Drew’s Blog - Drew Boswell

“Behold I Stand At the Door And Knock” Revelation 3:14-22

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Behold I Stand At the Door And Knock”

Revelation 3:14-22

Introduction

There once was a man who was adopted by a princess, and the princess was the daughter of the most powerful man in the world. They knew extreme wealth, the finest food, the most stylish clothing. In worldly terms, they lacked nothing. The man was educated in the finest schools and he was cultivated. This man had great responsibilities, and great expectations were before him. But the man left it all for something greater, more valuable, something that helped him to realize that everything he had experienced in his life was a waste. Have you ever heard of this man?

Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” What is worth leaving everything this world has to offer? His name is Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus is Described (v. 14)

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

“the Amen,” – The equivalent of the word amen, in Greek is Jesus’ often repeated, “verily.” When Jesus says “verily, verily, I say unto you,” He is saying “Amen, Amen,” and He does that twenty-five times.[1] When Jesus says this, He was really saying, “It is true, it is true,” John 18:37 “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.”

“the faithful and true witness,” So when Jesus is given the title of Amen, it shows that He points us to the truth. When he is called the faith and true witness, it means that what He says can be trusted. The church at Laodicea had a false understanding of themselves, but Jesus’ account of them would be true. Jesus’ counsel can be trusted.

“the beginning of God’s creation,” – The intention of this verse in not that Jesus is the first being created, instead all of creation came through Jesus. He is the source of God’s creation. Colossians 1:15-16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” God’s creation has its’ beginning in Jesus.

The purpose of creation is to bring glory to God, and to observe it, and study should lead one to see intelligent design and ultimately a Creator. Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”

Jesus is described as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the Creator – all of these are point to God, declare and is confirm what He has done. The church, as Jesus’ disciples are to model Him, and then as a body of believers that agrees with God, testify and witness of Him, and point others to. So then, we turn to the church in Laodicea and let’s see if they are doing these things.

The Church is Described (vv. 15-16)

15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

The Lycus valley was made up of three cities (Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis) and Laodicea was in the middle of these cities. A medical school was located in the city of Laodicea, so hot baths in the hot springs could be prescribed at Hierapolis (as hot as 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Laodicea had no sources of good clean water, so cold spring water was piped in from Colossae in underground stone pipes. The city’s natural water had calcium carbonate that resulted in the waters being impure and it literally caused vomiting.[2]

This picture of the church, their “works” “is drawn for Laodicea’s water supply. Because it traveled several miles through an underground aqueduct before reaching the city, the water arrived foul, dirty, and tepid.[3] The water was in the middle of these two cities, neither hot (healing) or cold (refreshing) – it was gross.

So Jesus says, I will “spit you out of my mouth,” – “to vomit, to reject with extreme disgust.”[4] This church makes him sick. So, what does Jesus mean? What does it mean to be “lukewarm?”

17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see[5].

“The church in Laodicea has imagined spiritual riches which the church did not possess, just the opposite of the church in Smyrna (poor in wealth, rich in grace).”[6] The church in Laodicea lived in a wealthy city, and they were wealthy, but they didn’t realize that they were in spiritual poverty. They could not see that they were truly “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked,”

How does a person know their true spiritual condition? This Church had fooled itself into thinking that they were the complete opposite of their true spiritual condition.

How do we know that we are not doing the very same thing?

In Romans 7:7, 24-25 the apostle Paul is discussing the law “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin . . . (24) Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” The law allows us to see how sinful wretched we are and how we need a Savior. The church in Laodicea had a wrong understanding of their spiritual condition. As we will see they hand long ago left Jesus and His Word out of the church.

The people of this church were merchants who were used to buying and selling. In this way they had accumulated large fortunes, for “I am rich . . .” But theirs was the gold of this world. Camels covered with goods would come and trade with them. They would trade in world’s finest wool, but it could not cover their spiritual nakedness. They traded expensive ointments and salves, but the ointments could not heal their spiritual blindness.

Those of this church are warned by Jesus’ parable, Luke 12:20-21 A rich man had amassed a large estate and he was proud of his accomplishments, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” They were so focused on building a fortune here, they neglected to consider eternity.

(v. 18) Notice that Jesus does not command, he counsels, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire.” These business people were so used to dealing with this world, Jesus counsels them to change denominations. The “faithful and true witness” counsels them to stop dealing in the world’s gold and begin dealing with Jesus’ gold.

When you deal with God’s kingdom business you have everything you need in abundance, your shame is covered by righteousness, and you begin to see the world as God would have us see it. Because they were rich, they could travel and see the wonders of the world built by humans hands, yet be absolutely blind to what God could do through them.

Matthew 19:16-22 “And behold, a man came up to him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” This man wanted is possessions more than to be a follower of Jesus. Wealth gives us false sense of security – the rich young ruler could not separate himself from his wealth because that was brought him security, purpose, and identity not Jesus.

Jesus Gives the Church A Way to Fix Their Problem (vv. 19-20)

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus is described in Revelation 1 as moving among these seven churches, each with a different message, and warning for most of them. But this mighty God always comes in compassion and love, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.” It is because Jesus loves us that He does not allow us to go through this life “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” If you saw your spouse in the street naked, you would rush to cover them. Or if your child could be healed from blindness with medicine, wouldn’t you figure out how to get the medicine? Sure you would. Jesus reproves and disciplines us so that we will change.

“so be zealous and repent,” – repent means to turn from sin immediately. Turn from being spiritually lukewarm toward God, and be zealous for Him. Lukewarmness leads us to spiritual indifference a tolerance of sin in our lives.

“20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” At the church at Laodicea, Jesus is outside – but in His love He comes to them, knocks, and says, “let me in.” Now you could say, ““I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” I don’t need you Jesus, I am ok just like I am. Or you could begin to see yourself how you truly are, “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” – Jesus will come into your life, sit down, and begin to sort it out. It will be a long conversation – a lifelong conversation.

But Jesus does not force himself into a person, or a church (he patiently knocks) – He must be invited in, and then become the center of worship, adoration and love. No one is saved against his will. No one is made to be obedient who truly desires to be disobedient.[7] A person has to invite Jesus to be in their lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqKBKewYJNU (start at 13:00 to 14:19)

(v. 20) “I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” – the word for eat (dine) refers to the evening meal of the day. “The Lord Jesus urged them to repent and have fellowship with Him before the night of judgement fell and it was too late.”[8]

To the one who was so gross that God wanted to spew them out of his mouth, who then they invited Jesus into their lives, who loved them and disciplined them, and now they sit on the throne in heaven with God. This is the picture for all who place their faith in Jesus – “I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

When we place our faith in Jesus He gives life to our soul, He gives us a new spirit with new spiritual eyesight, and our shame is covered with Christ’s righteousness. What Jesus explains to the religious leader Nicodemus one night, John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again2 he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Promises A Reward for the Faithful (vv. 21-22)

21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Each of the seven churches concludes with a promise to the one who overcomes, who conquers. The last thing stated to the seven churches is a promise, that if they would listen to what the Spirit says, then they would sit with Christ on his throne in eternity.

Has the Spirit of God shown you your true spiritual condition? Can you see yourself as you truly are? Have you received Jesus’ free gift of salvation and been cleansed of your sin?

Conclusion

Discussion of William Hunt’s picture “light of the world”

The Light of the World (1851–1854) is an allegorical painting by the English Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt (1827–1910) representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20: According to Hunt: “I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be divine command, and not simply a good subject.”[1] The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing “the obstinately shut mind”.[2] The painting was considered by many to be the most important and culturally influential rendering of Christ of its time.[3]

John Piper in his book Don’t Waste Your life writes about a plague hung in his home that read;

Only one life,

‘Twill soon be past;

Only what’s done

For Christ will last.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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[1] Lehman Strauss, The Book of the Revelation (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers Publishing, 1979) 95.

[2] James M. Hamilton, Preaching the Word, Revelation (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2012) 119.

[3] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 136.

[4] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume VI (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 321.

[5] “The tephra Phrygia, the eye-powder of Laodicea, was world-famous. It was exported in tablet form; and the tablets were ground down and applied to the eye. This Phrygian powder was held to be a sovereign remedy for weak and ailing eyes.” John F. Walvood (quotes Barley), The Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moddy Press, 1966) 95.

[6] Robertson, 322.

[7] Walvoord, 97.

[8] MacArthur, 140.

When to Take An Opportunity and When to Walk Away

In the book of Revelation seven churches are addressed by Jesus in seven different letters. Each has issues, opportunities, and concerns that Jesus addresses – Specifically, Jesus said to the church at the Roman city of Philadelphia , “I have put before you an open door.” Open doors are put before us many times during our life time. So, the question arises, “Should we go through the door?

How to know when to seize an opportunity and when to walk away?

In the Revelation 3:7 passage, it says “I have set before you and open door.” (emphasis on the I) So if the opportunity is clearly from the Lord, then you need to walk through regardless of the personal cost, perceived loss or expense: Jesus put it there for you to walk through.

But often it is not clear and there may be several opportunities at the same time – How do you know which one to take?

I am assuming that as a Christian you have prayed about it and asked people you respect for their maturity in the Christian faith about it and are still are confused. Then ask yourself the following questions:

Will this decision take away from responsibilities that God has already given you (church life, children, marriage, etc.)? If you have an opportunity to make more money (through a promotion, job relocation, etc.) but it will make it so that you never see your family – then you are sacrificing a previous responsibility for a perceived improvement in the future. Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

Will this decision help you to do more for the Lord? Will you have an increased influence for the gospel? Will this door help expand what you are already doing? This is what happened at the church in Philadelphia – they had faithfully kept the Word of the Lord and upheld the name of Christ. Then the door was opened for them. If you are doing less for God, but making more money; then this may be a distraction for you and the spread of the gospel slows down – which has more value?

How will this new opportunity help you in making disciples for Christ? Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Discipleship is a time demanding process.

Time has to be invested into people – Will this new opportunity allow you to invest more time into someone’s life or less? When you move from opportunity to opportunity too quickly, then deep meaningful relationships become hard to build. It is not always about making more money, sometimes it is about more time – more time with family, more time with friends, more time to rest, or even more time just to think.

Will this new opportunity allow you take care of yourself? If the new responsibility takes even more of everything and your health declines, your mental alertness is fogged, your creativity is thwarted, then your ability to produce for the kingdom is lessoned.

When you ride on a plane, on every flight there are pre-fight stewardesses’ instructions. They will tell you how to put the seat belt together, that you are sitting on a flotation device, and what to do if the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. If you are traveling with a child then they will tell you to put the mask on yourself first, and then put the mask on your child. This will keep you from passing out before giving help to your loved one. In ministry you must take care of yourself so that you can serve others.

Will this new opportunity stretch you to grow in what God has called you to do? Beware of being good at something; you will grow bored, complacent, or even bitter in a given task, if it comes to you too easy. New opportunities may present themselves so that you can grow to become even more effective at kingdom work. This may be a class you take, a new responsibility at your church, or saying yes when asked to do a different task no one else wants to take on.

“God Has Called Us to Preach the Gospel to Them” Revelation 3:7-13

Drew Boswell Ministries

“God Has Called Us to Preach the Gospel to Them” Revelation 3:7-13

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“God Has Called Us to Preach the Gospel to Them” Revelation 3:7-13

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“God Has Called Us to Preach the Gospel to Them”

Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction

In the book of Acts the apostle Paul and those with him in the work are praying about where to go to continue the spread of the gospel. Acts 16:6-10 “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

The gospel is spreading across the world, but it has always been led by the Holy Spirit. We play an essential part in sharing it with others, but it is God who opens the door, closes the door, and moves in conversations to prepare the heart to receive the gospel. God established churches in areas where He wants the gospel shared. Today, we are going to see that the church in Philadelphia has an “open door” to reach their city.[1]

Prayer

Jesus Opens and Closes Opportunities As He Chooses (v. 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.

Again, Jesus is described in the opening verse, and in every description and in every letter, these opening words are intended to help us have an ever-increasing faith in Jesus. By saying that he is “the holy one,” and “the true one” this points to his deity. God alone is holy – men may be holy but that holiness comes from Christ, it is imputed as a result of the work of Jesus. Holiness belongs to God.

“Holy one” and “true one” are also titles for the Messiah. This Messiah is “for all the people,(Luke 2:10)” (both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus). Because Jesus is holy and true, he will not lead His people into sin, instead He will guide them into righteousness. He will create paths, open doors, for them to grow and become more like Him.

Jesus says in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus says that He is the truth, and those that follow Him will walk in truth. If you are not a follower of Jesus, how do you know what truth is? We look to Jesus to know truth.

A key in Scripture represents authority; whoever holds a key has control. Jesus is described as the one who has the key of David (which is shown later in Revelation to be heaven), and then gives a direct quote from Isaiah 22:22 “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Jesus has the authority to open or close the door to heaven. and to admit or exclude anyone He chooses.

The Open Door of Opportunity to Serve God (vv. 8-9)

Expected Faithfulness in Spite of Little “Power” (v. 8)

8 “‘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.

Like the second letter to Smyrna, the church is not rebuked or commanded to repent of a sin. Instead, they are commended by Jesus in their faithfulness. Jesus then tells them that He knows their works. And in spite of their “little power”[2] they have been faithful to do what Christ has set before them. Even though they were small in numbers, they had a powerful impact on its city. Jesus commends the church in Philadelphia for staying true to God’s Word, and for not denying the name of Christ.

Because Jesus knows their works (keeping the Word of God, proclaiming the name of Jesus), “I have set before you an open door.” 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 the apostle Paul has prayed and the Lord has shown him what he is to do next, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

God Places Open Doors Before Churches – He Expects Them to Go Through Them.

There are a couple of distinctions, I want to point out about this open door that is set before the church – 1) this new opportunity is not there because it has been earned. It is not a reward for keeping the word of God. When the church is faithful to the Word of God (despite its’ size), and proclaims the name of the Lord, doors will open up because God’s Word is powerful.

Jesus has given us His Word, and it is active, life-giving, opportunity-creating, and when it is kept, it opens doors for the church that “no one is able to shut” because of its’ power. This open door will not be set before other churches who do not keep the Word of God, and deny the name of Christ because there is no power there.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2) Jesus says, “I have set before you an open door,” – It is Jesus that sets this open door, but in life there are regular new opportunities that present themselves to us (promotions at work, job relocations, joining social clubs, taking on new tasks, etc). But, Jesus did not open these doors, and God did not place them before you. The church member, and faithful follower of Christ must learn to discern between a God given opportunity and a worldly good-thing open door.

So, the church of Philadelphia is not asking, “What is the door that Jesus has placed before us?” but instead it is asking, “Should we go through the open door?” This church has been given an opportunity to join in the work of Jesus, they have an open door to do the work – they just need to take a step forward.

Excuses We Give For Not Going Through the Door:

I am too small (not good enough, not enough experience, etc.). God is looking for obedience and a willingness to follow His Word. He is not looking for strength, special ability, or giftedness. Jesus says, “I know you are small,” but 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;”

I’m too busy. I’ve got something I’m dealing with or working on right now, I’ll circle back later. What it really means is I have my time and God’s time. And, more specifically, I have my agenda and God’s agenda—and there is no time left in my agenda. Luke 9:57–62 “To another he (Jesus) said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus7 said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”[3] 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

It will cost too much. As you stand at the open door and are deciding whether to seize the opportunity or not, you think to yourself “what will this opportunity cost me?” You believe that once you enter into the calling of God upon your life, then God will leave you hanging, or you won’t have what you need, or it will cost you more than you want to give.

As a young couple I was called to ministry, and Kimberly was called to be a pastor’s wife. We started out in church planting, and we knew that ministry will take a toll upon our children – they would live a life not like the average kids. Missionaries carry their children with them to the mission field – you have to trust that God has a plan for them too. God will provide for the work, as you step out in faithfulness.

After a long day of teaching a crowd of people (Matthew 14) “Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat (open door to be apart of Jesus’ ministry).” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over (they have more than they need to complete the task). 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

Don’t Give Excuses, Step Through the Door.

Expected Faithfulness in Spite of An Overwhelming Enemy (v. 9)

9 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.

This is the second time that we see the description, “synagogue of Satan,” (the first in Rev. 2:9) In this instance those that had lied about them, would be made to acknowledge that the Philadelphia Church were true servants of God. “The Philadelphia letter reminds that any true church at any time, and especially during the last days, meets Satanic opposition . . . through imitation, religious ritualism, and hypocrisy – opposition strengthened by mixture or worldliness and religiousness—Church and State.”[4]

Promises of Reward (vv. 10-13)

In the last couple of verse Jesus gives five promises to the faithful church – five eternal blessings.

The Reward of Avoiding Tribulation (v. 10)

10 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.

The Rewards of Eternally Being With God in His Temple (11-12a)

11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it,

(v. 11) “The Lord’s promise to some soon is repeated five times in Revelation, always in the first person, “I am coming soon,”[5] – Jesus’ return is mentioned in the letters to the other churches; but here it is different. In the previous churches Jesus is coming in judgement of the churches (if they don’t repent). Here the church in Philadelphia is patiently enduring, faithfully proclaiming Christ, keeping God’s Word. So here Jesus’ coming is a reward; they will not have to endure the “hour of trial” that is coming. “Hold on, Jesus will be here soon.”

(v. 11) “so that no one may seize your crown,” – The focus here is not that they would lose their salvation, but that they would forfeit their rewards (their victor’s crown) from their service to Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”

Then after telling them not to do something that would cause them to lose their rewards, Jesus then goes on to tell them the ways they will be rewarded. “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.” – A pillar represents stability, permanence, and immovability. In pagan temples the pillars would often be carved in such a way to honor various deities. In heaven Christ will give His followers a permeant place of honor.

“Never shall he go out of it,” – Philadelphia had a problem with earthquakes, and on one occasion the entire city was destroyed. So, it became very common for the people to settle and live outside of the city in small villages (where to stones won’t fall on their heads). So, for the follower of Jesus, there is no need to good outside the temple – our place in heaven is secure. You won’t have to worry about a coming destruction.

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. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

(v. 12) “I will write on him,” – God will write His name on us, this is showing ownership. It also speaks of the intimate personal relationship we have with Him forever. This is the reward of knowing that we are God’s. God has given us His name here in His Word, Emmanuel “God with us,” Jesus “one who takes away sin,” Lamb “slain from the foundation of the world, Shepherd, “leading, feeding, and saving his flock,” Redeemer “the one who buys us back from the debt of sin.” And in eternity, He will write the new name given to the city of God, and even Jesus will receive a new name – which will be written on the “one who conquers.”

“Christ’s name represents the fullness of His person. In heaven, believers will “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2), and whatever way we may have known Him here will pale in the reality in which we will see Him. The new name by which we will be privileged to call Him will reflect that glorious revelation of His person.”[6] Remember in Rev. 2:17 “and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’” All of these rewards point to belonging with and to God.

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[1] “Open doors for ministry”; See also Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3.

[2] The church in Philadelphia are not told to repent because they are small. There is no sin in being a small congregation.

[3] “Follow me” is linked with “go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” To be a follower of Christ is to go and proclaim the kingdom of God.

[4] John F. Walvood, The Revelation (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1966) 86.

[5] Kendell H. Easley, Holman New Testament Commentary, Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman Reference, 1998) 58.

[6] John MacArthur, The John MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 127.

“Wake Up and Get to Work” Revelation 3:1-6

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Wake Up and Get to Work”

Revelation 3:1-6

Introduction

Judges 16 is the story of Sampson and Delilah. He fell in love with her, and she was paid to figure out the source of his strength. He lied to her several times (bind me with seven fresh bowstrings, new ropes that have not been used, weave his hair in a particular way) and on an on she pushed Sampson to tell her, until v. 16 “And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death.” He told her if his hair was cut, he would lose his strength. She cut his hair, and his enemies came in to capture him, v. 20 “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

Sampson was the same man, with the same name, he looked the same on the outside, but his power was gone. The result for Sampson was imprisonment, blindness, humiliation, and finally death. The church at Sardis was once spiritually alive and strong, but now blind and weak, not realizing that God had long since departed.[1]

Prayer

Jesus’ Judgement is True (vv. 1a)

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

The letter begins with a description of Jesus, and Him being the one who has/possesses, “the seven spirits of God and the seven stars,” The seven spirits are mentioned in Isaiah 11:2-5 “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

The Isaiah passage discusses that Jesus is coming in judgement, and it will be His righteousness that He will use to make decisions. These seven spirits are around Jesus on the throne in heaven – it is a picture of Jesus who knows fully everything that is going on (unlike the church in Sardis that is asleep).

“the seven stars,” Revelation 1:20 “As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, . . ., the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, . . .”

Jesus Sees Things As They Really Are (vv. 1b)

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

William Barkley said about the church (1957), “Is in danger when it begins to worship its own past . . . when it is more concerned with forms than with life . . . when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ . . . when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things.”

The Message of the Church should never change.

The Method of the Church has the change over time.

The Church that confuses the Message with the Method will eventually die.

“The church at Sardis was like a museum in which stuffed animals are exhibited in their natural habitats. Everything appears to be normal, but nothing is alive. Sin killed the Sardis church.”[2]

Whatever the deeds that the church was doing, it was enough to fool the world, because they had a reputation in the community for being “alive,” but when Jesus looked at what they were doing, he knew the truth, it was all false dead religion. When Jesus weighed their actions on His scales of righteousness, they fell short.

If we bring some clues from the text together, and a historical text we can put a theory together as to what their sin might have been – their refusal to confess Jesus’ name before others.

Jesus Tells the Church What to Do – 5 Steps Toward Revival (vv. 2-3a)

2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.

Jesus gives the few who are alive amongst the spiritually dead church five things to do: 1) Wake Up, quit pretending like everything was ok, the church needs to proclaim the name of Jesus.

He is not saying arise from the dead, for there are some vestiges of life. This letter is written to those that are still alive, barely. The church is not actually dead, but it is in grave peril. So they are commanded to 2) stabilize, to strengthen that which remains. God has a standard for the works that churches are to be about doing, and God says, “for I have not found your works complete.” The church in Sardis was established to reach the city of Sardis for Christ. It had work it was supposed to be about doing – but before the work was finished the church fell asleep.

What is the church supposed to be doing?

In Ezekiel 34:4-5, 16 the leadership of God’s people (identified as shepherds) are criticized because they were not doing the work they were supposed to be doing, “The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, . . .” and then in v. 16 Jesus says that He will then go after them, “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” The work will be completed, we have to decide if we want to be apart of God’s plan, or not.

The church in Sardis is to 3) “Remember, then, what you received and heard,” – this word for received is “as a permanent deposit.” The church has been given something, that is permanent (it does not change) – The church has received the gospel and they have heard the gospel, and the church has a command to take that gospel out to a dying and lost world. Remember why Bellevue Baptist Church exists – to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Why did the church in Sardis exist? Sardis Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ. First Baptist Church of Ephesus exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

The church does not exist to make you comfortable.

The church exists to make hell worry about what the church is up to.

4) “Keep it,” – “hold on to what you have,” They needed to do what the Bible teaches. Knowing the Bible separated from obedience leads to destruction. Knowing the Bible combined with obedience leads to spiritual renewal. Do what you know the Bible teaches.

5) “and repent,” what is it that the church needs to repent of, to turn from immediately? What is their sin? They have forgotten that which has been deposited into their care – to proclaim Jesus, to share the gospel.

Often times we pray for revival in our church, or in our community, but Jesus has laid out, if we genuinely want revival in our day, then faithfully do what will bring life back into the church.

Jesus says, these five things will bring revival back to this church:

wake up, strengthen, remember, keep it, and repent.

Jesus Warns the Church of His Coming Judgement (v. 3b)

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

The city of Sardis stood high above a valley and the only way to attack the city was to scale steeps cliffs that were almost impossible to scale. So, leaders of the city became slack in their attention to defense. This overconfidence allowed the city to be captured twice in its’ history. “In 549 BC the Persian King Cyrus had ended the rule of Croesus by scaling the cliffs under the cover of darkness. In 214 BC the armies of Antiochus the Great (III) captured the city by the same method. The city at the time it received this letter was in fact in a period of decline as compared to its former glory, having been reduced by these invasions.”[3]

There was a proverb during that time that went something like, “to capture the acropolis of Sardis” with “to do the impossible.” They were so confident in their position that they left no one guarding the city. “It is said even a child could have defended the city from this kind of attack, but not so much as one observer had been appointed to watch the side that was believed to be inaccessible.”[4]

Jesus says that He is coming “As a thief,” As Jesus had already said (Matt. 24:43; Luke 12:39). As Paul has said (1 Thess. 5:2), as Peter had said (II Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Rev. 16:15).” But Jesus is directly referring their city’s history of decline because and enemy attacked at night. Like the city of Sardis, the church is asleep – the danger is that it is all about to be over, unless they wake up.

Jesus’ Promise of Reward (v. 4-6)

4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

“who have not soiled their garments,” – They have not done anything to defile or pollute – white clothing in the Bible is used to show a person’s standing before God. These are the people who faithfully proclaim Jesus, and stand with Him.

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22:1-14 where he tells the story of a king who had a wedding feast, but the original guests rudely didn’t show, so the king ordered his servants to go and invite anyone who would come (good and the bad), and so the room was full, “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Over the years as part of sharing the gospel, I have asked people, “If God were to ask you, ‘why should I let you into heaven?’, what would you say?” and typically there are three answers, 1) “I’m a good person, I try to live right, I’ve never killed anyone, or they compare themselves to Hitler,” 2) they are speechless, because they know they have no, answer. They know they haven’t done anything as to why they should be let in. 3) I have asked Jesus to forgive me of my sin, I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I believe in Jesus. The wedding garments in the parable represent a relationship with Christ – when you know Jesus, place your faith in Him – He gives you what you need to enter into heaven.

(v. 5) “I will never blot his name out of the book of life,” The book of life are those who confess and acknowledge Jesus.[5] Matthew 10:32-33 “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

“the (Jewish) synagogue excavated in Sardis is the largest that has been found in the ancient world. It was large enough to have held a thousand people. So, the letter to Sardis is silent about sexual immorality and idolatry, and there is not mention of these false teachers (like the Nicolaitans, or like Jezebel that led to Baal worship). But, there does seem to be the temptation to avoid confessing Jesus so that they would not be distinguished from Judaism. If they were not distinguished from Judaism, they would be exempt from mandatory participation in the Roman Imperial Cult.”[6]

According to Jewish tradition, when someone converted to Christianity, their Jewish community would often “blot out their name” from their records, essentially removing them from the community and symbolically erasing their presence due to the severe social stigma associated with conversion; this practice reflects the deep division between Judaism and Christianity, and the strong disapproval of conversion within Jewish communities.

To “Blot out the name” was to treat them as if they no longer existed within the Jewish social fabric. Conversion to Christianity was seen as a betrayal of Judaism, leading to severe social repercussions including shunning by family and community members.

So, the church is Sardis seem to have the appearance of being alive – they were not compromising to worshipping the Roman Emperors, but they were not confessing the name of Christ, and staying under the shadow of Judaism (which Jesus calls death.) They were a church that was playing it safe, and not confessing the name of Jesus. If there is a church that has decided not to confess Jesus, then it is dying.

(v. 5b) “I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels,” In spite of all our sin, and all our shortcomings, when we enter into eternity, He will know our names, and shout them before God the Father, and the angelic host. __________ (insert your name) is mine. He’s with me.

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Philippians 2:9-10 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

On one occasion Jesus gave a hard teaching, John 6:66-69 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

If you don’t confess the name of Jesus, then sinner who will save you? Who will give you eternal life? Who will shout your name when you enter into eternity? Who else will dress you in white? There is but one name by which you can be saved – Jesus. Do you know Him today? If you acknowledge him before men, God will acknowledge you in heaven. If you pretend not to know him in public, then like Sardis, you are dead.

___________________

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 112.

[2] MacArthur, 111.

[3] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Bible Institute, 1966) 81.

[4] MacArthur, 110.

[5] – the book of life is first mentioned in Exodus 32:33 as the Israelite people had created the golden calves, “But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.” And it is mentioned often in the OT. It is also mentioned in Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 13:8; 20:15; 21:27. The book is in Christ’s hands (13:8; 21:27).[5]

[6] James M. Hamilton, Preaching the Word, Revelation (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2012) 106.