Pert Near Perfect

WE’VE GOT MAIL #6/7 Stockwell Road MBC
August 16, 2009 MW

PERT NEAR PERFECT
Revelation 3:7-13

INTRODUCTION:
A. These two chapters in the Book of Revelation contain 7 letters written to 7 Churches located throughout Asia. They are love letters written by the hand of John from the heart of God. Jesus had a word for each of these churches and He also has a word for us as well. You see THEY GOT MAIL and today WE’VE GOT MAIL. There are 3 ways that we need to view these letters this morning.
1. PROPHETICALLY…each one represents a different time period in Church history; Philadelphia represents the time from 1700 AD to the present day. More specifically the door of religious freedom that was opened when America was being settled.
2. PRACTICALLY…a letter to the Church at Philadelphia is a letter to Stockwell Road MBC.
3. PERSONALLY…Churches are made of individuals, of families of people.

B. The city of Philadelphia, PA is called the city of Brotherly Love. No doubt the founders of this city knew the history of the “”Philadelphia” mentioned in our text and had the same hope for their city. The city of Philadelphia was founded by Attalus II who was the ruler of Pergamos between 159-138 BC. We are told that Attalus cared so much for his brother Eumenes that he was known as Philadelphos, which literally means, “One who loves his brother.” And so the city was named Philadelphia. The city was located on along a fault line and frequently was the recipient of earthquakes and aftershocks. Due to the fear of falling debris many of the citizens actually lived outside the city walls. Out of all of the Churches, it is Philadelphia, which receives the greatest praise and commendation for the Lord. The Church has such an impact in the city that long after the Muslims came in and overtook the city, it remained a free Christian city in the middle of a sea of pagan peoples. Philadelphia stood as the last witness of Christianity in Asia. In fact, today, the city of Philadelphia still boasts of around 1,000 Christians that still call it home.

C. Philadelphia MBC was a Church that was PERT NEAR PERFECT! Of course, it couldn’t be perfect because it was made up of imperfect people. Nevertheless, in the Lord’s eyes she had all that was needed. I believe that the Lord had such high praise for this Church for many reasons but one stood above the rest: Her missionary zeal. The Lord blessed this Church so much and He wants to bless us as well. One thing that the Lord looks for in His Churches is a MISSION MINDEDNESS. We are a MISSIONARY Baptist Church but that word MISSIONARY needs to be more than letters on a sign. Missions is the life’s blood of the Lord’s Churches. We must be actively involved in ministry and in missions if we are to expect the Lord’s blessings!

D. Philadelphia had the reputation of being PERT NEAR PERFECT and each of us needs to answer the question this morning: What type of reputation does Stockwell Road have if people judged it by my life?

BODY:
I. WE MUST KNOW OUR MASTER vs. 7-8
note: The Lord has introduced Himself to the Churches differently each time. These introductions give critical and vital information about our Lord. Remember, He is the head of the Church. With our jobs we all want to know who we are working for…it is no different with His Church…we should want to know more about the Lord!
A. His Character
1. separated from evil—holy
2. separated from error—true
B. His Control
1. the authority—the key of David
2. the activity—opens and shuts the door of opportunity
3. the arrangement—we are reminded of His provisions!
C. His Call
1. to be aware of ministry—see the open doors!
2. to be active in ministry—step through the doors

II. WE MUST KNOW OUR MINISTRY vs. 8b-9, Isaiah 40:31
note: Have you ever heard the phrase, “Like a duck OUT of water.” It means that you are doing something unnatural to you. Sometimes people get involved in things that they have NO business doing! If the youth isn’t your thing stay out of it! If music isn’t your thing stay out of it! If teaching isn’t your thing STAY out of it. God has SOMETHING for you to do so wait on Him to show you! The key to flying like an eagle is to wait on the Lord!
A. Basic Ministry
1. be willing—hast a little
2. be teachable—hast kept my word
3. be faithful—hast not denied my name
B. Blessed Ministry—results

III. WE MUST KNOW OUR MOTIVATION vs. 9-12
note: Why do we do what we do? I have asked myself at times in my ministry, “Why are you doing what you are doing?” We all need to stop and check our motives. If it is for anything other than glorifying Christ, STOP! Here are 3 great motivations…
A. The World’s Reconciliation to Christ v. 9
B. The Imminent Return of Christ v. 10-11
C. The Sure Reward for Faithfulness v. 12

CONCLUSION:
Do you hear your part in this today…the Lord wants you to be faithful and available to Him! Are you helping Stockwell Road have the type of reputation like the Church at Philadelphia had? We all know our imperfections but we should still be striving towards perfection every day!