Introducing the Concept of
Open Doors
Revelation 3:7,8
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
3 Jan, 2010
AM
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
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 (
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.
b.
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 |