Revelation 3:7-13

Message to Philadelphia

Rev 3:7-13

Key of David – Christ’s total authority – Hezekiah’s servant

Isaiah 22:20-23

I know your deeds. Do you ever think about Jesus knowing your deeds? When does it occur to you that Jesus is watching? Do you think of Him as looking over your shoulder, walking beside you, cheering you on, or like the little angel on your shoulder saying “do right”?

God put an open door in front of the people of the church at Philadelphia. Why does it say He gave them this opportunity? – You have a little power, kept my word, not denied my name.

Several Promises – What are they?(I will)

We have lots of opportunities. At work I get invitations every day to attend events. They are always having something for the students and faculty is invited to death. I also get opportunities to do things in the community. I’ve served on the Leadership Texarkana board, I’ve worked with the city staff on an economic impact study, and I served on the Red Cross board for a while. I also have plenty of opportunities to do stuff here at church. There is always something going on that could be considered an opportunity. Question: How can I tell the difference between an opportunity to do something and an open door that Jesus has put in my path?

I think that it helps me choose which opportunities I should take when I remember that Jesus knows my deeds.

Revelation 2:18-29

Message to Thyatira

Thyatira was the smallest and least significant of the seven cities, but it was the one that received the longest letter.  This town stood about 45 miles to the southeast of Pergamum. It was famous for its textiles, but especially for its production of purple dye (cf. Acts 16:14), and its trade guilds. According to extant records, there were more trade guilds in Thyatira than in any other Asian city. There were trade guilds for clothiers, bakers, tanners, potters, linen workers, wool merchants, slave traders, shoemakers, dyers, and copper smiths. Thus it was a business center. 

How does Jesus describe himself?

"Son of God" emphasizes Jesus Christ's deity and His right to judge. This is the only use of this title in Revelation. Flame-like "eyes" suggest discerning and severe judgment. "Burnished (highly reflective) bronze" feet, in this context, picture a warrior with protected feet (cf. 1:15; Dan. 10:6).

What was the church commended for?

love and faith and service and  perseverance – Growing and getting better!

What do you think the church might have been doing to demonstrate love, faith, service, and perseverance?

What was the criticism?

Tolerance! Of Jezebel leading others to acts of immorality and idolatry.

How can the church be growing in their love, faith and service, and also be tolerating these acts of immorality and idol worship?

Exhortation

hold fast until I come

This is the first mention in Revelation of the Lord's coming for the church, the Rapture

Promise to overcomers

to him I will give authority over the nations; ²⁷ and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; ²⁸ and I will give him the morning star (Rev 22:16)

Going back to Jesus description of Himself as the Son of God – He has received the authority from His Father to give authority to whom he wants to give authority.

Revelation 2:12-17

Message to Pergamum

Pergamum was the center for many pagan religious cults.

Description of Christ Two edged sword

Commendation - The Pergamum Christians had held firmly to their commitment to Jesus Christ and their witness for Him, even though they lived in one of Satan's strongholds. What kinds of challenges do you think the Pergamum believer’s faced? Do you see any strongholds for Satan in our community? Where?

Criticism - some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. ¹⁵ So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Are we in danger of adopting false teaching? How would Satan try to worm his way in?

Exhortation REPENT! What is the first step in repenting?

Potential Judgement Christ will make war against you with the sword of  his mouth – Judgement.

Promise to overcomers

A white stone represented a vote of acquittal or a favorable vote. Victors in contests or battles also received a white stone. Perhaps God will elevate the overcomer to the position of ruler over the earth, and will give him or her a new name, as He did for Joseph, Abraham and Jacob. The "name" on that stone is "new" in the sense of being different, not new in contrast to what is old. However, the "name" is probably that of "Christ" (cf. Phil. 2:9). It is "unknown" to others ("which no one knows but he who receives it"), in the sense that others who are not overcomers do not possess it.

Revelation 2:8-11

Message to Smyrna 

Not Prophesy, written in about 95 A.D. by John.

Each church section has a pattern;

·         Description of Jesus

·         Commendation

·         Criticism

·         Exhortation

·         Potential judgement

·         Promise to Overcomers

As we read about Smyrna, let’s identify each component.

Revelation 2:8-11

The Angel to the church in Smyrna – Polycarp.

A disciple of John

Bishop of Smyrna\

Martyred in 156.

Description of Jesus

First and last – Why is Jesus eternal nature important in this particular church’s message?

Commendation

Endured tribulation, persecution. NOT FUN. Does the Bible promise that Christianity will be fun? How does scripture address (what does it say about) tribulation and persecution?

Criticism

None – Wow.  Philadelphia is the only other church with no criticism.

Exhortation

Do not fear what you are about to suffer, Be faithful unto death.

Potential Judgement – None

Promise – Crown of Life, not be hurt by the second death. What is the second death?

The church at Smyrna was on the front end of ramped up persecution by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Is it possible that we might be headed for a time of persecution? What do you think the Spirit would say to us? How would we do that?

Psalm 23

God as the Shepherd

Last week we discussed Isiah 40. V11 says:

¹¹ Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

This morning I’d like for us to talk about understanding God using the Shepherd picture and go through Psalm 23.

READ Psalm 23

The first 3 verses describe actions. What are the 4 actions ascribed to Him?

Makes me lie down, Leads me, restores my soul, and guides me

When has God done one of these for you?

Why is the reason behind these actions important? It’s not all about me!

The next 2 verses (4 and 5) describe some actions, but they also show that God has power. What can we determine that God has power over through these verses?

Death, Evil, enemies

God doesn’t usually (lately) demonstrate his power over death by miraculously reviving dead people. He has done it a few times in the Bible, but that is not usually how He demonstrates His power over death. How does God show His power over death to us?

Evil is all around us. I sometimes drive down streets not that far from my house and see people that look like they are up to no good. I am probably wrong a lot of the time, but sometimes I’m not. I see evil in this world. How does God demonstrate His power over evil?

V6 sounds like if the Lord is your shepherd, your life will be all roses and happiness. The last part of the verse is eternal life, but we know that Christians have lots of challenges in this earthly life. What is the promise in V6 for today?

Isaiah 40

God's Power

Intro – Favorite football team or player

What do you notice about football players? Their size and strength.

Isaiah 40 talks about human strength so let’s look at what it has to say about it.

1-8

ALL flesh is grass. Grass withers, flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.

When we compare our strength with God’s there is really no good way to get the proper scale. The grass in my yard is looking pretty sorry right now.

9-17 Isaiah uses rhetorical questions to describe God in this section. As we read it, think about what he is saying about God and how it helps us understand God’s power.

Read 9-17

What does this section tell us about God?

                He will come with MIGHT

                His Arm ruling for him

                His reward is with him

                His recompense is with him

                He is like a shepherd

                He tends his flock

                He carries the lambs and gently leads the nursing ewes.

                He is so awesome that He holds the waters in the hollow if His hand.

                He has a Spirit, no one council him

Skip to 28-31

                He does not become weary

                V30 –football players

                If you wait on the lord you will not get weary.

How many of us have the kind of patience Isaiah is talking about in v31?

Why do you think God wants us to wait on Him?

Isaiah went to such great lengths to describe God’s power and contrast it with human frailty, then at the end of this section he says that we can gain strength through patience. (My paraphrase).

Do you think understanding God’s power affects our ability to be patient?

Romans 16

Friends

Romans 16: 1-5 Paul sends a lot of greetings to people.

It is a little odd to find such a list in Romans, because Paul had not been to Rome. He identifies 27 men and 9 women (7 by name).

It is unclear whether he knew the people by reputation or by personal relationship, but he spends a lot of ink on them.

What I’d like us to talk about this morning is the importance of relationships we develop when we serve the Lord together. I think those relationships we form with other believers, while we are serving, are very different than the relationships we might have with others.

Richard Williams

Johnny Morrison 

Paul sent greetings to these folks because he was not in close proximity to them. Can I get a few of you to describe someone who you have served in ministry with, but with whom you no longer have frequent contact?

Do you think the relationships we build with believers in service is different than the relationships we have otherwise? Why or why not?

I think the “serving God”-based relationships are rich in trust, and allow us to do more than we might be able to do alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

After listing all the people he wanted to greet, Paul ends his letter with a few warnings.

17-20 Last Advice/Warnings

Unity is critical. (has been done)

Smooth talkers can deceive the unsuspecting. (false teachers)

Be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

God will crush Satan.