Philadelphia: A Model for All "Small" Churches
"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name."
-Revelation 3:8
Philadelphia in Asia Minor (now Alasehir, Turkey), was situated 30 miles SE of Sardis on a hillside on an important commercial and mailing route. It was founded to foster Greek culture, with the purpose of ultimately 'converting' the Lydians and Phrygians into Greeks. In a little over a century, the strategy worked as it has been noted by historians, "the Lydians had even forgotten their own language."
Philadelphia got its name, 'the City of Brotherly Love,' after King Attalus II who founded it; he was noted for his "unusual devotion to his brother." It was widely known as a relatively peaceful and accepting city up until the mid-14th century after the spread and influence of Islam. In particular, freedom for Christians practically ended at that time.
The Church of Philadelphia is unique among all the church letters in Revelation 2-3 because it is the one church noted for its continued faithfulness to God and His Word. Smyrna, the persecuted church, was also praised for its stance in the midst of resistance, but Philadelphia was especially noted for being a small church ("you have but little power"), a weak congregation in human standards, yet it stood mightily for Christ.
I wanted to camp out here on this point for the remainder of this post: Small churches can STILL be used by God in a mighty way.
Aside from my teenage years, being a part of a fairly "large" church of roughly 600-700 members, my experience, especially in nearly 11 years of ministry, has been as a part of what would be considered "small" churches. When the term "small" is used, the general parameter indicates a local church of less than 100 people. My ministerial experiences have been far less than this, except one local congregation of about 150 in West Texas, now several years ago. Since then, I've pastored a church of 20 and currently a church of about 40.
If you're reading this and you're a part of what would fall under the umbrella of a "small church," its likely you know what it means to feel discouraged, insignificant, overwhelmed, and even defeated at times.
I don't now how many times Satan has tempted me, as a pastor, to get discouraged and to even feel sorry for myself and for our "faithful few" when looking "down the road" at "such-and-such" church and see the wild success they're having, in terms of attendance at least. Or you see a sermon video shared on YouTube or other social media of a mega-church boasting attendance in the thousands, complete with financial stability, multiple ministry staff, and all the "bells and whistles" as my grandfather would say.
What is to be said about this? Does being a "small" church mean it has failed?
Let it be understood first and foremost: If a church is sitting around doing absolutely nothing but simply showing up for service and then going home until next week, then yes, that church is failing in its mission and it is headed for death (if it isn't there already). A church that sits idly and does nothing of any Gospel effort is doomed to have its candlestick snuffed out if it doesn't repent and get back to work.
However, this wasn't the case at Philadelphia Church.
Christ had nothing negative or condemning to say to this small, weak church. In fact, He praises them in this way: They were a small church who faithfully obeyed the Word of God, endured persecution, and stood for Jesus unashamedly. (v.8)
As the letter continues (v.8-12), Jesus then promises this small but faithful church several things:
1) Your salvation is secure
2) You will have Gospel opportunities (an "open door")
3) Your persecutors will fail and some will even believe
4) You will be spared of the Tribulation (as all believers will)
5) You will be eternally with God as part of His family
Wow! And the key to all of these praises and promises was a simple, oft-repeated command in Scripture: Be faithful to Me, obey My Word, and endure.
If you're a part of a "small" church, take heart. Yes, God even uses the small churches in this world to greatly impact His kingdom, and believe it or not, "small" churches actually make up the majority. Keep going, keep preaching, keep working, endure for Christ and for the sake of His Gospel. He "knows our work" - Gospel work will not go unnoticed.
-Revelation 3:8
Philadelphia in Asia Minor (now Alasehir, Turkey), was situated 30 miles SE of Sardis on a hillside on an important commercial and mailing route. It was founded to foster Greek culture, with the purpose of ultimately 'converting' the Lydians and Phrygians into Greeks. In a little over a century, the strategy worked as it has been noted by historians, "the Lydians had even forgotten their own language."
Philadelphia got its name, 'the City of Brotherly Love,' after King Attalus II who founded it; he was noted for his "unusual devotion to his brother." It was widely known as a relatively peaceful and accepting city up until the mid-14th century after the spread and influence of Islam. In particular, freedom for Christians practically ended at that time.
The Church of Philadelphia is unique among all the church letters in Revelation 2-3 because it is the one church noted for its continued faithfulness to God and His Word. Smyrna, the persecuted church, was also praised for its stance in the midst of resistance, but Philadelphia was especially noted for being a small church ("you have but little power"), a weak congregation in human standards, yet it stood mightily for Christ.
I wanted to camp out here on this point for the remainder of this post: Small churches can STILL be used by God in a mighty way.
Aside from my teenage years, being a part of a fairly "large" church of roughly 600-700 members, my experience, especially in nearly 11 years of ministry, has been as a part of what would be considered "small" churches. When the term "small" is used, the general parameter indicates a local church of less than 100 people. My ministerial experiences have been far less than this, except one local congregation of about 150 in West Texas, now several years ago. Since then, I've pastored a church of 20 and currently a church of about 40.
If you're reading this and you're a part of what would fall under the umbrella of a "small church," its likely you know what it means to feel discouraged, insignificant, overwhelmed, and even defeated at times.
I don't now how many times Satan has tempted me, as a pastor, to get discouraged and to even feel sorry for myself and for our "faithful few" when looking "down the road" at "such-and-such" church and see the wild success they're having, in terms of attendance at least. Or you see a sermon video shared on YouTube or other social media of a mega-church boasting attendance in the thousands, complete with financial stability, multiple ministry staff, and all the "bells and whistles" as my grandfather would say.
What is to be said about this? Does being a "small" church mean it has failed?
Let it be understood first and foremost: If a church is sitting around doing absolutely nothing but simply showing up for service and then going home until next week, then yes, that church is failing in its mission and it is headed for death (if it isn't there already). A church that sits idly and does nothing of any Gospel effort is doomed to have its candlestick snuffed out if it doesn't repent and get back to work.
However, this wasn't the case at Philadelphia Church.
Christ had nothing negative or condemning to say to this small, weak church. In fact, He praises them in this way: They were a small church who faithfully obeyed the Word of God, endured persecution, and stood for Jesus unashamedly. (v.8)
As the letter continues (v.8-12), Jesus then promises this small but faithful church several things:
1) Your salvation is secure
2) You will have Gospel opportunities (an "open door")
3) Your persecutors will fail and some will even believe
4) You will be spared of the Tribulation (as all believers will)
5) You will be eternally with God as part of His family
Wow! And the key to all of these praises and promises was a simple, oft-repeated command in Scripture: Be faithful to Me, obey My Word, and endure.
If you're a part of a "small" church, take heart. Yes, God even uses the small churches in this world to greatly impact His kingdom, and believe it or not, "small" churches actually make up the majority. Keep going, keep preaching, keep working, endure for Christ and for the sake of His Gospel. He "knows our work" - Gospel work will not go unnoticed.
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