God’s Open Doors

Introducing the Concept of Open Doors

Revelation 3:7,8

Pastor Craig Ledbetter                                           

Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland

3 Jan, 2010  AM

www.biblebc.com

 

Revelations 3:7,8

 “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.”

 

I.       Introduction

 

A.     It’s 2010 – Our theme, our goal this coming year is Looking for God’s Open Doors  (Rev 3:7,8).

 

1.      Jesus said in Rev 3:8, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” What a thought!

2.      This year we are going to go searching, exploring, discovering the open doors, the opportunities that GOD places before each and everyone one of us, so that we can go forward!

 

B.     There is no middle ground for the Christian

 

1.      Either he is going forward, or he is going backwards!

2.      I hate going backwards – it is the most dangerous way to travel! It is much better to travel forward!

3.      And if someone is going to go forward, they need to go in the right direction!

 

C.     In Revelation 3:7,8, Jesus commends a church called the Church in Philadelphia, in modern day Turkey.

 

1.      He who is holy, who is true is talking – His name is the Lord Jesus!

2.      He knows their works

 

a.       They have a little strength

b.      They have kept/obeyed His word

c.       They have not denied, abandoned His name

 

3.      He has a key to a door.

 

a.       And when Jesus opens a door, it is OPEN

b.      And when Jesus SHUTS a door, then that is it! It ain’t opening again!

c.       He can either unlock it, and open it, or He can bolt it shut, and make it impossible to ever open again!

 

4.      He points to a door for them to go through

 

D.     The question is, What are we going to do with the doors that Jesus opens for us? Find them and go through them? Or ignore them and miss them?

E.      I believe we must go through those open doors.

F.      Why?

 

1.      Because there are too many people STUCK where they are at simply because they won’t use the little strength they have, and obey God’s leading in their lives! They live in defeat, and discouragement because they live in the past, and in the failures, and they don’t go forward in their Christian walk!

2.      Because Satan loves to devour uncommitted Christians who lag behind

3.      Because you can miss the God-given opportunity – Just as fast as God opens a door, if we don’t go through it, that door can close, and may never come again!

 

G.     If we would use the "little strength" given to us by God into living for Him, if we use it to keep and obey His word, then, no matter how much Satan and the world attempt to block us, we can go thru it to our bright future.

                                                                                

II.    Background Information on God’s Doors

 

A.     When God talks about things, He uses common, everyday items to teach us (John 10:1,27).

                                                                 

1.      Like sand, stars, water, seeds, doors

2.      He uses earthy items to teach heavenly truths

3.      Jesus refers to Himself as the door! He doesn’t have hinges, and a handle, but He is just like a door!

 

B.     What are God’s doors? They are…

 

1.      Clear directions from God (Isa 30:21) where He says, “This is the way.” Hey, God knows the way through the wilderness doesn’t He? Jesus says, HE is the way to the Father, the only way to heaven!

2.      God’s will for our lives. We only face the choice of whether we will do His will or not!

3.      God-Given Opportunities. Open doors that we should avail of

4.      The next step to take as followers of God – just following the leader

 

a.       Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”

b.      Eph 5:1 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” Let Him lead, and you follow!

 

C.     There are loads of “doors” in the Bible

 

1.      Doors of the home and heart (Ex 12:23) that needed the blood of the Lamb

2.      Prayer closet doors (Matt 6:6)

3.      The sepulchre door is an open door (Mt 27:60)

4.      Jesus and Salvation is an open door (John 10:1,9)

5.      The will of God is an open door (1Cor 16:9)

6.      There are Different Kinds of Doors

 

a.       Front Doors

b.      Back Doors

c.       Emergency Doors

d.      Trap doors

e.       Revolving doors

f.       Closed doors

 

D.     The ones we are interested in are GOD’S Open Doors

 

III. Message

 

A.     Finding God’s Open Doors - Discerning God’s Opportunities

                                                  

1.      Some Questions…

 

a.       How can we know what steps to take, what direction to go?

b.      What are the helpful signals that tell us that the door ahead is opened by God?

 

2.      We always come up with excuses and reasons why we can't do something, yet God gives us open doors for us to go through, by obedient faith, not because we have abilities, or because it is easy, but because it is right and best!

3.      The Principles

 

a.       God’s Doors will already be Open - usually miraculously

b.      Some doors are locked for a good reason

 

1)      Back to the old life

2)      In order to sin, you have to go through closed doors, and force yourself through as the Holy Spirit tries to stop you

 

c.       It is rarely easy to go through God’s Doors

 

1)      It is usually the hard path – the narrow and strait path

2)      There are always adversaries in between where we are at and God’s will

3)      1Co 16:9  For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

4)      Jesus said the path we are called to walk is a strait and narrow path (Matt 7:13,14)

 

d.      Not all doors open automatically. You have to “try” the doors. Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

e.       All open doors are not of God

 

1)      It is only discerned through prayer

2)      It is only opened for faithful Christians who are willing to follow God’s leading, not their own lusts

3)      So, stay clear of Satan’s open doors

 

f.       Beware that all doors close again - Soon, God will close and lock the doors that He has opened (Mt 25:11)

 

B.     Examples of God’s Open Doors to Go Through This Year!

                                                      

These are the open doors that we will explore this year over the next twelve months!

 

1.      Evangelism

2.      The Will of God - God’s calling for your life

 

a.       Moses in Ex 3 – didn’t even want to try and see if the door would open

b.      Gideon – had to put the fleece out twice to make sure it was truly God opening a door for him

 

3.      Victory over Sin. God opens up access to freedom from sin and its curse! With every command to leave a sin behind you, there is a God-given ability to replace it with something better!

4.      Ministry – a place of service

5.      Forgiveness and Salvation – access to heaven

6.      The Home – access to a godly heritage

7.      Our Bible – access to the mind of God

8.      Prayer – access to the throne of God

9.      Influence on our World – access to the hearts of the world around us

10.  Fellowship with Jesus – allowing HIM access to us

11.  The Future – lay hold on eternal life

 

C.     Pressing into God’s Doorways – Pursuing God’s Will

 

1.      Prepare your heart for God’s will. Unbelief Hinders Doors being Opened

                                                                                                 

a.       Act 12:13,16  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

b.      Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

c.       Heb 3:17-19

d.      Heb 3:12

 

2.      Pray for the ability to discern and know God’s way to go

 

a.       Ps 25:4 “Shew me thy ways, teach me thy paths”

b.      Ps 27:11 “Lead me in a straight path”

c.       Ps 5:8 “Lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way straight before my face”

d.      Ps 143:8 “Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk”

e.       Ex 33:13 “Shew me now thy way”

 

3.      And then you need to go forward (Philp 3:13,14)

 

D.     Missing the Doors that God has Opened for you

 

1.      To be saved from the wrath to come

2.      To get right with someone – it only gets harder, the longer you wait

3.      To do what God designed/called you to do – as with Jonah

4.      Missing the opportunity to pray about everything, and cast all your care upon HIM, and so you carry the burdens yourself alone!

5.      There is so much danger in missing God’s open doors (Heb 9:28)

 

E.      THE Most important Door to go through!

 

1.      It is not a church door

2.      It is not window

3.      It is not a feeling

4.      It is Jesus!

5.      Jesus is THE Door – He is THE door to the Father

 

a.       John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

b.      John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

6.      Have you come to God through that door? Can’t wait until death! Gotta go through Him today!

 

IV.  Conclusion

 

A.     This year we are going to go searching, exploring, discovering the open doors, the opportunities that GOD places before each and everyone one of us, so that we can go forward! Jesus said in Rev 3:8, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” What a thought!

B.     There is no middle ground for the Christian. Either he is going forward, or he is going backwards!

C.     The Lord Jesus has a door for us to go through

D.     The question is, What are we going to do with the doors that Jesus opens for us? Find them and go through them? Or ignore them and miss them?

E.      I believe we must go through those open doors.

 

1.      So, Prepare your heart for God’s will.

2.      Pray for the ability to discern and know God’s way to go

3.      And then go forward (Philp 3:13,14) – never backward from this day on!

4.      Don’t Miss the Doors that God has Opened for you

 

a.       To be saved from the wrath to come

b.      To get right with someone – it only gets harder, the longer you wait

c.       To do what God designed/called you to do – as with Jonah

d.      Missing the opportunity to pray about everything, and cast all your care upon HIM, and so you carry the burdens yourself alone!

e.       There is so much danger in missing God’s open doors (Heb 9:28)

 

F.      THE Most important Door to go through! Have you come to God through that door? Can’t wait until death! Gotta go through Him today! I invite you to make the decision that will change forever your destiny!

 

 

 

Craig Ledbetter |  Pastor  |  Bible Baptist Church  |  021-4871234  +353-21-4871234  |  biblebc@gmail.com  www.biblebc.com