Topics: salvation, opportunity, faithfulness
I. Have you walked thru the door of salvation?
* Jesus is the only door one can enter thru for eternal salvation!
- "And to the angel of the church in 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:" (Revelation 3:7).
- So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came
that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:7-10).
II. Are you seizing the door of opportunity?
* Jesus opens doors of ministry opportunities to all His disciples!
- "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name" (Revelation 3:8).
- "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" (Revelation 3:9; see Isaiah 60:14).
- But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:8, 9).
III. Will you hold open the door of faithfulness?
* Jesus praises the faithfulness of ministry of the overcomers!
- "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, 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. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown" (Revelation 3:10, 11; see Colossians 4:2-4).
- "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, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:12, 13).
Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, April 21st, 2024
Life group flow and discussion questions
"What door do you need to walk thru?"
An important Guideline of Life Groups: Every Life Group should practice an "open door" policy of inviting people into their fellowship. When your group grows larger it can multiply into two groups and expand the ministry to include more people. Ask how you can welcome new people!
Getting Started:
- What was your journey in walking through the open door of salvation?
- How have you seen God open up doors of opportunity in which you were able to minister to people?
Discussing Truths:
- Do you view Jesus as "holy" and "true" and the "key man" in guiding your life (3:7)?
- Have you experienced "closed doors" for ministry when you thought God was leading in a certain direction (Acts 16:6-7)?
- How is the spiritual battle illustrated when Satan hinders ministry and when do we know if God is closing the door or Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18; see also Romans 1:13)?
- What door of ministry opportunity does Jesus want you to seize and enjoy the blessings of faithful service?
- How can COTW be improving as a faithful church in ministering to our community so the lost come and bow down to Jesus as they see His love for us (3:9)?
- Why is it critical for us to be devoted to prayer in asking God to open up for us a door for His Word (Colossians 4:2-4; see also John 15:5, 7-11)?
- Discuss and reflect on: "You don't want a saved soul and a wasted life - you want a saved soul and an invested life."
Now What? Application:
- Who in your OIKOS can you speak with about the open door of salvation this week?
- Do you need to change your priorities in order to "hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown" (3:11)?
