Open Doors

Preached Sunday Evening September 16, 2012

Introduction:

As we study of Christ's letters to the seven churches in Asia, we find a letter of great encouragement and commendation written to the church at Philadelphia. As we explore the truths of this letter, we will find some wonderful laws of cause and effect. We will see that if we remain faithful – as born again believers – to our Savior, then He can put before us an open door of opportunity through which we can reach a lost world.

Jesus promises an open door of opportunity

Revelation 3:7–8 KJV

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; 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.

A. Jesus has the authority to offer such a gift – vs 7

B. No one can close a door Jesus opens

1 Corinthians 16:9 KJV

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12 KJV

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

C. This comes as a result of certain behavior

1. Even when there is little strength

2. Jesus' Word is kept

3. Jesus' name is not denied

a. Love for the lost

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

b. Love for the brethren

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

3. Jesus' name is not denied

D. The open door is the unlikely salvation of those that have opposed them

- 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 3:9 KJV

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.

D. The open door is the unlikely salvation of those that have opposed them

- 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.

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching “Behind the Door?”

Years ago a professor was giving a nature talk to children. His subject was plants and flowers. He explained how the seeds became plants, how the plants became leaves and flowers, and how the plants developed seeds all over again. Then he told about how all the different parts of a plant are built up of tiny cells, and how all these cells are filled with the amazing substance called protoplasm, which is contained in all living bodies and which makes them live and grow. Finally he stated that no one knew what gave protoplasm its power of living and growing. “That is a closed door, and behind the door is an unexplainable mystery.” Then one of the children asked, “Please, Sir, does God live behind the door?”

—James Hastings

Jesus Promises Deliverance

Revelation 3:10 KJV

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.

- 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.

A. From Hell

A. From Hell

B. From the wrath to come – tribulation

B. From the wrath to come – tribulation

Jesus Promises Rewards

Revelation 3:11–12 KJV

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

- 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.

A. Crowns for reward

B. Crown of righteousness

2 Timothy 4:8 KJV

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Perseverance

Two frogs fell into a can of cream,

Or so I’ve heard it told.

The sides of the can were shiny and steep,

The cream was deep and cold.

“Oh, what’s the use?” croaked number one.

“Tis fate, no help’s around.

Good-bye, my friend!

Good-bye, sad world!”

And weeping still, he drowned.

But number two, of sterner stuff,

Dog-paddled in surprise.

The while he wiped his creamy face,

And dried his creamy eyes.

“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he said,

Or so I’ve heard he said;

“It really wouldn’t help the world,

If one more frog were dead.”

An hour or two he kicked and swam,

Not once he stopped to mutter,

But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,

Then hopped out, via butter!

God has brought you here in this exact spot by perfect design. He has closed some doors… some to normalcy, employment or even to personal health. But the God that closes some doors not to be opened, opens others that cannot be shut. Although it may be scary and unfamiliar there is a door that is opened just for you to walk through.