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THE CHURCH: PHILADELPHIA, THE ENDURING CHURCH

20 September 2021
Series: THE CHURCH
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THE CHURCH: PHILADELPHIA, THE ENDURING CHURCH

Speaker: Fred Sigle

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SUNDAY LESSON, 9/19/21
 
THE CHURCH: PHILADELPHIA, THE ENDURING CHURCH
Revelation 3:7-13
 
It is so refreshing to preach on a church for which Christ has no rebuke.
Of the seven churches of Asia, there were only two churches that Christ did not chastise or condemn: the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia.  The reason there is no chastisement from Christ isn’t because these were perfect churches made up with perfect Christians, but because they, unlike the other churches, remained faithful to their commitment to Christ and His Word and endured patiently despite the opposition they faced.
Today many leave small churches for larger churches often thinking that their many programs and resources equal spiritual success in the eyes of God.  Of the seven churches of Asia Minor, Philadelphia was the smallest with “little strength”, yet Christ blessed this church beyond all the others.   In fact, of the seven churches, Philadelphia lasted the longest with writings dating in the sixth century AD making reference to the church of Philadelphia as still existing; and some historians believed it remained until the Ottoman Empire took it over in 1390.
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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 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.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 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. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

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