Sermon Notes:

LETIERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
VI. PHILADELPHIA: OPPORTUNITY
Revelation 3: 7-13
September 17, 2006

INTRODUCTION
Ephesus-Love. Smyrna-suffering. Pergamum-Truth. Thyatira-Holiness. Sardis-­Reality. This letter is almost entirely commendation. The letter is filled with symbolism: door, key, pillar.

I. THE CHURCH AND THE OPEN DOOR.
John 10:7. Matthew 7:13-14.
A.            Christ and Christ alone is the door to eternal life. We must enter through
Him and through no other.
B.             Matthew 18: 18-20. The door of Christian service. The outworking of our
salvation. When we come to saving faith, our hearts should yearn for others to come to saving faith also. Do you? Look at the opportunities that abound around us. Christians in Philadelphia had the opportunity to bring the Gospel far and wide. We have the same opportunity here in the LA area. Matthew 10:8. Philippians 3:7.11.

II. CHRIST, THE KEY OF DAVID
The Lord Jesus identifies Himself as Deity. The Key concept comes from Isaiah 22 and II Kings 18. Christ alone holds the KEY to: death, ha~es, eternal life, salvation, service. The KEY is the symbol of Christ's authority. It is in His Hand. The KEY is Christ Himself, Who has opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. That door was opened on the Cross and stands open today. Hebrews 10:19-20.

III. THE CONQUEROR; A PILLAR IN GOD'S TEMPLE
If we are pilgrims in this life, we will be pillars in the next. If you are God's child, you belong to the Heavenly Jerusalem, which will be your eternal abode. This is Christ's promise to those who come in through the door of salvation, which He opened on Calvary's Cross; Go out through the door of service, the result of the Empty Tomb.

Have you entered The Door? Are you going out through The Door? The phrase "Let us go into the world to Love and Serve the LORD," takes on new meaning at this point.