Christianity asserts a number of seemingly counterintuitive truths. For example, wealth comes through poverty, maturity through childlikeness, exaltation by submission, life via death, glory by suffering, and freedom through enslavement.* Truths like these are difficult for us to grasp because our sinful nature screams rebellion and our ignorant world preaches their opposites.

Another such reality is presented throughout Scripture promising peace, joy, purpose, influence, protection, and blessing, and summarized by the apostle Paul: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). Counterintuitively, true power is seen, found, and experienced in total weakness. What Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, the church in Philadelphia was likewise experiencing. It’s not until believers are stripped of earthly influence, competence, and independence that God’s power can be fully understood and demonstrated.

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If you’ve been around the church for any amount of time you know that Christianity sits atop a number of seemingly counterintuitive truths—claims that, at first glance, don’t make sense: Wealth comes through poverty, maturity through childlikeness, exaltation via submission, life through death, glory by way of suffering, and freedom through enslavement to Christ. (See, respectively, 2 Cor 8:9; Matt 18:3; 1 Pet 5:6; Matt 16:25; Heb 2:10; Rom 6:22.)

Truths like these are sometimes difficult for us to grasp, and live, because we’re sinfully wired alternatively and live in a world ignorantly preaching their opposites. 

Today we’re going to be confronted with another such reality, one that’s found throughout Scripture. One that, when understood and applied, promises us peace, joy, comfort, purpose, protection, and blessing. It’s the counterintuitive reality Paul declares in 2 Corinthians.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Counterintuitively, true power is seen, found, and experienced only in total weakness. It’s not until we’re stripped of all influence, competence, and brilliance that we can fully understand and demonstrate God’s power working through us.

There are some here today that feel weak, helpless, marginalized, and unimportant. I’m glad you’re here, because God’s going to remind you that you’re in a great position to be used by him. And there are some here today who feel strong, productive, successful, and influential. I’m also glad you’re here, because God’s going to remind you that those can be the very things that stop you from experiencing God’s power.

What Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, the church in Philadelphia was experiencing. Turn to Revelation 3. What we’re going to find in this inspired message to a first-century church is a counterintuitive, seemingly nonsensical contrast between pathetic Christians and their powerful Christ.

“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:

“‘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. 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. 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. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 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. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Revelation 3:7–13

The Christians in Philadelphia

You probably noticed as we read how little textual real estate was given to the Christians of Philadelphia. We really only see them explicitly mentioned in a few phrases, most notably near the middle of verse 8: “… because you have little power.” 

Whether or not Christ’s referring to the size of their assembly, he’s certainly highlighting the sad lack of influence and status they had in their otherwise pagan city. They were a non-factor on the Philly scene. Most probably didn’t know they existed. “There’s a church here? Who knew!” They were invisible, insignificant, unimportant … powerless.

But, in spite of their weakness, more than any other church in Revelation, they are wildly commended. It’s pointed out that they’re obedient to Christ (3:8d). They have obeyed Christ’s teachings. 

Last week we read of believers who had drifted from usefulness—the walking dead. To fix that, Christ told them to wake up, remember, and obey. The Christians in Philadelphia didn’t need that reminder. They may have been powerless, but they were obedient.

They were also faithful to Christ (3:8e). John uses this same word in describing Peter’s courtyard misstep (John 18:25). The Philadelphian Christians didn’t do that. They had not repudiated or renounced their allegiance to Christ, even in the face of pressure, inconvenience, and insecurity. They’d been faithful.

Verse 10 adds that, not only were they obedient and faithful to Christ, but they were also suffering like Christ. What had Christ persevered? Read Hebrews 12:1–2. These believers knew the unjust suffering and shame Christ endured in his torture, crucifixion, and death. And, it seems, having ample opportunities for it, modelled their own suffering after his. They suffered like Christ (see also Acts 5:40–41!).

Finally, one more thing we learn about these believers from the relatively small amount of mentions they receive in this passage: They were loved by Christ (3:9d). Jews, God’s chosen people, being made to realize their Messiah’s love for the Gentiles they were oppressing. 

The Christians of Philadelphia were powerless for Christ. They had nothing to brag about. No influence, numbers, momentum, leverage, voice, resources, protection. Nothing. But, that which they could control, they did. They were obedient to Christ, faithful to Christ, suffered like Christ and, because of that, were loved by Christ.

As Christians today rightly want to make an impact on this world, it can be tempting to focus on the symbols of power that the world holds dear: church size, building projects, scope of programs, reputation, online presence, and social media views, clicks, and shares. And, while those are necessarily bad, they’re not necessary either.

What did the church in Philadelphia do that earned them points with Christ? The obey Christ, didn’t deny him, and suffered well. In other words, they kind of just hung on. The church in first-century Philadelphia were weak by worldly standards. But, as we know already, as Paul shouts in 2 Corinthians, that’s exactly where God wanted them.

The Christ of the Christians of Philadelphia

Let’s shift our attention from the Christians of Philadelphia to the Christ of the Christians of Philadelphia. And there’s so much more to say about him in this text. Let’s begin with the person of Christ, that is, who he is and what he’s like.

The Person of Christ

First, he’s holy (3:7). He’s set-apart. Pure. This is the OT title for, and description of, God (see, for example, Lev 11:44–45; Job 6:10; Ps 22:3). It’s clear who’s holy: God is holy. And, in Revelation 3, Christ claims it for himself. Uniquely pure. Set apart in perfection. He’s holy.

He’s also true (3:7; 1 John 5:20). Elsewhere Jesus claims to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” He not only contains truth and teaches truth, he is the embodiment of truth. There is objective truth in this world and it is a Person. All claims of reality must be weighed against him as all exams are judged against the professors’ answer key. He’s true.

Christ’s also all-powerful and authoritative (3:7). He controls entrance into the kingdom of life (see 1:18). Christ has the authority to determine who gets in, who stays out, and the power to make it happen. 

On top of all that, he’s all-knowing (3:8) Christ has an intimate knowledge of the situation and of his people in Philadelphia.

Let’s summarize what this tiny text tells us about Christ: He’s holy, true, all-powerful, totally authoritative, and all-knowing. If you’re a powerless and pathetic Christian living in Philadelphia, it’s got to be encouraging to be reminded that your Saviour is none of those things; that the person of Christ is everything they’re not.

The Promises of Christ

And what are the promises of Christ made to these Christians? I count eight things Christ says he’s going to give them. Eight things the all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, and true Jesus is going to provide for these weak, unimpressive Christians.

As we quickly move through these, try and imagine how they would have landed upon the ears of people hurting in the ways the Philadelphians were. And, if you’re feeling weak today, perhaps lean in.

One, access (3:8). We’ve already talked about Christ having the keys of David, able to give entrance to David’s kingdom to whomever he wishes. Here he’s telling these weak believers that he is strong enough to keep the door open and that no one, no thing, can close it. They’re promised access.

Two, justice (3:9). While they’re being opposed, mocked, slandered, and rejected, Christ promises a coming day when their attackers will be humbled and shown the folly of their ways. There’s promised justice. 

Three, deliverance (3:10). While the faithful in Philly had been enduring trials, Christ says they will be kept from the future time of extreme global turbulence. Elsewhere, Scripture reveals that just before the return of Christ there will be a time of unprecedented worldwide tribulation. Since that hasn’t happened yet, we too know it’s ahead. But, like those in Philadelphia, we don’t have to worry. There’s promised deliverance.

Four, honour (3:11). Crowns were rewards for successful competition, honours bestowed upon champions. Those who endure in weakness, leaning on Christ’s power, will be rewarded. There’s promised honour.

Five, stability (3:12). Nothing in the life of these believers was stable. They have nothing but Christ. And here, Christ says there is coming a day when you will be immovable, load-bearing walls in my house where I dwell. There’s promised stability.

Six, identity (3:12). To have the name of God is to belong to God. And, while there may be doubts around Philadelphia as to who actually belongs to God, there is coming a day when it will be visibly branded upon the believer for all to see. There’s promised identity.

Seven, citizenship (3:12). This refers to the Jerusalem that comes down from heaven onto the new heavens and new earth after sin and evil are finally and totally defeated. While Philadelphia wasn’t a welcoming home to the Christians at the moment, there is coming a day when they will belong to a city. There’s promised citizenship.

Eight, fellowship (3:12). This points to the full revelation of Christ’s character at the second coming. Right now we know Christ and the Holy Spirit helps us with that. But we still see through a glass dimly. There is coming a day when our relationship with him will be unhindered. We will know the full weight of his grace, love, power, and provision for us. There’s promised fellowship.

The Christians of Philadelphia were powerless; pathetic by worldly standards. But the Christ of the Christians of Philadelphia, that’s another story. He’s holy, true, all-powerful, totally authoritative, and all-knowing. And that Christ promises access to himself, justice, deliverance, honour, stability, identity, citizenship, and fellowship.

The Christians were powerless. But Christ is writing to them to remind them it doesn’t matter. He’s powerful enough for all of them. He says, “when you’re weak, then I am strong.”

Accept our Weakness; Embrace His Power

As Christians living today, and as a church, we need to accept our weakness; embrace his power. We need to understand that the church who has everything and Christ is no further along than the church who has nothing and Christ. He’s all that matters, all we need.

Our strength, numbers, influence, reach, programs, it all matters not. That if the dust settles a year from now and Oakridge is half the size it was two years ago, it doesn’t matter. Lord help us never apologize for the apparent and relative insignificance of our church. All we need is Christ. All we need is our obedience, faithfulness, and willingness to endure for him. We don’t need human power. We need to accept our weakness; embrace his power.

Some of us here today need to focus on the first part of that imperative: Accept your weakness. Life has taught you that you’re not weak. You’ve learned that success isn’t that hard to come by. You’ve convinced yourself that effort equals results. Best case scenario, you’re lying to yourself. Worse case, you’re not experiencing and demonstrating the power of God because of your pride. Accept your weakness. This may mean trusting Christ for your salvation. It may mean trusting him with your sanctification. It may mean trusting him with your ministry. 

Some of us here today know full well that we’re weak. Life’s taught us that clearly. For us, it’s the second part of the imperative that God’s calling us to be comforted by. Embrace his power.

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