy One! (1 Pet. 2:22)

–Heaven testifies to this! (Lk. 1:35)

–Hell testifies to this! (Mk. 1:24)

▸Sincere = He is the True One! In a city filled with fakes (false gods, false worship) Jesus declares “I am the real deal!” (Jn. 14:6)

▪“Behold” id-oo’ = take hold, look & see!

▸Three times to this church! (1x v.8 2x v.9)

▸Only other time in these 2 chapters (3:20)

Jesus is calling them to see the opportunities before them!

▪How many of you have heard the saying “when God closes a door He opens a window!”

▸What do we mean by this? Are we not stating that just because things didn’t go according to “our” plan, doesn’t mean that there isn’t another “opportunity!”

▸This opportunity often thought to be better!

▪They have free passage to share His Word with others!

They will not have to fulfill this opportunity alone!

▪Notice how many times Jesus uses the personal pronoun “I” to reassure them of His help! (10 times! From vs. 8-12!)

▸Mt 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

▸Heb 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

II. Consider Our Opposition!“When God is moving expect Satan to

setup camp!”

▪When you have people you have problems, the key is to see the potential!

▪Notice “who” the enemy is here!

▸Rev 3:9 "Behold I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say 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.

▪Remember Paul’s words in (Rom. 10:1-3)

You can bow now or you can bow later!

▪Rom 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."

▪Phip 2:10 “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”

▪We must remember that God has won already! (Jn. 16:33 & 1 Cor. 15:57)

▸The only hope the devil has is for you to switch side!

III. Consider Our Obligation!“I am coming soon. Hold fast!” (Rev. 3:11)

▪“Hold Fast” is a verb in the (present, active, imperative mood)

▸Present = now holding fast & continue

▸Active = something we have to do, not something simply done to us

▸Imperative = command not consensus

▪The idea of “hold fast” is two-fold!

▸We are to “hold fast” not let go!

▸We are to “hold fast/forth” offer it to others!

“If it is God’s will, then it is Gods bill!”▪Great reward = great responsibility!

▸God enables us to share the great gifts that He gives! Blessed to be a blessing!

▪We need to remember who our true Master is and who will truly reward us!

▸Eph 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

▸Eph 6:8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

When we live out the work of the Lord, we will be known by the name of the

Lord!Jesus promises to change our whole name!

▪First! “The name of my God!”

▪Middle! “The name of the city of my God!”

▪Last! “My own new name!”

▸“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 I will write on him My new name” (Rev. 3:12)

Conclusion:▪Are we taking advantage of the

opportunities before us?

▪Are we actively walking through the doors that Jesus has open for us?

▪Remember that when God is moving, expect Satan to setup camp!

▪What name are you known by this morning? If it is not by the name of God & the name of Jesus, then come to know His name!