“I know your works. Behold I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” Revelation 3:7

Philadelphia was a church of “little power” v8. We don’t know from the text what that really means. Perhaps they were a new church with few members. Perhaps they were a very poor church with few resources. Perhaps they were an established church with elderly members who were unable to do much in the way of outreach to the community. We don’t know the reason for their “little power”, but we do know that Jesus did not criticise them for it. Jesus had no criticism of this church. In fact, He commended them for their patient endurance, v10.

We can learn much from this example that is very applicable to the church in our day. I had the privilege recently of speaking at a ladies’ meeting in a small country church, in a very small town, in what we would call in Northern Ireland, “the back of beyond!” I had to find it on google maps. It was very small building, and if I had blinked on passing, I would have missed it. There were about 10 ladies present, most of them were quite elderly. Yet there was a wonderfully warm and friendly atmosphere and I came away with the feeling of having received more blessing than I had given.

That is the testimony of the Philadelphian church. From the outside looking in, they had little to offer. No big building, no celebrity speaker, perhaps just a few elderly people who were meeting regularly and serving God the best that they could in the circumstances they were in. And, do you know something? That was precious in the eyes of Jesus.

There are times I feel so spiritually weak. There are times when all I want to do is climb into bed, pull the duvet over my head and block out all the difficult situations that I just don’t know how to handle. There are times when all I can do is cry out to God for help to get me through the day. I admit, that so very often I feel that I have “little power”. But God has promised that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2Cor12:9

We live in a society where big is often mistaken for the best. Big churches, with big congregations are seen as successful regardless of the spiritual maturity and Christian witness of the members. Powerful charismatic preachers who can draw large crowds, are seen as the successful examples that we should aspire to. Yet Jesus told this church of “little power” that He would make them into a “pillar in the temple of God”.

Have you ever stopped to admire a pillar in a church? Neither have I! Pillars are unnoticed and overlooked, yet without them the whole building would collapse. Stunning flower arrangement come into the church, are admired for a short time, and are then discarded. Pillars never leave. They just stand there, like stoics, enduring their lot, year after year after year.

If you are feeling weak, unnoticed, forgotten about and of “little power” be encouraged today. Keep on keeping on. Endure in your “little power”, for it is no barrier to the warm approval, acceptance and love of God.