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THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR—MEN CALLED TO THE NEXT LEVEL
“Behold, I set before you an open door, that no man can shut” (REV 3:7-8)
“I am the door to the sheepfold” (JN 14:4-6)
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (REV 2)
DOOR – entrance, portal, opening that can open or shut, an opportunity, means of access, gate, to open…
These men were all called to the next level. They tried to accomplish God’s purpose in their own strength, but had to come to the end of themselves before god could use them and fill them with his strength.
1. JACOB —tried to go to the next level with drive, effort, manipulation, cleverness. He was mastered by Laban. He didn’t feel worthy of the blessing, and was trying to prove to himself that it God was blessing him.
2. JOSEPH— tried to go to the next level with dreams and visions of grandeur. He expected to be served. He served others in prison.
3. MOSES— tried to go to the next level with might, education, deeds. 40 years later he is stammering, stuttering. Worked for a shepherd and priest of Midian – Jethro.
4. DAVID — tried to go to the next level with charisma, courage, daring. He was chased around for 22 years by the man he was supposed to replace as king.
5. PETER — tried to go to the next level with boldness, confidence, and arrogance. He failed miserably, not just once but three times in a row.
6. SAUL -- tried to go to the next level with religious zeal and rigid adherence to legalism. He was blinded on the road to Damascus.
7. NATION OF ISRAEL -- tried to go to the next level with whining and complaining. An 11 day journey took 40 years and cost all of the people over 20 except for Joshua & Caleb.
Esau never got it.
King Saul never got it.
Demas never got it.
Ahab never got it.
Samson got it on the last day of his life.
Have you got it yet??
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