Intro.
A. How many of you have locks on your doors or security
systems? Not a bad idea for locks on our homes.
B. But, is it possible for churches and individuals to
Put locks
on their lives, keeping people out?
C. We,
as The United Methodist, advertise that we are a church with Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.
D. This morning, we learn of a church that
Christ loved
because it was
an "open door" church. Let=s
look at
what Christ
meant by that.
Prayer
Rev. 3:7-13
I. Again, a few comments about
the interpretation of
Revelation in case you were not here when I have
covered
it.
A. There are
three methods of interpreting Revelation.
They are:
1. Post
millennial - it's all historical. (Barr)
2. Pre
millennial - it's all prophetical.
(Barr)
This
method only became popular during the mid
1900s, but it is very popular
today with some
traditions.
3. Al-millennial
view - Symbolical. The seven
churches
represent seven kinds of churches that
exist in any age and any
time.
(Barr - "New Testament Story" pg. 269)
Another name for this
type of interpretation is
Metaphoric
because it uses metaphors to reveal
Truths that
are applicable to any age. I think
this is the most
accurate way to interpret
Revelation.
B. If we
view it as either Historic or Symbolic, we can
take what Jesus says to these
churches and apply it to today.
C. That is
what we are doing as we examine these letters
To the churches of Revelation.
II. Philadelphia: The City and
it's Background.
A. It was a small city.
1. It had been destroyed by Earthquakes several
times. (BKC)
2. More of an agricultural town than industrial;
grapes
and wine were their main businesses.
B. Politically, it was pro-Rome, but there was
no emperor
worship
present.
C. Religiously, Dionysius was the main god of
the town.
III. Philadelphia: The Church.
A. Commendation.
1. Open Door.
a. Christ seems to be commending them because
they
have an open door to the world.
b. They knew how to reach out to those who were
around them, in
Love by meeting needs.
c. Their doors were open to the outsiders!
2. Christ also commends them for their strength
in
spite of
weakness.
3. Lastly, they have not denied Christ. They would
not
compromise their beliefs in Christ. Again, a
reference
to the Synagogue of Satan!
B. Reprimand.
Philadelphia received no reprimand.
Philadelphia is a model church, one to model
after!
C. Exhortation.
To hold fast to what they have.
D. Promise.
1. four things.
a. Make them a pillar in the temple of God.
b. Write upon them the name of God.
c. Write upon them the name of the city of God.
d. Write upon them Christ's name.
2. All point to their security in heaven.
3. All was write between them and God!
III. Philadelphia's message to Forsyth UMC.
A. Realize that our strength is in Christ, not
in the
Size of the church.
1. This was a small church in a small town; yet,
Christ
had no reprimand for them!
2. We tend to gauge a church by its size!
a. This is evident in that we are discouraged
if
our number is down on a particular
Sunday!
b. This is also evident in that if someone asks us how our church is doing they are usually asking about the numbers!
3. A small church is too often plagued by the
old
excuse,
"We are just too small."
4. Regardless of our size, we can do what God
has
For
us to do; there are people that we can
Touch
with the love of God!"
B. We must be an open door church to please God!
1. Our doors must be open to all people; none
excluded!
2. The second we exclude anyone who is searching
for
help or for a
church, we are excluding Christ!
3. We are "open door" by reaching
out "in love" to
those around
us!
a. the rich and poor.
b. the
blacks, Hispanics, Asian, and whites.
c. the old and young.
d. the conservative or the liberal.
4. Our world is too much into
judging and excluding. We need to be an
Open door church, one that Jesus would have no reprimand for!
C. We can know that, if we endure to the end,
some day
God
will take away all the uncertainty of this life
and
keep us secure in heaven!
Conclusion:
A. Are we hung up on the size of our
church? Are we
convinced that
a small church can't make a difference?
Today, we can
come to Christ for the encouragement
That we need to
make a difference!
B. This letter is for us! We are a small church in a
small
town. We are a church that has pretty
much had
an
open door! This is encouragement for us
that we
are
on the right track, to keep on keeping on!
C. As we encounter Christ at the table, have you been
apprehensive
about the open door policy of our church.
Here
it is. Christ is commending us for
that. You
can
let Christ fill you with love to reach out with an
open
door! We can always reflect and do better!
D. Have you been discouraged because of our
size? This
letter
encourages us that if we are reaching out to
all
people, Christ is pleased and we can look forward
to
rewards in heaven and acceptance by God!
E. This doesn’t mean be satisfied with our size
though;
it
means keep on doing what we are doing and we will
make
a difference! Keep reaching out! Keep
welcoming!
Keep inviting!
F. Do you need fired up and fueled up this
morning? We
can
be as we encounter Christ at the table!
Prayer
of Confession
Service
of Communion
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