Sermon Central
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Jesus; The Door Of Opportunity
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Mar 3, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: What would you accomplish if you really believed that the doors that Jesus opens cannot be shut and the doors that Jesus shuts cannot be opened. How would that direct your life, your ministry?
The Door of opportunity
Revelation chapter 3:7-3:13
Introduction-
Turn with me to Revelation chapter 3:7-13.
Revelation is the last book of the New Testament and the only book I know of that God promises to bless if you read it in its entirety.
This morning the adult Sunday school class began a new series study on the book of Revelation. It must be a coincidence that this morning the Lord laid a message from Revelation on my heart.
I would invite you to get involved in the new series that Mike and Rich are tag teaming to study. Revelation is a fascinating and prophetic book.
Revelation chapter 3:7-13 Read from Bible
We pick this up here and Jesus has already addressed 5 churches.
Each one has been given encouragement and warnings.
The church at Philadelphia, He doesn’t give much warning because He was speaking to a church that had a desire to be faithful.
( v11) says that He is coming soon. That heed is to those procrastinating weather they will serve the Lord and be ready for His return.
(V9)- “ I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” He is saying that he see’s their struggle but encourages them to continue being faithful.
This passage is 3- fold-
The church back then-
The Church today-
Each one of us individually.
2 warning to heed today-
He’s coming back soon- Be ready!
Don’t let anyone or anything steal your crown.
What get’s my attention is the way that the letter opens to the church at Philadelphia.
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, these are the words of him who is holy, and true, who holds the keys of David. What He opens, no one can shut, and what He shuts, no one can open.”
Don’t be in a hurry to race by this- this is the text this morning.
To the pastors, to the leaders, to those that attend this church, I am the holy and true God. Doors I open will not be shut, and doors I close, will not be opened.
It gives us a look at who is evaluating us and speaking to us.
This Church obviously is not the church of Philadelphia, Pa., but the city in Asia Minor and Philadelphia translated is the city of brotherly love because it was governed by the youngest brother.
This church was the church of the open door, the church of opportunity. Why do you say that preacher!
Because, if Jesus is in charge, He’s opening and closing doors that He wants open and close, and that He is holding the keys to- this is a church of opportunity!
This is a church that has unlimited resources and unlimited potential to accomplish great things!
“Keys of David” here is a prophecy of Isaiah. Isaiah 22:22
“I will place on his shoulders the key to the house of David, what He opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”
Doors are mentioned throughout Scripture-
Jesus says Rev. 3:20:-
“Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
This is a door of intimacy with Christ.
This is a door to your heart.
This is the door of resistance that has to be knocked down.
There is a difference on which side of the door you are standing on.
“I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.”
He is saying He is the only way to the Father.
Jesus is the door to salvation.
After they understood who was standing at the door. The holy and true God of the universe. The one who was giving them warnings and encouragement.
He says to them, “I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
This was a little church in a big city.
This was a church that was being attacked by the very people God had called them to reach.
And Jesus proclaims to them…”Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut.”
Amen. That is encouraging! The little engine that could runs again!
Jesus says that He will hold the door open for us!
For our church
For your family.
He is wanting someone to walk through.
Giving us opportunity to do the things that He wants done, and He will give us the power and guidance to do it.
God’s word says it – I believe it!
God says that I am blessed- I’m blessed.
God says that I can have it- I want it!
