https://www.bible.com/events/49126279
Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
The Seven Churches of Revelation Part 7
Church in Philadelphia
Today we continue our teaching series called “The Seven Churches of Revelation”
Over the last few weeks, we have been seeking to understand the importance and relevance of this text in our lives today. Just like the rest of our Bible, we believe that Revelation is valuable and integral to our faith- It’s there for a reason.
Through this study we want to hear and understand the warnings and instructions to these churches. As we do that, we also want to discern how we can learn from these warnings in our lives and through our local church.
Our desire is to renew and refine our vision of life and what the church should be. Our series is specifically focused on Jesus’ words to the 7 Churches in Asia minor
Today we continue with the Church in Philadelphia
The church at Philadelphia is the one church of the seven that seems to be getting it completely, this is despite facing the opposition and challenges the other six churches face
Life isn’t any easier for the people at Philadelphia, they are simply more faithful, more loyal, and, by implication, obedient.
Here we will see Jesus offers no condemnation, only commendation and comfort.
Revelation 3:7-13
“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. 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. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them 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 them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Charles Swindoll
“Whatever I entrust to Him, He can take care of better than I…
Nothing under His control can ever be out of control.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“To rely on Christ’s word and cling to it offers greater security than all the securities in the world.”
Spiritual effectiveness is not measured by capability or capacity, It is measured by commitment.
Hebrews 10:36-39
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Ray Stedman
“Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.” As the times get harder and it is even more difficult to be a Christian, as hostility increases and the world becomes more and more secular and casts aside much of the trappings of Christianity that it had formerly practiced, then we must be careful that we do not give up and go along with worldly attitudes and worldly pursuits. We must not allow a desire for status, prestige, fame, a beautiful home and the things the world lusts for, to become central in our thinking.”
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Pastor Brian Michaels
“Each and every day we hear the command of God. It may be something amazing, some ministry to engage, some miracle to perform, and we have no ability to accomplish the task. God does! He has every ability to accomplish through you whatever He would command to be done! More likely, the command will be more daily, perhaps even seemingly mundane: Love your wife; disciple your kids; be kind to your coworkers; serve your brother; forgive your neighbor. How many times have we encountered the impossibility of these tasks? And yet His word commands it! What a great time to fall on our face in humble submission to Him, asking for His Spirit to fill us and empower us to stand to our feet in simple, but profound, obedience. If we know He’s commanded it, we know He will enable us to obey it!”
Warren Wiersbe
“Its not the size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and commandments of the Lord.”
A CHURCH THAT IS FAITHFUL
WILL RECEIVE CHRIST FAVOR
Today, are you following Him faithfully?
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