# Introduction — A Church With Little Strength
This morning, we move to hearing what Jesus says to the church in Philadelphia. But before we do that, let’s take a moment and briefly remember where we have been in this study.
We began in Revelation chapter 1, where Jesus revealed Himself to His church.
Before He corrects His church, He shows His glory. We saw Him walking among the lampstands, reminding us that the church is not the light — Jesus is the light.
We were given the pattern for how to approach these letters from Revelation 1:3: Read. Hear. Heed.
We then listened to what Jesus said to the church in Ephesus. Ephesus was a hardworking church that defended the truth, but they had lost their first love. Jesus called them to remember, repent, and return to their love for Him.
Then we came to Smyrna, the persecuted church. They were suffering, but they remained faithful. Jesus encouraged them to stand firm, reminding them that the Victor has already won.
Next we looked at Pergamum, a church living in a difficult place — what Jesus called the place “where Satan has his throne.” Some in the church had begun to compromise with the culture, and Jesus called them to reject compromise and remain loyal to Him.
Then we came to Thyatira, where false teaching had begun to corrupt the church from within. Jesus warned them to reject deception and remain faithful to the truth.
Last week we looked at Sardis, the church that had a reputation for being alive, but was actually dead. Jesus called them to wake up, strengthen what remained, and return to true spiritual life.
And now we arrive at the church in Philadelphia — a breath of fresh air from the other churches who were plagued with problems. The letter to the church in Philadelphia is one of encouragement, hope, and love.
As we have with each of the churches, let’s take a look at the historical information and where the prophecy of Philadelphia fits in the global history of the church.
Video Ill.: Philadelphia — The Faithful Church by Lineage Journey
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 on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. || 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them 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 them my new name. || 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3, NIV)
The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love.”
As was mentioned in the video, the city was named after King Attalus II of Pergamum, who was known for his deep loyalty and affection for his brother. Because of that devotion, he was given the title Philadelphus — “one who loves his brother.”
So the city itself became known as the city of brotherly love.
As we listen to this letter, it is fitting that this church receives one of the most encouraging messages from Jesus in all of Revelation.
Philadelphia was not the largest city. It was not the most powerful city. And the church there was not the strongest church.
In fact, Jesus says plainly in verse 8:
8 …I know that you have little strength. (Revelation 3, NIV)
But what this church lacked in strength, maybe even size, it made up for in faithfulness.
This church reminds us of an important truth:
God does not require great strength. He requires faithful hearts.
I believe today that we have the opportunity to most closely associate with the church at Philadelphia — a small church — a church that has great opportunities — a church with much reward if they remain faithful.
Let’s examine, this morning, the letter from Jesus, and see what we can learn for our church today.
# 1. Jesus Holds the Key
As we begin, Jesus introduces Himself in a unique way — He is the one who holds the Key.
Keys are pretty important items. They allow us to enter our homes. They start our cars and open the road before us. They protect the things that are valuable to us. Keys matter because keys give access.
Keys to the Kingdom?
By Peter Loughman
Copied from Sermon Central
Peter Loughman once told a story about the keys at a church where he served.
On his first day as an associate pastor, a trustee handed him four keys and said, “These will get you into the building, your office, the church office, and the Sunday school rooms. If you need anything else, the rest of the keys are in the top drawer of the church office.”
One day he needed access to other rooms, so he opened that drawer and found an enormous ring of keys.
He began trying them. The key labeled pantry did not open the pantry. The key labeled shed did not open the shed. He tried the choir room, the youth room, storage rooms — nothing worked.
Frustrated, he went back to the office and told the secretary none of the keys worked.
She simply laughed and said, “Talk to Luis.”
Luis was the church caretaker who handled maintenance.
When Peter told him the problem, Luis smiled and said, “All the keys work. You just have to know which key fits which lock.”
It turned out the keys were all intentionally mislabeled. Unless you knew the system, the keys were useless.
Later Peter said something important:
“I realized I did not just need the keys. I needed to know the person who made the keys in order to use them.”
Jesus tells the church at Philadelphia that He holds the key.
Jesus said in verse 7:
7 …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. (Revelation 3, NIV)
The key of David is a reference back to Isaiah 22, where the key represented authority over the house of David. By using that language, Jesus is declaring something very clear. He alone has the authority. He alone controls the door to the kingdom of God.
Salvation. Access to God. Entrance into eternal life. All of it is under His authority.
That is right in line with many of the titles Jesus gave Himself throughout Scripture. Jesus called Himself:
The Way. The Truth. The Life. The Gate. The Door. The Good Shepherd.
All of these point to the same truth: Only through Jesus can we find salvation. Only through Jesus do we find access to God. Only through Jesus will we find entrance into eternal life.
Only through Jesus — the one who holds the one and only key.
What He opens, no one can shut. He alone opens Heaven to us. He alone invites us to cross the threshold into eternal paradise. He alone opens the door into His family. He alone offers us a seat at the great wedding feast. No one can close that door. Not one person. Not one demon. Not the devil.
What He shuts, no one can open. There will come a time when Jesus will close the door. The decision will have had to have already been made. The preparations will have already been made. If we were not ready, no matter how many times we knock, we will not be given access.
All of it is found in Jesus alone.
If Jesus holds the key, then the most important question in life becomes whether we know the One who holds it before He closes and locks the door for eternity.
# 2. Jesus Opens Doors for Love to Reach Others
As we continue reading, we see that Jesus opens doors for love to reach others.
Pro Basketball Player Finds Opportunity in Tragedy
Source: Jason Quick, “‘Inches from death’ to the NBA: Skal Labissiere appreciates opportunity with Trail Blazers,” The Athletic (3-4-19)
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/preaching/sermon-illustrations/pro-basketball-player-finds-opportunity-in-tragedy/
Copied from Preaching Today
A few years ago, NBA player Skal Labissiere arrived in Portland knowing his playing time would likely be minimal. Instead of frustration, however, he expressed gratitude.
He said, “Things like this? Playing time? Yeah, it’s frustrating at times, but … after what I’ve been through, believe me, I’m good. God got me to this point, and I still have a ways to go. I’m excited about what’s ahead here.”
Labissiere was referring to a devastating earthquake he experienced as a thirteen-year-old in Haiti. While trying to protect his mother during the collapse of their home, a wall fell across his back and left him unable to walk for weeks.
His family survived, but they knew his basketball dreams would be difficult to pursue in Haiti. Eventually he was connected with a nonprofit that helped him move to Memphis, Tennessee, where a host family supported him as he pursued basketball. That opportunity led to high school success, college basketball at Kentucky, and eventually the NBA.
Looking back, Labissiere reflected on that tragic earthquake and said something remarkable: “God used that experience to open doors.”
Jesus is in the business of opening doors.
Jesus says to the church in verse 8:
8 …See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut…. (Revelation 3, NIV)
In Scripture, an open door often refers to opportunity for the gospel. And that would have been especially meaningful for the city of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia was originally settled as an outreach city — a place designed to spread Greek language and culture throughout the surrounding regions.
Years later, Jesus was giving them a far greater mission. Philadelphia — the city of brotherly love — was a place that had a great opportunity — an open door — to spread the gospel of Jesus.
But, the gospel does not spread merely through opportunity. It spreads through love. Love for Christ. And love for people.
When we truly love Jesus, we cannot help but care about the people around us who do not know Him. Our love for God begins to shape how we see others. We begin to see them the way Christ sees them. Not as strangers. Not as outsiders. But as people who need the grace and salvation that only Jesus can give.
So when Jesus opens a door, He is not just giving an opportunity. He is inviting His church to love people enough to step through that door.
And that applies to every believer. Sometimes when we hear the words “mission work”, we immediately think about traveling overseas.
And God certainly calls some people to do that.
But the truth is, we can be missionaries right where God has planted us. In our homes. In our workplaces. In our neighborhoods. In the communities where we live.
Jesus places doors of opportunity all around us.
Sometimes we hesitate. We say, “But we are a small church.”
So was Philadelphia. Jesus even said, “You have little strength.”
Faithfulness does not depend on size. Faithfulness depends on obedience.
A church may be small. But when it loves God and loves people, the influence of that church can reach far beyond what anyone expects.
After all, two thousand years later we are still talking about this small church that remained faithful to Christ.
What doors is God opening to us? What opportunities for outreach do we have? How can we be spreading the gospel and impacting our community? What difference can we make on this world? On our state? On our community? On one lost soul?
It starts with one faithfully and lovingly reaching out to one.
# 3. Jesus Strengthens Those Who Endure
Third, this morning, we see that Jesus strengthens those who endure.
The Christian life is not a sprint. It is a race of endurance.
Running the Race, Even in the Rain
Source: Bill Chappell, “She finished last, but this runner won fans for not giving up in a pounding rain,” NPR (5-16-23)
https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/preaching/sermon-illustrations/running-race-even-in-rain/
Copied from Preaching Today
In the 2023 South East Asia 500-meter race, one runner showed what it really means to run the race well. Despite the pounding rain and her last place finish, Bou Samnang refused to give up. Cheering fans encouraged the native Cambodian as she finished the race on behalf of her country, six minutes after the race was decided.
Despite knowing that she would not finish first place, Bou Samnang was determined to finish well. According to one news source she said, "I tried to reach the finish line because I wanted to show people that in life, even though we go a bit slow or fast, we will reach our destination all the same."
It would have been easy for her to stop running, especially as she was dealing with anemia which prevented her from running as fast as she would have liked. But her determination and endurance has led to her inspiring fans around the world.
The apostle Paul often compared the Christian life to a race. Running the race well does not always mean finishing first. But it does mean continuing to run. Persisting. Enduring. Pressing on through difficulty.
And that is exactly what Jesus commends in the church at Philadelphia. In verse 10, Jesus says:
10 … [Y]ou have kept my command to endure patiently…. (Revelation 3, NIV)
This church had faced pressure. All of the churches during this time had. They had opposition, as is reflected when Jesus said this in verse 9:
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. (Revelation 3, NIV)
What was going on in Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, even Smyrna, was going on in Philadelphia.
They were even challenged with rejection.
However, they endured.
Endurance requires perseverance. Like Bou Samnang, through the rough times, through the hard times, though embattled and of little strength, the church in Philadelphia persevered and endured.
And Jesus makes a promise. If they remain faithful, He will preserve them through the coming trial.
More was coming.
Pressure from the Roman Empire was increasing. In the years ahead, Christians would face growing persecution because they refused to worship the emperor and declare that Caesar was lord.
There was also opposition from local religious communities. Earlier in the passage Jesus refers to those who opposed the believers in Philadelphia and rejected their faith.
And there was pressure from the surrounding culture — pressure to compromise, to blend in, to stop standing apart as followers of Christ.
In other words, the road ahead would not be easy.
But Jesus gave them a promise. Because they had endured, He would strengthen them and keep them through the trial that was coming.
And that reminds us of an important truth.
If we endure as Christ endured, Christ gives us the strength to endure. Strength when we feel weak. Courage when we feel afraid. Faith when we feel uncertain.
Faithfulness does not mean we are strong. It means we trust the One who is.
And when we trust Him, He gives us what we need to keep running the race.
The Christian life is not about running faster than everyone else. It is about remaining faithful until we reach the finish line.
# 4. Jesus Calls Us to Hold On
Fourth, this morning, Jesus calls us to hold on.
The church in Philadelphia had endured much. They had faced pressure. They had seen opposition. They had felt rejection. Yet they had remained faithful. But the race was not over. Jesus tells them that they still had to hold on so that they did not lose their reward, their crown, for completing the race.
In verse 11, Jesus says:
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3, NIV)
This is not a command to gain something new.
It is a command to hold tightly to what they already have — to protect what they already possess.
What did they have? The three things that really matter to the Christian life. Paul identified these three things as more important than anything else. In 1 Corinthians 13, he said:
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13, NIV)
When all other things are gone, these are the three things to which we need to hold.
Faith. Hope. Love.
Faith that trusts in Christ.
Hope that looks forward to His promises.
Love that flows from the heart of God.
These are the things that anchor the Christian life. These are the things that help us stand firm when the pressures of life come against us. These are the things that keep us rooted in Christ.
Jesus says: Hold on to them.
Do not let discouragement steal them.
Do not let pressure weaken them.
Do not let the world take your crown.
Why?
Because we have this ultimate promise: one day Jesus is coming again.
# 5. Jesus Gives an Eternal Identity
Finally, this morning, Jesus gives the faithful an eternal identity!
The people of Philadelphia understood something about names. Their city had been renamed several times throughout its history. After an earthquake devastated Philadelphia, the Roman emperor Tiberius helped fund the rebuilding. Out of gratitude, the city was renamed Neocaesarea — the New City of Caesar.
Later in the time of emperor Vespasian, the city showed its gratitude to the emperor and changed its name to Flavia, after the emperor’s family name Flavius.
Ultimately, the name returned to Philadelphia. But the people understood the favor and meaning of a new name. A new name represented honor, loyalty, and belonging.
When Jesus promises a new name, it would have meant something powerful to them.
In verse 12, Jesus says:
12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them 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 them my new name. (Revelation 3, NIV)
For those who endure, for those who remain faithful, for those who remain in His love, there is a promise of belonging. Jesus says the victorious believer will be:
a pillar in God's temple
permanently secure
never removed
forever belonging to Christ
No matter what the world may throw at us. No matter how big or small our church is. There is nothing that in the end can remove us from God. He is claiming us. He has written on us a new name, and that will be the name of Jesus.
It is a name that says:
I am Redeemed.
I am Secure.
I am Beloved.
Really, Jesus is saying, “You are Mine!”
# Conclusion — The Message to the Small Faithful Church
As we draw to a close today, the church in Philadelphia teaches us something important.
A church does not have to be large to be faithful. It does not have to be powerful. It does not have to be influential as the world measures influence.
The church has one call and one duty: to remain loyal and faithful to Jesus.
In His letter to this church, Jesus said: “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
They were not strong. But they were faithful.
And because they were faithful, Jesus placed before them an open door that no one could shut.
Two thousand years later we are still talking about this small church that remained faithful to Christ.
And the message to the church today is the same.
Remain Faithful. Walk Through. Hold Fast.
### Remain Faithful
Today, we are called to remain faithful. Those who are faithful can make a mighty impact when we surrender our lives to Him to be used by Him.
Faithfulness is what Jesus honors.
God does not require great strength. After all, His strength is made perfect in our weakness, Paul says.
He requires faithful hearts.
Faithful to the things Christ has entrusted to His church.
Faithful in proclaiming the gospel.
Faithful in teaching the Holy Scriptures.
Faithful in observing the sacraments He gave to the church — baptism and communion.
Faithful in lifting up the name of Jesus.
A church may be small.
But faithfulness is still faithfulness.
And when a church remains faithful to the gospel, to the Scriptures, and to the mission of Christ, Jesus sees it, and He honors it.
May we be found faithful today.
### Walk Through
Jesus told the church that before them was an open door. It was time for them to go through.
Today is the day for us to cross that threshold too. Jesus is opening doors of opportunity all around us. Doors for ministry. Doors for witness. Doors for sharing the gospel.
Philadelphia was a small church, but Jesus gave them a mission that could reach far beyond their city.
The same is true today. There is a door of opportunity for every believer: within our homes, within the circles where we live and work, within the communities where God has placed us.
Our responsibility is not to force doors open.
Our responsibility is simply to walk through the doors Jesus opens.
May we be on the move, walking through those open doors with the gospel message of love.
### Hold Fast
Finally, we must also hold fast.
Hold on to our faith. Hold on to our hope. Hold on to our love for Christ.
Do not let discouragement loosen our grip on what Jesus has given us. Do not let the world steal our crown.
Because, friends, Jesus is coming again.
# Final Question
So what does Jesus say to the church in Philadelphia?
Remain Faithful. Walk Through. Hold Fast.
What does Jesus say to us?
Remain faithful to Christ. Walk through the doors He opens. Hold fast to what you have until He returns.
This morning, Are we listening to what Jesus is saying to His church? May we heed His words today in our lives.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
