Sermon 6th March 2016

In the season of Lent, we will be urged to listen to the messages that Jesus sent to selected churches in First Century Asia. 

Today, our Honorary Assistant Minister, Ben Hughes, preaches. The reading is from Revelation 3: verses 7-13.

Everyone thinks the criticism of the church in Philadelphia was that they were …. Spread a bit too thinly – that they had all the taste but none of the fat -  it was said that they were a bit light-weight and far too processed and not the real deal –

We all know the Philadelphia cheese adverts from the 1980’s and 90’s – sensuous and promising, often aimed at young people conscious of their image

The word Philadelphia actually means city of ’brotherly love’ – and still exists in Turkey today as Alasehir.

The city of Philadelphia at the time of Revelation was a place prone to earthquakes and sudden volcanic activity. It was a very much a city living on the edge of sudden catastrophe and annihilation. 

And of all the churches that we have read and learnt about in Revelation so far -the church in the city of Philadelphia -  the sixth Church of the seven in our series –is the one that comes out the best!

Pause.

So what do the following have in Common?

A gearbox

An Orchestra

A Map

Answer -

They all have keys

So this letter opens with righteous praise – Well done !  you - the church in Philadelphia – you have found David’s Key!

So what is David’s Key?   Hold up Giant Key

David’s key is now understood to mean the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s and all the attributes of Jesus as told and shared in those stories.

So we have love (Attach with string – you might need an assistant to tie as I speak)

Add Truth …

And faith…

And belief  ( Hold up big key with four key tags) you could go on – there arfe so many

In Isaiah –  David’s key opened the great door of the temple in Jeruslalem – as Jesus is the temple fulfilled – the key is the way to him!

So Next Question - What does this special key unlock?

 Hold up giant heart – and put key in key shaped hole –

This key can unlock hearts – whose hearts?  Yours and mine -

‘Keys to your heart’ was a song written by Joe Strummer from the Clash when he was in his first band the 101’nrs -  a bit of nonsense but it carries the idea of  ‘springing  your heart’s lock’

The Gospel of Christ can spring your heart’s lock too  – and does so by setting you free from the chains of sin that bound you! The Gospel of Jesus can unlock the hardest of hearts and set the most bound sinner free

And When we are given this key – the unlocking of the Gospel of Jesus in our hearts  - we are not only set free from these chains and bars that imprison us   – but by being set free – we are  given the key that unlocks the truth and mysteries of God’s unfolding Universe.

And just like the Philadelphians experienced – the enemies of God are going to make trouble simply because you have the key and they do not (even though they can if they ask for it)!

Next - This key can unlock opportunities

In life we get lots of choices - hold up big door

This key can unlock doors – put key into hole of door –

The Church of Philadelphia was told that when God opens the door nobody can close it

‘Godotunities’ are these ones that nobody can change.

But opportunities can also mean disappointments – that is life but when they are God’s opportunities - they will never fail us in the long run.  So do not give up!

As promised to the Philadelphians - when God creates the opportunity no-one  can stop it –or block it –enemies might try and even prevail for a bit - but God’s way is holy and righteous and nothing can stop the Mighty God at work!

What else does this key open?

Hold up picture of the cross

The key opens up the cross

When you accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your heart then your sins can be forgiven through faith.

We all sin and get things wrong – before the cross came along – sin was quite final

So you need the Key to unlock the cross - Without the key the cross condemns – with the key the cross sets you free – and then the cross becomes life

Put the key in the cross

Finally what else does the key unlock?

This key unlocks prizes!!  Hold up cake!

We all like prizes and we all like cakes

Cakes are also used to celebrate joy and cakes are used as gifts!

The message to the Church in Philadelphia was a happy one – it says well done - well done for keeping the faith! And here is a cake to celebrate

Put the key in the cake!

What the Holy Spirit says to Philadelphian church is that you people have the so key use it – use it to build one another and the church - having the key means mission – use it to help unlock others!

And the key of David unlocks the Holy Spirit and the amazing gifts that the Spirit of God has ready for us us!

You  see the Philadelphians were getting things right – they were walking the walk and talking the walk and living their faith  –  and so what happens ? – They get the prize – the prize of being right with God – the only prize worth living for!

And sadly another reason why the enemies of God had it in for them – Jealousy?

Now what if you feel that you do not have the key or that lost the key - or that your heart is broken and you feel locked out?

Well do not fear – because Jesus is the master locksmith?

Jesus is the only locksmith that really knows about locks – everyone else is just a thief in the night  breaking in through the wrong doors smashing all the locks – they might get in but they should not be there-  That is why Jesus is the only way!

And as Jesus is the master locksmith -   he can shape   and index a set of levers to match any lost key –how can he do that? Because he is one with the with the Father who knows us intrinsically and loves us for who we are.

And that lost room in your heart – the old chest with the rusty padlock in your dusty loft of memories – the key code long forgotten in the bustle of life – Jesus can undo and unlock the lot – if you ask and have the faith - that he can and wants to do it for you!  

In fact Jesus was so good with locks - the gates of hell were unable to hold him – and Jesus picked the lock of death- something that we will be celebrating in a moment when we share communion – Jesus broke all the spiritual locks and  he can do the same for you - nothing that you present to him will be a problem – Jesus is the ultimate safe breaker!

As in my opening quiz question – Keys can not only unlock doors – they can also serve to guide - like on a map –keys highlight the landmarks on life’s journeys. Keys also keep us stay  locked onto a fast spinning shaft such as  in a gearbox – and a church for example - should be like a gearbox- well meshed, useful and smooth running – with no component more important t than the other – like people, gears  run at different speeds – which is what a gearbox is designed to do! and finally the key in an orchestra is the unifying means that keeps the music in harmony.

When seen like this - The key of David – the gospel of Christ - becomes the most powerful resource known to human kind and the more amazing truth is this!   - That the Gospels of Jesus Christ – the key of David is freely given and entrusted to anyone who asks for it.

So I have used many metaphors today and I hope that they have been helpful– but I want to leave you with the most important metaphor and the one central to the message   

That the Key of David is the Gospel message of faith – and if you ask for it and use it like the Philadelphians – you will have it and you will find life!

It will not protect you from spiritual attack or from persecution from God’s enemies – but when God is for us – who can be against us

Ask for the Key of David and cling onto to the Gospel of Jesus – make that central to your lives and like the Philadelphians – you will get it right –

If anyone wants to borrow this key today – please feel free! (hold up key)

Amen