An Open Door

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to teach once again at CC Herborn. We continued our series that we have been doing throughout this year through the 7 letters written to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This time I did not teach through the whole letter. The Lord really laid the first two verses on my heart, and so we really focused on these two verses. Here they are...

Revelation 3:7-8a "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;"

I am going to just write about the main point of the study... I want you to notice what it says at the end of vs.7 and the beginning of vs.8. It states, 'He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens...See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;"

The Lord speaks these statements to the church of Philadelphia which was known as a "missionary city," but not in the way that you might be thinking. It was more of a missionary city in the sense to reach this area with the Greek culture and language. It was known to have done such a good job at it, that the Lydian people had completely forgotten their language over a period of time and were only speaking Greek. Philadelphia was also known as "The Gate (or even better The Door) to the East." In a physical sense, the people in the city of Philadelphia used this opportunity to make an "influence" on all of those who would pass through. So why am I sharing this?

With that little bit of understanding, Jesus is telling this city that He has the key (His Authority) and He has opened the door, that no one can shut. It was His desire that the church in Philadelphia would also become that missional church. Just as the world was "seizing the moment" to influence the people passing through, they too needed to "seize the moment" with the power of the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ.

I believe that the Lord is speaking this same message to us today! He has said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR, AND NO ONE CAN SHUT IT." The first thing that I want you to notice is that He says, "I have set...," this is past tense. It means that the door is already open. The second thing that I want you to notice is that the door is OPEN! So many times in our Christian walk, we are asking the Lord to 'open the door' for this or for that. But what I do believe is that He has already opened the door for the sake of the Gospel! The third thing that I want to share with you comes with a little story. Every time my family and I come home from being out in the town, my daughters always want to race me to the front door. It is a little game that we play! Don't worry, I always let them win! Why do I share this with you? Because I see something important in it. I believe that we as Christians (the ones who have the TRUTH) should be the First One to the Open Door. Sadly to say, I am not sure if we always are!
I want to show you a few maps... these were the maps that I showed to our church here in Herborn.

As you look at this world map, I know that it can become overwhelming, but we must consider this. Who is going to be the first one to the Open Door that the Lord has set before us with the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? There are over 6 billion people on this map, and literally billions have never even heard of the Gospel.

This is the map of Europe. Who is going to be the first one to the Open Door of Europe. Recently I heard of some people that said that they are wiping the dust off their feet with Europe, saying that it is a useless mission field. All I have to say to that is.... WHAT A SHAME! Remember, Jesus has said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." I believe that Europe so desperately needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ once again!

This is the map of Germany? This is now getting closer and closer to us here in Deutschland. This is our home country. (I know that it is not my home country, but I said that to simply prove a point as I currently live here). Are we asking for the Lord to pour out His Spirit here in Germany? Are we the first ones to the Door of Opportunity to share the love of Jesus?

This is now the state of Hessen. This is the state that Herborn is situated in. Once again. Who is going to be the first one to the Open Door?

Lastly, you are looking at a local map of all of our local villages. This is where it all starts at. In fact, if we are not being the first one to the Open Door here in our "Jerusalem," then how do we think that we should go anywhere else?

Now I know that these might not best represent you. But I encourage you to start at the world map and slowly get closer and closer to where you live. Ask yourself this question. "Am I being faithful to the open door that is set before me with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?" I want to end by sharing you this verse...

2 Corinthians 5:20 "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."