Opening Up Heaven Lesson 4 Series

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (spoken by Jesus, John 10:9, NKJV).

“I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God ... no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

(Psalm 84:10-11, NKJV).

A. INTRODUCTION: OPENING HEAVEN

1. God has promised His presence to those who believe/follow Jesus. The Bible uses a “picture” of an open door to Heaven to illustrate access to God and His presence. “I looked and behold a door standing open in Heaven” (Revelation 4:1).

2. Another picture window. “I will open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out … blessing” (Malachi 3:10-11, NKJV).

3. Young Saul/Paul was pursuing Christians to arrest/kill them. Jesus asked him, “why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 4:4). Why? “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5, NKJV). What did Jesus do? “Open blind eyes” (Acts 26:18, ELT).

4. At Straight Street Saul/Paul’s eyes were opened. “Immediately … fell from his eyes … scales” (Acts 9:18, NLT). Do you need your spiritual eyes opened?

5. What does it take to open a computer? Blind eye? Password Jesus.

6. Heaven opened for Stephen when being stoned. “I see Heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:50, NKJV).

B. WHAT OPENS HEAVEN?

1. Ezekiel actually saw, “… the Heavens were opened and I saw visions of God” (Ezekiel 1:1). You will not see it physically, but you can experience it spiritually as God speaks/sends you out to serve Him. Ezekiel became a “gap” man. “I sought for a man … who would stand in the gap for Me (God)” (Ezekiel 22:30). Will you be a gap man/woman for God?

2. Jonathan Edwards, First Great Awakening, broke his fast two hours early. As a “broken” man he prayed/preach an American – wide revival.

3. Will you pray/intercede for a lost person? Who _____________ others ______________________________________________.

4. Korah rebelled against God and refused to go to the Tabernacle. The earth swallowed him. The sons of Korah learned, they wanted to stay in the house of God, even as doorkeepers.

5. God did not save you just to worship Him and enjoy salvation. He wants you to be a gap person who prays/testifies/invites other to God.

C. TEN PRINCIPLES TO OPEN UP HEAVEN

1. When Heaven is closed to you, do you know how to repent and approach God to pen up Heaven?

2. When were there times that Heaven was open to you? Why was it opened? Could it happen again?

3. If you are not experiencing the presence of God, what must you do to open up Heaven to you?

4. How will praying with others help to open Heaven? (Matthew 18:19-20).

5. What type of personal prayer/intercessor will open up Heaven?

6. How can fasting help to open Heaven?

7. How can you open Heaven for others to get through to God?

8. Keep a written record of your private prayer time with God, so you can go back to determine those times when Heaven was opening, and when it was not.

9. How would you describe/tell your spouse/family/friends your experience when God opened Heaven?

10. What more can you do to open Heaven’s doors?

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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