Works to Open Doors

Anchor scripture: Rev 3:7 -12 NKJV

““And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

• A door is an access point that leads somewhere.
• There are certain works that open doors
• The scriptures talk about two types of works.

A. Good works

B. Dead works/ works of the flesh (Gal 5:17)

Emphasis on good works. What does the Bible say about good works.

1. Our pattern for good works

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38-44 NKJV

2. A new identity that brings forth good works

Ephesians 2:10 reads “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

3. Good works for kingdom for kingdom advancement.

And purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14.

• In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” Titus 2:6-8“
• To obey, to be ready for every good work.” Titus 3:1.
• That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8
• Psalms 11:7 The Lord is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.
• Galatians 6:9 NIV Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

B. Dead works of works of the flesh

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:

• adultery
• fornication
• uncleanness -(, to be defiled, polluted, unhealthy, or unfit, moral, sexual impurity)
• lewdness, – (Lewd people have unbridled lusts and little sense of shame. They are outrageous in their shamelessness and give themselves to debauchery in a brazen way (Ephesians 4:19; 1 Peter 4:3). “Lewdness” is reckless sinning. It does not care what God or people think.)
• idolatry – replacing God with other things -money, idols, people …
• sorcery- the use of magic, especially black magic.
• hatred
• contentions – argumentative
• jealousies
• outbursts of wrath,
• selfish ambitions,
• dissensions – disagreement that leads to discord
• heresies – belief or opinion contrary to orthodox (especially Christian) doctrine
• envy
• murders
• drunkenness
• revelries – Revelry is a wild, fun time.
• and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Gates or doors and what they respond to:

1. Identity (who we are)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” Psalms 24:7-8 NKJV

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

All things respond to the Name of Jesus including gates and doors.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4 NKJV

Because we are hidden in Christ Jesus, doors will be accessible to us.

2. Gates and doors respond to Praise of the saints (Paul and Silas)

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26 NKJV

3. Prayer (Peter and the angel)

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”” Acts 12:5-11 NKJV

As you tarry in prayer may the angel of God that was sent to Peter appear to loose every bonds of bondage and cause every prison do to open to set you free.

Shalom, Rev Ron.