Hold On!
lanny smith
Seven / Church at Philadelphia / Revelation 3:7–13
• Storybook rock song “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.
• One of band’s biggest hits (1987). Chosen #1 song of the ‘80’s in a VH1 listener poll.
• Story of a couple (loosely based on writer’s experience) who fall on hard times, facing life’s struggles.
• Jon’s chorus is just to hold on to what they already have even though it seems the odds are against them.
• Song taps into deep emotional places for us.
• insecurity in our circumstances
• the instinct to hang on, persevere.
• to hold on to something we trust.
• Jon calls it livin’ on a prayer.
• Could mean, “you’re just a step away from total disaster.”
• Or, we’re trusting in something far greater than ourselves.
• Music is powerful. We learn and accept ideas and values through music.
• While inspiring and fun, a rock song isn’t what is going to get you and I through this life.
• Like Tommy & Gina, our world is more upside down than ever. We feel the frustration, the desire to just get away through nostalgia, escapism, internet, whatever seems to bring a bit of relief.
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Revelation 3:7 NLT
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:
• Philadelphia - settled by Pergamum as an outpost for Greek (and later, Roman) culture to the East.
• Description: Jesus has the authority and power to allow or deny access to full and complete life. (open and close)
• Ref. Isa. 22.22 “I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.”
• It isn’t our power that makes it happen.
• We need to remember that we are an outpost of Heaven in a broken world.
Hold On to the Word
Revelation 3:8 NLT
8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
• It’s not how strong we appear in the surrounding culture.
• Not material assets
• Not size of building, reputation of the members, etc.
• it’s Who we are loyal to and how well we obey His Word.
• Obeyed my word.
Matthew 7:21 NLT
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
• Did not deny me.
2 Timothy 2:12 NLT
12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.
Endurance is Rewarded
Revelation 3:10 NLT
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.
• V. 10: Command to persevere (passionate patience).
• Result:
• Protection (not necessarily from trouble in the world.)
• Testing - verifying the genuiness of a thing.
• What’s been going on in our world that past couple of years? Testing.
Revelation 3:11 NLT
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
• V. 11: Command to hold on (tight grip)
• What kinds of things “loosen our grip?”
• Why so important? So we remain victorious.
• 1919 World Series - Eight White Sox players took money over the honor and the victory.
• Banned forever.
• What is so tempting in life that we would trade eternal glory for?
Revelation 3:12 NLT
12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
• Result of perseverance
• Victory - nikon victory is a contest or military conflict.
• Identified by placement in Temple
• Something that cannot be moved (unlike the structures in Philadelphia)
• Name of God
• PIllars were inscribed with the names of prominent people. also commemorated history places and events.
• Citizenship
Philippians 1:27 NLT
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
