Have you ever stood outside of a locked door without a key? It’s impossible to get inside. Out of God’s love for us, He opens the doors we should walk through and closes the doors we should avoid — our only job is to obey. Tune in as Pastor Cameron brings the latest installment of our collection “Seven: Revelations of Jesus for His Church."
Scripture
Revelation‬ â€3:7-13‬ â€NIV‬‬
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
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. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them 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 them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
REFERENCES: Isaiah 22:20-23
Main Idea
Have you ever been lost in a new building and unsure which door to open? Without proper direction and guidance, we can easily get lost or enter a door we never should've gone through. We can also become anxious trying to figure out which one to open and get stuck in the hallway. However, with Jesus as our guide and source of truth, we can be certain of the path we need to take. He encounters and meets us where we are to lead us to the correct door. If you're ever in a situation where you can't decipher the lies from the truth, open the word of God and you'll find the way to life.
Our answer and antidote is found in Jesus
1. Open and Closed Doors
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One of the most merciful things God can do for us is close a door that we are not supposed to walk through. Sometimes we are curious to see what is coming next in our lives, but God keeps us safe by showing us His plan for our life. If God closes a door, no one can open it and if God opens a door, no one can close it.
“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8
Has God ever blessed you with a closed door?
What are some ways you can grow closer to God while waiting for the next door to open?
“Until God opens the next door,
praise Him in the hallway.”
- Nicky Gumbel
2. Obedience
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Obedience is often a requirement to be a part of a sports team, a job, or even a household in order to have access to all its benefits. The same way, obedience to God is our gateway to all of His promises. Although obeying him doesn’t buy his love for us, it opens doors to his blessings.
What are some things you have kept in faith?
How can we prepare our hearts for obedience even before a door opens?
Have you ever experience the miraculous by walking in obedience?
If Jesus isn't in it, I don't want it.
Summary
It is not God’s job to obey us but vice-versa, and prayerful discernment is key to recognizing His leadership in our lives. We don’t learn what is true by studying what is false. His word keeps us grounded in patient endurance, as God opens and closes doors in our lives. By reflecting on God’s truths we can better distinguish the doors He opens from those that our earthly desires tempt us to force open. As we confidently trust in God, and walk in obedience, His favor will lead us to the promises He freely offers us. God loves us and promises justice from our enemies, protection from evil, and identity in Him.
Call To Action
Reflect on discerning when God may be calling us to walk through a door He opened, versus our earthly nature tempting us to try to force open a door He closed. Foster patient endurance in Christian community.
Here are some examples to start:
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Serve on a team in Faith Center that sounds interesting or aligns with your talents
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Share what God is doing in your life with someone, and invite them to Church