Gateway Visalia

Introduction

Revelation 3:7-13 NASB
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

To the church in Philadelphia, from Jesus.

Discouragement comes when God doesn’t meet our expectations.

8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

1. Discouragement wins when we are blind to opportunity.


Hebrews 11:1 NASB
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

2. Discouragement wins when we forget our worth.

10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

3. Discouragement wins when we lack trust.


1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

I will make you secure in an uncertain world.

Dear Church
Revelation 3:7-13 Pastor Lance Ainsworth
September 5
Battling Discouragement

Prayer Requests:


Group Discussion: How often do you think about Jesus returning to earth?

Read Aloud: Revelation 3:7-13

1. v.8 “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Discouragement wins when we are blind to opportunity. What opportunities has God put in front of you to make a difference? How has discouragement kept you from making the most of those opportunities? Read Hebrews 11:1. What role does hope play in our faith?

2. v.9 “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.” The Judaizers were condemning Gentile Christians for not following Old Testament Law. Read Galatians 3:23-25. What is the role of the Old Testament law for us? How does the Old Testament law point to needing a savior? What determines our worth, the ability to keep God’s law or Jesus’ sacrifice? Or both?

3. v.10-11 “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Jesus says He is coming quickly. How does our version of quick match up to Jesus’? What should we be doing while waiting for Jesus to come back? What does “hold fast” mean for you? How do trust and the sovereignty of God work together?