Don R. Taaffe, Gospel preacher, Dunedin, Florida 12/27/2009

1. The churches of Christ in the New Testament 12 of 18“the church in Philadelphia”Revelation 3:7-13 Don R. Taaffe, Gospel preacher, Dunedin, Florida 12/27/2009

2. 7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: 8 "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying — I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (NRSV) Revelation 3:7-13

3. Origin of Lord’s church The church in Antioch The church in Colosse The church in Corinth The church in Crete The church in Ephesus The church in Galatia The church in Dunedin The church in Jerusalem The church in Laodicea The church in Pergamum The church in Philadelphia The church in Philippi The church in Rome The church in Sardis The church in Smyrna The church in Thessalonica The church in Thyatira churches of Christ in the New Testament – 18 Lessons

5. The city of Philadelphia • 28 miles southeast of Sardis • A missionary city built to proselytize the New World in the Greek language and culture • Philadelphia in Greek means “brotherly love” • Named for the loyalty that Attalus II showed to his own brother

6. The city of Philadelphia • City was located strategically on one of the Roman empire’s most important highways • An area prone to earthquakes • One such event destroyed the city in 17 A.D. • Followed by years of tremors that kept its residents in constant fear of repeat earthquakes

7. The city of Philadelphia • The second largest city in Lybia • Its modern Turkish name is Alasehir • It has throughout all the centuries, even to this day, retained the privilege of free Christian worship • The city has remained as a place of importance in the area

8. It’s Religious Background • Outside this letter, the church at Philadelphia is not mentioned anywhere in the Scriptures • We know nothing more than that the church there was quite sound • The city was a stronghold of paganism • Sometimes called the “little Athens” • Church started by Paul or his companions

9. Four assertions about Christ • First assertion: “these things saith he that is holy” (Revelation 3:7) • Jesus was “separate from sinners”– John 8:46 • At his trial, no fault could be found of him – John 18:38 (19:4-6) • Even Judas the betrayer, admitted Jesus was innocent – Matthew 27:4 • Tells this church and us, all deeds will be judged in light of holiness! John 8:46 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? (NRSV) John 18:38 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them,"I find no fault in Him at all.” (NKJV) Matthew 27:4 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" (NKJV)

10. Four assertions about Christ John 6:32 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (NRSV) • Second assertion: “He that is true” -- (Revelation 3:7) • Jesus is the true savior, as opposed to faults religion and/or gods – Acts 2:36 • He is the “true light” – John 1:9 • He is the “true bread” – John 6:32 • He is the “true vine” – John 15:1 • As the true one, our hope rest in him – Acts 4:12 John 15:1 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. (NRSV) Acts 4:12 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."(NRSV) Acts 2:36 36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." (NRSV) John 1:9 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (NRSV)

11. Four assertions about Christ • Third assertion: “He that hath the key of David” – Revelation 3:7 • The key holder can open and shut the door of David • The key is the emblem of authority and power. • “The key of David” is the legal right and authority of David Revelation 3:7 7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: (NRSV)

12. Who has the “key of David” Acts 2:30-33 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. (NRSV) Luke 1:30-33 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.“(NRSV) • Jesus is of the seed of David – Luke 1:30-33 (Isa. 9:7; Matt. 22:41-45) • God raised him from the dead to set up on the throne of his father David -- Acts 2:30-33 • He has been made both Lord and Christ – Acts 2:36 • Making him ruler over all the Kings of the earth – Revelation 1:5 Acts 2:36 36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." (NRSV) Revelation 1:5 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, (NRSV)

13. Who has the “key of David” Ephesians 1:19-23 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.(NRSV) Revelation 3:7 7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: (NRSV) Ephesians :22-23 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (NRSV) • God has made him above all – Ephesians 1:19-23 • Therefore having the “key of David” and all the power and authority that goes with it proves pre-millennialism is false. • The power to open and shut belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and is not shared with any individual or organization on this earth. – Revelation 3:7; Ephesians 1:22-23

14. Four assertions about Christ Revelation 3:7 7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: (NRSV) • Fourth assertion: “He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth” – Revelation 3:7 • Every church must recognize Jesus authority over His church – Ephesians 1:22-23 – the Lord adds and takes away– Acts 2:47;1 Corinthians 3:6-7 • We must always remember that all blessings come from God through Christ he has the the key to open all doors Acts 2:47 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (NKJV) 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (NKJV)

15. Assurances Christ gives the church • “an open door” to the church in Philadelphia opportunities were given to reach people in their city as well as the region of Phrygia to the east with the Gospel – Revelation 3:8 • I have no doubt, in the coming year this same “door” will be open to us in Dunedin – 2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:9 • We may even have different “opened doors” – cheer a downcast soul, lighten another’s burden, speak a word of love, showing kindness, give understanding, or anyone of many things. Revelation 3:8 8 "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door,which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 16:9 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (NRSV) 2 Corinthians 2:12 12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, (NKJV)

16. Assurances Christ gives the church 2 Corinthians 12:19 (My situation in Dunedin) 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? We are speaking in Christ before God. Everything we do, beloved, is for the sake of building you up. (NRSV) • The church had entered through the door which Christ opened in spite of her little power (strength-KJV) – (Revelation 3:8) • Many times we become discouraged because “we have little strength” – 2 Corinthians 12:19 • The Lord seems to wish to impress upon us a sense of our weakness – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 • We must remember our strength is in the Lord – Philippians 4:13 Philippians 4:13 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (NRSV) 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (NRSV)

17. Assurances Christ gives the church Revelation 3:8, 10 8 "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 10 Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (NRSV) • The church in Philadelphia had great character in keeping the word – Revelation 3:8,10 • The greatest need today for the religious world is for churches to be loyal to the word of Christ – 2 Timothy 4:2 • We must remember it is “the gospel” that is the power of God unto salvation – Romans 1:16-17 2 Timothy 4:2 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (NKJV) Romans 1:16-17 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJV)

18. Assurances Christ gives the church • The greatest power the Philadelphian church had was their open door to the “name of Christ” – Revelation 3:8 • How sad that the name of Christ means so little to so many: • A Divine name – Philippians 2:9-11 -- Baptized in that name – Acts 2:38 • A Saving name – Acts 4:12 -- Divinely bestowed on Saints – Acts 11:26 Revelation 3:8 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.(NKJV) Philippians 2:9-11 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NRSV) Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them,"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV) Acts 4:12 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (NKJV) Acts 11:26 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians." (NRSV)

19. Synagogue of Satan Revelation 3:9 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. (NKJV) Romans 2:29 29 Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart — it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God. (NRSV) • Church hypocrites, who claiming to be Jews, were Jews by birth, but not by faith, for they reject the Messiah and therefore Jehovah– Revelation 3:9 • True Jews (God’s children) are the Christians after the cross – Romans 2:29 • Those who claim to be people of God upon a fleshly basis or relationship and who were rejecting others were to be humbled and rejected (Rev. 3:9) • These Jews were trying to make Jews of the Gentiles, just like hypocrites in the church would make the church like the world –Galatians 2:13-14 (Gal. 6:14; Col. 2:8,20; James 4:4) Galatians 2:13-14 13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not acting consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (NRSV)

20. Hour of Trial Revelation 3:12 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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. (NKJV) • “in the hour of trial” God promises to keep Philadelphian – Revelation 3:12 • This would be a period that would engulf the entire world in persecution by Roman Caesars who desired worship, note the terms are to the readers not us. • Early Christians had to endure this type of persecution – 2 Timothy 3:12 • His name written upon us, shows our faithfulness to Christ – Revelation 3:12 2 Timothy 3:12 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (NKJV)

21. Conclusion: overcoming Matthew 17:18-20 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (NRSV) Romans 11:33 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (NKJV) • The crown of life they were set to wear in eternity (Revelation 2:10) was at stake and they must overcome – (Revelation 3:12) • We must remember that the church into which the redeemed are placed is the Lord’s, not ours, therefore its ways are not our ways, but His ways – Romans 11:33 • So many things that men do, supposedly in his name and that which they’d leave undone, disregards his authority – Matthew 17:18-20