A Church Approved by God: Be Obedient

A Church Approved by God: Be Obedient   
Philadelphia    
Revelation 3:7-13

I. The City: Philadelphia
     1. Philadelphia means one who loves his brother.
     2. Called little Athens and gateway to the east.
     3. Was a rich farming region.
     4. Known for volcanoes and hot springs.
     5. The main god was Dionysus.    

II. The Lord: Holy, true, and sovereign 
Holy- sinless, perfect, set apart

Mark 1:24 - “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?  I know who You are, the Holy One of God."   

John 6:69 - Simon Peter says, "We have believed and come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 

1 Peter 1:15 - "But the Holy One who called you says be holy yourselves in all your behavior." 

True-  Ultimate reality, genuine, final authority, and example

John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me " 

Revelation 6:9-11 

Sovereign- Causing and allowing everything for Himself and His people. 

Colossians 1:16-18 – “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him….in Him all things hold together…He will come to have first place in everything.”

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

1 Corinthians 16:8-9 – “I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Colossians 4:3-4 – “…praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”

III. The Encouragement: I see your ministry, power, obedience, allegiance, and endurance.   

IV. The Caution: Hold fast to what you have.

V. His Promises: His abundance, protection, security, and approval. 

Faith Sheet    

Transformation verse - “The one who says he lives in Him should walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6

Main Themes       
~ The Lord Jesus is Holy, true, and sovereign.  (Mark 1:23, John 14:6, and  
    Isaiah 45:6-7)
~ The Lord opens doors of salvation and ministry that no one can close. 
    (Revelation 3:8 and 1 Corinthians 16:8)
~ The Lord promises His people abundance, security, protection, and
    approval even in the face of persecution and death. (Revelation 3:12,    
    6:9-11, and 20:11-14)

#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday       
A Church Approved by God: Be Obedient           
Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13

1. Read Revelation 3:7-13. Discuss the message with someone.
2. What did you learn about the Lord and the future?
3. Review God’s promises in this passage.  How can they impact our daily
    lives? 
4. Why is obedience to the Lord so important for followers of Christ?
    (Matthew 7:21, John 14:15, 15:14, James 1:22, and 1 John 5:1-5)
5. What do you most appreciate about the Lord this week?

# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday      
A Church Approved by God: Be Repentant
Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-22

1. If you could spend a day talking with anyone in the world, who would you
    pick and why?
2. How does the Lord describe Himself, and why is this important?  (vs. 14)
3. How did Jesus describe the church at Laodicea? (vs. 15-16)
4. What did the Lord say to the church because of its lifestyle?  (vs. 16)
5. How was the church deceived? (vs. 17)
6. What did the Lord say to this church? (vs. 18-19)
7. What summons was given to individual Christians and to those who were
    professing Christ in Laodicea? (vs. 20)
8. What did Christ promise to do if accepted and embraced by the
    Laodiceans? (vs. 20)
9. What promise was made to all who overcome? (vs. 21)
10. What are some major ways people today are deceived?
11. What does a “lukewarm Christian” look like today?
12. Pray to better know Christ, treasure Him, and make Him known.