Seven, Philadelphia – David Nasser

Overview: 

This week, we are discussing the letter to the church in Philadelphia. As a city, Philadelphia had a good relationship with Rome until an earthquake ruined it. Once Philadephia could no longer produce, Rome lost interest in it. In the same way, the church had a good relationship with the synagogue because of their Jewish heritage. Once the church began to teach about Christ as the Messiah and His resurrection and convert Gentiles, the synagogue shut them out.
The church ultimately was excluded by both Rome and their Jewish heritage. However, in the face of these betrayals, God remained faithful to the church. Because of God’s faithfulness to them, the church, though small, remained faithful to God. Their spiritual backbone, courage, and unwavering security were founded in confidence that God is faithful.

Verses:

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Quotes:

“In the economy of this world, everything is conditional. In the economy of God, He is faithful to the end.”
“God is not asking for us to be faithful to Him without first being faithful to us. He never asks anything that He is not first willing to model.”
“It’s not about the size of the church but about the health of the church.”
“If the light lives in you then the light shines through you.”

Questions:

1) What earthquake in your life has Satan used to try and make you spiritually pull your vines (uproot your faith)?
2) Share a story of how God has shown His unfailing faithfulness.
3) What does true faithfulness look like in the everyday life of a believer?
4) Are you apart of a church that is spiritually healthy? How do you know?
5) What is hindering you from being bold in your faith (“letting your life shine”)?
6) How can the group pray for you (right now) concerning boldness in your faith?