Jesus’ Words to a Weak Church
Revelation 3:7-13
Preached at True Light Church — Jamestown, TN
August 30, 2026

A few years ago, through what I can only describe as a strange intersection of contacts, I was asked to make the drive up to Jamestown, Tennessee, and fill the pulpit at True Light Church. Their pastor had passed away only a few weeks earlier. He was a precious man of God who had planted that church, loved those people, and left behind a congregation trying to find its footing while grieving the loss of their shepherd.

Since then, about every five or six weeks, I have made that two-hour drive back to Jamestown to preach for them. I have watched them grieve. I have watched them heal. I have watched them prayerfully consider what God would have for their future as they search for another pastor. Somewhere along the way, this little congregation found a special place in my heart.

The week before I was scheduled to preach there on Sunday, August 30, the Lord kept drawing my attention to His words to the church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7–13.

Jesus said to them, “…for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

I could not get away from that phrase: “a little strength.”

The more I studied that church, the more I thought about True Light.

They are not a large congregation. They do not possess all the resources and influence that the world might associate with strength. They have walked through a season that has hurt deeply. But in the relatively brief times I have been with them over these past few years, I have found people who love the Word of God, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and sincerely want to remain faithful to Him.

That is exactly what Jesus saw in Philadelphia.

They had a little strength—but they had a great Christ.

That became the burden of the message.

Our world is impressed by strength, size, influence, resources, recognition, and ability. Jesus does not measure His church the way the world does. The church at Philadelphia was weak in the eyes of the world, yet Jesus had no word of rebuke for them. Instead, He reminded them who He was: the One who is holy and true, the One who holds the key, the One who opens and no man shuts, the One who knows their works, keeps His people, and is coming again.

One of the thoughts that especially encouraged my heart while preparing was this: You do not have to be strong enough to open the door when you belong to the One who holds the key. What weakness cannot force open, sovereignty can unlock.

And then Jesus tells this little church, “Hold that fast which thou hast.”

Sometimes faithfulness is not glamorous. Sometimes it is simply holding on when your hands are tired. Holding on when your heart is hurting. Holding on when the world laughs at what you believe and hell fights against what you know.

Our hands may be weak, but the One who is holding us is strong.

The Lord met with us in a special way this Sunday at True Light Church. I believe the message was timely for that congregation, but I know it was timely for me as well.

Years ago, Warren Wiersbe corrected someone who referred to a congregation as a “little church.” His response was simple: “There are no little churches.”

I believe that.

There are no little churches when Jesus walks among the candlesticks. There are no insignificant congregations purchased by the blood of the Son of God. There are no forgotten assemblies where the Gospel is still preached, the Word is still guarded, and the name of Jesus is still loved.

You may have a little strength. Your church may have a little strength. Your family may have a little strength. Perhaps today you personally feel as though you have almost nothing left.

But if you have Jesus, you have more than enough.

He is holy and true. He holds the key. He opens doors. He keeps His people. He is coming again. And He can take weak people with a little strength and use them for the glory of an Almighty God.

I hope you will take some time to listen to this message. My prayer is that these words of Jesus will strengthen your heart to hold fast to Him.