From Him Who Has the Key of David - Part 1

Revelation 3:7-13
June 7, 2020
Abraham Hong

Sermon Script

Dear Highland. Right now we are waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus. And right now we are to invite others to wait with us with repentance and faith in Christ. This is not easy. It never was. It never will be. But thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ. Because he encouraged the church in Philadelphia back then. And he encourages our church in Vernon Hills today.

Jesus wants you to know and be reminded of the following four truths. If you feel weak, then Jesus wants you to know that he is powerful and strong. If you feel uncertain about things, then Jesus wants you to know that he is in control. If you lack assurance of salvation, then Jesus wants you to know that he has shown you grace. And if you receive persecution or if you struggle with evangelism, then Jesus wants you to know that he is Lord over the worst persecution and the most difficult evangelism.

First, if you feel weak, then Jesus wants you to know that he is powerful and strong.

The church in Philadelphia had but little power. They were weak. Weak in strength. They were not significant or consequential. There was nothing really special about them. But Jesus kept them going with his power and his strength. They were of great significance and consequence to him. They were special to him.

Dear Highland, it is true that our church in so many ways has but little power. We are weak. Weak in strength. We are not famous. Our English ministry is small. And this livestream is being brought to you with a 480p webcam on my laptop. We certainly do not look like we have much going on behind the gas station. But we certainly do have Jesus. And he is powerful and strong. He is feeding us and growing us week after week. He is training us and disciplining us for his future plans. He keep us going with his power and his strength. Because we are of great significance and consequence to him. Because we are special to him. Jesus is powerful and strong. Praise the Lord. Be encouraged, brothers and sisters. Hear what the Spirit says to us this morning.

Second, if you feel uncertain about things, then Jesus wants you to know that he is in control.

The church in Philadelphia also needed to know that Jesus was in control. They endured persecution and trial. There was great uncertainty in their lives as they kept Jesus’ word and did not deny his name with patient endurance. And so Jesus reminded them who was in charge of everything. He said that he is the holy one and the true one. This means that he is the Creator and the Redeemer who would be faithful and true to his church. Jesus is the holy one. There is no one greater than Jesus in authority and glory. And Jesus is the true one. Everything he says is true - he does not lie - and all of his promises come true - no one can stop him.

Dear Highland, as a church we face a lot of uncertainty. And we are not much in control of anything. We don’t know when this pandemic will end and if we will ever return to what is normal. We are not masters of our futures on this old and fading earth. And we don’t get to chose our persecutions and our trials in this pilgrim life. But that’s okay. Because Jesus is in control of everything. He knows our future because he ordained it. Everything is perfectly going according to his plan. No one is greater than him and all of his promises come true. Therefore, we can trust him. We can patiently endure suffering in this life. Because Jesus is the holy one. Because Jesus is the true one. Jesus is in control. Praise the Lord. Be encouraged, brothers and sisters. Hear what the Spirit says to us this morning.

Third, if you lack assurance of salvation, then Jesus wants you to know that he has shown you grace.

The church in Philadelphia was also blessed with God’s assurance of salvation. Back in the day, cities had keys. Cities had walls. Walls had gates. And gates had keys. The keys of old were super important. They were given to special high-ranking servants. And with them, one could open and close the doors to the city. This is a beautiful and heartwarming picture of our assurance of salvation. The church enters into what is described as the city of David, which is the kingdom of Christ. The doors are open because of the keys of Jesus’ life and death, the keys of Jesus’ body and blood, the keys of Jesus’ righteousness and obedience, the keys of Jesus’ resurrection and eternal life. And Jesus assured the church in Philadelphia that he held these keys. He is the servant of the city who opens and closes the city doors. And what he opens, no one can shut. What he shuts, no one can open. Salvation belongs to the Lord and to him alone.

Dear Highland, be assured of your salvation in Christ. You have the kingdom of God because Jesus opened the door with his keys. And you cannot be removed from the kingdom of God because Jesus closed the door with his keys. This is all because of God’s grace. You are saved by grace. You are saved because Jesus chose you to be saved. So be assured of your salvation in Christ. No one can snatch you out of Jesus’ hand. Nothing can separate you from Jesus’ love. Because Jesus has the key of David. Because what he opens, no one will shut. Because what he shuts, no one opens. Praise the Lord. Be encouraged, brothers and sisters. Hear what the Spirit says to us this morning.

Fourth, if you receive persecution or if you struggle with evangelism, then Jesus wants you to know that he is Lord over the worst persecution and the most difficult evangelism.

The church in Philadelphia received serious persecution. Certain Jews who were described as a synagogue of Satan persecuted them. They kept Jesus’ word. They did not deny Jesus’ name. And they suffered through great trials because of these things. But Jesus was Lord over all of this. He promised to them that he would make their persecutors come and bow down before their feet. They would bow down in repentance and faith in Jesus. And they would actually join them in the kingdom of God. They would actually learn about the love of Christ. Jesus promised to vindicate them and bless their evangelism and set before them an open door that no one would be able to shut. Not even the synagogue of Satan would be able to shut that door for evangelism.

Dear Highland, perhaps you struggle with evangelism. Perhaps you are being persecuted for your faith in Jesus - or you will someday in your life. This is difficult. But remember that your Savior is Lord over all of these things. Jesus will vindicate you at the end. And who knows? Maybe the very people who are against you will end up being saved through you, through your evangelism. What a great story that would be. The people who hate you may later thank you. Why? Because Jesus sets before us an open door. Because Jesus is Lord over persecution and evangelism. Be encouraged, brothers and sisters. Hear what the Spirit says to us this morning.

I really hope that you would receive Jesus’ encouragement this morning. It is not easy to wait for Jesus’ return. And it is not easy to invite others to wait with us with repentance and faith in Christ. But notice who is at the center of everything in today’s letter to the church in Philadelphia. Jesus is actively doing everything. He is the one who sets up the open door for evangelism, not us. He is the one who will change people’s hearts and minds for repentance and faith in him, not us. He is the one who will help us in the hour of trial, not us. He is the one who will make us a pillar in the temple of God, not us. He is the one who will give us new names, not us. This is what it really looks like to be a Christ-centered church. This is how our church, Highland, can get through anything. So do not worry. Do not be discouraged. Do not feel like we are lost. Our King knows us and he knows what he is doing for us. He is the one who has the key of David.

Soli Deo Gloria