Church of Christ of Greater Daytona
  • Home
  • Sermons
  • Bible Study
  • About Us
    • Minister Bio
    • Photos >
      • Our New Home
      • Our First Home
  • Contact Us
  • Directions
  • From the Bulletin
  • Resources
    • House to House Publications
    • Links
** Outline ** Right Click To
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

The First-Century Church
The Church in Philadelphia

Introduction:

        1.    The New Testament contains information (positive and negative) that was written "about" as well
               as "to" various congregations in the first century.
        2.    By "rightly dividing" this information we can know the Lord's will for His church today.
        3.    This lesson is a study of the message that the Lord sent to the church in Philadelphia
               (Revelation 3:7-13).

Discussion:

I.                   (vs.7) THE  INTRODUCTION  TO  THIS  MESSAGE


        A.   This message was sent to "the angel [messenger] of the church in Philadelphia."
        B.   Although John recorded this message, it was actually spoken by the Lord who described Himself as:
               1.    "He that is holy" (Hebrews 7:26)
               2.    "He that is true" (John 14:6)
               3.    "He that hath the key of David"
                      a.    (Luke 1:30-33) Gabriel said that Jesus would rule on David's throne over His kingdom.
                      b.    Note that Jesus "has" the key of David -- He is presently ruling on David's throne.
               4.    "He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth."
                      a.    This has reference to opening and shutting a door.
                      b.    The Scriptures often use the term "door" when referring to an opportunity to serve the
                              Lord (Acts 14:27; 2 Corinthians 2:12).
                      c.    The Lord described Himself as the giver and taker of opportunity.

II.                (vs.8) THE  LORD  HAD  BLESSED  THE  CHURCH  IN  PHILADELPHIA

        A.   He set "an open door" before this church that no one could shut.
               1.    Keep in mind that the Lord is the giver and taker of opportunity (vs.7).
               2.    He blessed this church with an opportunity to serve Him, probably through evangelism.
        B.   The Lord blessed the church in Philadelphia with this opportunity because:
               1.    it had "a little strength"
                      a.    The Lord was not rebuking this church for being weak.
                      b.    He was commending it for using the strength it had to serve Him faithfully.
               2.    it had kept His Word (John 8:31-32)
               3.    it had not denied His name.
        C.   The Lord was able to say these things because He knew this church's "works" (vs.8a).

III.             (vs.9-10) THE  LORD  PROMISED  TO  BLESS  THIS  CHURCH  IN  2  ADDITIONAL  WAYS

        A.   (vs.9) He would make the Jews who were persecuting the Christians in Philadelphia to show reverence
               to them.
        B.   (vs.10) He would deliver this church from a great trial that would come upon the whole world, and He
               would do this because it had kept His Word.

IV.            (vs.11-12) THE  LORD  EXHORTED  THE  CHURCH  IN  PHILADELPHIA  TO  REMAIN
                 FAITHFUL TO HIM


        A.   (vs.11) He exhorted this church to hold fast what it had so it would not lose its "crown" [reward].
        B.   (vs.12) Those who overcame would be permanent fixtures in His kingdom.

Conclusion:

        1.    The Lord wants us to hear this message (vs.13).
        2.    We must understand that the Lord is still the giver and taker of opportunity.
        3.    In order to receive opportunities from Him, we must possess the same characteristics as the church
               in Philadelphia.
               a.     We must be strong (Ephesians 6:10, 12).
               b.     We must keep the Lord's Word (John 14:21, 23-24).
               c.     We must not deny the Lord's name (Matthew 10:32-33).


Webmaster Gary L. Wade