Please turn with me to Revelation 3:7-13.  As we’ve been looking at Jesus’ messages to these 7 churches here in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 - thinking through how we can live today trusting God - knowing that God is in control of tomorrow - today we’ve arrived at church number 6 - The Evangelical Free Church of Philadelphia.  Specifically this morning - as we’re looking at the Church of Philadelphia - we want to focus on walking through the door of God’s opportunities.

In 1269 Kublai Khan - the grandson of Genghis Khan - who ruled the Mongol Empire - this huge empire that extended from China through Persia and into Europe - in 1269 Kublai Khan sent a request from Beijing to Rome - which in part said, “send a hundred wise men of the Christian religion...And so I shall be baptized, and when I shall be baptized all my baron and great men will be baptized, and their subjects baptized, and so there will be more Christians here than there are in your parts.”

Imagine that.  The opportunity.  The Mongols were wavering in their choice of a religion.  The Mongols coming to Jesus.  It would have been the greatest mass religious movement the world has ever seen.  The history of all Asia - the history of the world - would have been changed.  Can you imagine this?  So what happened?

Pope Gregory X answered by sending - not a hundred wise men of our faith - but by sending two Dominican friars - who traveled from Rome through what is now central Turkey - and they got as far as Armenia.  I don’t know.  Maybe the hospitality was too much for them.  “Come let us kill the goat and serve it to you and make a feast to honor you.”  I don’t know.  But, when they got to Armenia they turned around and went back to Rome. (1)

The Church of Philadelphia - an open door.  This morning we want to be encouraged to walk through the open doors of God’s opportunities.

Revelation 3:7:  “And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write:  He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this…”

Verse 7 is a description of Jesus.  He’s holy and true - sinless and trustworthy.  Jesus will never lie or deceive us.  What He says He will do - He will do.  Verse 7 says that Jesus - the holy and true one - has the “Key of David.”

Now let’s think about that.  The “Key of David” is one of those references that unless we’re got a Ph.D. in Hebrew history we might not get.  But, its important that we understand what Jesus is talking about.  The reference is to an event that’s recorded in the Book of Isaiah.

Back when Hezekiah was King of Judah - Sennacherib - the King of Assyria came and laid siege to Jerusalem.  At that time there was a servant of King Hezekiah named Shebna - who had great authority - and in the midst of this siege - was using his position of authority in the king’s house for his own benefit.  Shebna was causing all kinds of problems for the people and using the turmoil as an opportunity to get rich.

There was another servant of King Hezekiah - an ordinary man by the name of  Eliakim - who was a godly man serving alongside Shebna.  Through a series of events Shebna was kicked out and Eliakim was put in his place - given Shebna’s position of authority.  Are we together so far?

Isaiah the prophet prophesied about Eliakim, “He will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.  Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder - the key is symbolic of his position of authority.  He’s operating with the authority of the royal line of King David. - Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open.” (Isaiah 22:21,22)  Sound familiar?

During this siege - while the entire Assyrian army surrounded the walls of Jerusalem - Eliakim - as the representative of the king - with all of the kings authority - the guy with the key of David - stood on the walls and just stared down the army.  Rabshakeh - the Assyrian commander - with his superior forces - is outside the walls laughing at God - laughing at the people - taunting Eliakim.  And Eliakim won’t budge.  He keeps the gates shut.  Stares him down.  And, the angel of the Lord passed through the Assyrian army and 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died.  The Assyrians never entered Jerusalem.  (Isaiah 22, 36, 37)

In the same way, Jesus - who’s holy and true - has the “Key of David.”  He has all the authority and power over God’s household and church - over God’s spiritual kingdom.  The point being that if Jesus says He’ll open a door before us - its open.  He won't budge.  Trust Him for it.  What Jesus opens - stays open.  What Jesus shuts - stays shut.  No one else has greater authority to open or shut God’s doors of opportunity.  Try this with me, “What Jesus opens stays open.”

Philadelphia had been founded in 138 B.C. by Attalus II - who had the nickname “philadelphus” - Greek for “brother lover.”  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the “city of brotherly - what?  love.”  Attalus was given the nickname because of the great love he had for his brother.  Philadelphia wasn’t really a very important place.  As a city it wasn’t very big or really impressive.  It was a fortress city - an agricultural center - a center of  textile and leather production.

What was important about Philadelphia was its location.  The city of Philadelphia was about 100 miles inland.  Of all the cities that we’ve looked at it was the farthest east.  It was a gateway - a doorway to the high tableland of Anatolia.  It was on the main access way - the doorway - to what became the greatest trade route to Asia and beyond.  Because of its location - as a Greek city - Philadelphia was very influential in spreading Greek culture and philosophy and language east into Asia.

In the same way - the Church of Philadelphia had before it and open door.  Philadelphia was not a big church.  Not a wealthy church.  Jesus says they had “a little power.”  But, Jesus says that they’d kept the Word of God and they’d remained faithful to Jesus.  They’d been using what they had to serve Jesus.  Now Jesus was placing in front of them a door - a wide open door of opportunity - to be used by Jesus in powerful ministry - an open door to spread the Gospel through-out Asia and beyond.

Sunday after Sunday around here we have these unsung heroes who are serving in the nursery - and teaching Sunday School - making sure the words are up on the screen - that the sound system works - playing instruments - singing on a worship team - or leading in worship - reading Scripture - welcoming us - and ushering - providing coffee and refreshments.  That’s all a team effort.  A team working - serving together so that ministry happens - people are coming to Jesus and growing up in Him..

Thinking through the week around here - the youth group and all the ministries for youth - the college Bible study - AWANA - BGN - women’s and men’s studies - small group studies.  We’re a team working together to share God’s word - to live faithfully before Him.

Then there are those who bring food for the food pantry - those who are working with White Cross - those who support missions - or go out as missionaries - those who give their time to serve others and to pray and share God’s love - share Jesus with others - visiting and inviting others to church - and opening their homes.  You’re all part of this incredible team that God has put together and that we know as the Evangelical Free Church of Merced.

We could go on thinking through these opportunities and ministries and to think of the individuals connected with those ministries - their fidelity to Jesus - and to praise God.  Its awesome that so many around here are willing by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God.

Jesus says, “I know that you have little strength.  You’re not a mega-church with mega-resources.  But, that’s not what’s important.  What’s important is that you’ve kept My word and you haven’t denied My name.”

Jesus also says,  “Because you have been faithful, I’m opening a new door of opportunity before you.”

God is continually placing doors of opportunity before His church - opportunities to share the Gospel - to teach the Bible - to serve Him and witness for Him.  That’s a challenge for us as a church.  As God opens doors for us as a congregation.  Are we ready and willing to go through them?

Years ago I would go out to Pacifica.  Pacifica is this small town just south of San Francisco on the coast.  There’s a Taco Bell there - right on the beach.  Catherine and Micki - you know which one I’m talking about.  She’s been out there.  Its this Taco Bell that looks a  beach shack.

I’d go out there - grab some cheap coffee - and I could sit for hours studying - and watching the waves and the ocean.  And there were surfers out there.  Have you ever watched surfers?  Floating on these swells - waiting and watching - always ready to catch the right wave - to ride it.

The opportunities God gives are like ocean waves.  Surfing is the art of riding waves that God builds.  God makes the waves - surfers ride them.  God is constantly sending waves of opportunity to His church - the key is to commit to riding them.  To not miss the opportunity.

We’ve agreed together that God is doing something here.  We see it.  We feel it.  An increased sense of God’s presence - His leading - activity - His work in our lives.  Here’s the wave.  Here’s the door of opportunity.  By His authority its been opened.

Let me put this differently.  As a congregation - after a whole of prayer - seeking God’s direction for us - we’ve made the decision to stay here on “G” street.  We’re seriously looking at tearing this building down and building facilities here that are safe and - well - facilitate ministry.  A question that hangs in our minds - thinking about staying here - is why?  What is God’s reason for keeping us here?

Last week I was at meeting for the ministry to gang members that we’re trying to get started here in Merced - following the Hope Now For Youth model down in Fresno.  The committee that’s working on getting this ministry started - among the different things that they’ve been working on - one of the things they've been doing is researching the different gang territories in Merced.

Gangs are territorial.  You all know what I mean by that?  Merced is divided up geographically by the gangs.   For a member of one gang to go into the territory of another gang might mean death.  You just don’t go into another gang’s territory.  So if we’re going to start a ministry - and have a place were members of different rival gangs can come to get counseling and be helped by this ministry - it has to be located in a neutral spot - a spot not claimed by any one gang.  So, gang members can come and not get shot at.  Are you with me?

So the committee has been researching Merced to find the one territorially neutral spot in Merced where this ministry to gangs could take place.  Any one want to guess where that one spot is?  You’re sitting in it.

How does God want to use us in this city?  That’s just a glimpse.  God and His opportunities.  Will we let God engage the community through us?  The question is are we willing to let go of ourselves - to trust God - and walk through that door - wherever God will lead us.

Going on - coming to verse 9.  Verse 9 to 12 contain 3 promises that we can claim for ourselves.  What happens if we do go through God’s doors of opportunity?

First:  God Will Use Us

Say that with me, “God will use us.”

Verse 9:  “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie - I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.”

In Philadelphia there was a Jewish community that was vehemently opposed to the Christians.  They refused to recognize Jesus as their Messiah.  They were actively persecuting those who had trusted Jesus.  With the open door came opposition from within and persecution from without.

About two weeks ago I was at the McDonalds over on Childs studying.  Again, cheap coffee and God.  I had my notes out and my Bible open.  This guy walks by - points at the Bible - and says, “That’s the greatest book in the world.”

Then he sits down and the next table over - where he’s facing right at me.  So, I’m trying to study and this guy is just keeps staring at me.  I felt like doing one of those “What?!!?” kind of things.  Finally the guy asks me, “Are you an elder or some kind of lay preacher?”

I said, “I’m a pastor here in town.”  This guy jumps out of his seat comes over to my table - sits down directly across from me - and starts to tell me about himself and his church.  

That was the whole focus of the conversation - him and his church.  Like I was there to listen and he had something I needed to hear.  Over and over in our conversation he kept saying that, “with God there are no chance meetings.”

Making a long story short - the church he’s pasturing is over in the Bay Area - a church plant founded by another pastor - a church that quickly grew from about 20 people up to about 400.  About the time this pastor at McDonalds came on staff the founding pastor had an affair.  He and the women got divorced - got married to each other - and a bunch of people left the church.  Are you with me?

The church goes down to a handful of people with no money.  They’re in the red.  The church is having trouble paying its bills.  Its a nightmare.   They’ve hit bottom.  This pastor gets a call from a church overseas that’s bursting at the seams and wants him to come and pastor there.  It’s a very tempting offer.  But, he feels like God is saying to him, “As long as there’s one person here you need to stay.”

So he stays.  Eventually they go from red ink to black ink.  Today, there’s about 400 people in the church.  Its growing.  Reaching people for Jesus.  They’ve taken a lease on a facility that’s huge and centrally located for ministry.  They’re running forward through God’s open door.

Then he left - never having heard about what’s happening here.  I didn’t get to tell him my story.  But, that wasn’t the point.  “With God there are no chance meetings.”  I think I’m not the only person who needed to hear what he had to say.

Jesus says that the day will come when those who accuse the believers - those who are enemies of Jesus and His Church - the day will come when they’ll have to acknowledge that Jesus is God and that the Church really is the people of God.  Because, “What Jesus opens... stays open.”

The point is that the Church that’s responsive to God’s open doors - that’s willing to put everything on the line and testify of Jesus - regardless of the opposition from within or without - regardless of what discouragements Satan may throw at us - or the temptations to focus on ourselves or our situation - that Church - which is willing to give everything and to trust God - that Church God uses to teach the world about Jesus - to pour out His love - on them and through them to the world.

If we walk through the door God will use us in ways that we cannot begin to imagine.  First promise:  God will use us.

Second Promise:  God Will Preserve Us

Say that with me, “God will preserve us.”

Verse 10:  “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance - because you’ve patiently endured the persecution and opposition to your faith - I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

The “hour of trial” that Jesus is talking about refers to the coming Great Tribulation - a coming period of unprecedented world-wide suffering - destruction - judgment - war - and supernatural disaster.  The Bible teaches that just prior to the Great Tribulation the church will be removed from the earth.  (Ezekiel 38, 39; Daniel 9:26b,27; 11:36-45; 12:9-13; Joel 2:1ff; Matthew 24, 25; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12;   Revelation 4-18)  Jesus is saying to this church that He will keep them from this ultimate trial.

Last week after our prayer time someone asked if anyone knew what had happened to these 7 churches here in Revelation.  Did any of them listen to the warnings - follow the instructions - did any of them survive?

The Church of Philadelphia endured longer - held on longer - than any of the other churches.  When the Byzantine Empire fell - when Constantinople was over-run - when the Ottoman Turks set up their empire - the Church of Philadelphia persisted in witnessing of Jesus Christ.  In fact, I have heard that the Church of Philadelphia - the Christian witness in that area of what is today the city of Alasehir - the church persisted until World War I - until the time of the Armenian genocide - when the Turks finally wiped the Christians out.

Hear this - walking through God’s open doors does not spare us from the struggles and circumstances of this world.  Whether we’re on this side of the door or the other side of the door - we still live in this world.  The difference is living within the will of God - living faithfully for God - and how God uses and rewards that faithfulness.  Jesus says, witness of Me and I will preserve you and care for you through every circumstance.

In verse 11 Jesus emphasizes that point:  “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”  Hang in there.  I’m coming.  Stay faithful.  Don’t give up your reward in heaven.

God will use us.  God will preserve us.

Third Promise:  God Will Give Us An Eternal Inheritance

Say that with me, “God will give us an eternal inheritance.”

Verse 12:  “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore…”

The area of Philadelphia is earthquake territory.  Philadelphia was continually being destroyed by earthquakes.  Looking at ancient ruins - usually the only thing left standing we’re the pillars.

Jesus is talking about permanence - strength - security.  When everything else crumbles away - when everything we see around us is destroyed - those who overcome will have a permanent place in Heaven - the Temple of God. (Hebrews 9)

Verse 12:  “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God - this is our new eternal home - dwelling forever with God - and - Jesus will give to us His - My new name.”

In the Bible Jesus is given many names - Lion of Judah - The Lamb of God - Wonderful Counselor - each name symbolizes His character and work.  This new name is mystery.  We don’t know what it is yet.  But we know that it describes His work in our lives in the time after we go to Heaven.  We don’t know what it is.  But the point is that we will know it because we’ll be there in Heaven with Him.

Church - if we go through God’s doors of opportunity - God will use us - He will preserve us - and He will reward us in eternity with Him.

Finally, in verse 13, Jesus says:  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Pay attention - followers of Jesus - and so live.

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1. R. Dunkerly, in Resource, Number 2 - quoted by The Biblical Studies Foundation (opportunity)