Open Doors
Guest Speaker: Tim Barker; South Texas Network Superintendent
REVELATION 3:7-13
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
THERE IS NO
THERE IS NO TO
THERE IS NO TO CORRECTION
HOLY ONE & TRUE ONE
JESUS IS THE ONE WHO HAS THE KEY, THE AUTHORITY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GOD’S PRESENCE!
SUFFERING CAN TURN YOU INTO SOMETHING GREAT or SUFFERING CAN TURN YOU INTO SOMETHING TERRIBLE
SUFFERING CAN MAKE YOU HUMBLER AND MORE COMPASSIONATE or SUFFERING CAN MAKE YOU HARD AND BITTER
REVELATION 3:10- Since you have kept my command to endure patiently
HOW DO WE WALK FAITHFULLY IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING?
REVELATION 3:8- …yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
WHENEVER WE ARE SUFFERING THERE IS A TEMPTATION TO LOSE FOCUS AND GET SIDETRACKED!
WE STOP ASKING QUESTIONS LIKE:
- How do I obey Jesus in all of this?
- How do I honor Jesus while
going through this?
THESE EARLY CHRISTIANS IN PHILADELPHIA WERE SUFFERING FOR FOLLOWING JESUS
REVELATION 3:8- …I know that you have little strength…
GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD ISN’T ABOUT MONEY – WHAT YOU HAVE OR WHAT YOU DON’T
GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD ISN’T ABOUT POWER – INFLUENCE OR POPULARITY
GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ABOUT FAITHFULNESS TO JESUS
JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT:
THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY!
THE DOOR OF SERVICE!
THE DOOR OF MISSION!
THE DOOR FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL!
1 Corinthians 16:9-Because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
2 Corinthians 2:12-Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,
Colossians 4:3- And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
REVELATION 3:9-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.
JESUS IS SAYING…
THROUGH YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN SUFFERING – I AM OPENING A DOOR FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THIS GOSPEL
THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY IS BEING FLUNG WIDE OPENED IN AND THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE
BECAUSE WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING IN FAITHFULNESS TO JESUS!
YOU HONOR HIM & BEAR WITNESS TO HIS GLORY AND HIS GREATNESS!