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Seven Churches Week 6: Philadelphia

ByRicky Smith

November 17, 2024
Philadelphia: The Missional Church
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

I. A Great Commission Church Sees Jesus as Awesome

Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

Hosea 11:9
For I am God and not man, the Holy One among you.

John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human.

II. A Great Commission Church Is Faithful to the Gospel

Revelation 3:8-9
I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

We must be faithful to the message and mission of the Gospel.

III. A Great Commission Church Lives by the Promises of God

Revelation 3:10-13
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Next Steps

  • I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
  • I commit to engaging in missions through my time, talent, and treasure.
  • I choose to be part of this local church “pillar.” Contact me about membership.

Deep Dive

  1. Compare John 10:9 and Revelation 3:8. How is the “open door” significant to the heart of missions?
  2. Read Revelation 3:10-13 and reflect on the significance of the church being a “pillar”?
  3. How can we, as a local church, better reflect unity around God’s mandate to “carry hope to the world”?

Springboards

  1. Who is in charge of your household decisions? Do you regularly pray as a family before making a decision?
  2. Read Colossians 1:15-18 and discuss what it means for Christ to be in charge of our home, church, and lives.
  3. Read Revelation 3:14. How is “Amen” a powerful word to use when affirming something as true?

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