An Open Door Series

An Open Door

Sermon April 7, 2019 at Calvin Presbyterian Church Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:8a

The word Philadelphia means “brotherly love.”

- The city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor was showing this brotherly love towards each other.

- It was easy for a Christian congregation to be established and to grow in such a great environment.

- In numbers, they were the smallest but the strongest in love.

This letter, addressed to the church in Philadelphia, is full of praise and there is nothing negative said against them.

- They loved each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

- They were the model of loyalty, love, and kindness.

- They stood strong between the trials of life.

What was the secret of their strong love?

- Maybe they took their Lord's encouragement seriously: “Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11

This is the first message to us today: “Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.” Revelation 3:11

- He already gave something to you which is more important than any earthly values.

- That is the gospel of Christ and your faith rooted in Christ Jesus.

- Hold on to it and do not lose it.

God blessed you with this heritage, and you have to keep it.

- This rich heritage comes from the Lord Jesus himself.

- He gave it to you to make you rich.

- The apostles received from Him, and they passed on to Augustin’s, to the Reformers, Luther and Calvin and Knox and then to us.

- It obligates us to keep it and pass it on to those who come after us.

- Your sons and your daughters are the legitimate heirs, and the coming centuries will ask you for the ancient Christ's inheritance.

- Be careful; do not lose it.

- Do not lose it in the wild storm of troubles, sickness, or temptations.

- Do not throw it away.

- Do not exchange it for anything.

- Do not exchange it for the temporal benefit of this world.

- You have to keep your faith and Christ in your heart.

In this letter, Jesus explains to us how we can keep what we have.

- He said: “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:8a

- Imagine a door that is open for you, and you are free to walk through it anytime into the presence of God.

- Whatever your physical or mental state is, you can walk into the room freely which is behind that door and leads you into the presence of your Saviour.

Have you ever wondered what an immeasurable privilege is for you to have free access to God?

Blessed Doctor

On that door could be written: Blessed Doctor.

- Specialist in all diseases.

- He takes his children day and night, without any prior notice.

- The consultation is for free.

- He already paid the price for you on the cross.

- Yes, this is true!

- If you are thinking of God, you should always think of Him this way.

I often imagine Jesus with His open arms, calling us to Him: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” or with other words: “Come unto me all who are tired and burdened, and I will comfort you. Moreover, you will find peace.” Matthew 11:28

Dear beloved, you have an incredibly great and priceless privilege.

- You can come to Jesus.

We all can be caught up in difficulties.

- We all can experience spiritual earthquakes.

- Those could be financial difficulties, illness, or death.

- Just because we are Christians, we are not prevented from them.

- Sometimes we have to struggle with our children, with their problems or even with their marriages, and with grandchildren.

- Often THEY struggle, and we, too, feel their pain and sorrow as well as others.

- We have to know, and we have to teach them also that in these situations, there is always an open the door to God for believers, and there we can find security and salvation.

Often, we would like to talk to somebody about our issues, but we have a hard time to find the right person.

- We can be devastated, heartbroken and weak.

- Everything might seems to be dark and hopeless.

- In those moments, from where can we get any consolation, wisdom, and strength?

- I am so happy to share with you that we all can always go to that open door and talk to Jesus about our disappointment, complaint, and sorrow.