THE DOORS OF THE BIBLE
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
In this lesson we are studying some of the DOORS of the New Testament Scriptures
First let us read Matthew 28:2; “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for
the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone
from THE DOOR, and sat upon it.”In this lesson we are studying some of the DOORS of the New Testament Scriptures
Paul in I Corinthians 15:17 wrote: “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
The very crux of Christianity is the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ had not made good His claim of John 10:17 and 18, concerning His power to lay down and take up again His life, Christianity would have perished in a very short while. But God by His mighty power raised Christ far above all principality, even far above all heavens. (Ephesians 1:19 to 23 - Ephesians 4:9 to 11). The DOOR of Christ’s sepulchre was opened and He came out and showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. (Acts 1:3 - Revelation 1:18).
Because of the perfect redemptive work of the perfect Christ we may accept at full face value, and with absolute assurance, His words in John 10:9 - “I AM THE DOOR: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the one and only DOOR to salvation.
If you and I knew the day of the month that God did what is recorded in Acts 14:27, we should celebrate it with greater joy than we celebrate the Fourth of July. What a day for us Gentiles! Read it - “God opened THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.” This was not while Christ was on earth. It was some years after He went back to heaven. At that time the Gentiles were alienated from the life of God. (Ephesians 4:18).
There is a sense in which every member of the Body of Christ is a DOORKEEPER in the House of the Lord. (I Timothy 3:15 and 16). And you know what the Psalmist said in Psalm 84:10. We are not to put religious timber in front of the door, but point sinners to the open door.
In I Corinthians 16:9 Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” There are still many open doors and even more adversaries under the chief Adversary.
Note the message of Revelation 3:8, ‘‘Behold, I have set before thee an open door.” Never before were there so many open doors of opportunity for Christians.
Then Paul said, in II Corinthians 2:12, “A door was opened unto me of the Lord.” It is wonderful to know when the Lord opens the doors for us. We repeat that there were never as many open doors for the gospel as there are today. God is calling Christians everywhere to enter in. What a privilege, and what a challenge, and what a wonderful opportunity under our Bill of Rights! Public meetings, street meetings, printed tracts, radio and posters.
Remember these solemn words. “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut the door.” (Luke 13:25). God will close the door of grace, the door of opportunity for Christians, the door of salvation for sinners.
Yes, we read in James 5:9, “Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” Why not enter in by Christ, the door, have Him as Saviour rather than Judge?
Perhaps you could count within a few minutes all of the Christians who are today praying the prayer of Colossians 4:3, that a door of utterance for the mystery of Christ, the most wonderful message for saints in all the Bible, might be opened. Begin praying now. And sinner, remember Christ stands at your door (your heart) and wants to come in. (Revelation 3:20).
It is interesting to read Acts 13:45 and 46, Acts 14:1 to 7 and Acts 14:27 and learn that the door of faith was opened unto the Gentiles when and because Israel would not believe that Christ was raised from the dead to give to them the sure mercies of David and remission of sins and justification by and through the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 13:30 to 39). Do not have the DOOR of Acts 14:27 open before God opened it.
What is the Gospel?
Believing
Christ died, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto
you the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto
you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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Bible: King James Version
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com
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