Let Jesus "Open The Door"

A Wide Door for Effective Service:

Let Jesus "Open the Door"

Author: Dr. Neal Gray

Passage: Revelation 3:7-13, KJV

Purpose: We want to be effective servants of the King. But more than our desire is required. Jesus must allow us to succeed in His work here on earth. Allow us, please, Lord Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

Opening

With this message, we conclude a 6-part sermon series titled, "A Wide Door for Effective Service." The key verse for this series is:

"I will tarry...until Pentecost; for A GREAT DOOR AND EFFECTUAL [DOOR] IS OPENED UNTO ME, and there are many adversaries." (see 1 Corinthians 16:9)

The emphasis for the series has been this: EACH CHRISTIAN MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH IS, IN FACT, A MINISTER. The Church of Jesus Christ needs YOU. And as a Christian person, YOU NEED TO BE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. Amen? Of course, Amen! The saints’ calling is to "the work of the ministry," (Ephesians 4:12). We labor for Christ Jesus and for His mission in life.

==> But our labors will be useless; unless...well, UNLESS JESUS ALLOWS US TO SUCCEED. No matter how hard we work, no matter how sincere our desires, and no matter what we think should happen--Jesus has to make the way smooth for us. JESUS HAS TO "OPEN THE DOOR" for us to walk through!

==> The Apostle Paul waited for Jesus to "open the door," before he continued on in his ministry. That is the right thing to do; wait for Jesus to "open the door." And then, go through the open door and do God’s business!

Scripture

Our Scripture is the letter to the sixth church, the real Philadelphia Church of the Nazarene! Look with me at Revelation 3:7-13.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

THESE THINGS SAITH

Introduction

The church at Philadelphia, (located in Lydia about 28 miles southeast of Sardis; I’m sure that helped you know where Philadelphia is located! Not!), received good words from Jesus.

It’s interesting that JESUS SPOKE NO HARSH WORDS to this church. There were no "I have this against you" words from the Lord, as He spoke to the other six churches. And speak to them, He did.

The High Character of the Speaker

Look at the high character of the One speaking to the church. The church knew that Jesus Himself was speaking to them. Look at the qualities of the Speaker, (in v. 7), namely, "These things are spoken by"...

* He that is holy,

* He that is true,

* He that hath the key of David,

* He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and,

* [He that] shutteth, and no man openeth.

He That Is Holy and True

Jesus is speaking here. In my life--and in your life, too--many, many persons have spoken to me, many persons have spoken to you. Most people are nice, at least they are nice enough for the business we must do. But few people have the characteristics of being "holy" and "true."

One wonderful thing about being a Christian--a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ--is that THE PERSON WHOM WE SERVE HAS BEAUTIFUL CHARACTER QUALITIES.

* Our Jesus is "holy." There is nothing ugly in Him; there is everything that is godly and beautiful in Him.

* Our Jesus is "true." Everything He says and does is right, accurate, and helpful; nothing He does harms the sincere soul.