Janet Loughry

Art Linkletter told the story of Wendy Stoker, who at age 19, was a freshman at the University of Florida. Wendy, a young athlete, placed third, just 2.5 points from first place, in the Iowa girls state diving championship. She worked two hours a day for four years to get there. Now she is at the University of Florida, he says. She’s working twice as hard and has earned the number two position on the varsity diving squad. She’s aiming for the national finals. Wendy carries a full academic load, finds time for bowling, and is an accomplished water skier. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Wendy Stoker is her typing. She bangs out 45 words a minute on her typewriter -- with her toes! And then Mr. Linkletter says, "Oh, did I fail to mention? Wendy was born without arms!"

Jesus talks to a church with little power and challenges the believers how it can use its power to its fullest potential in Revelation 3:7-13.

This morning we conclude our visits to the seven churches which received letters from Jesus Christ Himself. We have heard through Jesus’ words the many ways He reveals His own identity to us; how He truly knows His church and, this particular church -inside and out; and how he goes about bringing faith communities back to full strength in Him. He uses through praise, chastisement or in most cases, fault and blame, encouragement, challenge and most of all love. Philadelphia is the second of only two of these seven churches which Jesus holds only praise and no word of blame or fault.

Remember that Jesus chose these seven churches not only because of their strategic geographical and economic positions, but also for their strategic spiritual positions. That is, for His kingdom on earth, then and now. Philadelphia is honored for not yielding to the hostility and pressure of the synagogue, or as Jesus refers to them - the synagogue of Satan, those who claim to believe in Jesus, but they really don’t, they lie. Philadelphia is also honored for not yielding to the pressure of the pagan culture surrounding them. And it is honored for its works and loyalty to Jesus and the Word of God. They have kept faith in Jesus Christ. And then the church is also challenged to continually point others to Jesus Christ and God’s word.

Most of you, no doubt, are aware that the name Philadelphia means "brotherly love." The English religious and civic leader William Penn founded the historic American city, by that name, in my home state of Pennsylvania. This is where he and his fellow Quakers settled because they could worship in freedom. William Penn took the name for HIS "city of brotherly love" from this obscure city in Asia Minor. This ancient biblical city is primarily remembered because of this relatively short letter in the Book of Revelation that was addressed to the believers in that church during the first century A.D.

This city was built by King Attallus out of love and devotion to Eumenes, his brother. Thus its nick-name. It was built on the edge of a great plain located near an extinct volcano as well as an active volcano. The geographic location and the volcanic ash made the land fertile and perfect for growing grapes. Philadelphia was the famous producer of wines. Merchants came from all over the world to purchase its famous vintages. Now Philadelphia was also a pagan worship center, as were many of the other cities we’ve visited. So it makes sense that her principal god was Dionysus, the god of wine and parties.

Now while the volcano aftermath greatly assisted in bringing about the prosperity from which the city benefitted, it also made the area subject to earthquakes. In A.D. 17, Philadelphia and 10 other cities were devastated by a massive earthquake. Philadelphia suffered more than the other cities. She was not only leveled in the initial quake, but experienced continuing aftershocks for the next several years. The shocks, though minor, happened everyday. The people moved out of the city proper to live in huts. They were afraid of further injuries and more deaths resulting from falling buildings. Only much later was there a very gradual filtering back into the city after the shocks finally subsided. These peoples’ strength and loyalty and perseverance come from their history of wealth, growth and re-growth, as well as their suffering they have endured during the many years of aftershocks as well as the sufferings from those who claim to believe in Jesus but do not.

Then we have how Jesus reveals His character. The essence of His character and the essence of this passage is taken from the Isaiah 22 passage. Verse 22, describes Eliakim, as the faithful steward of King Hezekiah. This king had given Eliakim his key so that no one could gain admission to the royal palace and to the royal presence except through Eliakim alone. In the same way Christ has authority over His church. Jesus is the steward of God. Jesus is the one and only person who is able to introduce us to the presence and riches of God.

Through the revealing of His character we learn more about what our character should be. Jesus tells us He is the holy one. This is His inward character - his inward motivation. He reminds us that our own motives need to be checked as to their genuineness. As in our earthly families, those of us who are members of His holy family will look like Him.

Jesus is also true and this has to do with His outward actions. This means that His outward actions conform to His inward character. What He does and says are consistent with what and who He is. Is that the same with you and with me? Does our outward life conform to the image of Christ within us? Or do we put on a show of holiness which, of course, is not holiness at all? For us to be His effective people, His effective witnesses, we each must not only have the power of the living Christ indwelling in us, but our conduct, each of our actions must express HIS righteousness, His holiness. What and who we are - because of Christ in us - must speak loudly - because often the world only hears what we do - and not what we say. It is exactly what Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "What you are, speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying." We must have the inward motivation of Christ’s character reflect in our outward actions to glorify God.

Jesus is not only telling us about His perfect character, but He also gives us information about His perfect authority. He reveals to us His official position in that He is from the lineage of David. He also has the authority to the throne of David because of His virgin birth. His work and accomplishment on the cross and his victory over the grave show His spiritual power...His Messiahship.

Then Jesus speak of the open door that is a symbol of great opportunity that God has provided. If you are not a believer, the greatest of these opportunities is salvation and Christ is the only key to going through that door. If you want help in accepting that Key - Jesus Christ, come see me.

But, here Jesus speaks to believers. God has provided us great opportunities as a church to serve Him. In those opportunities He has also promised us a great immovable foundation in Him. This is where the rubber meets the road as to the action of who we are in Christ. Jesus honors US by telling US we have the great opportunity to share our faith with others. That is the challenge before us. That is the open door Jesus presents.

You see, the strategic geographical location of the church at Philadelphia was that it was the gateway to three other countries - Lydia, Mysia and Phrygia. It was the gateway, open door, the actual highway which led from Europe to the East. Christ challenges believers not to export the Greek-Hellenistic culture and life-style - but to export Him. Believers are to share with others the salvation which is available through a personal relationship with Christ. Plus Philadelphia is living in a peaceful time of Roman rule. So with the major trade route going right through their city, they experience the freedom of commerce, travel, and the free flow of ideas. This is truly their open door to share their faith...to point the way to Christ and God’s living Word.

Pastor Dave and Carol have returned from their 4 month sabbatical. Dave will be in the office this week and will be preaching next Sunday. This coming Saturday, there will be a church-wide welcome-back open house for them, here in the Fireside Room and patio. I hope you will be able to stop by for a bit to welcome them back. But the hugs, smiles and tears, and words are not the only way to welcome back Dave and Carol. We need to welcome them back with open hearts and open minds to be willing to learn, and follow their leadership in all the ways they have been led by God. Now some things will not be different. I suspect Dave is still a recovering type Double AA personality. I also suspect many opportunities for growth will come to light as the weeks and months unfold - for both the Wilkinson’s and for this congregation. What a wonderful open door of opportunity for all of us.

Along with that, we also have similar open door opportunities as did the church in Philadelphia. Moorpark is geographically located between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, on the way to Simi, Pasadena and points South and East; and Thousand Oaks and other communities, and points North. The city of Moorpark is growing, in case you hadn’t noticed. That means more businesses are coming in, with more commerce and trade opportunities everyday. More and more people are moving into this area. Some are coming to this church, on their own without being invited. There are many more people waiting for us to invite them, needing to be invited to come to this church; needing to have Christ’s love and personal relationship shared with them. Plus, we also live in a country where we have freedom of religion - nothing stops us - but ourselves. Are you taking advantage of this freedom? Or do you have what is referred to as the CIA mentality? The fact that you love Jesus Christ is a well kept secret. Christ is not to be kept a secret!

What are some ways not to keep that secret? The many opportunities that will surface because Dave and Carol have returned I have voice. Included in that we have a unique open door of self-improvement. This must include learning about the Bible and all that it hold for you and for me; through Sunday School classes, small group participation of Bible study and prayer, and even being a Sunday School teacher. This opportunity to widen our minds and to broaden our knowledge is so that we may be better equipped to serve God and others.

There is also a door of service which is open to every one of us, no matter what we think our limitations are. There are many opportunities within this faith community, from being a celebration leader, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, serving on one of the ministry teams, being connected and serving through the prayer chain, a mighty ministry. You name it, there is a need, an opportunity, a door for you to open and to go through with full action.

And of course the door of witness is before us. This is the door that every one of us has the opportunity and responsibility of continually opening and going through. Remember that Christ’s challenge is to share our faith. Jim Cymbala, author of The Church God Blesses, (pg10), says, "Heaven’s great concern is not for the United Nations, global warming, or the financial markets of the world. Heaven’s great concern is for the extension of God’s kingdom, the spreading of the gospel, the world coming to understand who he really is — and all of this depends on local Christian churches like (ours). God is not using angels to represent himself, nor will a voice be heard from heaven to preach the gospel. He has chosen to work here on earth through his church." Through you and through me. Faith is not a selfish thing. Share with others the Good News of what Jesus Christ is doing in your life-for Heaven’s sake.

You know, I almost titled this sermon something like: What are our limitations? Or How can we serve our limitless God with our measly limitations? Remember Wendy Stoker from my opening illustration? Her physical limitations did not stop her. They certainly could have. If anything she has grown physically stronger. She has strengthened her mind and her spirit. And she has been rewarded. What do you think are your limitations? What holds you back from sharing the Gospel, what holds you back from sharing Christ’s love with others, what Christ has done and is doing in your life.

We all have our limitations, real or perceived. Yes, we are all in the same boat. But that does not give us permission to stop keeping faith in Jesus. It certainly does not give us permission to not share our faith in Jesus and the power of His presence and His love with others. Jesus is the open door. He is the One who shuts the door of our fears, lack of confidence, lack of intellect and tied tongues and other real or perceived limitations. He is also the one who fills us with His power to move forward. He fills us with strength to open the door and go through, for Him and His purposes. So we are not limited at all!

Take action on the fact that our faith in Christ and his love for us is worth sharing. Take up the challenge. Jesus Christ is not to be kept a secret!