1. Footsteps of the Messiah

2. Rev 3:7) “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8) “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

3. 9) “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie–indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Some life principles from this church 1. Jesus is the one that gives the opportunities He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”

4. 1 Cor 1:31) that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” John 15:5) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

5. 2. God’s will for you is that you walk holy Eph 4:1) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 4:17) This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

6. 18) having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19) who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20) But you have not so learned Christ, 21) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:

7. 22) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 3. Being weak or small has nothing to do with being ineffective for God Vs 8 for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

8. 1Cor 2:1) And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3) I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4) And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

9. 1 Cor 1:26) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27) But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28) and the base (insignificant) things of the world and the things which are despised (least esteemed) God has chosen, and the things which are not (nothing), to bring to nothing the things that are,

10. 29) that no flesh should glory in His presence. He shuts and He opens! 4. Being holy and faithful are what’s precious in the eyes of God. Rev 3:8 (you) have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 10) “Because you have kept My command to persevere, (hopeful, enduring, constant) 1 Cor 2:2) Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

11. 5. Reward from the Lord comes in the form of Holiness, Faithfulness and Perseverance It is not about how tough you are. It is not about how much horsepower you have. It is not about the numbers. It is not about power, wealth or resources! It is about the power of God, not your strength.

12. "To be disappointed with yourself is to have believed in yourself." "To be discouraged is unbelief -- as to God's purpose and plan of blessing for you." To be proud, is to be blind! For we have no standing before God, in ourselves.“ ROMANS, VERSE BY VERSE, Wm. R. Newell Next week; Laodicea, the church of the lukewarm