Date: 2025-06-20

AO: 3rd-f

Q: Bishop

PAX: Sharpie, Yogi (Florence), Bishop

FNGs: None

COUNT: 3

Revelation 3:7-13

Ever felt like you were on empty? Barely hanging on? Not sure how much more you can take?

Ever felt weak?

Well, from a Biblical perspective, is it better to be strong or weak? This answer is not necessarily obvious.

Team Weak:

– 2 Corinthians 12:9

– Matthew 5:3

Team Strong:

– Joshua 1:6, and 9

– Ephesians 6:10

So let’s dig deeper.

For this church specifically, why are they being applauded for being weak and why are they only one of two churches who get no criticism?

Recall the normal pattern of these letters to the church:

– Commends

– Corrects

– Commands

But for Philadelphia, there is no correction at all.

Let’s dig in: Vs. 7 – What is said about Christ

– He is Holy and True.

– He does not simply have holiness, He is Holiness

– Isaiah 6:3

– He does not simply have truth, He is the Truth

– Hebrews 6:18

– Titus 1:2

– He holds the key of David

– Isaiah 22:15-22

– Shebna is being replaced with Eliakim.

– This is a reference to what they are facing: The synagogue of Satan

– Review “synagogue of Satan”

– Shebna was a corrupt official, serving his own interests

– Christ is reminding them he is the one God has chosen, he is the one in charge, and He gets to call the shots. He will humble the Jews currently persecuting the church, He will set things right.

What do we know of this church?

– Little strength

– Kept God’s Word

– Not denied Christ’s name

Let’s expound upon that:

– Little strength: They were not able to stop the attacks of their opponents, or they were battered and weary.

– Kept God’s Word: But they remained true to what God commanded

– Not denied Christ’s name: Apparently they had an opportunity and were challenged to reject their faith, but they refused to do so

So while in everyone else’s view, they had “little strength” they were in fact faithful and courageous. And those things are not mutually exclusive. We can realize and embrace that in reality we have “little strength” but abide in the One who is able to do all things with faithfulness and courage.

Compared to Sardis, this church was very small. But when God looked at Sardis he said, “Though you appear to be alive, you’re dead.” When he looked at Philadelphia, He says “though you have ‘little strength’ you have actually been faithful and courageous.”

So they are Commended, not Corrected, and here comes the Command: Hold on (vs. 11)

3 ways to help us “HOLD ON”:

1. The Word of God

– They had remained true to God’s command. (“You have kept my command” – vs. 9) God’s word is essential for faithfulness and the courage to continue.

2. The Holy Spirit

– (“Let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” – vs. 22) The Holy Spirit empowers us and makes us into new creations. The Fruit of the Spirit goes against our nature. It is not in our own nature to love well, to be faithful, to be patience, or practice self-control.

– Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

–

– 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

– Left to our own devices, will we produce the fruit of the flesh. But that is not God’s plan for his people, the Holy Spirit will help us hold on with faithfulness and courage.

3. The People of God

– Notice all the plural pronouns, and the message to the church collectively.

– We aren’t meant to do life alone. This letter wasn’t addressed to a single person, it was addressed to a church. Continue lifting each other up, continue encouraging one another.

– If you’ve read this far and God has put an F3 brother on your mind or heart, just reach out to him via Slack or text and give him an encouragement. Tell him you’re thinking about him, appreciate him, praying for him.