OVERVIEW

Memory Verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 KJV
Affirmation: “I have found the Master Key to the kingdom. His name is Jesus!”
Scripture Basis: Revelation 3:7-13; Matthew 16:19Related Reading: Acts 4:12; John 14:16; Revelation 3:20; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 3

PODCAST

INTRODUCTION

Prayer for God’s anointing. Not my will. His will.

Seven churches received letters in the book of Revelation. THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA in Revelation 3:7 was a city in the interior, southeast of Sardis. You might relate it to “downtown” as opposed to being somewhere out in the country. Philadelphia had five churches and a Christian population of about 3,000 – nearly 1/3 of the entire city were Christians! The church at Philadelphia was not known for its embellishements, yet the people were noted for being the most spiritual – or seemingly so.

Revelation 3:7-8 “7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

Although the church at Philidelphia received unmixed praise, it also had room for improvement. It had a little strength (Revelation 3:8). While this was more than could be said for many others, the church at Philidelphia was yet living beneath its privilege. Christ did not suffer an die so that we of the household of faith could have just a little strength. We must strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. As we grow, we also gain access to the “KEY” and it’s power.

Matthew 16:19 KJV “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

THE MESSAGE

THE MASTER KEY TO THE KINGDOM

The Door You Open Depends Upon The Key You Use. I heard a man say in business that while he was searching for the secret of success, he found so many “keys.” One said it was communication. One said it was money. One said it’s not what you know, but who you know. He went to seminar after seminar, just trying to find the key to success. And no matter who he spoke to, the answer was always something different. Can you imagine how confusing it must have been, that nobody seemed to agree on what the “key” was. How much time do you think he wasted, looking for the “key.” Finally, he had so many keys, he said, “I felt just like a janitor with all these keys.” Listen, no matter what you are looking for, the door you open depends upon the key you use.

Jesus is the Master Key. Now here’s what some people miss about this special key: I said before that the door that you open – or the door that I open depends upon the key that you or I use. Now listen, since Jesus is the key to the kingdom – once you open the door of your heart with the key to the kingdom – which is Jesus, you are no longer the one opening the doors. See, once Jesus is on the scene he takes over all the key business – and you don’t need any more keys, then He is the one opening doors – and guess what? Christ is the Master Key.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (KJV)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:16 KJV

He can open every door, without changing keys. So what happens is – once you submit your will to Christ, He is now the doorman. Now, you do not need any keys. Jesus is a game changer. When all doors are closed, Jesus can open a door that no man can close (Revelation 3:7).

Have you ever seen a hotel door that connected two suites? One door opened from inside one room; and the other door opened from inside the other room. So, you could open the door from your side, but unless someone in the other suite opened their door, you still could not go through, could you? No. So Jesus is a door, already open. You have to open the door to your heart, using the key of Jesus. When both doors are open, then, you can begin to have an exchange with the Father through Christ; an interaction that will change your life!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 KJV

When you come into the knowledge of Christ – no matter how young or young at heart you may be, God does not command you to go and try to maybe see if you can possibly kind of sort of maybe make some kind of little impact by having a little testimony of what God may be able to do. On the contrary, He said if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me (John 12:32). So He wants us to have holy boldness, confidence to share of His many blessings. This was the only shortcoming of the church at Philidelphia – they had a little strength; but God wanted them to seek an even greater anointing. We have a Savior in Christ, so that we can mount up with wings of an eagle; run and not be weary; walk and not faint; because we wait upon the Lord. While we wait for Him, we walk by faith (Isaiah 40:31). Through faith we are able to show our worthiness to recieve his favor. For without faith, it is impossible to please Him.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV

The Message by Shenica Graham is part of the Seeds of Promise devotional series. Browse The Message Catalog.