February 21, 2010 Pastor Scott Snowden
On the one hand, … but on the other…
A Progress Report from Jesus…
#7. “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…”
Revelation 3:7
Life is full of regrets over the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” opportunities we miss. We comfort ourselves with rationalizations like “I wasn’t ready”, “I couldn’t afford it”, or “I didn’t have time”, etc. We fear that those “doors” may never open again. This morning, we hear Jesus offer us all an open door for intimate fellowship and effective ministry. Are you ready? Do you know where to get the resources? Can you find the time? He who has an ear, let him hear…
1) I say…
“These are the words of Him who is holy and true,
who holds the key of David.
What He opens no one can shut,
and what He shuts no one can open.”
Revelation 3:7
Jesus’ introduction and self-revelation is noticeably different in the address to the Philadelphia congregation. He does not refer to the John’s earlier vision this time.
I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You-
I, whom You have redeemed.
Psalm 71:22, 23
“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King.”
Jeremiah 10:10
- of Him who holds the key of David.
“I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David;
what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
I will drive him like a peg into a firm place,
he will be a seat of honor for the house of his father.”
Isaiah 22:22, 23
2) I know…
“I know your deeds…
(I know) that you have little strength,
(and) that you have kept My Word and have not denied My name.”
Revelation 3:8
- because I am aware of my human limitations and weaknesses, I have learned to ask for and rely on God’s _HELP_&_PROVISION_.
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;
apart from Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,
but our competence comes from God.
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-
not of the letter but of the Spirit;
for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 nd Corinthians 3:5, 6
- because I am consistently reading the Bible, I have adopted God’s _VALUES_&_PRIORITIES_.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105
- because I am not ashamed of Jesus and His message of grace, I have greater opportunities to _SERVE_.
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for Me and for the Gospel will save it.
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words
in this adulterous and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of him
when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:35-38
I am not ashamed of the Gospel,
because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes…
Romans 1:16
3) I place before you…
“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”
Revelation 3:8, 9
“Doors” represent _OPPORTUNITIES_.
- the opportunity to have _ETERNAL_LIFE_ for myself.
“I am the gate (door); whoever enters through Me will be saved.”
John 10:9
- the opportunity to receive Heaven’s _BLESSINGS_ and _RESOURCES_.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks, the door will be opened….
If you, then, though you are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts
to those who ask Him!”
Matthew 7:7, 8, 11
- the opportunity to effectively _EVANGELIZE_ others.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,
so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders (unbelievers),
make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6
4) I promise…
“Since you have kept My command to endure patiently….”
Revelation 3:10-13
- my faithfulness exempts me from _JUDGMENT_ in this world.
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently,
I will also keep you from the hour of trial
that is going to come upon the whole world
to test those who live on the earth.”
Revelation 3:10
- my faithfulness establishes my _REWARD_ in Heaven.
“Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the Temple of My God.
Never again will he leave it.”
Revelation 3:12
- my faithfulness enhances my _FRIENDSHIP_ with God.
“I will write on him the Name of My God,
and the Name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem,
which is coming down out of Heaven from My God;
and I will also write on him My new Name.”
Revelation 3:12, 13 |
