Revelation 3:7-18

Introduction: Have you noticed the world is going in the opposite direction of the CHRISTian life? Jesus said, if you want to really find your life, you’ve got to be willing to lose it…for His sake! (Matt 10:38, 39) Could that be why so many people are unhappy and unfulfilled today? That reminds me of a snake I saw the other day….it had its tail in its mouth…. and was swallowing it, tail and all! Somebody said, “the snake was FULL of Itself!” How can we as followers of Jesus Christ walk in obedience to the “Word of God” and be led by the “Holy Spirit of God”? John writes to the Church of Philadelphia and to us today about an “OPEN DOOR” and gives three (3) ways to keep from getting bitten with “Self-Pleasing; Self-Centeredness; and Self-Sufficiency.

1. We the MINORITY! (Rev 3:7-8)

“7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

2. Standing on the AUTHORITY! (Rev 3:8)

“8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

{God’s Word Stands!}
{We can Stand on it!}

3. Reaching the MAJORITY! (Rev 3:9-13)

“9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

• Reaching Down! (Gal 6:2)
• Reaching Up! (v 11)

“I come quickly”

Conclusion: Will you make yourself…
* AVAILABLE?
* Die to SELF?
* Walk obediently?
* Keep your Eyes on Jesus?
* Exercise Faith?
* Overcome the world?
* Seize the Opportunity?
* Finish Faithful?
* Love others?
* Forgive others?
* Have Vision?
* Be Ready?
* Count the cost?
* Answer the Call?