Philadelphia
Series: Seven Letters
Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

The issue: The church had been told “________________________.”
Words that Jesus uses to define who He is:
• ____________________ (hagios)
• ____________________ = genuine, faithful
• Jesus is the holy and faithful ______________ of God.

Obstacles to the church in Philadelphia:
• ____________ ___________ of synagogue worship within their city.
• They have little _______________ (v8)

3 Reminders as we face trials:
1. What feels ___________ today doesn’t mean Jesus hasn’t ______________ a door.

2. What _______________ today doesn’t have to _____________ tomorrow.
• Jesus ____________ _____________ ______________ _____________!

3. What ____________________ you today doesn’t have the ______________ word over ______________.
Our patient ____________ now, and our realized ______________ then, both come from the same source: God’s ____________.

So here’s the question Jesus leaves with each of us today: Will you _______________ Him?

Start talking:
• Have you ever been somewhere where you felt like an outsider? What made you feel that way?
• If you could have one “door” in your life magically open right now, what would it be?

Start Thinking:
• The church in Philadelphia was small, had little strength, and was being told, “You don’t belong.” What do you think it meant for them to hear Jesus say, “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut”?
• Jesus doesn’t promise Philadelphia that their difficulties will immediately disappear. What does He promise them?
• Why is it sometimes easier to believe what other people say about us than what Jesus says about us?
• What do you think it means to “hold on to what you have” when your circumstances are difficult?
• Pastor Troy emphasized that we persevere because grace is already at work in us, not in order to earn God’s grace. How does that distinction affect the way you think about faithfulness?

Start Sharing:
• Have you ever experienced a season when it felt like every door was closed? Looking back, can you see ways God was still working?
Which of these statements speaks most strongly to where you are right now:
• Jesus holds the key.
• I belong to Him.
• My circumstances don’t have the final word.
• Jesus is faithful.
Why?
• What’s one area of your life where you need to practice patient endurance right now?
• Who is someone you know who may currently feel rejected, forgotten, or like an outsider? How could you remind them that they are seen and loved by Jesus?

Start Praying:
What “closed door” do you need to surrender to Jesus and trust Him with? Pray for the faith to keep trusting, keep enduring, keep following, and keep holding on, even when you can’t see what God is doing.

Start Doing:
Each day Remind yourself: Jesus holds the key. Jesus knows me. Jesus is faithful. Then identify one situation where you’re tempted to give up or become discouraged. Surrender it to God and ask for grace to remain faithful.

Don’t focus on the door. Focus on the One who holds the key.