TEXT:  Rev. 3:7-13

INTRODUCTION:

A.  LETTERS TO CHURCHES OF ASIA.

          1.  Name the 7 churches.

          2.  Good information for us (1 Cor. 16:1;  4:17;  14:33).

B.  FORM OF THE LETTERS:

          1.  Salutation.                                                        5.  Warning or threat of judgment.

          2.  Jesus’ self designation.                                      6.  Exhortation.

          3.  Commendation of good.                                   7.  Promise.

          4.  Condemnation of evil.

C.  WE WILL FOLLOW THIS FORM.

I.      TO PHILIDELPHIA.  “All things considered …”

A.  PRINCIPLE CITY OF LYDIA – BUILT ON FAULT LINE – AFTERSHOCKS FOR 20

          YEARS AFTER 17 AD QUAKE.

B.  NEARLY RENAMED NEOCAESAREA FOR TIBERIUS WHO PAID FOR REBUILD

C.  VINEYARDS – WORSHIPPED DIONYSUS – BEATIFUL SYNAGOGUE.

D.  CHURCH SURVIVED MOSLEMS & MEDIEVAL TIMES..

II.     JESUS’ SELF DESCRIPTION (vs. 7).

A  HOLY à PURE (1 Pet. 2:21-22) DISTINCT (1 Pet. 2:4-8).

B.  TRUE – genuine, real (John 1:9;  6:32;  1 John 5:20)..

          1.  Contrast to idols (1 Cor. 8:4-6)..

          2.  Contrast to Synagogue (Matt. 3:7;  21:43;  Phil. 3:3).

C.  THE KEY OF DAVID.

          1.  Figure à Power and Authority à on his shoulder.

                   a.  Eliakim (Isa. 22:22)  Antitype of Christ.

                   b.  Authority of the Christ (Isa. 9:6-7).

          2.  Promised to Jesus (Luke 1:32-33).

                   a.  Claimed by Jesus (Matt. 28:18).

                   b.  Over Angels (1 Pet. 3:22).

                   c.  Over the church (Eph. 1:22-23).

                   d.  Over the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5).

                   e.  Over death and Hades (Rev. 1:18).

III.    COMMENDATION (vs. 8).  I KNOW YOUR WORKS.

A.  IN SPITE OF BEING SMALL IN POWER.

          1.  Growth (Phil 3:13-16).

          2.  Do your best (2 Cor. 8:12).

B.  KEEP HIS WORD è OBEDIENCE (Matt. 7:21;  24-28).

C.  DIDST NOT DENY (Matt. 10:32-33;  2 Pet. 2:1-2;  2 Tim. 3:1-5).

D.  VINDICATED IN JUDGMENT (vs. 9;  Rom. 8:16-17).

IV.   NO CONDEMNATION OR WARNING!

V.    EXHORTATION AND PROMISE (vs. 10-13).

A.  KEEP MY WORD AND OVERCOME – HOLD FAST (Heb. 3:6, 12;  4:14;  10:23).

          THAT NO ONE TAKE THY CROWN.

B.  VINDICATION AMONG FALSE JEWS (vs. 9).

C.  KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL (vs. 10).

          1.  Not to suffer as the rest.

          2.  But will have trials (2 Tim. 3:12;  1 Pet. 1:6-9)

D.  PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE (vs. 12).

          1.  Prominence among brethren à Contrast (vs. 8).

          2.  Shall go out no more, like in the earthquake (Rom. 8:31).

E.  IDENTIFIED WITH A NAME.

          1.  God’s.

          2.  New Jerusalem (Rev. 21-22).

          3.  “My own new name” (1 Pet. 4:16;  2:9-10).

CONCLUSION:

A.  DOES THIS DESCRIBE US AS A CONGREGATION?

          1.  Commendation?

          2.  Condemnation?

C.  AM I HOLDING FAST?