Philadelphia

If you have ever had to walk into a new situation like a new job or a new school? Or maybe you remember the feeling, if you experienced this, of meeting the family of someone you were dating. Going into new experiences can be a little nerve-racking for some people. Some people are open for change and new experiences, others prefer the comfort of what they know and where they are familiar.

Even still, we all have to expect that change is inevitable. New opportunities can be scary for some, or just seem wrong to others. Some may say they like the idea of change, as long as it doesn’t impact what they are doing or have always done. Some people will just wait on the sidelines to see what happens when a new opportunity is presented. However, those that faithfully and willfully walk through the open door are the brave souls who sees the blessings and fruitfulness of God.

Pray and Read Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7–13 NRSV

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens: “I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Those who have been taking out Wednesday Night Bible Study may have heard this phrasing before that is in the first two verses here. Jesus declares Himself the Holy One, the True One, and the one who holds the Key of David. This key is the only way to open the door and shut the door to the Kingdom of Heaven. This same concept is found in Isaiah 22:15-22

Isaiah 22:15–22 NRSV

Thus says the Lord God of hosts: Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is master of the household, and say to him: What right do you have here? Who are your relatives here, that you have cut out a tomb here for yourself, cutting a tomb on the height, and carving a habitation for yourself in the rock? The Lord is about to hurl you away violently, my fellow. He will seize firm hold on you, whirl you round and round, and throw you like a ball into a wide land; there you shall die, and there your splendid chariots shall lie, O you disgrace to your master’s house! I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your post. On that day I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and will clothe him with your robe and bind your sash on him. I will commit your authority to his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open.

In this passage, the Steward is being rejected by God because of his ego and greed. Instead, God has chosen a humble servant named Eliakim to be in charge of the house of Judah. The steward thinks that he has all the power over God’s kingdom, but he is gravely mistaken. No human can overpower God. So God places someone with humility in his place.

Much of Isaiah has a deeper meaning which is the prophetic message proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah has many details revealed to him on the authority of the Messiah, details on His life and death on Earth, and his reign for all eternity. This revelation given to the Christians in Philadelphia is reflects the humility and the authority of Christ as first spoken through Isaiah.

Jesus wants to remind this church that they were accepted into the Open Door of God’s Kingdom. This church, like others were persecuted by the local Jewish leaders. They were small in number and did not have authority or power like some of the wealthier Jewish and Roman business people. Yet they persevered in keeping their faith and would not deny their belief in Jesus being the Messiah.

The Jews at the time, many of them could not even see that the door was open, they had already denied that the humble and wise Jesus held the key. Some people were curious to what was beyond the door and cautiously walked through. Yet, all that were inside the door realized that with the blessings of being in the Kingdom, there were also trials, temptations, and persecution.

This is true today of the church just as it was then. There are people in our world who don’t even realize that the door is open to them. Some may see the door to Christ open but fear what is inside, or have a bad impression of the Kingdom. Those who have walked through Christ’s open door see His love, grace, and providence.

So how can we help people through this open door? We have to look for them first. That means that we have to go beyond our own walls and help people through the door of salvation. Yet we also have to take our faith with us like a crown on our heads. We also must know that we are not the gatekeepers, only Christ holds the key to life and death.

If we endure the pain of this world, with its temptations, trials and persecutions, we will be with Christ and not have to endure the wrath of God. We will forever belong to God, living in the new kingdom and new city of Jerusalem.

When we are presented with an opportunity by God, it most likely will come with risks but it will also come with blessings. Much like with change, it is not easy for anyone. Sometimes we may have to set aside and let others do things in a new way. Sometimes, we have to change what we are doing among naysayers who thinks we are crazy. But we have to remember that we are not the gatekeeper. When new people take the risk of walking through the doors of our church, what do we say to them or do for them? Are we to decide who can join our church family or who can do what service or use their gift only in a way that fits our agenda?

If Jesus is standing by an open door in front of you, are you willing to walk inside? What is behind that door? Is it a new mission or ministry opportunity? Is it to be a part of a ministry that we are doing here at this church? Are you needing to go through a new door and make way for other people? What if it is to official join this church family? Or is it for your own salvation?

What door does God place before you? What door is God placing before this church? Today is a very important meeting as we walk through a door into new territory. Are you ready to walk through the door that Jesus has set before you? Are we really ready to walk through the door Jesus has set before us church?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.