“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. NKJV Revelation 3: 7-8

Gods instruction and commendation to the faithful church who have not bowed their knee to some alternative god and were true to Christ. We MUST persevere in our commitment to Him and we SHALL persevere because of His commitment to us. Have you ever called it over before it is over?

We serve a God that opens doors that no one can shut, and he shuts doors that no one can open. Whatever God requires He provides. Whomever God chooses, He changes. Whatever God starts, He finishes. Whatever God promises, He fulfills.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. NKJV Revelation 3: 7-8

“Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David's key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks: "I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough. Message Revelation 3: 7-8

Taking advantage of the opportunities given them by God (“I know your works”), Display of some spiritual maturity (“you have a little strength”), Keeping the Word of the Lord, A faithfulness to God’s calling (“you have not denied by name”). God Commends the church in Philadelphia for 4 things:

They Believed It (1 John 5:6-13). Keeping the word of the Gospel

1 John 5: 6-13 NKJV This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

They Believed It (1 John 5:6-13). They Loved It (1 John 5:3). Keeping the word of the Gospel

1 John 5: 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

They Believed It (1 John 5:6-13). They Loved It (1 John 5:3). They Obeyed It (Rom. 16:26). Keeping the word of the Gospel

Romans 16:26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith

They Believed It (1 John 5:6-13). They Loved It (1 John 5:3). They Obeyed It (Rom. 16:26). They Defended It (Jude 3; Phil. 1:7, 17). Keeping the word of the Gospel

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Philippians 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. Philippians 1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

“We are to bloom where we are planted” What is impairing our ability to bloom?

He simply won’t allow anyone to slam shut the door He has opened! Do you know there is an open door? What are you doing about it?

We have no responsibility to take hold of it’s handle and open it or step out of it and close it. We are to be travelers, adventurers through His Open Door of Opportunity.

Mr. Bridges! Do you believe God told you to come tell me that? Mr. Bridges: I do. I admit to you I have been struggling. But I’ve also been praying. I just don’t see him at work here. Grant. I heard a story about two farmers who desperately needed rain. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his field to receive it. Which do you think trusted God to send the rain?

I believe we need to take our focus off whether or not “it’s over” or as Coach Taylor said “I don’t see God working here”. I believe we need to get our focus on preparing for rain.

It is about seizing opportunity and not toying with it. Walking through the Open Door in the confidence of Christ. It is about having a sold out contagious reliance on God. That He is the way the truth and the life. It is about a consistent and growing faithfulness to Jesus With the Holy Spirit as our coach and mentor 24/7

What can we do to prepare for rain? First, realize we don’t have all the answers and ask the one who does – God to help us make the right decision. Second, determine in our hearts that you will accept God’s answer, even if it’s contrary to you own reasoning or desires in the matter. Third, receive His answer. If you sincerely ask God to show you what He knows is best in any given situation, He will!

God’s Word. The voice of God’s Word. Direct revelation. Godly counselors. Circumstances and conditions. Strong impressions or desires. Specific predetermined signs. He will speak to us through…..

"O God, make the door of this house Wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; Narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and strife. Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children or to straying feet, But rugged and strong enough to turn back the temper’s power. God, make the door of this house the gateway to thy eternal kingdom."

“Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened for you” “Behold I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut” It’s not over till it’s over!