He Holds the Keys to Every Door We Need
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Imagine leaving your apartment building with your key fab in hand, walking to your car, hitting the unlock button on the door of the vehicle and nothing happens. You repeatedly hit the button and still nothing happens. You look at your key fab and hit the unlock button and nothing happens. You can’t figure it out. Over and over again you repeat this process until someone else exits the apartment building, gives you a strange look and slowly walks in your direction. They ask, “May I help you?”
You respond, “Well, for some reason I can’t get into my car. My unlock button will not work and my key fab will not work and I’m going to be late for work if I can’t figure this out.”
A grin goes across the person’s face as they lift their key fab and proceeds to unlock the door of THEIR CAR. It’s at that exact moment you realize that you are at the wrong car. Same make, same model, same color, same rims, same everything....EXCEPT YOUR KEY DOESN’T WORK FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE YOUR CAR IS PARKED TWO ROWS OVER!
Having the right key matched to the right door is important, not only with cars and houses, but it’s also important in our lives as believers. Scripture tells us that there are doors that God opens that NO ONE can shut, and there are doors that God CLOSES that no one can open.
This was the message to the Church at Philadelphia in Revelation 3...
Scripture Introduction:
Scripture Introduction:
Philadelphia was located about 28 miles southeast of Sardis. It was a relatively young city at this time, founded around 159 BC. Several commentators talk about how it was a city that was intent on spreading Greek language, culture, and customs.
It produced lots of grapes and wine, and its patron deity was the “god of wine.”
It was also a commercial center and was called “the gateway to the east” because of its location on a major trade route.
Unfortunately it was also a city that had been prone to earthquakes. It had been destroyed in AD 17 and rebuilt with the help of Tiberius.
It became a stronghold for Christianity until the mid-14th century.
If you had to sum up the message to the church in Philadelphia in one word it would be the word “DOOR.” Thankfully we do not have to sum it up in one word because there is much to be said about the door so I will try to sum it up in one phrase and then elaborate on it:
BIG IDEA:
The Lord Jesus Christ has the key to open every door the church needs opened and the key to lock every door the church needs locked.
Let’s talk about that today. Notice the text before us says this in Revelation 3:7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
He Has the Key
He Has the Key
You may remember the verse from Revelation 1:18
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
In this passage we see another “key”...the KEY OF DAVID. We should not glance over the significance of this. We need to do a little history lesson to understand this better.
For this history lesson we go all the way back to Isaiah 22 and read of a man named Shebna. Shebna served as the royal steward under King Hezekiah. However, he was not a good steward; he was arrogant, and had created an elaborate tomb for himself. He was removed from this position, and the position was given to a man named Eliakim. This is what’s said about Eliakim in Isaiah 22:22
The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
Sound familiar?
What do you think of when you think of a key? A key provides:
Access and authority
What is the “key of David?” Most commentators I read after view it as symbolizing AUTHORITY and CONTROL over David’s domain, which would include not only Jerusalem but also the entire Kingdom of Israel.
Now the Lord Jesus holds this “key” because HE is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and He has ULTIMATE and ETERNAL authority over not only Jerusalem, but the New Jerusalem which is to come. John Courson goes on to note:
Isaiah went on to speak of this one who used the keys properly as being “fastened like a nail,” or steadfast and dependable. Of course, we think of another who was fastened—not like a nail, but with a nail. We think of another who perfectly carried the key of the government upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6). We think of Jesus. (Courson)
The stewardship of Christ is not limited to just Jerusalem and Israel. His stewardship extends to the ENTIRE KNOWN UNIVERSE AND BEYOND! As Gwyn Pugh stated:
Christ claims nothing less than absolute control over all things. (Gwyn Pugh)
As we will see the KEYS He holds will open every door the church needs opened and the key to lock every door the church needs locked.
First, notice...
He Opens Doors No One Can Shut
He Opens Doors No One Can Shut
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
There is a lot speculation regarding what doors Jesus is referring in this passage. I am a simple-minded man and the fact of the matter is He doesn’t specifically tell us ALL the doors He is referring to. Some of them may be alluded to in this passage and some of them may not be. Let’s explore what some of the OPEN DOORS may be.
Doors for the Gospel/Ministry
Doors for the Gospel/Ministry
Warren Wiersbe makes an interesting comment about a possible open door when he says:
In the New Testament, an “open door” speaks of opportunity for ministry...He gave the church at Philadelphia a great opportunity for ministry.
One example of this is what Paul said in...
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
It is obvious that God has OPENED a door for Meadowbrook Church to serve and minister to the Swannanoa Valley community! God allows our local church to meet at 204 Blue Ridge Road for a reason and He has opened that door for us, JUST AS HE OPENED THE DOOR FOR THIS CHURCH TO EXIST AND THRIVE IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.
Wiersbe goes on to ask a question...
But could they take advantage of it? There were...obstacles to overcome, the first being their own lack of strength (Rev. 3:8). Apparently, this was not a large or a strong church; however, it was a faithful one. They were true to God’s Word and unafraid to bear His name. Revelation 3:10 suggests that they had endured some special testing and had proved faithful. (Wiersbe)
The wonderful news is the church’s “lack of strength” did not cause the door to CLOSE! Remember, the Lord Jesus had said that He opens doors that NO ONE COULD CLOSE!
WHEN THE CHURCH REALIZES SHE IS WEAK, SHE LEARNS TO DEPEND UPON GOD’S STRENGTH!
Remember Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Door of Access
The Door of Access
Church isn’t it wonderful to know that we have ACCESS to the Creator and the Sustainer of the Universe 24/7/365 because of Christ and His sacrifice!?
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Another door that I think is alluded to in Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
A Door to Escape the Worldwide Hour of Trial (The Great Tribulation)
A Door to Escape the Worldwide Hour of Trial (The Great Tribulation)
This church is a persevering church. Despite their weakness (v. 8), despite the “synagogue of Satan” (v. 9), their faith in Jesus has remained and Jesus makes them a promise...they will not face the “hour of trial” which shall come upon the WHOLE WORLD.
I personally believe this is a reference to the 7 year tribulation period at the most and the last 3 1/2 of that period at the least. I believe this is a reference to the fact that the CHURCH by and large will be REMOVED before the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation, maybe even before it begins at all.
We will look at this period in greater detail as we delve into Revelation further, but suffice it to say it’s going to be nothing short of “hell on earth.” There have been other times when God removed His people from judgement (not trials mind you) but JUDGMENT...
Noah and his family was spared the judgement of the worldwide flood by being spared through the ark of safety.
Righteous Lot was removed from Sodom and Gomorrah before fire and brimstone fell.
It appears that the church will be removed (because this isn’t ONLY for the church at Philadelphia--see Revelation 3:13).
Of course there are some godly Christians who disagree with this assessment, but this is what I believe...
The Door is Opened to New Jerusalem
The Door is Opened to New Jerusalem
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Did you see that...ITS GATES SHALL NOT BE SHUT AT ALL BY DAY (THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT THERE)
Let me go back and say:
The Lord Jesus Christ has the key to open every door the church needs opened and the key to lock every door the church needs locked.
You know what that means right...EVERY EXCUSE WE CAN MAKE FOR NOT DOING GOD’S WILL INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY GOES OUT THE WINDOW.
GOD WILL OPEN THE DOORS WE NEED OPENED AND NO ONE CAN SHUT IT...BUT WE CAN REFUSE TO WALK THROUGH IT
IF WE DO NOT ACCOMPLISH GOD’S WILL IN THE SWANNANOA VALLEY, IF WE DO NOT ACCOMPLISH GOD’S WILL INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY...IT’S A BAD CASE OF OUR FAULT!
WE CAN MAKE ALL THE EXCUSES WE WANT TO ABOUT HOW BAD CULTURE IS, AND HOW IT’S NOT LIKE THE GOOD ‘OLE DAYS, AND HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THIS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THAT BUT WHEN WE STAND BEFORE GOD ONE DAY HE’S GOING TO SAY....
THE DOOR WAS OPEN AND YOU REFUSED TO WALK THROUGH...
Let us also be reminded...
He Closes Doors No One Can Open
He Closes Doors No One Can Open
Notice again Revelation 3:7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
The Door of Opportunity Will One Day be Shut
The Door of Opportunity Will One Day be Shut
God’s Spirit will not always strive with people. Just like the door on the Ark was shut by the hand of God and no one else could gain entrance, one day the door of God’s grace and mercy and opportunity to be saved will also be shut and NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN IT.
The door of Heaven is SHUT to those who refuse to repent and believe the Gospel.
The door of salvation is SHUT to PRETENDERS...
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
The door to destroy the church of the Lord Jesus is SHUT and the GATES OF HELL CANNOT OPEN IT!
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
I’ll say it one more time...
The Lord Jesus Christ has the key to open every door the church needs opened and the key to lock every door the church needs locked.
As we close today I believe there are some things we can be encouraged about as we think about the promises to the church:
Be Energized About our Calling to Share the Good News with Others
Be Energized About our Calling to Share the Good News with Others
Be Encouraged that Vengeance is His, He Will Repay
Be Encouraged that Vengeance is His, He Will Repay
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Be Excited, He will Protect His Own from Judgment
Be Excited, He will Protect His Own from Judgment
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Be Enthused, He is Coming Soon!
Be Enthused, He is Coming Soon!
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
Be Ecstatic, We Have a Better Home Waiting
Be Ecstatic, We Have a Better Home Waiting
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
Salvation
Rededication
Baptism
