LETTER TO THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH 1
MEMORISE: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7
READ: Revelation 3:11 -13
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
MESSAGE
Jesus was full of praises for Philadelphian Church. He also gave them several promises, only warning them to hold fast. Such a beautiful letter!
In AD 17, Philadelphia experienced a lot of earthquakes. The tremors kept the people of Philadelphia constantly alert.
When people have no troubles, they feel so relaxed and assume that they don't need God. That is why 1 Peter 1:7 says that trials come to strengthen our faith. The reason you see so much revival in Africa these days than in developed world is probably that what we have to pray for in the developing countries is always provided by the respective governments of nation of developed world. Thus, we have no choice than to do as David did in Psalm 121:1-3 - to look up to the Lord from whence cometh our help.
Once in a while when God sees that a Christian is beginning to fall into spiritual sleep, He sends a trial to wake him up, l believe one of the reasons Solomon started worshipping idols is that after building the temple, he became idle and forget God. You must always look for new mountains to conquer, you must always say, like Caleb in Joshua 14:12 "...give me this mountain". Don't ever feel relaxed as if you don't need God. If after building the temple, Solomon had decided to advance the Kingdom of God further, he would have had the constant need to rely on God. If you have made a lot of money, use the money to start organising outreaches for the sinners and the poor. Just remain busy for God, asking for new mountains to conquer all the time and you will never forget Him.
History tells us that the Philadelphian Church was a mission-minded one. The members were always witnessing and sending people out on missions. When the Mohammedans came to Asia Minor and all the other Churches collapsed, the Philadelphian Church stood firm. There is still a Church in Philadelphia to date. This tell us very clearly that if you are always witnessing, if you are always winning souls, the devil will not be able to make you fall.
KEY POINT
If you want your faith to last to the end, become a soul winner.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 45-49
HYMN 9: I'VE A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD
1 I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!
The message unto you I’ll give.
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live.
Look to Jesus now and live.
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
2 I’ve a message full of love, Hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you.
’Tis a message from above, Hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
3 Life is offered unto you. Hallelujah!
Eternal life your soul shall have
If you’ll only look to Him. Hallelujah!
Look to Jesus, who alone can save.
4 I will tell you how I came, Hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole:
’Twas believing on His name, Hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.
