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Nov 06, 2022

7 Letters of Revelation - 6 - Philadelphia - Restoration

Passage: Revelation 3:7-13

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Seven Letters

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: fear, patience, endurance, instability

Theme: The Philadelphia Christians were in a tremendously unstable environment physically, socially and spiritually. They lived on a fault line that created perpetual earthquakes, making the city very dangerous to live in; they were marginalized by society because they wouldn’t join in on the drinking sex parties; they were marginalized by the synogogue because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah. This small band of believers had only Jesus and his promises to hold onto, and that was enough. Jesus promised them that he would return and, in due time, make all things new, redeeming and restoring all that had been shattered. Until then they (we) are invited into “Holding Fast” through the Spirit and by the Word of God, and “Patiently Endurance” as they keep their eyes on the heavenly horizon.

Theme: The Philadelphia Christians were in a tremendously unstable environment physically, socially and spiritually. They lived on a fault line that created perpetual earthquakes, making the city very dangerous to live in; they were marginalized by society because they wouldn’t join in on the drinking sex parties; they were marginalized by the synogogue because they believed that Jesus was the Messiah. This small band of believers had only Jesus and his promises to hold onto, and that was enough. Jesus promised them that he would return and, in due time, make all things new, redeeming and restoring all that had been shattered. Until then they (we) are invited into “Holding Fast” through the Spirit and by the Word of God, and “Patiently Endurance” as they keep their eyes on the heavenly horizon.

 

Sermon Discussion Questions

These Christians were marginalized, rejected and even persecuted by society and a handful of hateful Jews. How might they have felt? How did they respond?

Look through these 3 categories of crushing weights -- which rings true?

  • Physically Crushing: When life seems to contradict Christ being loving and powerful

    • Death & Disease
    • Threats & War
    • Sadness & Anxiety
    • Broken Relationships
    • Hunger & Poverty
  • Socially Crushing: When following Culture conflicts with following Christ.
    • Sexually
    • Financially
    • Verbally
    • Relationally
    • Politically
  • Religiously Crushing: When following “Church” conflicts with following Christ
    • Lawfulness (legalism)
    • Lawlessness (just sin big, God will forgive me)
    • Morally Superior (I'm better than you)
    • Christian Cannibalism (Christians attacking each other)
    • Spiritual buffet (pick and choose what is "true" and what you follow)

Therefore....

Patient Endurance - not just sitting, but actively believing.
Holding Tight - not giving up hope and losing focus.

Explain how Jesus’ introductions give us the hope and power to do these:

Holy One - He is set apart (rather than melting into culture)
True One - As opposed to the instability surrounding them
Key Holder - The pathway to life and truth