Doors.  Doors are openings to our homes, businesses, churches, park buildings, and our vehicles. Everything needs an opening to get inside from the outside.  The dictionary definition of a door is “a hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, or vehicle, or in the framework of a cupboard.”  We lock most of these doors for our protection.  We carry keys that unlock doors used to protect us, our family, and our stuff.  Doors are also used to measure distance.  “She lived three doors down from me.” 

There are all kinds of doors.  In fact, there are so many that successful businesses have been built solely on the design and installation of doors and windows.  Doors that have great “curb appeal” professionals say, are designed to be friendly and welcoming.  However, some doors are built as secure, ominous barriers meant to keep others away from entering.  I personally love glass doors on the front of a church, without clutter around them, so people can see other people with smiles before walking in from the outside.  Glass doors represent openness with invitation to “come and see” while elevating fears and anxiety.  By the way, visitors evaluate whether they will come back as they make their way from the “streets to their seats” and back again.  Who and what do we (as doors to Christ) represent?

Revelation 3, the Message

To Sardis

3 Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with the other, speaks:

“I see right through your work. You have a reputation for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead.

^2-3 “Up on your feet! Take a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed. Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn back to God.

“If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on, oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your life like a thief in the night.

⁴ “You still have a few followers of Jesus in Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their worth!

⁵ “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and his Angels.

⁶ “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Philadelphia

⁷ Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:

⁸ “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.

⁹ “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.

¹⁰ “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.

¹¹ “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.

¹² “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.

¹³ “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

To Laodicea

¹⁴ Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:

^15-17 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.

¹⁸ “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

¹⁹ “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!

^20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!

²² “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

John’s vision continues with evaluations of three more churches in need of a “faith-lift” by Jesus Christ as LORD of their lives.  The Cornerstone of Church, Jesus Christ, had been covered over with tangled vines of the sins of self-importance,  arrogance or just don’t care complacent attitudes of apathy.  The doors to their churches have been shut tight, rarely opened to outsiders.  Those inside were dying from lack of Living Water and Bread of Life as they relied only on what they had to feed themselves. 

Some churches stayed busy inside, patting themselves on the back for being so busy while doing church work that satisfied their feelings of self-worth; but their hearts had turn to stone, hardened by closing the door to the wide open spaces of what God created them to be with what He wants to do through them—to go and tell others about His saving grace!  Love others like I love you.  Extend hospitality.  With humility and grateful hearts, welcome strangers, realizing we are merely beggars, telling other beggars where to find the Bread of Life and Living Water ! 

“Be the church, don’t do church” is the message.

Jesus tells John the Message of the Open Door:

When you see Me standing outside, knocking on the closed doors of your hearts, minds, and souls; Open the door and let Me in! –Jesus I want to be with you, eat and drink with you, commune with you, and tell you of my love for you. 

How can we turn down the King of kings and Lord of lords?

Who are we to turn down the gift He brings to us—redemption and an intimate, loving relationship with Him now and forever?

OPEN THE DOOR!

Lord,

Sometimes we think the busier we are at doing church is the measure of our holiness. What false thinking that is!  Thank you for reminding us it’s all about you!  You in us and us in you being who you created us to be.  Cleanse, soften and shape our hearts into a heart like yours that is full of compassion and unconditional love.  Renew and remodel our minds as we open and let you in.  Transform our behaviors to be more like you who loves everyone and accepts all who believe, while recognizing our need of you every hour of every day!  We are not much without you.  You are our everything!  Lord, Redeemer, Savior, and Friend for Life!  Refresh and feed our souls with your Bread of Life and Living Water.  Restore the unending joy of your continual work of salvation within us.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen! Yes, and  Amen