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Minister
Theme
Aflame Com Church Inc Sunday Sermon – 17 July 2011
: Elder Harry Chen
: THE TRUE CHURCH (3)
7 Churches in Asia
The Church of Ephesus
The Church of Smyrna
The Church of Pergamos
The Church of Thyatira
The Church of Sardis
The Church of Philadelphia
The Church of Laodicea
Church of Philadelphia – the Overcoming Church
Philadelphia comes from Greek word ‘Phileo’ means ‘love of a brother or brotherly love’.
City – not a great city commercially, earthquake-prone city, known for its poverty, bordered three countries
Lydia, Mysia & Phyrgia – it would become ‘an open door’ for the spread of the Gospel to regions beyond.
The environment of Philadelphia relates to our personal life. Even though we may face financial / physical /
emotional challenges / setbacks / disappointments, and in our eyes we may think we are disadvantaged –
yet GOD is able to use us if we take our calling and standing seriously and know our identity in CHRIST.
Revelation 3: 7 (NLT)
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the ONE Who is
Holy and True, the ONE Who has the Key of David. What HE opens , no one can close; and what HE closes,
no one can open.”
GOD is the ONE Who opens & closes doors – We are to make the most of the opportunities
GOD gives us. Once it’s closed, we may not have second chance.
Eg. Noah’s ark; days of Lot (wife turned to pillar of salt) Luke 17: 26 – 29
Revelation 3: 8 (NLT)
“I know all the things you do, and I Have opened a Door for you that no one can close.
You have little strength, yet you obeyed MY Word and did not deny ME.”
2 Corinthians 12: 8 – 10
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the LORD three times that it might depart from me. And HE said to me,
“MY Grace is sufficient for you, for MY Strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the Power of CHRIST may rest upon me. 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.
What are some of the reasons why we deny GOD and HIS Word?
Being ashamed, worrying about our image, embarrassed what others may think of us.
Luke 9: 26 (NLT)
If anyone is ashamed of ME and MY Message, the SON of Man will be ashamed of that person
when HE returns in HIS Glory and in the Glory of the FATHER and the holy angels.
Romans 1: 16 (NLT)
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about CHRIST. It is the power of GOD at work, saving everyone
who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.
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Being fearful of people or accepting worldly wisdom is foolishness – regardless whether it’s from
parents, family, spouse, bosses & any human idols. All fear beside fear of the LORD is unhealthy.
1 John 4: 17 – 18
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because
as HE is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Why? Fear causes weakness yet it’s GOD’S Power that works in us through HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
2 Timothy 1: 7
For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Having Unbelief / Doubting (difference in unbelief and doubt/hesitate) – causes instability,
being double minded, unreliable.
Mark 11: 22b – 24 (NLT)
“Have Faith in GOD. I tell you the Truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown
into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Faith is what empowers us to be godly – giving us strength to change & be transformed.
2 Timothy 3: 5a (NLT)
They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
2 Timothy 3: 5a
Having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Revelation 3: 9 – 10 (NLT)
Look, I Will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue – those liars who say they are Jews but are not –
to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. “Because you have
obeyed MY Command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the
whole world to test those who belong to this world.”
Patient Endurance is needed in the trials to come for a Church as well as believers.
It’s through Personal Testing (everyday) that we may have strength to persevere –
Through Patient Endurance – Character Building – Fruitful Spirit.
GOD is patient and long-suffering and HE wants that quality of character to be in HIS people.
Romans 5: 3 – 5
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the
love of GOD has been poured out in our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT Who was given to us.
Revelation 3: 11 (NLT)
I AM coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
Winner’s Crown speaks of our reward. We must have sheer determination and winning attitude.
In Olympics many run the race but only one winner.
Crown of Life – Revelation 2:10; James 1:12.
Crown of Rejoicing (Joy) – 1 Thessalonians 2:19.
Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.
Crown of Incorruptible – 1 Corinthians 9:25.
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Revelation 3: 12 – 13 (NLT)
All who are victorious will become Pillars in the Temple of MY GOD, and they will never have to leave it.
And I will write on them the Name of MY GOD, and they will be citizens in the City of MY GOD – the
New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from MY GOD. And I will also write on them MY New Name.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the SPIRIT and understand what HE is saying to the churches.
Pillar – a thick strong upright post that supports part of a building (English assistance UK).
As a Church we are all part of HIS Building – cannot be individualistic with no harmony / unity.
Psalm 133: 1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Pillar speaks of stability, solidarity, firmness, beauty and permanency of place.
Most importantly Pillars speak of: HIS Pillar – HIS Nature – Fully Pleasing HIM.
Encarta dictionary – Pillars can be for decoration or support.
What makes a Church member a supporting pillar ?
Loyalty – to Pastors, Spiritual Leaders & Aflame Church – both during good and difficult times.
It’s during difficult times that your loyalty will be tested – no matter what temptation comes our way,
we must remain faithful to our calling (King David & King Saul, Jonathan & King David).
Being Fruitful – Full of Good Works & Obedience to CHRIST.
Colossians 1: 9 – 10
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled
with the knowledge of HIS Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the LORD,
fully pleasing HIM, being fruitful in every Good Work and increasing in the knowledge of GOD.
New Name has not been revealed yet – however, to receive this Name we need to have
Nature & Character of LORD JESUS CHRIST. The LORD knows who are HIS.
2 Timothy 2: 19 – 21
Nevertheless the solid foundation of GOD stands, having this seal: “The LORD knows those who are HIS”
and “Let everyone who names the Name of CHRIST depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore
if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the MASTER,
prepared for every Good Work.
Victorious Church - is a Fruitful Effective Church which walks Obediently to HIS Commandments.
1 John 5: 3 – 5
For this is the love of GOD, that we keep HIS commandments. And HIS commandments are not burdensome.
For whatever is born of GOD overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world –
our faith.
Church of Laodicea – the Lukewarm Church
Laodicea – Greek word ‘Laos’ means ‘People’ while Dikea means ‘To Rule’ – Hence ‘The Rule of the People’.
Commercially one of the wealthiest & prosperous cities in Asia, known for its banks, fashion & trade (Metropolis).
Deceitfulness of riches and materialism have crept into the Church – producing self-sufficiency, self-deception,
self-dependence, self-confidence & pride.
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Revelation 3: 14 – 16 (NLT)
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the ONE Who is the Amen –
the faithful and true witness, the beginning of GOD’S new creation: “I know All the things you do, that
you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water,
neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out from MY Mouth!”
No springs in immediate area of Laodicea – aqueducts were built to nearby springs which had both hot and cold
water, but by the time it reaches the people it became lukewarm – pleasing onto the flesh for bathing purposes
but because of nauseous temperature was unfit to drink.
Lukewarm is partly cold, partly hot – state of mixture. Mixture is not cold, not hot.
A believer cannot have mixture. Divided between CHRIST and the World. Divided in Focus & Loyalty.
Can you choose CHRIST and the World – Spiritual Mixture?
Luke 16: 13
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be
loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and mammon.”
Colossians 2: 8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to CHRIST.
James 4: 4
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD?
Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD.
Revelation 3: 17 – 18 (NLT)
You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realise that you are wretched
and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from ME – gold that has been purified
by Fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from ME so you will not be shamed by your nakedness,
and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.
Deceitfulness of riches and materialism produces complacency, self-sufficiency, self-deception,
self-dependence, self-confidence & pride (Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction).
It is a Trap (snare) – to stray off to world’s thinking & patterns.
1 Timothy 6: 9 – 10
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which
some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
World’s materialism – is it keep buying / upgrading but never being satisfied?
Isaiah 55: 1 – 2
Ho! Everyone who thirsts. Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, Come,
buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your
wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to ME, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself
in abundance.
MY gold purified & refined in the Fire. The WORD of GOD is the True Gold and
is True Spiritual Wealth & Riches. It always satisfy and does not disappoint.
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Proverbs 16: 16
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Psalms 19: 7 – 10
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise
the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandments of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also
than honey and the honeycomb.
Eye slave – speaks of ointment / medicine made in Laodicea to help cure sore eyes –
look & open your spiritual eyes, see from GOD’S perspective not from outward appearance.
Eyes enlightened to see from GOD’s Perspective. Not own which causes worldly perspective of self.
Revelation 3: 19 – 22 (NLT)
I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. “Look! I stand at the door
and knock. If you hear MY Voice and open the door, I Will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Those who are victorious will sit with ME on MY Throne, just as I was victorious and sat with MY FATHER
on HIS Throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the SPIRIT and understand what HE is saying to
the churches.”
Endure correcting and disciplining from the LORD without getting discouraged as it is for
our own benefit to be more like JESUS everyday.
Hebrews 12: 5b – 6, 11
“MY son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by HIM;
For whom the LORD loves HE chastens. And scourges every son whom HE receives.”
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields
the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore be zealous and repent – do not be indifferent.
Don’t be a Christian that is subject to the world / our flesh / self centred / emotions not restored.
But be a pillar useful for GOD – zealous of HIS business.
Purpose of the letters to the seven Churches is to take heed of HIS warnings to the Churches and
to ALL Believers. We are all to be overcoming, passionate and fruitful Christians until we face JESUS
face to face, all will be judged according to our works.
In conclusion take the Warnings seriously, summarised as :
Leaving first love
Wrong doctrines
Not Watchful & Prayerful
Spiritually dead
Lukewarm
Remember, in each Church GOD evaluates both good and bad.
We must each be prepared to evaluate ourselves and repent of our weaknesses.
To overcome our weaknesses, we need to be always coming back to our first love,
be watchful & prayerful, and walk by faith.
2 Corinthians 5: 10 – 11
For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST, that each one may receive the things done
in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the Terror of the LORD,
we persuade men; but we are well known to GOD, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
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