Please turn in your Bibles this morning to Revelation chapter 3 as we look at the letter that Jesus wrote to the church in Philadelphia. As we have seen in our studies so far, Revelation chapters 2 and 3 deal with the second division of this book as Revelation 1:19 outlines for us, “the things which are” or the 7 letters that Jesus wrote to the 7 churches located in the Roman Province of Asia Minor or the western part of modern day Turkey.
On Thursday we looked at this church HISTORICALLY speaking, that it was a real church that existed in John’s day. The city of Philadelphia was located some 25 miles southeast of Sardis on a 800-foot hill that overlooked a major travel route – from Europe to the east! Interestingly enough this cities main purpose was to spread the Greek culture, the Greek language and the Greek manners throughout the Roman Province of Asia Minor. And like any of the pagan cities, Philadelphia was no different in their worship of many gods. The main one they worshiped was Dionysos, who was the god of wine and revelry. And Philadelphia had so many temples to their gods they worshiped that they were known as “Little Athens,” which was the center of worship of the Olympian gods. This city also experienced many earthquakes, the ground was very unstable and in 17 AD an earthquake destroyed the city. But it was rebuilt again with the help of Tiberius. So Jesus writes this letter to this faithful church in around 96 AD, it was a real church.
Also on Thursday we looked at this church PROPHETICALLY speaking or how it fits into the church age. The church of Philadelphia represented the faithful church that was born out of the Reformation movement, which eventually became dead, it was lifeless and we saw that in our study of the church in Sardis. You see, God was going to use new wineskins to do a work and the focus here is the spiritual awakening of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as these people had a love for the Lord, a love for His Word and were guided by His Spirit. Men like Moody, Spurgeon, Carey, Taylor, Wesley, Finney, Edwards and others that God used to do a mighty work through. And so prophetically speaking, this covered a period of time from the 1700’s to the late 1800’s and even into the early 1900’s.
But our main focus this morning is to look at these words that Jesus wrote to this church INDIVIDUALLY or how it relates to us, what we can glean from it for our own lives as Jesus speaks to us. Remember what Jesus said in each of these letters, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:13. Jesus isn’t saying, “Can you hear these words” but can you hear them spiritually speaking? Are you open to what the Spirit of God is saying to you this morning? You see, you are not here be accident but by divine appointment – thus, be sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying to you.
Before we get to our text this morning, listen to these words that Charles Swindoll, in his book, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, wrote:
Legend has it that a man was lost in the desert, just dying for a drink of water. He stumbled upon an old shack - a ramshackled, windowless, roofless, weatherbeaten old shack. He looked about this place and found a little shade from the heat of the desert sun. As He glanced around he saw a pump about fifteen feet away - an old, rusty water pump. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, and began to pump up and down, up and down. Nothing came out.
Disappointed, he staggered back. He noticed off to the side an old jug. He looked at it, wiped away the dirt and dust, and read a message that said, “You have to prime the pump with all the water in this jug, my friend. P.S.: Be sure you fill the jug again before you leave.”
He popped the cork out of the jug and sure enough, it was almost full of water! Suddenly, he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live. Ah, but if he poured all the water in the old rusty pump, maybe it would yield fresh, cool water from down deep in the well, all the water he wanted.
He studied the possibility of both options. What should he do, pour it into the old pump and take a chance on fresh, cool water or drink what was in the old jug and ignore its message? Should he waste all the water on the hopes of those flimsy instructions written, no telling how long ago?
Reluctantly he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grabbed the handle and began to pump, squeak squeak, squeak. Still nothing came out! Squeak, squeak, squeak. A little bit began to dribble out, then a small stream, and finally it gushed! To his relief fresh, cool water poured out of the rusty pump. Eagerly, he filled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and once again drank its refreshing contents.
Then he filled the jug for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, popped the cork back on, and added this little note: “Believe me, it really works. You have to give it all away before you can get anything back.”
- Charles R. Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity
That is what our study is all about this morning, using those gifts that God has given to you. In a sense, giving away ourselves but in return there is a great blessing. That was the church of Philadelphia; the church of brotherly love and the Lord commends them for the way they lived, their service unto Him. With that said, let’s begin reading in Revelation chapter 3, starting in verse 7 and see what the Lord has for us this morning as we read this letter to the faithful church.
As Jesus looks at this church there in Philadelphia, He does so as the one who is holy, there is no darkness in Him at all, which speaks of His deity because God alone is truly holy. Also, He looks at this church as the one who is true or genuine. Jesus is the real thing. He also looks at this church as the one who has the keys to the kingdom because He is holy, because He is God, because He is true, and thus, He can open and shut these doors.
You can look at this in this way. Jesus can open the doors of heaven for those who have received Him as their Lord and Savior for our access to the Father is only through Jesus. If you reject Jesus as your Lord and Savor, then the doors of heaven are closed to you! You see, the holy and true God opens the doors both to the kingdom of God and to Hades! So it is Jesus who is opening the doors for this church, these believers to enter into the presence of God.
As we move to verse 8 Jesus tells this church in Philadelphia, and to us, that He knows our works. There is nothing hidden from God, He sees all and He knows not only what we are going to do before we do it but He also knows the motives of our heart! It is as Paul said in Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Now, in this verse here in Revelation 3:8 there are three features or characteristics of this church in Philadelphia that I believe need to be seen in our own lives. They are:
And so we are going to look at these three areas to see what we can glean from them for our own lives so we may grow in the Lord. Remember what Peter said in II Peter 3:17-18, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” In other words, don’t let God’s Word fall on deaf ears, be open to what God is saying so that you may grow in the faith and not stumble in the faith! In fact, I believe these three points are so important that in Revelation 3:11 Jesus says, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Jesus is telling them to “Hold fast” and I believe it relates back to what He is saying here in Revelation 3:8, the points we are going to be looking at. Hold fast to the ministry opportunities that God has given to you, don’t miss them. Hold fast to your reliance on God and not upon your own strength or ability. Hold fast to your faithfulness to Jesus by being in His Word and by being obedient to His Word so that you won’t deny His name.
And I do realize that people don’t measure the success of a church or of people by this yardstick, but Jesus does as He was impressed with this church, so much so that He had nothing that was negative to say about them. Barnhouse makes this accurate observation as he wrote:
The church of Philadelphia is commended for keeping the Word of the Lord and not denying His Name. Success in Christian work is not to be measured by any other standard of achievement. It is not rise in ecclesiastical position. It is not the number of new buildings which have been built through a man’s ministry. It is not the crowds that flock to listen to any human voice. All of these things are frequently used as yardsticks of success, but they are earthly and not heavenly measures.”
- Barnhouse
And thus, if this was important to Jesus, if this was the yardstick He used to measure this church by, I think it is very important for us to examine our own lives to see where we can grow, areas we can mature in. This morning we will look at the first characteristic and then next week we will finish up by looking at the last 2.
1. MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES – I HAVE
SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR
Now keep in mind that the city of Philadelphia was to spread the Greek culture, the Greek language throughout the whole region. Now, Jesus steps in and says to this church that they are to spread the Gospel message throughout the region. You see, I believe this door that Jesus has opened up for them was one of ministry that is focused on evangelism or spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Do the Scriptures support that? You bet they do! Paul, in I Corinthians 16:8-9 tells us, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” This door of ministry was to spread the good news of Jesus, but Paul also knew there would be those who would try to stop the work of God from going forward.
Again Paul speaks of this evangelistic opportunity, this door that God has opened in II Corinthians 2:12 as he tells us, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord.” And in Colossians 4:2-4 Paul tells us, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” You see, he knew the power of the opposition but he also knew the power of prayer. His hearts desire was that a door of opportunity would be opened up for him so that he could minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ – even while he was in chains in prison for his faith as he was when he wrote this letter. You see, he may have been in chains but the Gospel is not chained!
Now here is the thing. God has set this open door before you and all you must do is walk through it by faith. You need to trust that what the Lord has called you to do He is more than able to equip you! You see, God will not push you through that door. God will not force you through that door. But God will open that door for you and the reality is, the only one who can shut it is you by not walking through it!
Some of you may be nervous in sharing your faith, what are you going to say. Others of you may feel that it is not going to make much of a difference if you share your faith or not. Folks, listen carefully to this story and then you tell me if it matters. Listen carefully to this story and you tell me if you have to be a theologian or a pastor to share your faith and have an impact on people. You see, it is not about you, but the Lord. All you must do is walk and allow the Lord to speak through you by His Spirit. We are told:
Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.”
“What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer.
The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.”
The man hung his head, “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!”
“You’re avoiding my questions,” continued the believer.
“Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.”
Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer,” he said, “you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.”
The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” Right there he was converted. That lawyer was C. I Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.
- Source Unknown
Do you think God knows what He is doing? Of course He does! Do you think God will open those doors of ministry for you and will also equip you for the work He has called you to do? Of course He will! Your responsibility is to walk where He is leading, to be sensitive to those doors of ministry that He has set before you.
Paul, in Philippians 2:12-16 tells us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
Paul is not speaking of a works salvation here but a salvation that works. You see, we are to “work out” our salvation not work our way into salvation! And it is God who is working in us and then through us for His good pleasure, thus, be open to His leading. Don’t murmur or complain for He has a plan, He has a purpose. You stay close to God and His Word and you will not only see those doors of opportunity, you will walk through them!
Now one of the problems that come up is when we try to change people’s lives outwardly. You know what I mean. Have them dress a certain way, talk a certain way, no drugs, no alcohol, no sex before marriage, no this and no that! Folks, do you know what that is? It is a façade! It is not real! Yes outwardly they may look fine but inwardly they are still spiritually dead apart from Christ!
That was the point that Jesus made with the religious leaders of His day, an outward appearance of faith but inwardly dead. In Matthew 23:25-28 Jesus makes these harsh but very true words to these religious leaders, maybe to awaken them out of their spiritual sleep. He said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Folks, it is a heart issue here and there needs to be a heart transplant done because this old heart is full of evil. Thus, the Great Physician, Jesus Christ can take care of that problem for us but folks, if the Gospel message is not preached, we are not giving people what they need. Paul put it this way in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Erwin Lutzer, from Moody Bible Church in Chicago wrote:
Have you and I as Christians lost our nerve? Have we forgotten that the best way to transform society is God’s way?
How often must we be reminded that the cross of Christ alone can change the human heart and reconcile people to God?
God’s power is more clearly seen in the message of the cross than anywhere else.
Now, please don’t read this as my asking you to retreat from politics, community activism, and public forums. But you and I dare not think that we need only apply ourselves more vigorously to these methods in order to rescue mankind from the brink of disintegration. Only the cross, demonstrated in life and lip, can do what needs to be done.
Recently I preached a series, Taking the Cross Into the World, at the Moody Church. In these messages I share my heart, urging all of us to remember that we have in our possession “the power of God unto salvation.”
We both know that we have enough Christians in America who, if they took the cross seriously, could join with us in making a lasting impact in the lives of millions of people. If this is done with humility, I believe God would honor us.
Taking the Cross Into the World means more than just evangelizing; or I should say, it means evangelizing with integrity. I’m talking about you and me, living the gospel in all of our relationships!
. . . If you and I were to live differently, along with our Christian brothers and sisters in this country, the world might take note. You know, we do, after all, have some historical examples of how nations have been transformed:
Britain in the
1700’s
In the early 1700’s Britain had sunk into gross cruelty and drunkenness. Since the treatment of children is always a rather accurate barometer of a nation’s morality, the story of Judith Dufour is an example of others that could be told. She took her child to a work house for clothing. She then strangled the child, threw the body in the ditch, sold the clothes for one shilling and four pence and immediately spent the money on gin, which she shared with a friend who helped in the murder.
Parliament, on numerous occasions, had to adjourn early because “the honorable members were too drunk to continue the business of State.”
Children were routinely murdered and infants left to “perish in the streets.”
Then God raised up George Whitefield and John Wesley. God graciously sent a national revival that changed the entire climate of the country. Moral decency and kindness supplanted debauchery and cruelty. Britain, the historians tell us, was spared from what happened in France during its bloody “revolution.”
Now, please join me in thinking of our own country.
New England and
the Great Awakening
New England was in a state of moral and spiritual decline. Church attendance had dropped off and the morals of the young had sunk to new lows. Worldly values infiltrated the church. Under the preaching of Edwards and Whitefield, the Great Awakening came to America. An historian wrote that one could have left a bag of gold on the streets and it would not have been stolen! Sailors coming form Britain were known to have fallen on their knees in repentance before their ship docked; such was the power of God.
. . . You and I must be ready to make a radical commitment! . . . We must learn to distinguish between the American dream and the Christian mandate! Together, you and I must be fervently committed to sharing the gospel whenever God opens the door; on airplanes, with our neighbors, relatives, and anyone else God brings into our lives.
Our task is simple yet profound. It is to explain the cross to a generation steeped in designer religion; an age in which people have been duped to believe that they can “find their own way to God.”
You may have read what Bonhoefer said, “It is not before us, but before the cross that the world trembles.” I agree. Whether God sends revival or not, we must be faithful in presenting “the old rugged cross.”
The world can out-spend us, out-entertain us, and out-politicize us, but let it never be said that they can out-love us!
- Erwin Lutzer, The Moody Church Radio Ministries newsletter, March 1997
Do you understand the Great Commission that Jesus Christ has given to us? That is what this is all about, those are many of the doors that He opens for us. In Matthew 28:18-20 we are told, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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.”
Jesus has all the authority, He is God and then He tells us to go out and make disciples. You see, He has given us the authority to do that, not in our own might or our own power or our own talent but by His authority and strength! And not only to bring them to Jesus but then to teach them the things of God, to help them to grow and mature in the Lord. I know it can be scary, but notice what Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” That should bring to us great comfort and give us great boldness to go forth knowing that He is with us!
Let me share with you some words from people who walked through those doors that God had opened for them and the lives they touched by their obedience to the Lord. It will help us to put things into perspective and I believe that at least one of these quotes will touch your heart.
Look at how God touched their lives, simple lives that were used greatly because they were willing to go through those doors that God had opened for them. Now I do understand that many believe it is not their responsibility, it is the pastor’s! I hate to burst your bubble, but you are wrong. There are many churches where they believe this way, where the pastor does everything. Obviously that is not true. I am truly blessed here because so many of you assist in the work of the ministry, sacrificing your time, your resources for the Lord.
Notice what Paul says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” You see, the pastor equips the saints as he teaches them and then the saints go out and do the work of the ministry, at least that is how it should be Scripturally speaking!
Remember what Peter admonishes us to do in I Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Thus, start walking, start using the gifts that God has given to you. Start going through those open doors of ministry that God has placed before you to spread the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ to a world that is in darkness! You see folks, God has opened the door and no one can shut it. Don’t block the door or close the door by not going through it. Take that step and see what the Lord can do not only in you but through you for His glory!
Next week we will look at the last 2 characteristics but before I close this morning, turn to Isaiah chapter 6 and let’s begin reading in verse 1, where we are told, “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!’ And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.’ Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:1-8.
God has touched our lives, He has cleansed us as white as snow and now He asks, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” May we be able to say to the Lord, “Here am I! Send me.”