Powerless Philadelphia

Cornerstone Church,

Powerless Philadelphia

Over the last 6 weeks we have studied the Letters to the Churches of Asia Minor. Jesus has encouraged every church and rebuked most. The church in Philadelphia escapes the rebuke of our Lord and instead has the fact that they are just plain weak described this way in verse 8.

Revelation 3:8 (NKJV) ⁸ I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

You see, they had little strength. The word translated strength here is the familiar word “Dynamis” translated “power” in other passages. Jesus does not point out how they were powerless, or even how to get more power. He states it as fact.

As a matter of fact, we are all powerless when it comes to salvation, we are all powerless to live the Christian life. We are all weak when it comes to temptation and we are all weak when it comes to faith. That is why He opens the door for us. That is why He keeps us from the hour of trial (vs.10) and why He writes His name upon us. (vs 12)

That is why we can rejoice with Paul as he wrote to the church in Corinth.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (NKJV) ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Our weakness displays Christ’s strength. Our feeble works give way to His glory. So we will plant our mustard seed faith, give but only a cup of cold water in His name, do all... no matter how small for His fame.

- Pastor Joel Johns