The Glorifying Grace of God Series Series #8: The Message to the Church in Philadelphia Have you ever engaged into something that turned out to be more challenging or difficult than you thought? Maybe you thought of the same about being a Christian. The reality is that keeping the Christian faith can be challenging and difficult. Question for reflection and discussion What was the most challenging or difficult situation you encountered because of your faith in Jesus Christ? Today’s lesson and Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia will serve as an encouragement to all of us who are called to keep the faith and the name of Jesus Christ. Read Revelation 3:7-13 According to Rev 3:8, the church has little power left because of the challenges and opposition they were facing. There seemed to be an intense opposition from within, from a sector of Jewish believers or members of the church, which Jesus refers to as from the synagogue of Satan. These people were making life a bit too difficult for the church in Philadelphia. These were the deceiving, pretending Jewish brothers who were infiltrating, and leading believers into confusion or hindering the work of the church. For this church, dealing with these persecutions had been wearing them out and sapping their strength. The intense opposition that these people were giving the church was so much that Jesus himself acknowledges that they have little power left. It is true- that while battles may be won, they can nonetheless give us scars. Battles can wear us down and out. Question for reflection and discussion Who among you are undergoing battles that are wearing you down? What are your battles; health, finances, troubles in relationships, faith, temptation or sin? Do you feel like the believers in the church in Philadelphia; having no power left in you? But despite the difficult challenges the church in Philadelphia encountered, they prevailed. Jesus says, “I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Rev 3:8. What an encouragement to all of us who may feel weakened by challenges to our life and faith! Furthermore, God gave words of promises to the faithful church in Philadelphia. These promises of Jesus are two-fold; First, it is a promise of judgment [Read Rev 3:9]. Second, it is a promise of glory to those who will endure and overcome [Read Rev 3:10-12]. Question for reflection and discussion What impact and message do these two-fold promises of Jesus have on you? Aside from these promises, we can also trust on who Jesus is whenever we would face challenges and opposition to our faith. When Jesus said, “I am the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens”, Jesus is making a declaration that He has sovereign authority and power. Jesus is saying that when it comes to His work and sovereign plan- no one, not even the Satan can stop Him! Conclusion Close by praying for each other’s concerns and praising Jesus for His promises and His power!
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 07:26:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015