We're going to begin our worship of God now, singing firstly tonight, today in Psalm 46,
in the Scottish Psalter, Psalm 46.
We're going to be focusing later on in the service on the supremacy, a rule of Jesus,
or God through Jesus Christ. So we'll sing these well-known words, I'm sure for most of us,
in Psalm 46, the tune of Stroudwater, God is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid.
Therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid.
Though hills amidst the seas be cast, though waters roaring make and troubled be,
yea, though the hills by swelling seas do shake.
We'll sing to the end of verse 7, God is our refuge and our strength.
If you're able to stand, please stand to sing.
What is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid?
Therefore, although the earth we have, we will not be afraid.
For the flames of the best we will not be afraid,
For the hills amidst the sea be cast,
While waters falling make and troubled be,
by swearing seeds to shake.
And when the desert streams to die,
the city of the God,
the holy place where the Lord
most high hath is the Lord.
In the midst of heart doth dwell,
nothing shall the re-boot.
The Lord to die on Elmeroo,
on that right air he knew.
The evil bridge to outrust thee,
the kingdom's new let dwell.
The Lord your love, the lax is born,
the earth did melt for thee.
The Lord of hosts upon our side,
the hope shall thee remain.
The God of thee,
the God of the rest of the rest,
the Lord have still thee to maintain.
Well, let's now pray.
The prayer is going to focus mostly on the children and young folks just now.
Lord, our God, we thank you for the truth of these great words that we have been singing,
that you have given us to sing.
For they are part of the record of your word,
that God is our refuge and our strength,
in our straits of very present help in our times of need.
And we give thanks, Lord, today that we can sing these words
with the conviction that we know from our own experience as you people that they are true.
For you have proved yourself down through the generations
to be one who is utterly trustworthy and dependable.
And we give thanks that you are the God today whom we worship.
Bless then, we pray today, our young people.
Bless our children.
Grant them your blessing in all their activities,
in all that they learn of your word and of the gospel.
Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit will lay these things to their heart
and that as they learn them, they will apply them in their own lives day by day
and realize more and more the importance of being related to God in a saving way
and of placing God first in their lives.
So bless them today and bless all who teach them.
Help them, Lord, at this time of holiday as well,
that they will know of your blessing to enable them to relax and rest.
And give us, we pray, to value those things that we have at times
when we are able to turn aside from a normal course of life
into a time of rest and recovery.
Bless us then now in the remainder of the service and throughout this day.
We ask it all with the pardon of our sin for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Well, children, since I retired, since I left and went to live in Tongue,
and you're welcome to come and see me anytime, come and see us there.
But one of the pleasures is taking Roscoe for a walk every morning.
Everybody knows who Roscoe is, I'm sure.
Those are our visitors.
Roscoe's our wee Jack Russell.
He's 14 now, still quite lively, keeps you on your toes.
But I take him for a walk every morning, usually around 7 in the morning or so,
down to the beach nearby.
And last week, it wasn't quite fully light when I went down with him.
And I looked out on a large area of rock jutting up above the sea level.
I thought what I saw was a seal.
I'd seen a seal there some weeks before that.
And I thought, this is definitely a seal.
It's pulled itself up out of the water.
It's lying on this rock.
And I was sure, even though I couldn't see because it wasn't quite daylight properly,
I was sure I saw it move.
So I went down, and I thought, it'd be good to get a photograph.
I had my phone in my pocket.
So I crept out with Roscoe on the lead across an area of seaweed.
Tide was quite far out.
And then as I reached closer and closer, I thought, no, it's not actually moving.
And it turned out it was just a huge rock sitting on top of this area of rock.
And as I'd pulled Roscoe along on his lead, I turned around, and he looked at me as if to say,
you stupid man.
You should have been dragging me all this way just to see a large rock.
Well, it looked like a seal from a distance.
And it reminded me of how the Bible teaches us or warns us against something that looks like being a Christian,
but not really a Christian.
Or something that looks really like the gospel or the teachings of the Bible,
but isn't really true to the Bible.
There are many ways of belief that you can actually follow.
And sometimes, as the Bible tells us, there's a belief which has Christian things in it or attached to it,
but isn't really the true gospel.
And salvation is not really found except in the true gospel and in a saving relationship with Jesus.
Now, Paul, when he was writing to Timothy, he said there would be a time
when people would have a form of godliness, but lacking or denying the power.
And so for you children today, and for us as adults too,
it's important to realize that salvation includes, very much includes, a proper relationship to Jesus.
If somebody looks like a Christian and acts like a Christian,
somebody will say, well, I live a good life.
I don't use bad language.
I don't abuse other people.
I don't do the bad things that I see in the world.
So is that not enough to be a Christian?
Well, you ask them, well, what's your relationship with Jesus?
Oh, I don't want to know Jesus.
I don't want to be that religious.
But I think I'm okay as I am.
Well, the Bible is saying to us, that looks like what a Christian is.
That looks like Christianity, but it's not.
Because you have to have this personal relationship with Jesus as your Savior in order to actually know eternal life in him.
And so when the Bible tells us to be aware of that, how do we actually ensure, how do we make sure that what we've got is not just something that looks like Christianity or looks like what being a Christian is about, but isn't really?
Well, as I say, the first thing is, how do you relate to Jesus?
What place does Jesus have in your life?
Is Jesus the most important person in your whole life?
And if you can say that he is, that's what it's like to be a Christian.
No Christian is perfect.
I'm not perfect.
Nobody in here is perfect.
But Jesus is, and as a perfect Savior, he is always dependable for us.
So remember, being a Christian is not to be like what the Bible describes a Christian to be.
Having a Savior is not something that looks like Jesus, someone who appears like Jesus, making up your own mind of what the Bible teaches.
It has to be a proper, saving, believing relationship with Jesus.
All the things the Bible tells us belong to a Christian life must be found in our life too, rather than just something that looks like it.
So be sure, children, that you're following Jesus, that you're trusting in Jesus, that the Jesus of the Bible is your Savior,
and that you're following him so that you have in him eternal life, whatever happens in this world.
Well, we're going to say the Lord's Prayer again together.
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
We're going to sing again now some verses to God's praise this time in Psalm 115.
Psalm 115.
That's on page 395.
Tune is St. Thomas.
We're singing from verse 12, page 395, Psalm 115.
The Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will bless us still.
He will the house of Israel bless.
Bless Aaron's house he will.
Both small and great that fear the Lord, he will them surely bless.
The Lord will you, you and your seed, a more and more increase.
His wonderful words of promise that when God's people are faithful to himself, they can indeed
rightly expect his blessing, and his blessing to continue with them according to his own
great promises.
We'll sing these verses 12 to 18.
The Lord of us hath mindful been.
The Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will bless us still.
He will the house of Israel bless.
Blessed are God's hearts he will.
the Lord of us hath mindful been, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be, and he will be.
Blessed be blessed, the Lord the Lord, and you see thy more and more increase.
Blessed are ye all the Lord, the mighty earth of heaven.
Blessed be blessed, the Lord, and you see thy more and more.
Yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say 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.
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.
I am coming soon.
Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.
Never shall he go out of it, 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.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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.
I know your works.
You are neither hot nor cold.
Would that you were either cold or hot.
So because you are lukewarm,
and neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth.
For you say,
I am rich,
I have prospered,
and I need nothing,
not realizing that you are wretched,
pitiable,
poor,
blind,
and naked.
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 be not seen,
and salve to anoint your eyes,
so that you may see.
Those whom I love,
I reprove and discipline,
so be zealous and repent.
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.
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.
He who is anear,
let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Again, we pray that God will bless this reading of his word to us.
Let's join together once again in prayer.
Lord, our gracious God,
we are conscious from these readings in your word,
that we come to the one who is described here
as above all things and presiding
over all the events that ever happened in history.
We thank you today for the privilege of drawing near to you,
of coming before your throne,
of worshipping you as we seek to do in spirit and in truth.
We thank you, Lord,
for the many promises that come to meet us
as we come to you through your word,
and through especially the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We thank you today for the way that he is our access to you,
that he is the way, the truth, and the life,
and that no one comes to the Father except through him.
We bless you for the way that he is the way,
the truth, and the life is so abundant in grace
and in love and in mercy.
We thank you that even as we contemplate,
as we read in these words of the final judgment of all,
we know that he will do all things right.
We pray, Lord, today that your blessing will reach us here
as we meet in your name.
We thank you once again for the privilege
of being together to worship you,
and we pray that all the privileges we have in this life
will be blessed to us
and will be appreciated by us,
and that we will treasure them in our hearts.
For it is in your kindness and your goodness,
O Lord,
that you have dispensed so many good things to us,
and we know as a people how we can look back over many years
and realize that in this place in which we live,
in common with many other places in the world,
there are so many good things to enjoy.
And we thank you today for your day,
for this Lord's day,
for this day that you have set apart
so that we would keep it holy to yourself,
that we might enjoy its benefits,
that these might come each successive week
to remind us, O Lord,
that your goodness in providing this for us
is a goodness that dispenses to us
so many good things.
Bless your day to us, we pray,
and grant that we may in every endeavor
we have to maintain it,
and that we would know your own blessing
and help in doing so.
And we pray, Lord,
when we face so many other views of this day
and so many activities
that are not conducive to our right advance
in holiness and grace.
Lord, we pray today
that every attempt to undermine,
to overthrow your holy day
might indeed be thwarted by yourself.
Lord, you know how our hearts crave
that everybody should enjoy
the good things of life
and that we should seek, O Lord,
that all around us would enjoy
the benefits of a Lord's day,
the benefits of rest,
the benefits of rest for mind and for body,
the benefits of worshipping together
in the name of Christ.
And we pray, gracious one,
that all attempts in the present day
that we're so aware of,
that you would come, O Lord,
and show how this day has been so beneficial
in our history,
in our society,
and in our own culture locally.
And we ask that you would enable us,
as we appreciate your day,
to take our stand meaningfully
and tactfully and lovingly
against all attempts
that would seek to overthrow
those things that are precious to us.
And so we ask that you would hear us
in our prayers
as we address these matters to you.
We pray, Lord,
that you would give us
in reaching out with the gospel
into our neighborhoods
and throughout our whole country
at this time.
We pray, gracious one,
that you would bless the gospel,
that you would help us
in an unashamed stand for it,
to know your blessing following,
and give us the kind of life, O Lord,
that would commend your gospel,
that would commend your word,
so that we ourselves
may not act contrary
to those things
that we recommend to others.
We pray for a spirit of love
to continue to pervade us
in our dealings one with another.
And we ask, O Lord,
that you would continue
to own and bless your word
amongst us especially.
Hide your face, we pray,
from our sins,
for we all individually
have sins to confess.
And as we confess them, Lord,
we pray that you would be pleased
to forgive,
to restore,
to lift us up in righteousness,
and to enable us
to progress as a people,
not in the things
which we ourselves
might imagine
are the basis
of a true prosperity,
but give us, Lord,
we pray,
to prosper in the things
of the gospel,
to prosper in holiness
and righteousness of life,
and to prosper in a way
that would commend
the things of God
in a knowledge
that they are
above all else
the things
that you have provided
for us to enjoy.
Bless this congregation.
Continue, Lord,
to be with them
each and every week
that goes by.
Bless them in all
their endeavors
in the gospel
to reach out
with the message
of Christ
and of salvation
in him.
We ask that you'd bless
each and every activity
in the congregation
along with the regular
services of worship.
We pray your blessing
for those today, Lord,
who come to avail themselves
of the advantages
that we have
in the congregation here.
We ask that you would
bless these times
of meeting together
in different ways,
and we pray that they'd be
blessed to young
and old alike.
Bless, we pray,
our generation.
Bless our young people.
Continue to provide for them.
We pray those things
that are wholesome,
those things that,
in the gospel especially,
will give them
to thrive spiritually
and mentally and physically.
And help us, we pray,
to be living examples
to them.
Remember our nation
at this time, we pray.
And remember the nations
of the world
in times of great turmoil.
Remember the places
where war and terror
and persecution
and such a drastic loss
of life is so evident,
Lord, as we see
in our news items
day by day.
Bring peace, we pray,
where there is war.
Bring people to lay down
their opposition
and hostility
to one another.
And grant that you would
create through the advance
of your kingdom
that situation
and these conditions
that will prove to be
of benefit to us all.
Lord, continue with us
now, we pray.
Hear us in this prayer
and pardon our many sins
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Well, before we turn back
to that passage
in Revelation,
let's sing once again.
Singing in the
Sing Psalms version
this time.
Psalm 103.
The tune is
before the throne.
We're singing
verses 1 to 11.
That's on page 135
of the Psalm books.
Praise God, my soul.
With all my heart,
let me exalt
his holy name.
Forget not all
his benefits,
his praise,
my soul,
and song proclaim.
The Lord forgives you
all your sins
and heals your sickness
and distress.
Your life he rescues
from the grave
and crowns you
in his tenderness.
Psalm 103,
verses 1 to 11.
Amen.
Psalm 103,
verse 1.
Let me exalt
his holy name.
Forget not all
his benefits,
his praise,
my soul,
and crowns you
in song proclaim.
The Lord forgives you
all your sins
and heals your sickness
and distress.
Your life he rescues
from the grave
and drowns you
in his tenderness.
and crowns you
in his tenderness.
And bless you
in his tenderness.
Father,
I swear to you
decide
from his
amending
stores of good
so that just like
the eagle's strength
your youth will make
a lift
renewed.
The Lord has zoned
for righteous act
and justice
to down-throught
and wards.
To Moses he made
no choice
his mighty deeds
to his
well-sons.
His mighty deeds
to his
well-sons.
For his merciful
and kind
to hunger
slow
and full
of grace
he will not
thoughts
and fleeting
prove
or in his
anger
hide his face.
He does not
punish
our misdeeds
or kill
our sins
their just reward.
How great
is love
as high
as
heaven
towards
all those
who fear
the Lord.
Towards
all those
who fear
the Lord.
Well,
please turn with me
now to the passage
we read in Revelation
chapter 3.
We're going to look
for a short time
at verses 7
to 13.
this letter
that's headed
the letter
to the church
in Philadelphia.
Not to Philadelphia
of course.
We know nowadays
in the USA
but Philadelphia
and that area
where these other
churches were
situated
and about the
Ephesus
area there
in Laodicea.
So from verse 7
until 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.
Well,
you might say
the whole of the book
of the Revelation
is about the supremacy
of Jesus.
It's about the way
that he and his people
will ultimately prevail
through his grace,
through his power,
through his rule
not by anything
in which they themselves
are qualified
to have such
a status.
and as you look
at these two chapters
the letters
to the seven churches
I think we can take it
that because
they're seven churches
not that they weren't
through historical churches
they were in fact
actual churches
at the time
but because
the number seven
in many ways
in the Bible
in many places
is a number
that has to do
with completeness
or wholeness
we can take
these seven letters
as indicative
of God's message
to the church
at all times.
In other words
when you take
these letters
to the seven churches
there
that applies
then to the church
wherever the church
is placed
because there are
things in them
not that every detail
is applicable
to every church
but the principles
in it
and the basic message
in these letters
really applies
to the whole church
in every age.
It deals with things
like decline
life
recovery
service
and the relationship
with God
especially
is at the heart
of each of these letters
and the message
they bring.
Philadelphia
was a true church
as we said
like the others mentioned
but it wasn't
a very strong church
they needed actually
a building
they needed
to have strengthening
and so the letter
is designed itself
at that particular time
to bring
that strengthening
to them
all the things
that the Lord
mentions here
as his letter
effectively to them
are designed
to actually give them
further strength
and encouragement
in the service
that they are
carrying out
for Jesus
himself.
that itself
is important
to us here
because we need
that strengthening
we need that encouragement
we need the Lord's
own word
to encourage us
we need more
than the encouragement
we can
and are able
to give to each other
because as we sang
in Psalm 46
for example
it is God
who is our refuge
and our strength
and in difficult times
in challenging times
whether they're challenging
to us as people
as a congregation
as congregations
our individual
our families
the encouragement
we need
the strengthening
we need
is from God
directly
from himself
through whatever
agency he uses
but these words
remind us
this is where
our strength
our security
our hope
really lies
so what is this church
what is it saying
about this church
what was Jesus
in his message
to this church
saying to them
first of all
he reminds them
they are a church
under his stewardship
under the stewardship
or control
or guidance
of Jesus himself
secondly
he reminds them
they are actually
engaged
in Christ's service
in his own service
despite the fact
he says
they're weak
yet they've been faithful
and he's
writing to them
to continue
to do what
they're doing
and he will actually
look after them
thirdly
they are
ultimately secure
in Christ
they have in fact
the prospect
of greater security
to come
of course
in eternity
and you could say
the letter
is really about
opportunity
opposition
and optimism
in looking
to Jesus
and I hope
that these
will be
useful for yourselves
as a congregation
in your own
situation
and that you
will find
even from
the likes
of this letter
further evidence
of opportunities
given to you
to serve the Lord
opposition
and how to face it
and optimism
in grasping
the promises
of God
and applying
them to yourselves
so what is he saying
about Christ's
stewardship
well you notice
how he begins
in describing himself
the words
of the holy one
the true one
who has the key
of David
who opens
and no one
will shut
and shuts
and no one
opens
under Christ's
stewardship
he describes
himself as
the holy one
the true one
in other words
he's guiding them
immediately
to his own
perfections
he's guiding them
to trust
in him
as one who is
utterly dependable
and true
and holy
and faithful
there is nothing
imperfect
about this
Lord
that is
presiding
over the
issues
of the church
he guides
them to
think of himself
and that's
itself
an important
matter
for you
and for me
as individuals
for you
as a congregation
as well
who do you
look to
when do you
look to
it's this
Jesus
who presides
over your
life today
and mine
over the life
of this
congregation
of his whole
church
who is he
he is
the true
one
he is
the holy
one
he's the one
who's always
dependable
he's the one
who's never
short of
fulfilling
his promises
he's the one
whose word
you can trust
he's the one
that you have
to place
above all
others
whatever your
relationship
with him
is
so is this
the one
who's controlling
your own
life today
is it to
this Jesus
you're looking
or just
some other
description of him
in the word
in a loose
or a formal
sort of way
do you know
him in your
own life
personally
as one
who is
holy
and true
one who
has proved
himself to
you
and will
never
actually let
go of you
or let
you down
ah the
holy one
the true
one
and then he
says who
has the
key of
David
who opens
and no
one will
shut
why does he
say he
has the
key of
David
well you
know David
in the old
testament
the king
David
was someone
who ruled
over
Israel
for
a
fair long
time
and
he is
brought out
in the bible
as one
who is
in many ways
the ideal
king
it wasn't
perfect
but the bible
talks about
Jesus as
the son
of David
because promises
were that
from David
himself
eventually
would come
one
who would
roll over
God's
people
and that
happened
when Jesus
was born
and came
into the
world
and lived
the life
he lived
and died
on the cross
and rose
from the dead
and ascended
to heaven
he is
himself
the son
of David
in that
way of
lineage
but also
in terms
of promises
that spiritually
this is the
ideal king
this is the
one who
could be said
to be the
king
par excellence
but why
does he say
he has the
key of
David
who opens
and no one
will shut
and shuts
and no one
opens
well of course
to give somebody
a key
is a sign
of trusting
in that
person
for somebody
to have a
key
to a safe
means that
that person
is dependable
not only
dependable
but has
actually been
given authority
to open
that safe
or that
door
or whatever
it is
he has a
key to
or she
has a
key to
the possession
of keys
is indicative
of having
authority
to use
them
the right
to use
them
the ability
to use
them
the knowledge
to use
them
the wisdom
to use
them
whether they're
opening things
or shutting
things
the possession
of the keys
is a mark
of status
and here is
Jesus saying
I have
the key
of David
I have
the key
of supreme
kingship
I have
that which
belongs to
the ideal
sovereign
who opens
and no one
will shut
who shuts
and no one
opens
and that's
true of him
in many respects
you go back
to the very
beginning of
the revelation
and you find
someone there
described in
these wonderful
terms
from verse
12
onwards in the
first chapter
all the way
through there
he stands
in the midst
of the church
or the churches
and he says
fear not
I am the
first and
the last
I am the
living one
I died
behold I am
alive forevermore
and I have
the keys
of death
and of
hades
the keys
to death
itself
and to life
beyond death
the keys
of heaven
the keys
of hell
whose hand
are they
in the hand
of this
Jesus
who today
presides
over eternity
who presides
over the things
of time
who presides
over the
development
of events
in the history
of the world
in whose hands
are the keys
to the destiny
of human beings
they are in the
hands of this
Jesus
whatever people
may think of him
whatever people
may think of this
Bible
as Christians
that is what
you believe
and as you
believe them
you are thankful
today
that the destiny
of this world
the advance
of the course
of this world
whatever it will be
is not in the hands
of human beings
human beings
have a part in it
human beings
very often
make a disaster
of it
and yet
all of that
comes under
the overall rule
and kingship
and sovereignty
and the key
possession
if you like
of David
of the son
of David
of Jesus
you know
when Jesus
opens
no one can shut it
that's what he's saying
to us
as we'll see
in a minute
when Jesus
opens something up
opportunities
events
great things
in history
no one can shut
these
when Jesus shuts
nobody can open it
and Jesus
brings something
to an end
then that's an end
of it
unless he opens it
again
that's the kind
of person
he is
not a despot
not a tyrant
but the ideal king
the one who has
the authority
over all things
ultimately
that's what he says
about himself
even death
itself
he has the keys
to it
I have the keys
of death
and of Hades
it's a solemn
thing to say
but we have to
say it in keeping
with the message
of the Bible
death is something
we all face
death is something
we're so familiar
with
and in a society
in a community
like we live in
it's quite common
to attend
funerals
of friends
of relatives
of neighbours
to show support
and that
frequency
with which we do
that reminds us
of the frequency
of death
and reminds us
especially
of our own death
and what's lying
in front of us
that that death
is going to be
our death
one of these days
in whose hands
are we
how are we
facing that
prospect
that inevitability
are we
in the hands
of the one
who has the keys
to it
who can open
out death
for us
so that we
live beyond it
that we live
above it
that we conquer it
that's who Jesus
is
the one who is
himself
the way
the truth
and the life
remember he said
at the grave
of Lazarus
before he raised
him from the dead
I am the resurrection
and the life
whoever lives
and believes
in me
shall never die
and then he said
to Martha
do you believe this
she said
yes I do Lord
do you believe it today
are you living
by this conviction
today
that your life
is directed
by the one
who has the keys
of death
that death
is not going
to claim
yes you're going
to die
I'm going
to die
what's beyond
it though
will be ushered
into
the eternal
life
that Jesus
gives to his
people
or will it be
the opposite
of that
what the Bible
calls death
or hell
these are the
issues
when you think
about the one
who has the key
and who opens
and no one
will shut
well that's
Jesus
a church
under his
stewardship
but they're
engaged
in Christ's
service
he says
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
now very
often in the
Bible
you find this
description
Paul for
example
writing to
the Corinthians
spoke in
chapter 16
of his first
letter
that an
open door
was set
before him
but there
is much
opposition
there are
many enemies
but he spoke
about this
open door
this open
door of
opportunity
for the
gospel
and that's
what he's
saying to
us today
that's why
you and I
are here
today
to make
the best
possible use
of the
opportunities
God gives
us to
serve him
and he's
saying to
you today
as a
congregation
I've set
before you
an open
door
yes there
are
just like
Paul said
there are
many opponents
there's much
opposition
but if
Jesus has
opened a
door of
opportunity
nobody's
going to
shut that
until he
shuts it
see that
you're making
the most
of that
open door
use that
opportunity
while you've
got it
to serve
him
to love
him
to commend
him
to be
his people
in this
world
that's why
he saved
you
that's why
he's given
you the
gospel
not so that
you'll hide
it and keep
it to
yourself
but go out
with it
tell people
about this
Jesus
and he's
saying here
I have set
before you
this open
door
that's important
to the
Philadelphians
it wasn't an
easy place
in which to
witness to
Jesus
and then he
says you have
a little
power and
yet you have
kept my
word and
have not
denied my
name
you see he's
describing them
the reality
of what
they are
and who
they are
and the
circumstances
in which
they're
placed
and that
itself
is really
a wonderfully
encouraging
note
for us to
actually see
that Jesus
knows today
our exact
circumstances
and therefore
our exact
needs
and he's
able to
provide for
us
exactly as
we require
and here
he is saying
to them
I know
your works
I know
that you
have but
little power
and I know
that you have
kept my
word and
have not
denied my
name
you might
think today
that you're
doing all
too little
for Jesus
nothing like
as much
as you'd
like to
or as much
as you might
think others
are doing
he knows
and he knows
exactly what
you're able
and not able
to contribute
be encouraged
today that
whatever you're
doing for
Jesus
he has
registered it
he knows
it
he's taken
note of
it
it's in
his book
it's in
his record
book
and you see
what he's
saying
I know
that you
have but
little power
and yet
you have
kept my
word
and have
not denied
my name
you have
kept my
word
have not
denied
my name
despite the
fact that
they have
little power
and are
weak
spiritually
perhaps morally
too
but he's
saying
you have
kept
my
word
and have
not denied
my name
remember Paul
writing to
Timothy
he wrote to
Romans as well
saying that he
wasn't ashamed
of the gospel
he wrote to
Timothy in
1 Timothy
in 2 Timothy
chapter 1
verse 8
not to be ashamed
of him
Paul the apostle
as a prisoner
for Jesus
and not to be
ashamed of
of this message
this gospel
but he says
take your own
share of the
afflictions of
the gospel
now that gives
us a key
into understanding
what the Bible
means by being
ashamed of
Jesus
when you've
got something
you're ashamed
of you don't
bring it out
into the open
well
sometimes
nowadays
that's actually
commended
things that people
ought to be ashamed
of that's another
issue
but if there's
something you know
you're deeply
ashamed of
you don't go
around broadcasting
it to the world
you keep it hidden
or you keep it
to yourself
and to be ashamed
of the gospel
really means
essentially that
it's not just a
feeling
it's not just a
conviction
it's an action
it's a hiding
of things which
ought to be brought
into the open
to be ashamed
of the gospel
to be ashamed
of Jesus
means to keep
him hidden
to keep him
well to keep him
to yourself
or to keep him
so that he's not
at all made known
through your life
now you're not
going to be like
that I'm sure
because if this
Jesus means
anything at all
to you
as I hope he does
to everyone here
you're not going
to keep him hidden
you're not going
to be ashamed
of him
you're not going
to say well
I think I am
a Christian
but I really
I don't want
to make that
known to the
world
what will others
say
what will my
family say
what will my
friends say
what will my
work colleagues
say
don't be ashamed
he says to
Timothy
of me his
prisoner
of the gospel's
teaching
but take your
share
of the afflictions
of the gospel
following Jesus
brings difficulties
following Jesus
doesn't make
many times
for an easy
life
but the
comforts that
Jesus brings
far outweigh
any of the
difficulties
or the afflictions
or the troubles
that accompany
following him
being true to him
making him known
and facing the
world's hostility
because of that
what he's saying
is I know
your works
I know that you
have little power
yet you have
kept my word
and have not
denied my name
you have not
been ashamed
of me
and Jesus
is saying
I know that
and I know
that and it
will not go
unnoticed
in eternity
and he goes
on to say
I will make
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
and that
hour of
trial
seems to be
referring to
the final
judgment
where he is
saying that's
coming on
the whole
world
to try
those who
dwell on
the earth
behold I'm
coming
soon
and that's
not so much
in terms of
time or span
of years
it's just that
in the whole
scheme of things
it's not that
far away
and here he is
giving us this
great promise
too
because you
have kept
my word
I will keep
you
you see the
correlation
between the
two
when you're
faithful to
Jesus
you'll find
that he is
always faithful
to you
that he will
be faithful
to his
promise
in that
great day
of judgment
if you've
been faithful
to him
doesn't mean
your eternity
and your
salvation is
dependent
on your
faithfulness
or the
level of
your
faithfulness
it's
dependent
ultimately
on him
but there
is a
correlation
there is
a relationship
between
faithfulness
on your
part to
God
to Jesus
here
and his
faithfulness
to his
promise
that he
will keep
you
that he
will look
after you
that he'll
bring you
safely
into eternity
and he's
also saying
that their
opponents
will actually
come to
bow
he will
bring them
to bow
before you
and before
your feet
and will
learn that
I have
loved
you
well that
may be
that they
will come
themselves to
acknowledge the
gospel and
come to be
converted
and therefore
come to
join those
Christians in
Philadelphia to
whom he's
writing
it may be
you can take it
in another way
as well that
they will
actually come
to succumb to
the power of
this church
if Jesus
comes with
his power to
multiply them
whatever
the point
above all
else is that
it's still
dealing with
the supremacy
of Jesus
I will do
it
doesn't matter
what they
think of you
now
doesn't matter
their actions
now
it doesn't
matter how
it will be
from now
to the end
of the world
or the end
of the history
of this church
in Philadelphia
I will make
this happen
there's a word
for you and
for me today
whatever you
think of
opinions about
the Bible
of opinions
about the
Lord's Day
of opinions
about your
Christian life
opinions about
the church
opinions about
this and that
what Jesus
is saying
in his word
in its entirety
in this whole
Bible
when he
says I
will do
it
he will
do it
where he
opens the
door
no one
will shut
it
where he
shuts the
door
no one
will close
it
it will
open
it
and they
are very
important
principles
for us
to take
with us
the supremacy
of Jesus
the overall
rule of
Jesus
is such a
huge huge
feature
not only in
this letter
to Philadelphia
and the other
letters
and this whole
book of the
Revelation
it's a hugely
important feature
in the whole
span of teaching
in the Bible
that God
is God
that the
Lord is
the Lord
how many
times you
find through
the writings
of the
prophets
in the Old
Testament
where the
Lord very
often is
calling his
people back
to repentance
back to a
relationship with
himself that
they have to
some extent
gone away
from
this is the
word he says
of the Lord
I have
spoken
and I
will do
it
and today
it's a great
privilege and a
great blessing
and a great
honor to say
in your heart
of hearts
I believe
in the supreme
rule of
Jesus
I believe
in the supreme
power of his
love
I believe
in his
justice
I believe
in his
righteousness
I believe
in his
authority
I believe
that he has
the right
to have
the keys
of death
and of
Hades
and of
eternity
and of
history
I believe
he has
the right
as chapter
5 goes
on to speak
about
following the
great throne
description
in chapter
4
where the
scroll
is taken
by this
same
lamb
this fruit
of David
the lion
of the tribe
of Judah
this Jesus
this lamb
who died
who takes
the scroll
what is
the scroll
it's the
scroll
of history
it's the
scroll
of all
the events
and the
destiny
of the
whole
world
and
for a
while
there was
weeping
nobody was
found worthy
to open
it until
this person
came and
took the
scroll
and then
he began
to open
it
you see
he's got
the keys
and that's
the Jesus
whose love
today is
so precious
I don't
mistake
the supremacy
of Jesus
for that
of a
tyrant
for that
of somebody
cold
and unfeeling
and just
ruling
with a rod
of iron
that has
absolutely
no emotion
or whatever
towards his
people
that's not
this king
that's not
this Jesus
and that's
not your
Jesus
when you
know him
today
as your
own saviour
so they're
engaged in
Christ's
service
they have
an open
door set
before them
they have
a little
power
and yet
he is
keeping
them
and he
is assuring
them
of ultimate
victory
that he
would keep
them
even in
the hour
of trial
that's coming
on the whole
world
and he
finishes
by saying
to the one
who conquers
that's a
feature of
each of
these letters
as I'm sure
you know
he always
says to
the one
who conquers
and then
something is
promised them
well to the
one who
conquers
I will
make him
a pillar
in the
temple
of my
God
in other
words
he's talking
here about
being
established
the temple
in the old
temple days
of the Old
Testament
had pillars
very
strong
pillars
to uphold
everything
that was
attached to
them
but there
were also
pillars
that needed
themselves
because of
what they
were holding
up
they needed
themselves
to be
firmly
established
these
pillars
that you
see here
today
upholding
this
galley
that's
going
all
around
these
pillars
that
uphold
the
roof
they have
to be
themselves
well
grounded
well
established
properly
founded
on a good
foundation
otherwise
they're going
to collapse
eventually
and what
Jesus is
saying
about his
people is
I will
make him
to the
one who
conquers
I will
make him
a pillar
in the
temple
of my
God
I will
set you
securely
in my
kingdom
so that
you will
never
fall
that no
one will
ever
destroy
your
relationship
with me
and you
see how
the thing
has changed
it's changed
from a
collective
reference
to this
church
now to
the one
who conquers
and Jesus
is reminding
us in that
that however
precious it is
and it is
precious to
belong to a
people of
God
to belong
to that
whole number
who worship
God
who serve
the Lord
still at the
end of the
day it does
come down
to my
relationship
to him
to your
relationship
to him
to that
personal
individual
relationship
with Christ
where are you
with that
today
to the one
who conquers
to you
to me
how does
that stand
with how
you see
him
how you
relate to
him
how you
view
eternity
with him
or without
him
it's to
the one
who conquers
I will
give
to be a
pillar in
the temple
of my
God
never shall
he go
out of
it and
I will
write on
him
the name
of my
God
the name
of the
city of
my God
the new
Jerusalem
which comes
down from
God
my God
out of
heaven
and my
own
new
name
in other
words
there are
so many
things there
that we
really need
to make
have more
time to
go into
but let me
just say
in closing
something of
what is
brought before
us there
I will
write on
him
the name
of my
God
numbers
chapter
six
people of
Israel
were to
pronounce
the name
of God
upon
the people
the Lord
bless you
and keep
you
the Lord
make his
face to
shine upon
you
and be
gracious
to you
the Lord
lift up
his
countenance
upon you
and give
you peace
so you
shall put
my name
on the
children of
Israel
what did
that indicate
well it
indicated they
belonged to
God
they were
his family
and this
is what
Jesus is
saying
I will
write on
him
the name
of my
God
he belongs
to me
and he'll
belong to
me forever
and in
eternity
he and
others will
know
he is
mine
he belongs
to me
he's my
precious
possession
Jesus saying
this about
his people
isn't that
humbling
that Jesus
would put
that on
any of us
individually
and the
name of
the city
of my
God
the new
Jerusalem
go to
the end
of Revelation
chapters 22
21
22
you'll see
this new
Jerusalem
this final
order and
state of
the church
of God's
redeemed
people
and in
that spiritual
city if you
like it's
described
that's their
final place
of residence
this wonderful
ultimate
place of
residence
the new
Jerusalem
the city
of God
the place
of the
redeemed
under the
kingship
of Jesus
I will
write that
on them
and also
I will
write my
own
new
name
my
own
new
name
what you
might
say
is the
new
name
that
Jesus
has
well he's
got the
same name
Jesus
the
Christ
the son
of God
all of
these titles
given to
him
but this
my new
name
that seems
to indicate
what was
proper to
Jesus
after his
resurrection
especially
after his
ascension to
glory
he now has
the name
of the one
who has
conquered
all
who has
everything
placed under
his feet
who sits
upon his
throne
in majestic
holiness
and sovereignty
and I
will give
him
my own
new name
they're going
to be placed
in a final
relationship
with Jesus
where the
name of
Christ
will cover
them
will be
theirs
forever
and they
will value
the name
of Jesus
throughout
all
eternity
they will
say
I live
now
because of
him
and for
him
he is
mine
and I
am his
friends
what great
privileges
are offered
to us
and held
out to us
in the
gospel
what wonderful
privileges
to be
servants
of Jesus
to know
Christ as
the king
of our
lives
to place
all things
in his
hand
to leave
all things
with him
because we
know that
in doing
so
the assurance
we have
from him
he will
never fail
us
he will
always look
after us
he will
bring us
safely into
the new
Jerusalem
may God
bless
these thoughts
on his
word
we're going
to conclude
now by
singing
to his
praise
in
psalm 67
from St.
Psalms
that's
page
84
a short
psalm
which
expresses
the
desire
of God's
people
that the
whole
earth
will
come
to know
the
Lord
to know
his
blessing
and so
it's a
call out
to both
the church
and the
nations
to come
to know
this
sovereign
God
be merciful
and bless
us
shine
upon
us
with
your
face
that
the
earth
may
know
your
actions
and all
lands
your
saving
grace
singing to
the tune
high for
doll
whole of
psalm 67
Next
roll
Things
The mighty earth may know your actions and all lands your saving grace.
O God, may the peoples praise you, may all peoples sing your praise.
For you judge the nations justly, ruling over every race.
They sing with joy and gladness, may they all rejoice as one.
O God, may the peoples praise you, as they all unite in song.
Then the land will yield its harvest, God will pour its gifts and throats.
God, our God, will surely bless us.
All the earth will fill our hearts.
I'll go to the main door after the benediction.
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore.
Amen.
Thank you.