WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:03.560 Father God, we thank you for the chance to gather tonight. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:05.360 We thank you for your word. 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:06.860 We thank you for dads. 00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:09.339 We thank you for the chance to honour them today. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:12.780 But we pray that as we wrestle with your word now, 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:16.839 that our ears and our hearts would be open to hear your voice 00:00:16.839 --> 00:00:21.519 and that we would be eager to change and be transformed as a result. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:22.539 Amen. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:29.859 Well, being Father's Day, I thought this was a good chance to gloat and show off. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.380 And so I wanted to show you the gift that I received this morning, 00:00:33.899 --> 00:00:38.719 which is the fruit of my talented wife's photography and my son's obsession with sticks. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:42.259 But I was pretty happy with it just the same. 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:48.539 And it was a reminder for me of the journey up to being a dad in the first place. 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:53.760 Those of you who were around for that saga will remember the 10 days that I endured 00:00:53.760 --> 00:00:57.679 after Bailey's scheduled arrival before he actually showed up. 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:01.920 And those who know me really well will know that I had predicted he was going to turn up two weeks earlier. 00:01:02.060 --> 00:01:06.219 So for me, it was three and a half weeks of torture waiting for him to turn up 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:08.819 because I was busting to be a dad. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:11.099 I just, I figured it's going to be exciting. 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:12.739 It's going to be all fun and games. 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:15.920 I'm just going to play with him and teach him stuff that he shouldn't know. 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:18.120 And Sal's going to have to parent him properly. 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:24.340 And I remember when he finally arrived in the hospital spending the first couple of hours 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:26.299 where I got to hold him just staring at him. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:27.500 And he was screaming. 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:29.920 He was, you know, all sorts of upset. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:31.519 He's like, what the hell just happened? 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:35.799 But I was just staring at him thinking this is the best thing in the world. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:37.260 I was so excited. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:39.719 I was so stoked to be a dad. 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:47.900 And it only took me about maybe three days to realise that being a dad was going to be 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:49.260 a little bit harder than I anticipated. 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:54.920 I remember laying in bed with Sal one night and Bay screaming in the other room 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:58.480 has been for hours upon hours upon hours. 00:01:58.880 --> 00:02:01.620 And just laying there thinking, I'm not actually sure I can do this. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:06.480 Is there an exit strategy for somebody who's jumped into this prematurely? 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:08.300 Like, is there a way around this? 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:12.719 And then, you know, there's times where I've thought that maybe months after he'd been born. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:14.580 There's times in the last week where I've thought that. 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:15.819 Is there a way? 00:02:15.920 --> 00:02:17.140 I'm out of my depth. 00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:20.099 But when I began, it was all so easy. 00:02:20.640 --> 00:02:24.500 And when you're in those struggle moments as a new dad, people have advice. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:25.900 People have suggestions. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:27.099 People have recommendations. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:31.259 You know, maybe slip him some vodka in his nighttime milk, stuff like that. 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:34.060 And there's helpful suggestions like just toughen up. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:34.900 It's all part of it. 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:39.140 And there's lots of people telling you what you must do. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:42.659 But when I started out, it just seemed like it was all going to be fun. 00:02:42.740 --> 00:02:43.680 It was all going to be joy. 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:45.560 But there has been struggle. 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:51.759 Tonight, we open God's word to the letter to the church in Philadelphia. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:58.140 A church that had received the gospel and responded excitedly to the hope in Jesus 00:02:58.139 --> 00:03:02.859 that had started with such ambition for what their Christian life was going to be like. 00:03:03.339 --> 00:03:07.939 And yet now they find themselves in a time of testing, in a time of trial. 00:03:08.459 --> 00:03:13.279 They find themselves in that moment wondering whether or not they've bitten off more than they can chew. 00:03:13.859 --> 00:03:17.619 Whether or not they'll actually last the distance when it comes to following Jesus. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:21.780 And maybe you can reflect in your own life on times where you've wondered, 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:23.620 should I just give up? 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:26.980 Is this too hard to follow Jesus? 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:30.219 Maybe it was because you were struggling personally. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:33.939 Maybe it was because of pain in your life that you couldn't understand 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:36.219 in light of a God who was powerful and loving. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:41.659 Maybe it was because of temptation or failure on your part. 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:46.200 Maybe it was because of comfort and you just weren't sure that you needed God anymore. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:50.979 Whatever reason, this letter is a letter to us as well. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:58.639 This letter is to anybody who is following Jesus and either has or is or will ask the question, 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:00.659 should I give up? 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:02.919 Can I keep going? 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:09.000 The church in Philadelphia, Philadelphia itself was a frontier Greek city. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:11.899 It was on the edge of the empire. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:14.299 It was a bastion for Greek culture. 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:18.319 It was a city that was in turmoil at best. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:22.840 It was trying to be Greek but had all these other cultures pushing in on it. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.480 It had its name changed multiple times. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:26.780 It was prone to earthquakes. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:30.180 It was a wine growing region but the emperor wanted corn. 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:33.740 There was lots of things working against you if you lived in Philadelphia. 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:40.040 And then on top of that we've got this fairly unimpressive little church facing persecution 00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:46.500 from the empire, facing persecution from the world, even facing persecution from the Jews 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:48.280 and the synagogue in their city. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:53.980 And so into that context you wonder what sort of advice will God have for them? 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:55.579 What kind of suggestions? 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:58.079 Will it be time for them to toughen up? 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:04.139 Will it be a grand new strategy of world domination and evangelising? 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:10.759 Well in this passage we find one simple instruction. 00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:19.579 But the really exciting thing is before we get to that instruction, Jesus wants to give seven commitments 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:21.259 to this church that is struggling. 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:28.099 And if you are feeling tired as a follower of Jesus, if you are feeling weary, then tonight 00:05:28.099 --> 00:05:33.480 Jesus wants to give you seven commitments to help you finish the race. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:38.580 His word is here not just to give instruction. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:45.360 His word is here to lift our eyes from the situation and circumstance that sometimes casts 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:48.180 shadows over our life, that sometimes feels overwhelming. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:53.100 And his word is there to lift our eyes to see him even in our circumstance. 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:59.120 We started Revelation looking at chapter one and it's like God pulled back the curtain of the world 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:04.759 and circumstances and situations and said, look behind and see the one who sits on the throne 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:05.860 and has authority. 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:11.840 And tonight again for this struggling church in Philadelphia, he wants to say, look beyond 00:06:11.840 --> 00:06:18.639 your circumstance and look at the holy and true one who is committed to you. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:20.100 Verse eight. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.519 I know your deeds. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:30.060 This has been a chorus that resounds through all the letters in this first part of Revelation. 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:31.099 I know. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:33.180 I know your deeds. 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:34.639 I know where you live. 00:06:35.219 --> 00:06:37.519 Jesus is present with his church. 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:44.060 As Philadelphia struggles, they need to be reminded that the one who sits on the throne is among them. 00:06:44.539 --> 00:06:47.659 The one who holds the stars in his hand is among them. 00:06:47.659 --> 00:06:51.180 The one who breathed the world into creation is among them. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:54.379 He knows what they're going through. 00:06:54.859 --> 00:06:57.159 He knows the situation more than that. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.379 He knows the good that they are doing. 00:06:59.539 --> 00:07:00.099 Verse eight. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:01.879 I know your deeds. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:05.479 See, I've placed before you an open door that no one can shut. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:12.479 I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:19.039 Jesus is aware of those little victories day to day where you choose his way over the world. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:23.719 He's aware of those little victories when you resist temptation and hold on to what you know 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:24.940 is true and good. 00:07:24.940 --> 00:07:26.820 And he is glorified in that. 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:30.220 This little, unimpressive, weak church. 00:07:30.940 --> 00:07:36.480 Jesus describes them as having little strength, and yet he is glorified by them because he knows 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:39.520 their faithfulness, their commitment to him. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:46.459 Because they have held on to his word, they've been able to rise above their weakness, rise 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:51.219 above their opposition, and hold fast to the one that they trust. 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:59.940 One of our core values as a church here is Christ-centered Bible saturation, because the word is sufficient 00:07:59.940 --> 00:08:01.920 even when our strength is not. 00:08:03.140 --> 00:08:04.840 God knows our deeds. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:06.240 He knows our struggles. 00:08:06.440 --> 00:08:10.440 And he is glorified when we hold to him, even when it is difficult. 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:16.160 First commitment that God makes to this church in Philadelphia is, I know. 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:18.639 I am with you. 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:19.360 I am there. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:25.079 And therefore, because I know your deeds, because I know you have been faithful, because you have 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:26.120 held on to my words. 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:27.060 Verse 8 again. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:33.240 I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:40.960 There is this great, the quote there in verse 7 that talks about Jesus being the one who is 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:43.200 holy and true and holding the key of David. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:47.200 That's a quote from the Old Testament, from a passage in Isaiah 22. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:53.000 And basically what's going on in Isaiah 22 is one of the priests over God's people, Israel, 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.000 has been abusing his position. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:59.419 Israel has been sinful and rebellious, and they haven't been turning back to God. 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:03.759 And instead of the priest bringing them back to God, he's just been looking after himself. 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:08.639 He's just been worrying about number one, and God lets him know that that's not going to 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.159 be okay. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:13.399 And instead, God will put his own man into that role of high priest. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:17.279 And that man is described as having the key of David. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:22.039 It's like he holds the keys to who's in and who's out for the people of God. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:25.019 Who's in to receive the promises and who's out. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:30.219 And here, when we are told that Jesus holds the key of David and that what he opens, no 00:09:30.219 --> 00:09:30.879 one can shut. 00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:32.579 And what he shuts, no one can open. 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:38.919 And when he says, I've opened the door for Philadelphia, he means no one can kick you out 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:39.620 of my promise. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:43.839 The door that Jesus opens is the door to heaven. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.959 It is the door to God himself. 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:48.159 It is access to the eternal throne. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:51.659 It is an eternal door for this little struggling church. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:52.839 And hear it again. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:59.259 Jesus saying to you, if you struggle, if you trust him, if you stay true to the one who 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:06.879 is holy and true, see he has placed an open door before you that no one can shut. 00:10:08.459 --> 00:10:12.179 No one else decides whether or not you get into heaven. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:14.000 I don't. 00:10:14.439 --> 00:10:15.399 The church doesn't. 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:16.620 The world doesn't. 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:22.039 Only Jesus, who is holy and true and holds the key of David. 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:27.199 And this church that has been kicked out of the synagogue, this church that has been excluded, 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.439 is encouraged to hear the commitment of their savior. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:35.500 I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:39.759 But more than that, verse 9, another commitment from God to them. 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:45.000 I will make those who are the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews, though they are 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.159 not, but are liars. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:51.419 I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:56.379 Jesus' commitment to this struggling people is, I will vindicate you. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:01.539 Although you might feel ostracized at the moment, although you might feel marginalized, 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:05.259 ultimately, you will be shown to be my true people. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:11.200 It is the great promise of the New Testament that one day every knee shall bow and every 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:13.879 tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:19.000 And if you belong to him, then they will be forced to acknowledge that you are the one 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:19.860 he has loved. 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:22.919 You are the one who can stand in the judgment. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:25.720 You are the one who is invited into his presence. 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:31.519 Jesus will vindicate his people no matter what opposition they face in this life. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:37.000 Ultimately and finally, those who trust Jesus will be vindicated. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.879 But not just ultimately and finally. 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:46.379 There is an immediate kind of vindication as well. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:51.740 This church in Philadelphia was surrounded by people who did not know Jesus. 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:54.379 Some who were hostile, some who were ignorant. 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:58.759 He describes the Jews in this city as being a synagogue of Satan. 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:01.680 It's a fairly stark description. 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:10.799 And yet there is the opportunity for these people to have a witness to this synagogue of Satan. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:14.919 To these Jews who have sought to close the door on the Christian community and say, 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.899 you're not part of us. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.259 You're not one of us. 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:24.179 There is an open door for this Christian community to reflect the God of love and hope and forgiveness and salvation. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:31.779 In spite of their weakness, in spite of their lack of strength, their faithfulness to the word means that in this city, 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:36.500 they have a chance, they have an open door to draw others in, to know Jesus. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:41.399 There will be vindication for you if you trust Jesus. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:48.819 Jesus, ultimately, but God willing also immediately. 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:55.480 Maybe you have family members who make fun of you for following Jesus. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:13:01.159 Maybe you have work colleagues or school friends who ridicule you for putting your faith in Jesus. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:05.460 There is an encouragement here to remain faithful. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:10.460 Because ultimately God will show you to be the one that he has loved. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:16.399 And maybe, just maybe, he will use you to reveal himself to them as well. 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:20.259 He alone can open the door for them. 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:29.240 And he may have placed you strategically in a time of trial or difficulty in order to help open that door for someone else. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:36.480 Those who Jesus loves will be shown true because of their patient endurance. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:38.799 Because of their perseverance with him. 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:40.919 Because they have transformed lives. 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:43.120 And so there is a little warning for us there. 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:48.099 Is your life being transformed? 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:52.759 Are you enduring as somebody who loves Jesus? 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:56.579 I mean, did you catch verse 9 and 10? 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:58.259 It says that he will vindicate them. 00:13:58.319 --> 00:13:58.979 And then verse 10, 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:10.800 The vindication will come for those who have endured patiently. 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:17.480 The way you can tell the difference between somebody who is loved by God and who's not is that they will be enduring patiently. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:19.300 And so there's a warning for us. 00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.360 Are we enduring? 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:25.360 Or is trial an opportunity for us to compromise instead? 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:33.360 The scary part about this great encouragement that Jesus is making, we're only up to commitment three that he's made. 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:37.500 And yet he's had to affirm them for their endurance already. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:42.980 And remind us that endurance is part of what it means to follow him. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:47.779 In spite of the great encouragement and joy, there will be struggle. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.860 There will be trial. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:51.220 It's come up time and time again in these letters. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:57.519 Following Jesus will be the difficult path in this life because the rest of the world doesn't want to know him. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:04.120 But he commits to us, I will vindicate you. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:07.759 And there's the almost strange commitment of verse 10. 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:10.340 Having just said, well done for enduring patiently. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:18.539 He says, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.559 So which is it? 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.220 Will he keep me from trial? 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:26.519 Or will I get trial that I have to endure? 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:33.399 It's confusing and I would have really loved it if verse 10 said, I will keep you in trial. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.500 Because that would have been much easier to explain to you. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:37.779 Because we face trial. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.340 And so how do we do that? 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.960 Jesus says, I will keep you from trial. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:46.039 But we know that our reality is right now we face trial. 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:56.480 I was looking through John's gospel and a prayer that Jesus prays for his disciples just before he is arrested and crucified and risen and ascended. 00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:59.840 And he prays for them in John chapter 17. 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:01.360 Let me read it out for you. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:05.180 He prays using these words from verse 15. 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.680 Verse 14. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:24.139 It's the same phrase. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.379 Protect them from. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:34.679 And yet we know that every one of the disciples would face severe temptation and opposition and persecution for their faith in Jesus throughout the rest of their life. 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:38.759 The commitment from Jesus here isn't comfort. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.700 It's not easy life. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:44.139 But it's something better. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:53.419 He says, I pray that you would not take them out of the world, but you would protect them from the evil one. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:17:01.580 And back in Revelation, he promises Philadelphia, I will keep you from the hour of trial. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:03.740 The commitment is here. 00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:06.900 The commitment here is that God will protect you as you endure. 00:17:07.840 --> 00:17:11.059 He will protect you to make sure that no trial is too much. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.600 Because remember, the door he has opened, no one can shut. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:23.600 Jesus knows the struggles that we face. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:27.579 He has placed an open door that no one can shut. 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:28.779 He will vindicate us. 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:32.339 He will keep us from being overwhelmed in our trials. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:38.699 And so as we endure, he implores us to remember. 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.279 Verse 11. 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:44.679 I am coming soon. 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:50.359 So hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:54.939 There's another verse that at first read I get a little bit uncomfortable with. 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:59.000 Have you ever read a promise like that and said, so when is soon? 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:04.339 I remember I was on a family holiday when I was about 14 and we were traveling through South Africa. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:09.259 And one of the challenges of South Africa is now doesn't mean what I think it means. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:14.819 So if you go and order some food and they say it's ready now, that means in 15 or 20 minutes. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:18.459 If you want it right now, it's ready now now. 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:23.559 Now, that might sound redundant to you and I confess it was a little bit weird for me as a 14 year old. 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:27.120 But for them, now means at some point in the future. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:29.460 Whereas for us, it means right now. 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:32.059 Otherwise, we would have said at some point in the future. 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:38.120 And so when we wrestle with a word like this, it's worth acknowledging that our definition of soon 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:42.240 and God's definition of soon may not be exactly identical. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:49.380 But there is something incredibly encouraging about that phrase, even if we don't know the date that he's coming back. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.880 The point is, Jesus makes a commitment. 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.120 I am coming. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:19:00.099 The soon gives us that sense of absolute definite intention. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.079 He will be back. 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.359 It's not a maybe. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.960 He's not trying to decide. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.859 He's not seeing how things play out. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.339 He's saying, I'm coming. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.500 It's going to happen. 00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:15.240 Therefore, hold on to what you have so you don't miss out. 00:19:16.699 --> 00:19:22.299 Hold on to the word that has been entrusted to you so that you do not miss out. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:27.579 Hold on and see that nobody takes the crown from you. 00:19:27.939 --> 00:19:31.099 Takes the goal and prize that is waiting for you at the end. 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:33.879 Hold on to what you have. 00:19:33.880 --> 00:19:43.800 All that Philadelphia has that we know about from this passage is the word of God and little strength. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.820 Those are the two things that they have. 00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:49.620 And that's what they're to hold on to. 00:19:50.520 --> 00:19:58.640 They're to hold on to the word of God because in spite of their little strength, it is mighty and powerful to sustain them in trial and struggle. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:09.540 They are to hold on to the mighty word of God because in spite of their inadequacy, it is powerful and effective to draw others into the hope and salvation that is available in Jesus. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:17.160 Sometimes in our trials, we cry out to God to give us something new, something more, something extra. 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:27.019 But here Jesus wants to remind Philadelphia and wants to remind us, hold on to what you have because the mighty word of God is sufficient. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:34.519 The second one is a little bit challenging, I think. 00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:38.580 Hold on to the little strength that you have. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:45.139 Have you ever thought of that as an attribute worth desiring or celebrating or rejoicing in? 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.960 Little strength? 00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:57.579 I wonder if when you come to church on a Sunday, you look around and think of us as a church of little strength. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:21:10.220 Or if you feel encouraged that we have a fairly full room of a fairly diverse group of people, that we have great music, that at least this room is not leaking, even if the one over there is. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:14.500 There might be a sense that, you know, we're a pretty powerful church. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:29.400 And yet, although there is a lot to be thankful for from the spring fair yesterday, new contacts, great conversations, it's worth noting that we were sitting in front of a shop that is dedicated to Buddhism. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:34.559 And our store was next door to a food vending store. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:41.319 Which means for a significant bulk of Chatswood, that's about how much we matter. 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:44.679 If they even know that we exist. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:52.879 In the area that God has placed us, we have little strength. 00:21:53.700 --> 00:22:00.139 In the task of seeking to reach people who don't know Jesus in our city and country, we have little strength. 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:07.859 In the task of persevering as individuals who love Jesus above all else, we have little strength. 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:16.359 And that is only an attribute when it helps us come back to God's word and trust in his power at work in us. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:23.459 The great encouragement that Paul gives us in 2 Corinthians is that God's power is made perfect in weakness. 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.599 And so Paul says, 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:33.399 Hold on to what you have. 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:38.379 Little strength is only a good thing if you know that you have it. 00:22:39.439 --> 00:22:49.379 There is a great danger for us as a church because there is so much good that is happening around our church family that we begin to pride ourselves on a false sense of strength. 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:51.640 A false sense of security. 00:22:51.780 --> 00:22:56.120 Thinking somehow within our own abilities we can achieve what God wants us to achieve. 00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:59.680 Thinking we can raise the money we need for this building project. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:05.320 Thinking that we can see all the people of Chatswood converted because we're really charismatic and we do good services. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:08.980 We have little strength. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:14.700 And that is God's gift to us so that we might be people who are devoted to him in prayer. 00:23:15.419 --> 00:23:19.519 Who stand only on the power and foundation of his word. 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:23.439 Who find our security in the hope of the gospel. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:26.879 What God has done for us in Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:31.639 And in the hope of what he will do for us when he comes again. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:38.539 The fifth commitment that Jesus makes is I'm coming. 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.700 And because of that we get our one instruction. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.720 Hold on to what you have. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:48.000 Because he will be back. 00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:51.119 Because what he has already done is just the beginning. 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.220 Hold on. 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:56.519 So that you do receive the crown that he has promised. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:01.559 The sixth commitment that Jesus makes to us in verse 12. 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:06.419 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:08.819 Never again will he leave it. 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:12.519 These Christians had already been excluded from the synagogue. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:15.399 Which they had maybe hoped might have been the place they would worship. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:18.099 Which was supposed to be the place where God was present. 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:18.879 Where he dwelt. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:22.019 And so Jesus' commitment to them is. 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.940 If you stand firm. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.879 If you hold on. 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.159 I will make you a pillar. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.740 In the temple of my God. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.279 I'll make you part of the furniture. 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.720 I'll make you part of the structure. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:33.539 In such a way that you will never leave. 00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:34.059 That you are. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.319 You belong here. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:41.279 Jesus' commitment is that those who stand firm. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:45.240 Will dwell forever in the presence of God almighty. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.680 Isn't that the goal? 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:50.759 Isn't that everything that we hope for. 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:53.319 And desire to finally be with God. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:56.160 And Jesus says to this weak church. 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:57.800 If you hold firm. 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:00.259 I will make you a pillar. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:06.560 Seventh commitment he makes is in verse 12 as well. 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.779 I will write on him the name of my God. 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.500 And the name of the city of my God. 00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.420 The new Jerusalem. 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:15.120 Which is coming down out of heaven from my God. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:18.200 And I will also write on him my new name. 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:21.880 One of the joys that I remember about school. 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:25.039 Is the fact that everybody has the same clothes. 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.940 And so if you take your jumper off at morning tea. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.720 The chances of picking up the correct jumper. 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:29.779 Is a bit of a challenge. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:32.480 I remember trying to invent ways throughout my life. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:34.059 Because I couldn't convince my parents. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.319 To stitch anything on there. 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:37.720 To distinguish things as mine. 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:41.900 So it would be little sneaky rips in wrist things. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.580 So that I could say you've stolen my jumper. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.019 And I really like the way it fits. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.140 And I don't want your dodgy one. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:48.840 And so I would just come up with new ways. 00:25:49.040 --> 00:25:51.480 That I could identify things as mine. 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:53.400 But the more traditional way to do that. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:55.120 Would have been to get something with my name on it. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:57.060 And stitch it subtly on the inside of a jumper. 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:59.440 Because that's what name tags do. 00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:01.759 They tell you what belongs to you. 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:05.380 And here when we get this encouragement from Jesus. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.660 This commitment from him. 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.080 That if we stand firm. 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:08.840 If we hold on. 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:11.320 He will write his name on us. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.980 It is a taking possession of. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:17.740 He is marking you out as one of his. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:19.360 As a belonging to him. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:21.279 As owned by him. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.940 As dearly loved by him. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.059 As part of his family. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.079 Part of his kingdom. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:27.200 This is the same promise if you like. 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.480 As the open door that he has made earlier on. 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:32.960 He is welcoming you in to those that belong to him. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.980 But there's also something else that's there. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.420 One of the great things in the Bible. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:40.740 Is that names reveal things about people. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:43.200 I don't know if you remember a little while ago. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.700 We did a series in Hosea. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:49.660 And Hosea has his unfaithful bride. 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:53.480 And Hosea is acting out judgment on the people of Israel. 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.720 He's a prophet. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:57.559 And so God tells him to name his kids. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:27:00.000 Things that communicate what God is feeling. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.460 Towards the people of Israel. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.819 And so his children are named things like. 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.880 Not loved. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.000 And not my people. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:09.359 And we might think that sounds particularly harsh. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:12.339 And I guess they're pretty not nice names. 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:16.140 But names in the Bible hold and carry meaning like that. 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.759 It's the same with God's name. 00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:23.740 And so when we are told that we will have the new name of Jesus written on us here. 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:29.319 It's pointing us to the new and fuller and final name of Jesus. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.960 Right now we have this incredible picture of Jesus. 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.640 That we get through God's word. 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:36.800 As the one who is there as God the Son in the beginning. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.259 As the one who came in flesh. 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.860 As the one who died in our place. 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:41.060 As the one who rose again. 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.640 The one who sits on the throne. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.800 As the one in chapter 1. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:46.000 Who is like blazing fire. 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:47.240 Who holds the stars. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:49.120 Whose voice is like a rushing wind. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:51.340 We have but a snapshot. 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:54.860 Of all that is Jesus. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:59.120 And this new name that we will receive when he returns. 00:27:59.120 --> 00:28:00.320 And gathers us up. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.460 Will be the full name. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:05.240 It will reveal all of him. 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:07.799 We will get to see him and know him fully. 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:11.380 The promise of scripture is that right now we know just a fraction. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.680 As much as we can handle. 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:15.539 But there will be a day when God opens our minds. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.299 And enables us to know him. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:19.299 In all his glory. 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:24.200 The Christian life is not an easy life. 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:28.500 But what an encouragement Jesus gives to us when we struggle tonight. 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:36.839 Because he is the one who is holy and true speaking these words. 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:41.839 Because he has opened a door that cannot be shut by his blood on the cross. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.819 And because he will return. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.319 Because he will vindicate you. 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.180 Because he will keep you in trial. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:51.359 Hear the one instruction that he gives you. 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:54.599 Hold on to what you have. 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.859 Hold on to God's word. 00:28:58.979 --> 00:29:02.139 Hold on to your need for him because of your little strength. 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:09.099 Hold on and one day receive the crown that God has promised to those who love him. 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:13.939 If you are struggling right now. 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:20.619 Jesus doesn't want to add weight to your struggle. 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:24.539 He doesn't want to tell you to fix it or improve. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:28.339 He wants you to hear that he is committed to you. 00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:33.039 He has done what needs to be done so that you belong to him. 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:35.799 He has opened a door that cannot be shut. 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.839 And he is coming back to make sure you walk through it. 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:43.740 Because of who he is. 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.319 Hold on. 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.659 And receive the crown. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.039 Let's pray. 00:29:54.619 --> 00:30:00.939 Father God, we want to thank and praise you for the great encouragement you give to this church in Philadelphia. 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:06.359 We want to thank you for your great patience with us in our failures. 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.899 In our doubts. 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.879 In our struggles. 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:12.559 We want to thank you for Jesus. 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.759 For his willingness to die in our place. 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:19.619 For his presence among us at the moment by your spirit. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:22.799 For his power at work in us. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:34.619 Father, we want to ask that we might grab hold of the fact that we have little strength and instead depend on your perfect power at work in us. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:36.079 God, help us to remember that you will. 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:49.099 God, help us to remember that what you have opened no one can shut. 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:53.099 Help us to remember that you know and you are with us. 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:59.480 Help us to remember that you will one day vindicate your people and vindicate your name. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:03.959 Help us to remember that you're coming soon. 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:08.000 And help us to hold on. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:11.539 In Jesus name. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.740 Amen. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.380 Amen. 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:15.279 Amen. 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:17.279 Amen. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:25.480 Thank you. 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:27.480 Amen. 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:32.420 Amen.