Welcome the Lord Who Stands Outside the Door”

【Title】                             Worship Message No. 19_January 18: Revelation Chapter 3 
Sermon Title: "Welcome the Lord Who Stands Outside the Door" 
Scripture: Revelation Chapter 3 (Letters to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea)

Introduction: The Lord's Diagnosis Continues 
Dear brothers and sisters, last week, we heard the voice of the Lord through four churches in Revelation chapter 2. 
Today, we look at the remaining three: the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. 
These words were spoken to the first-century church, but they resonate with us today as living words. 

The letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 share a common structure. 
Each includes 
Christ’s self-introduction, 
an analysis of the church’s condition, 
a rebuke or praise, 
an invitation to repentance, 
and a promise to "the one who is victorious." 

In this third chapter, there are very shocking contrasts. 
The church that "has a reputation of being alive, but is actually dead" versus the church that "has little strength, but has an open door." And the church that 
"says it is rich, but is actually wretched" versus "Jesus who stands outside the door knocking." 
Let us listen to the Lord’s words—harsh yet full of love—so that we may live in true life rather than a superficial faith. 

Main Point I: The Church in Sardis — The Gap Between Reputation and Reality (3:1-6) 
Sardis is located about 50 km southeast of Thyatira and about 80 km east of Smyrna. It was once the prosperous, impregnable capital of the Lydian kingdom. From the outside, the church also looked grand and active, having a reputation (name) that "that church is so alive!" 

A Reputation of Being "Alive," a Reality of Being "Dead" 
However, the Lord, who has eyes like blazing fire, says: "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (3:1). 
This is a warning against "Nominal Christianity" (faith that has become a mere form). The worship program is sophisticated, the sanctuary is grand, and there is history. 
However, the "life of the Holy Spirit" is not there. It is a state of surviving only on the legacy of the past. 
Wax figures in a museum look alive from a distance, but when you get closer, you realize they are not breathing. 
Has our faith become like a "wax figure"? 

Wake Up 
In history, the city of Sardis was conquered twice: once in the mid-6th century BC and again in the late 3rd century BC. 
Both times, the cause was "carelessness." While they neglected their watch, thinking "the enemy won't come from here," the enemy climbed the cliffs and destroyed them. 
The Lord says, "Wake up!" (3:2). The most dangerous time is when you think "I am okay." 
Today, let us pray and seek the breath of the Holy Spirit. 

Main Point II: The Church in Philadelphia — Great Blessings for a Small Flock 
(3:7-13) 
Philadelphia is located about 45 km southeast of Sardis. It was named after Attalus II Philadelphus, the King of Pergamum, who founded it. 

Christ's Authority (v. 7) 
The self-introduction "him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David" is set against the background of Isaiah 22:22. 
Christ holds the absolute authority to open and shut the doors to the Kingdom of God. 

Little Strength 
There are no words of rebuke here. From a human perspective, the church in Philadelphia had only "little strength" (3:8). 
They were few in number, lacked social status, and had little influence. However, the Lord highly praises them. 
This is because they "have kept my word and have not denied my name." 
God’s standard of evaluation is not "size" but "faithfulness." We must not lament by saying, 
"I have no talent" or "Our church is small." The Lord loves that small flock. 

An Open Door 
The Lord, as the one who holds the key of David, promises that He has placed before them "an open door that no one can shut." 
For the faithful, the path for mission will surely open. The gates of heaven will open. 
No matter how much opposition there is, no human or demon can shut the door that the Lord has opened. 
By standing on this promise, we can walk without fear. 

God’s Promise in Persecution (vv. 9-11) 
Those called "the synagogue of Satan," who claim to be Jews, include modern Jews who reject the Lord Jesus. They long for the prophecy of Isaiah 60:14, where Gentiles bow down before them. 
However, the Lord declares, "I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you." 
The words "I am coming soon" emphasize the urgency of the Lord's return. 
The warning to "hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown" shows our need to keep our faith until the end. 

An Unshakable Eternal Promise (vv. 12-13) 
The promise to the one who is victorious is amazing. They will be made a pillar in the temple of God and will never leave it. 
This is a guarantee of constant fellowship with God and unshakable stability. 
Furthermore, three names will be written on them: 
"the name of my God," 
"the name of the city of my God," and 
"my new name." 
These symbolize complete belonging as God's people and an unshakable identity. 

Main Point III: The Church in Laodicea — The Tragedy of Lukewarm Water (Approx. 8 min) 
(3:14-22) 
Finally, we come to the church in Laodicea, which received the harshest words. 
Laodicea was the closest town to Colossae, located about 20 km to the west. 
Because of this geographical proximity, it is recorded that Paul’s "Letter to the Colossians" was also read in the Laodicean church (Colossians 4:16). 
Furthermore, Colossians 4:13 suggests how Epaphras worked devotedly for the Laodicean church. 
This city flourished as a financial center and was particularly famous as a producer of high-quality textiles using black wool. 
It was also known for the manufacture and export of eye salve; the industrial characteristics of this region are deeply related to the background of the words Christ spoke to the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:18). 

Why "Lukewarm"? 
Laodicea was the point where "hot spring water" from nearby Hierapolis and "cold spring water" from Colossae met. 
By the time the water reached them, it had become unpleasant "lukewarm water." Hot water heals, and cold water quenches thirst. 
However, lukewarm water is useless and makes a person nauseous (3:16). 
What the Lord dislikes is a "half-hearted" attitude. Wanting the pleasures of the world while also wanting the guarantee of heaven. One foot in the world, one foot in the church. 
Such a half-baked attitude gives the Lord a sense of disgust to the point of wanting to "spit you out." 

The Naked King 
They said: "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But the Lord says: "you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (3:17). There is nothing more terrifying than spiritual self-satisfaction. As a solution, the Lord advises them to buy from Him "gold refined in the fire" (faith through trials), "white clothes" (righteousness), and "salve to put on your eyes" (spiritual insight). 

Where is the Lord? 
Revelation 3:20 is a famous verse often used in evangelistic meetings. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock." 
However, please look at the context. These are not words to unbelievers. They are words to "the church." 
What a terrifying sight this is. Jesus, the Lord of the church, is locked "outside" of the church. Inside the church, there is praise, there are sermons, and there are activities. But Jesus is not at the center. 
The Lord does not force the door open. He simply knocks and waits for us to open it from the inside. 

Conclusion: Let Us Eat Together 
The promise to Laodicea was that if they repent and open the door, "I will come in and eat with that person" (3:20). Eating together is a symbol of intimate fellowship. 
The Lord does not want us to become a mere form like Sardis. He does not want us to become lukewarm through self-satisfaction like Laodicea. He desires for us to be like Philadelphia—faithful to the Lord’s word even if we are small—and to keep opening the door. 
Do you hear the sound of a knock on the door of your heart today? Don't say, "I'm busy, do it later," but open that door now. Let us welcome the Lord Jesus into the center of our lives and the center of our church. 

Prayer 
"Dear Lord Jesus. You are standing outside the door now, knocking. Have we not been conceited, thinking 'I am alive, I am rich'? Please wake up our spiritual eyes. We open the door of our hearts. Please come in, eat with us, and restore a living fellowship. Like the church in Philadelphia, give us the strength to keep Your word until the end. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."