The Church On Trial Pt. 6
Hang In There
Revelation 3:7-13
7) To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8) I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9) I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars – I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10) Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11) I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12) Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
As we started out saying, we started dealing with the thought the church on trial. We started over in Revelation chapter 2 where we began with the church at Ephesus. And the question if you will that God asked the church at Ephesus was “what does love have to do with it.” We found out that love has everything to do with it.
For the bible say if you love me, you will obey all of my commands. And I can tell there is a love issue in the church even today. Because the Bible says that the day will come when the love of men will go waxen cold. In other words, what God is saying that in these last days, I’m not going to be able to tell beyond a shadow of a doubt if it is live or is it Memorex. There are people who are talking the talk, but not walking the walk.
We are living in a day and age when the church appears to have lost it power because those in the church are not connected to the power source. We are living in an age when people are claiming that they are saved, born again and washed in the blood, but yet church is not a priority. We rather be out on the golf course, on Sunday. We don’t see bible study as important. We rather be watching the NFL or the NBA, where we ought to be watching something that is more conducive in helping us learn how to be righteous.
We are living in a day and age where secularism has permeated in the church. So now you can’t tell if it’s entertainment or if it is real. So God asked a question of the church of Ephesus. He says, “What does love have to do with it?” And he found them guilty because he says they have left their first love.
But then God didn’t stop there my brothers and sisters. But what God also did is that he brought the church at Smyrna to the witness stand if you will. And he found out that Smyrna, once he analyzed them and he interrogated them, he said that Smyrna is what you call a storm survivor.
I’m looking to see if there are any storm survivors here on today. I’m talking about one that has been through some stuff. One that has been afflicted. One that has gone through some things in your personal life. And yet you thought that you wouldn’t make it just like the church at Smyrna. And yet they survive by the grace of God.
And so he said listen I looked at you and you have stuck in there when people have abandoned you. When people have walked away from you. And even when those that are closest to you have stabbed you in the back, but yet you’ve held up the blood stained banner. So I have decreed and declared that you are a storm survivor.
I’m looking for some storm survivors up in here on today that can say Pastor I’ve been there. I’ve had it, where sometimes the friends are with me, but then sometimes they are away. I’ve had it where my name has been assassinated out in the streets. I’ve had people saying one thing and up in my face the next day. But and yet I’ve learned how to make it. But it’s not by my own, but it’s by the grace of God.
Is there anybody here that can say I’ve had some up days, I’ve had some down days? I’ve had some in days, I’ve had some out days. But through it all because God has held on to my hand I have survived the storm. Just look at your neighbor and say neighbor I’m a storm survivor.
But then he didn’t stop there. He went over to the church at Pergamum. And he brought them to the witness stand and he found out that they were guilty of a dirty house. Look if you will over in Revelation 2 verses 12 – 17. He says listen I need you to understand I know you claim that you’re holy, but everybody else in your house is unholy. And so you got a dirty house.
And God is saying to them in essence listen he says, you go to church, you go to bible study, but you the only one going. But yet you got kids there in the house, you got a husband in the house, you got a wife in the house, and somebody needs to be saved other than you yourself.
So God says, yeah, you’re ok but everybody else in the house is dirty. It’s time to clean the house. And if the truth be told, all of us have some trash in the house that need to be set out on the roadside. I ain’t talking about physical trash, I’m talking about some breathing trash. I’m talking about some family if you will that we need to put, that we need to dump, that we need to get rid of and let the holy ghost do his job with them.
So then he left there and went over to the church at Thyatira, and said. Listen Thyatira you are the church that has that Jezebel spirit permeating in your place. A Jezebel spirit is a person of leadership if you will that has influence over others. They are not leading people to God, but they are leading people down a path of straying. They’re leading people away from him. And he is saying that you are guilty because the church put up with what it should have put out.
While the service is going on, yes you are serving God, yes you are being faithful, but you know they are doing things that don’t jive with the word of God. You are tolerating stuff if you will that I’m not pleased with. So you’re putting up with stuff. And if the truth be told, all of us got a Jezebel if not in the house, but around the house someplace. We got somebody that we’re connected with and if we don’t watch it they’ll lead us (aw you don’t need to go to church. You know we was hanging out late last night.)
No, the reason I need to go to church is because God woke me up this morning. The reason I need to go to church this morning is because I got a 401(K) plan that’s taking care of me. The reason why I need to go to church is because my family is still alive and well. Ain’t nobody in jail. The reason why I need to go to church is because my kids are in college and they’re doing alright. The reason why I need to go to church is because I got a good husband or a good wife. And so if you don’t want to go, that’s fine.
But I got to go because I got to get my praise on. I got to let the world know that I am blessed and highly favored. I got to let them know that if it was not for His grace and his mercy where would I be on today. So excuse me, but I got to get on a church bus. The bus is here now. I got to make my way on down to Greater South Central at 3002 South Denley Dr. in Oak Cliff, TX. Because there’s a song with my name on it that says your grace and mercy brought me through. I got to get my praise on because God has been good to me.
Is there anybody on today that can say God has been good to you? Deacon Means I know God has been good to you. 90+ years, yes God has been good to you. Deacon Chambers I know God has been good to you. 74-75 years, yes God has been good to you. You still got pep in your step. You still got a shout and dance in you every now and then. God has been good to you.
So not only did God deal with Thyatira, but then on last week we dealt with the church at Sardis. Over in Revelation 3 if you will. And God told that church that they needed to wake up. And the bottom line, and we talked about Harold Melvin’s song if some of you are old enough to remember, he did this song saying wake up everybody. Because the bottom line is the church he claims in this instance has fallen asleep. And I got to tell you, I agree with him because we’re tolerating stuff in our churches that we didn’t tolerate 20-30 years ago. We are tolerating and putting up with stuff that does not connect with the word of God.
Let’s go a step further. We’re tolerating stuff in our families. We’re tolerating stuff in our neighborhood. We see stuff going on in our schools. But because your child is not there anymore, it does not matter. Yes it does matter. Because if you don’t get it corrected now, they will be the very ones knocking you up side your head a year from now. It’s time for the church to wake up and smell the coffee. Will you tell your neighbor it’s time to wake up?
And so here he is today, he’s dealing with the church at Philadelphia. And he tells the church at Philadelphia if I can just give you the thought. I realize I didn’t give it you on today. The church at trial, this is the verdict. He tells them to hang in there.
God is still dealing with the church, and we arrived at a church in which I certainly feel that we can assuredly relate to and it’s this church at Philadelphia. And God is saying to this church, and he’s given them a verdict that’s kind of unique because he starts out with this word of encouragement. Hang in there.
Now hang in there implies that I’m on the mark. Hang in there implies that I’m right there on the money. Hang in there implies that I’m under fire because this church is under scrutiny. Somebody always trying to kick the church. Somebody always trying to put it down. Somebody always trying to challenge it. So God says listen. I just want you to understand that you need to hang in there.
Hang in there means don’t quit. Hang in there means it might get dark, but stick with it. Hang in there means you can’t see your way, but God says I didn’t expect you to see your way anyhow. Trust in me with all you heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge me and I will direct your path. Hang in there means sometimes it’s going to be rough. Sometimes it’s going to be tough. Hang in there means the winds are going to blow. Hang in there implies that sometimes your friends and family are going to abandon you. But God says if you hang in there you will be successful.
See hang in there does not imply that the journey is always going to be easy. Hang in there implies that you’re going to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Because you know, with Jesus on your side everything can be successful.
I am on your side. So this is what he says in the text. This is the first reason why Jesus said hang in there. The first reason why he said hang in there is because I, meaning Jesus, is on your side. Ok let me push rewind, then play again. The first reason why Jesus says to hang in there, is because he says I, Jesus, is on your side.
Ok I need a little bit more energy, because when I said Jesus is on your side, you should have shouted because it lets you know the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords says I got you covered, I got your back, big brother is in town, I’ll never leave you nor forsake you, Jesus said I am on your side.
I love this text because I see Jesus doing something with this church that’s very transparent and very necessary for this church who is in the midst of the fire. Jesus says listen I know you’re in the midst of the fire, I know that you’re under fire now, he says but I still got you covered. I need you to understand that it looks like you’re going lose this battle, but you got to understand the best has not been told yet. He says I need you to understand that I got your back, I’m going to cover you that I’m going to work that thing out. See that’s why he says hang in there. Can you encourage your neighbor and say neighbor you just need to hang in there?
He reminds us in the text, look if you will Revelation 3 verses 7 & 8. Jesus says listen the reason I’m telling you to hang in there? He says first of all, it says He that is holy, he that is true, he says he that has the key of David, watch this now. And I need you to understand that the he in the text is Jesus himself. Now watch what he says in the text. You need to follow me if you will or you going to miss it.
He says he that has the key of David, he says I’m the one that open and no man can close. And he says and when I close it, nobody can open it. Now to me that symbolizes power. Jesus says, when I open a door, it don’t matter how many people that try to close it, it ain’t going to close because I got all power in my hand.
By the same token, the message we got to understand from Jesus is that every door that is opened in our life is not intended to stay open all the time. At some point and time, Jesus says when I’m closing a door, he means for you to not keep looking to that door for your blessing, but you got to look elsewhere. In order to get to elsewhere, you got to look to the hills from whence cometh your help, for all of you help and strength it comes from the Lord. Tell your neighbor stop looking back and keep looking forward.
Look at the power now. Jesus says listen Jackson I need for you to understand, GSC, listen I’m the one who opens doors that no man can close. I’m the one who closes doors that no man can close. He says in verse 7 & 8, I know you got a little strength. Strength in this instance will suggest that your numbers are few. He says, but I need you to understand my power is still the same whether you got 10,000 or whether you got 20. You hear me. He says it doesn’t matter if you got 500 or 150. He says my power is the same in every situation.
See you do understand that Jesus do got all power in his hands. I mean over in Mathew 28:18 when he got up out of the grave declared that all power was given unto him. And so when Jesus got up, he had all power in his hand. So Jesus says listen, if I tell you that I’m on your side, not only am I on your side but all of my power accompanies me. And that’s why you got to learn how to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the word of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain. Because Jesus said if I told you I’m with you, I got you covered. Is there anybody here that can say I thank God that Jesus is on my side? Come on look at your neighbor and say hang on in there.
This message of encouragement is to encourage us to hang in there. GSC I can see the message talking to us on today because whether we got 75 members or 200 members or 300 members or whatever, God says that if you just trust me and don’t lean to your own understanding, and have faith the size of a mustard seed, God says you can tear this place up. You can shake up Oak Cliff. You can shake up Dallas. You can shake up Texas, you can shake up the world, but you got to learn how to hang in there. Don’t be discouraged by numbers. For the bible says that where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name I’ll be in the midst. When Jesus is in the midst, his power is in the midst just as well.
So he lets us know just to hang in there. And see what he tells us over in Philippians 2:10 talking about how much power Jesus has. Who else do you know in scripture that the bible says that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow? Who else do you know in scripture that at the mention of his name demons tremble? Who else do you know in scripture that when you mention his name, fevers dissipate? Who else do you know in scripture that when you mention his name jail doors began to open? Who else do you know in scripture that when you mention his name that enemies begin to flee? Who else do you know in scripture that can bless you abundantly above all that you can ask or think? There is no name above his name. That’s why his name is Jesus.
Look at the power that Jesus has in verse 7. He says I, meaning Jesus, openeth the door, and then he says, no man closes. Now that’s a bad God right there. When he opens a door, it don’t matter who tries to close it. They can’t close it. Now what he’s saying there is when I open the door, the reason why I’m opening the door first of all is for you to walk in your destiny. He says the reason why I’m opening the door is because I got a plan for you. The reason why I’m opening the door is because I’m getting ready to close another door because when I close that one, I’m opening this one so that you don’t miss a beat, so that you don’t miss a blessing. So you can walk out one door into the next door understanding and believing that God can supply your every need according to his riches in Glory. So when I get through with one door and he closes that, I walk on to the next; I praise him, I give him glory and honor because I know that if it had not the Lord has been on my side I don’t know where I would be.
Look, the closing of the door tells me people of God that it will not close until I get done with what God tells me to get done. God is saying that door will not close until everything that I have birthed inside of you is given life. Alright ya’ll missing that. He says this door will not close until everything that I put inside of you, all the blessings, all the miracles, everything I put in you, he says I will not close until I bring it out of you. So that the world will know that I am on your side.
Psalm 118:6 says the Lord is on my side. I will not fear for what can man do unto me. He says what are you afraid for? God is on your side. What do you have to fear man? God says listen, I not only control man, I control life and death. God says I own everything. I own the cattle on a thousand hills. The earth is mine and the fullness thereof the world and they that dwell therein. God says I own everything, so I have the ability to take life and give life. That’s why I don’t worry about what people say when I’m going through what I’m going through. I say the Lord is on my side and he’s going to work this thing out.
I will handle obstacles in your Life. The second reason why God is telling his church to hang on in there is first of all I’m on your side, verse 9 & 10 but here is Jesus personal assurance he says I will handle the obstacles in your life. He says I’m going to handle every obstacle that comes your way. Everything that tries to stop you, everything that tries to block you, he says I got you covered. I’m going to take care of it. Is there anybody in here right now that’s got some obstacles in your life? God says let me work that out. Let me handle it. Because see can’t nobody work it out like he can work it out.
Anybody been in a situation where only God can get you out it? Ok, can you let your neighbor know that yeah he got me out of some stuff? See they need to know that I ain’t making this up. They need to know from you that if it had not been for the Lord who was on your side… They need to know that you’ve been through hell and back and yet you are still surviving. They need to know that you were this close to losing your mind. But he was a mind regulator. They need to know that your heart was broken, but yet he’s a heart fixer.
So if they don’t believe in praising God, say listen, I ain’t trying to impress you anyway. I’m going to get my praise on because the Lord has been good to me. So excuse me, if you don’t want to praise him, let me praise him by myself. Because he brought me out so that he can bring me in. He’s a delivering God.
Looking at this text, verse 10. Can I tell you why he lifted this church? I have to quit because my time is far spent and we have another service. But can I tell you why he lifted this church? It’s right there in verse 10. He says because you have kept the word of my patience. He say I will keep thee from the hour of temptation because thou has kept the word of my patience. The word of my patience is Jesus’ Gospel. He says because you have hung with it, you’ve stuck to the word. You didn’t care what nobody said. You didn’t try to sugar-coat it. You didn’t try to be politically correct. You called a spade a spade and a club a club. You told it like it T.I. is if you will. You didn’t care what they said. You said I’m going to stay on God’s word, I’m going to stand on God’s word, I’m going to believe on God’s word, and that’s going to be the end of it.
And he says because you hung in there, he says I’m going to make sure that in the days to come, that I’m going to cover you when temptation comes your way. He says I’m going to cover you when troubles come.
That’s why David said over in the 23 number of the Psalm: the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea though I walk through.
Oh to walk through means I don’t plan on staying there. To walk through means I’m going through but I’m going to keep on trucking. To walk through means, that while I’m there I might encounter some stuff but it’s only temporary. To walk through means, that it’s going to be dark sometimes, but if I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding. And in all my ways acknowledge him, he shall direct my path.
So he says yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Why? Because thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence or mine enemies. God says I’m going to lay it out for you. And your enemies can’t touch you and they can’t touch what’s on your table. Yes, your enemy can’t touch this.
Yes tell your enemy you can’t touch this, because you’re covered by the blood of Jesus. I’ve covered in the blood of Jesus. And you do know there is power, there is wonder working power in the blood of Jesus.
Reward You. So then finally, the third thing he says in verse 11, he says I’m going to reward you. He says I will reward you in the end. He says I will bless you. He says if you hang on in there, I will work it out for you. He says first of all Philadelphia I’m coming soon. And that’s why the bible says that no man knoweth the day or the hour the son of man will return. That’s why you got always be ready. But when he comes, the reward is in his hand.
Tell somebody, Hang on in there.
I don’t care what you’re going through… If family turns their back on you… When friends forsake you… Just know that…
“Though the storms keep on raging in my life,
And sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day…
Still the hope that lies within is reassured,
As I keep my eye upon the distant shore…
I know He’ll lead me to the blessed place He has prepared… But if the storms don’t cease…
And if the winds keep on blowing in my life…
My soul is anchored in the Lord…!”
Because… “My Hope Is Built…”
