An Open Door
Revelation 3:8 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.
Intro:
A. The Person behind the Open Door – vs. 7 “…he that hath the key…”
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
God is the one that opens doors.
When man opens a door, God may not bless it; but when God opens it, it’s OPEN!!
B. The Promise behind the Open Door – vs. 8 “…and no man can shut it…”
vs. 7 “…he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”
C. The People of the Open Door – vs. 8 “…for thou hast a little strength, kept my word, and has not denied my name.”
You will need a little strength; just not too much that you don’t need God anymore!
He’s not going to open a door for someone that has been a poor steward of His word. – SEE REV. 3:10
Denying the name of Jesus goes much further than verbally; it is a reflection of your life.
I. The Opportunities of an Open Door
- Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
There’s nothing more exciting for a ministry minded Christian than an open door.
Many people get so preoccupied with the open door, that they fail to recognize what or who is on the other side.
In Acts 14, they were rejoicing in the hosts of Gentiles that were on the other side of that open door.
A door is an opportunity to minister to others.
A. It is Providential – a door was opened unto me OF THE LORD
B. It is Personal – a door was opened UNTO ME
- Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
C. It is Purposeful – God opens doors for a reason
II. The Oppositions of an Open Door
- 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Anytime God opens a door, you can expect opposition.
In Paul was in bonds because of the open door he’d already walked through, and yet he kept praying for more open doors.
- Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
III. The Options of an Open Door
When God opens a door, no man can shut it.
But you can refuse to walk through it; or embrace that opportunity to influence the lives of others.
God opens a door for people every day but they don’t recognize it as such.
You can pass by that open door; you can miss out on the amazing opportunity to walk through it.