Summary
“I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut, because you have little power, have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
His name is Jesus, which means, “God is Salvation.”
Ten years ago the Sanctuary held its first worship service, for we refused to confess that there is a group of people that cannot be saved and that God does not want to save. In other words, we would not renounce the name: “God is Salvation.”
For ten years we have had little power, and yet, at every turn . . . an open door.
What is the Open Door?
Perhaps, power itself and seizing power—the act of denying His name—is a closed door.
To know “God is Salvation” is to know that you need salvation.
We know that we know “God is Salvation” when we desire Him for all.
“We love because He first loved us.”
God is Love. And love is manifest in weakness.
As power increases in a relationship, love decreases.
And as love increases, power decreases.
Jesus had all power, surrendered all power, and revealed the heart of God.
God is Love. There is no power greater than Love.
The Open Door is a door to your own heart, a door to your neighbor’s heart, and a door to God’s heart. The Open Door is Jesus.
As the Slaughtered Lamb opens the scroll giving meaning to all reality, as the trumpets sound and the bowls of wrath are poured out, as the dragon rages, as the beasts deceive and the harlot seduces, as history happens something rises through an open door and before the throne of God. It is the prayers of the saints.
There is an Open Door between Philadelphia and the throne of God.
No one is more powerful than weak people who patiently endure and refuse to deny the name: “God is Salvation.”
Discussion Questions for this sermon are available here: Discussion Questions “Philadelphia and The Open Door”