Overcome

Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door
Revelation 3:7-13 July 21, 2019

I. Introduction:
A. There is a large gap between the way that God does things, the way He conducts
His affairs and the way we do things and conduct our affairs!
1. Isaiah 55:8-9
2. These differences are seen in a huge way in the church in Philadelphia.
a) Last week in the church in Sardis we saw the difference in the way God
evaluates a church – one they thought was alive, Jesus said was dead!
b) In Philadelphia we will see a huge difference in the way that God thinks
about the ministry opportunities for His churches and the way we think
about them especially here in North America

B. Turn in your Bibles to Revelation 3:7 – The church in Philadelphia, Asia Minor
not Pennsylvania.
1. This is the second and final of the seven churches where Jesus had no
criticism for them. Only encouragement regarding what they are doing and
what they can expect in the future for this faithfulness
2. Again, we are going to see a church under persecution.
a) In v8 we will see they did not deny Jesus’ name and in v10 we see they
persevered! Two words that indicate to remain faithful in the face of
resistance
3. The source of their pressure to deny Jesus was like every other church in the
Roman Empire - emperor worship was always a present pressure upon them
a) But in this passage, Jesus in v9 will refer specifically to the Jews, which
appears to be their greatest source of persecution.

b) There are also a number of writings from the church fathers at that time,
including one of the better-known ones, Polycarp, that the Jews were
persecuting Christians in Philadelphia!
c) Scholars suggest that this persecution was a combination of doctrinal
differences and jealousy over the success of Christianity to win over so
many Jewish converts!
4. But Jesus says in this passage that the Jews will find out who God’s real
people are, the ones whom God loves! And it is not them but Christians!
C. Before I read, let me point out one more thing. In the New Testament, an open
door refers to an opportunity for ministry of some sort!
1. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Acts 14:27, 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3
2. That is what this passage will be talking about. This is a church where a door
of ministry has been opened for them to serve the Lord in some undefined
way.
3. And important to note, God opened this door for ministry they did not create
this opportunity!
D. As I read this passage, watch for their faithfulness under pressure and watch
especially as to why God opened this opportunity of ministry for them! Read 3:7-
13.
• This morning I want to focus on the reason
II. Why God opened this opportunity for service for them.
A. Let me read verse 8 to you as the New American Standard has it then read it to
you as the Greek has it and its most likely interpretation
1. Read NASB v8
2. As I read the Greek, listen closely and see if you can notice the difference.
“because you have little power (emphasis in Greek on little) and or yet (word
can be translated either way depending upon the context) you kept my word
and did not deny my name”
3. Now look at it in the NLT which I believe captures the Greek perfectly “you
have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me”
B. So what is the big difference?
1. “Because you have a little power and ...” That would indicate to us that the
first of three reasons why God gave them this opportunity for ministry. It was

because they at least had a little bit of power along with obeying God’s word
and not denying His name!
2. If it says you have little power yet.... that means this becomes the basis for
His commendation even though you have little power you still kept my word
and did not deny me!
C. Literally its says you have “little power” not “a little power!” Let me build this a
bit further.
1. The word “little” here is the one Jesus used when he talked about the one
who is the least in the kingdom, and the mustard seed that is smaller than all
other seeds. In the book of Acts, it is used when speaking of the smallest to
the greatest.
2. And the word “little” is emphasized here. The point is that Jesus is saying
here – you have “very little power” or simply “you are not very powerful.”
It is a statement of fact not a complement or a reason for opening the door!
D. Simply He is saying, “I am opening this door because you are not very powerful
yet you have obeyed my word, you have not denied my name under pressure and
you have endured persecution!
1. Some commentators suggest that Jesus referring to the size of the church as
small and others believe He is referring to the status of the people in that
church, not the rich, high and mighty in Philadelphia but rather the poor,
lowly and weak people of Philadelphia.
2. So how can people like this, probably a small church full of poor people who
are lowly in status in that community and weak, be so faithful and strong in
the midst of such pressure and persecution? Why would Jesus give this kind
of church such a golden opportunity for ministry?
3. Don’t we think here in North America, the churches with many resources and
significant people are the ones who are in a place to do great things for God?
a) They are the ones who are smart enough to figure out the kind of
programing to open up opportunities and have the resources to pull them
off!
b) But this passage is not about a church creating opportunities for God to
work but God do it for the church!

4. But a church like Philadelphia has no choice but to turn away from
themselves and to turn to Jesus for what they need! Churches that are
wealthy, have status and are strong face the constant temptation to rely upon
themselves and their resources to do God’s work rather than on God Himself
E. I believe the very reason why Jesus gave this church such opportunities for
ministry is because His power is perfected in weakness, He has chosen the weak
things of the world to confound the wise! Let’s look at two key passages that
show us that
1. Listen to how God has chosen to display His power and confound the world.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
2. Power is perfected in weaknesses when we embrace them, kiss them and
even boast of them! Listen 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
F. When all is said and done I believe that God opened this door of ministry to this
church because they recognized, embraced and probably even boasted in their
weakness and the fact that they had little power they turned to Jesus for what they
needed to be faithful to Him
III. Application
A. So let me ask you and us as a church are you/we looking to ourselves, to other
churches, to best practices, to latest programs, to latest technology etc. to open up
opportunities for ministry or are we looking to
B. God
C. What would that look like?
1. It would look like 21 days of prayer! It would look like our weekly prayer
meeting on Wednesday mornings at 6am right here in this room.
2. It looks like a group of church people coming before God in prayer
recognizing, embracing and probably even boasting in their weakness and the
fact that they had little power and turning to Jesus for what they need to be
faithful to Him
3. As a church, we will be having more weeks of prayer and will continue to
meet every Wednesday at 6am. I would ask you to join us in this so we can
be a church and a people where we see God open doors of opportunity for
MVC and us as individuals! Then we would be a church that has no
explanation except God
D. Let me close with an encouragement, which He gives to the whole church, not
just the overcomers!

1. Read 10b... - referring to that time we will be talking about in a few weeks,
Revelation 6-19, the tribulation that time of great trouble like never before
that will come upon the whole world!
2. We know words are important so watch this:
a) Does he say, “I will also keep you in the hour of testing?” No! If he did
say that it would mean that, the church would go through the tribulation
but Jesus would preserve us during it!
b) Does he say, “I will also take you out of the hour of testing?” No! If he
did say that it would mean that, the church would go through a portion of
the tribulation but taken out part way through!
c) Does he say, “I will also keep you from the hour of testing?” Yes! That
means that the church would not go through the tribulation but Jesus
would deliver us from going through it!

E. Brothers and sisters as we have a great hope to look forward to may we be found
faithful relying upon Jesus in prayer and in our ministry and not upon ourselves
F. Pray