SF407 - The Church of the Open Door (Revelaiton 3 7-13)
Revelation 3:7‑13
INTRODUCTION
Scriptural Background
This church was a wonderful church.
They had experienced revival
Ø Revived vision of the lost
Ø Revived vision of the church
Ø Revived vision of the Lord ‑ second coming
This church was a small church.
Sermon Background
Ever had A door slammed in your face?
Ø There are doors that only Jesus can open and shut.
Jesus is the keeper of the keys
Ø He is and has the keys to every circumstance in life
You do not have to know "key" men if you know the keeper of the keys
1A. The Keeper of the Keys (3:7)
1B. The Righteousness of the Keeper – “He who is holy"
Speaks of Christ’s deity
Isaiah 57:15 (NAU) For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy…
Speaks of Christ’s purity
Hebrews 7:26 (NAU) For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
He will only open holy doors
2B. The Rightness of the Keeper – “Who is true”
He is truth incarnate
John 14:6 (NAU) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
What God does is always right
Psalm 33:4 (NKJV) For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.
3B. The Resources of the Keeper – “The key of David”
The Lord is sovereign
Isaiah 22:22 (NAU) "Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.
Ø Access to the treasures of the God
The resource is sufficient
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Jimmy Johnson ‑ Missionary
Wealthy friend gave him an envelope to open when he had exhausted every other means. He stayed for years ‑ returned the unopened envelope. God had supplied his every need.
Ø No work every fails for the lack of resources! If it fails, it fails for a lack of Faith!
The resources are supernatural our God has the keys!
Ø If your life fails it will not be because Your Father lacks the resources.
Ø If it is righteous, if it is right, He will provide the resources.
4B. The Resolve of the Keeper – “Who opens and no one will shut…”
Obstacles to open doors:
Ø Fear of change
Lamentations 3:22 (NAU) The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Ø Love of tradition
2A. The Doors of Destiny (3:8)
1B. The Door of Greatness
1 Corinthians 16:9 (NAU) for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
This is a door of opportunity
Ø God desires for us to do great things for His glory
Ø Jesus’ formula for greatness
Matthew 20:26 (NAU) "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
Ø We can become a great church
It is not easy ‑ Paul says there will be opposition
"The door of opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition."
Why did He open this door?
Ø Because they were saturated with the Word of God – “you have kept My word”
Ø Because they were dedicated to the son of God – “have not denied My name.”
Ø Because they were dependant upon the Spirit of God – “You have a little power”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NAU) And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
What God did was not because of their figures and finances; it was because of their faithfulness.
Many can preach the gospel better than I can. But no one can preach a better gospel than I can!
2B. The Door of Grace
Acts 14:27 (NAU) When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
2 Corinthians 2:12 (NAU) Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
They were able to be saved because God opened the door of Faith
Ø You are saved because He opened the door of Faith to You
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
God will grant you faith!
Ø You do not, cannot, will not believe unless God gives you this gift
John 7:17 (NAU) “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
Ø You surrender your will and Jesus will take care of your faith.
3B. The Door of the Grave
Revelation 1:18 (NAU) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Ø "Hades" ‑ the abode of the dead!
Ø He has the keys of death because he overcame death.
Death thought he had won ‑ but the resurrection proved him wrong!
He conquered death!
Ø He has the keys of death for he took them from him!
4B. THE DOOR OF GLORY (4:1)
Not only am I coming forth, I am going up.
Jesus is the door of heaven!
John 10:9 (NAU) “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
APPLICATION
See again the Keeper of The Keys
His righteousness
His rightness
His resources
See again the Doors He Opens
Greatness
Grace
Grave
Glory
May we be known as the Church of The Open Door!
It is never a matter of resources ‑ it is a matter of faith and focus.