THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR
Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction:     Philadelphia is the youngest of all the cities addressed in these two chapters and received no complaints, only praise from the Lord. Here is a church that is in the fires of revival; a church that is obeying God. There is tremendous freedom and liberty in this church to do the will of God. Some believe this church represents the period of the “Great Awakening” in the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th centuries where God raised up some great men of God to ignite the flames of revival in this country. Reguardless of the day or the spiritual climate around the church, there is always the potential for the fires of revival and renewal to break out. We must never forget that the church was not our idea. We are not to do church your way or my way. We are to do church God’s way! It is not according to what I like or what you like, but according to what He wills and the pattern that we find in the Word of God. The church that is obedient to the vision of Christ, that is obedient to the “Great Commission” to reach the lost with the gospel of the Lord Jesus and is faithful to believe and practice what the Bible teaches, the church that knows that Christ is supreme and seeks to do God’s work God’s way has an opened door set before them by God that no one, not even the devil, can close. In fact we see God opening four doors in this passage of scripture.  God has opened:

I.          THE DOOR OF SALVATION (V.7)

            A.        The Necessity Of Salvation

“Saith he that is holy” Here is why everybody needs to be saved. Jesus is the standard to measure to, not the guy down the street (expound). Compared to Jesus we don’t measure up (Rom.3:23) that is why everybody needs to be saved. We are not holy; we need holiness (Heb 12:14) "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" The only way to get holiness is to come to the saving blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!

B.                 The Way Of Salvation

”He that is true” - If we are going to do God’s work God’s way we are going to have to preach the right message. Jesus is the only way to heaven! “He that hath the key…” – Only Jesus has the authority to open and close the doors of life. The invitation is clear! If you will be saved today; if you will answer His call the door of salvation is opened to you and the devil himself cannot close it! But my friend, don’t wait too late because the door of opportunity will not be open forever for you! (Illus. Doors shut in the Bible…Noah (Gen.7:16)…Hell (Lk.16:26)…Rapture (Mtt.25:10)

II.         THE DOOR OF SERVICE (V.8)

Don’t miss the opened door of service. God help us to serve:

A.                 Even In Weakness

They may have been small in numbers. True fundamental churches are in the minority.

B.                 With Willingness

Though they may have been small in number (weak) they kept some mighty big things!

We have a generation behind us that needs us to preserve the preaching and teaching of the gospel so they can get it right. I challenge you to see before you an opened door of service. Will you walk through it?

III.       THE DOOR OF SUCCESS (VV. 9-10)

When you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then you will succeed. When a church does God’s work God’s way it will succeed and nothing can stop it! These are savage days, but we don’t have to walk in fear! Jesus Is In Control:

            A.        Of The Critics (v.9)

The false church hates the true church! (John 3:20)  "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." If we are faithful we will be criticized! (2 Tim 3:12) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Like it or not, we can gauge our effectiveness by the flack we receive!

B.         Of The Crisis (v.10)

The Church won’t be here for the tribulation (Rom 5:9) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." The earth dwellers are those who reject Christ and live for this world (1 John 2:15) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

IV.       THE DOOR OF SECURITY (VV.11-13)

“Behold, I come quickly” is the rapture (1 Cor.15:51-52; 1 Thess.4:16-17). “Hold fast” not to salvation, but to the Word and His name! (v.11) Rewarded with a crown.

A.                 What He Will Make Us (v.12a)

Pillar = support – Speaks of Strength; Stability (In God’s Temple . It will stand forever!); Steadfastness (go out no more!)

B.                 How He Will Mark Us (v.12b)

·        Name of Jehovah – Marked as God’s people. (The called out ones).

·        Name of New Jerusalem – Marked as to our destination.

·        Name of Jesus – Marked by the Master (His new name will reveal more of Him to us. (Illus. Queen of Sheba, (1 Ki 10:6-7) "And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. {7} Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."

Conclusion:       If Jesus wrote a letter to us would He tell us what He told these people? Doing Church God’s way opens doors. I believe these four doors are opened to us today and one of them is opened just for you. Will you walk through?