The Door of Mission

"What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." -Revelation 3:7-8

The church at Philadelphia in what is now Turkey last 1200 years. It lasted till 1342 when at last Isalm took over and either martyred the remaining Christians, or the remaining Christians fled. Philadelphia was known as the church of opportunity, they were a church planting church; they were missional. They had church plants predominately in India. Because of their faithfulness, and by the sovreign will of God they were a working, alive, and active church unlike the church of Sardis who had given up and died. Philadelphia was Jesus driven, though they were surrounded by false teachings, and satanism, they were strategically placed originally to spread satanism, but by God's grace, and will He changed that, and instead they had before them opportunity to spread Jesus. It was a door only God could open and close. The same can be said in our lives as individual Christ Followers, and in the life of our churches both locally and globally.
We see Paul mentions doors of opportunity in his letters to the church at Corinth, and Colosse.

"But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." -1 Corinthians 16:8-9

"Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me..." -2 Corinthians 2:12

"And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." -Colossians 4:3

What was one of things that made the church at Philadelphia so successful in reaching people, and the Lord allowing their doors to stay open for 1200 years? They possessed "little strength." The means He does everything and we obey. We do nothing, and do not last without Him. You see, Jesus builds the church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus loves His church, we are His bride. He is the one who calls, and chooses, and we respond in faithfulness to Him. The door stays open to the faithful, those who are faithful to:
-Right living which is obedience
-Right doctrine which is commitment to the Word of God:
-Does the Word tell us to stay comfortable among our own people, drinking coffee and discussing our theologies, and philosophies, debating, and criticizing? No! Jesus said to "Go!" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). It's not enough to know, but we must equally DO. Seizing opportunity, working.
-Naming the name of Jesus. Is He still hearing His name mentioned? Otherwise we have denied Him.
The door closes to unfaithfulness. Jesus will shut their doors, and name them as belonging to Satan. This looks like:
-Unconfessed sin
-Moral infidelity
-Financial misuse
-False teaching
This is a church or person who is not growing, not reaching people, not making disciples, not planting churches. And what a sad when God has no use for a church, or person anymore because of their unfaithfulness. When He closes the door. Still yet, there is time for repentance. We can make it right through the blood of Jesus, He is in the redeeming business.
Last year, I was challenged to pray for my church every time I pass through a doorway, and simply pray, "Jesus, please keep the doors of my church open." To expound on this, may it be, that Jesus would not only keep the door of opportunity open in our churches, but in our personal lives. That we would be a people who always have the Bible open, who are always studying the Scriptures, seeking ways that we can learn, and change, and grow by the grace of God. The church was birthed by a sermon, and it is grown and sustained through the preaching of God’s Word. I pray we all walk through these doors of opportunity that are so graciously opened to us, that we would never take lightly every single opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus. I leave you with this encouragement:

God Has Always Had A People
Many a foolish conqueror made the mistake of thinking that because he had forced the Church of Jesus Christ out of
sight, that he had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life.
But God Has Always Had A People
The powerful current of a rushing river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground. The purest water is
the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has fought its way through solid rock.
There have been charlatans who like Simon the magician, sought to barter on the open market that power which
cannot be bought or sold.
But God Has Always Had A People
Men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase.
Yes, God Has Always Had A People
There have been times of affluence and prosperity when the Church’s message was nearly diluted into oblivion by
those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized and financially profitable. It has been gold
plated ,draped in purple and encrusted with jewels. It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, blotted and scorned.
These followers of Jesus Christ have been according to the whim of the times elevated as sacred leaders and martyred
as heretics. Yet through it all, there marches on that powerful army of the meek, God’s chosen people that can’t be
bought, flattered, murdered or stilled. On through the ages they march.
The Church, God’s Church Triumphant, is Alive and Well!
Now listen child of God. It’s alive!
Discouraged pastor it’s His Church and it’s alive!
Lonely Missionary sow your seeds with confidence!
It’s alive my broken hearted friend!
Old saint you’re not alone and forgotten, the Church is alive!
Busy mother cast your cares on Jesus!
It’s alive young student. You’re not alone in serving the Lord!
Faithful father there’s rest in the Lord! The Church is alive!
Cynical skeptic you haven’t killed God with your noisy unbelief.
He’s Alive!
So family of God raise your hands and praise the Lord.
For the Church, God’s Church Triumphant is Alive and Well!

God bless you as you serve Him, and reach out because all need to hear...