Doors & More

in this issue:
• 1.More reflections on OPEN DOORS
• 2.One of the Bible’s most famous verses
• 3.Why I’m ‘pumped’ about this Sunday’s worship
• 4.A working holiday?

#1





• An Open door to God’s eternal kingdom – Jesus has made a way, built a bridge, issued a banquet invitation – let’s walk in and be part of the ‘party of grace’ - Revelation 3:8,20
• Open doors for ministry and preaching – bringing Jesus to lives that are hurting and in need – 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3 This is why we exist. God calls us to walk through the doors and touch people with His love. Always alert, always looking, always praying: God open a door for ministry today.
• Open Doors for hospitality – welcoming people into our homes and lives – Read Matthew 25:31 – 46 (it’s all about sheep and goats – those who live for Christ in practical ways, feeding the hungry, giving a drink to the thirsty, inviting strangers in, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, visiting the prisoner… and when we do it for the least of these brothers of Jesus, we do it for Him!)
• Open Doors for faith - when we see revival, new people choosing to follow Jesus, especially in large numbers, it is natural for us to desire the credit. But the bible clearly states that God opens these doors. When Paul and Barnabas returned from their missionary journey, they reported to the church in Antioch (the church that had supported them, sent them out, welcomed them back – their ‘home church’)”all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” – Acts 14:27
• Open Doors of Heaven – this is where blessings and provisions come from in abundance! In Psalm 78:23-29 God opens heaven’s door to rain down manna. Enough to satisfy completely! In Malachi 3:10 we are invited to see God come through on His promises: see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it.
• Open Doors to safety, salvation, abundant life – as the Good Shepherd, Jesus is also the Door of the sheepfold – there are some good reasons we want to listen to the voice of Jesus! John 10:7-10

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#2

Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and him with me. – the words of Jesus to the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:20)

A famous verse and a famous painting! And it is a pivotal part of the teaching text for Sunday August 10, 2008. It seems that people always want to direct our eyes to one unique/peculiar aspect about this door – take a close look and see if you can identify what is missing - I’ll comment on Sunday. It is also popular to apply the verse to individuals: that is, “Jesus wants to be part of your life. Why not invite Christ in?”
I don’t think this understanding is at all inappropriate. However, the context is Jesus speaking to a church in desperate need of a ‘turn-around’. So this is as much Jesus knocking on the door of a church as he is knocking on the door of your heart. Inquisitive minds ask: “So what’s the deal with Laodicea? How are they functioning so that Jesus is in fact shut out?” …. If Jesus was looking for a church, He would look for a church where He is welcome. He would also look for a church that was either hot or cold! Find out more in Revelation 3:14-22. I’ll explain what the hot & cold is all about. It may surprise you.




This series blog: www.churchreportcards.blogspot.com

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#3
Summer has been a blessing with a wonderful Alpha reunion evening on Tuesday of this week – it followed a July success – DYD (Discover Your Design). And we finish a teaching series this Sunday with a look at one of the most quoted Scriptures from the New Testament! I anticipate good things every Sunday. I routinely ask God by His Spirit to touch the lives of each person who attends. God’s people are meant to be together, not apart. So come and be “the church together!” Look for a couple of additional items this week. First: we will say a public ‘thanks’ to someone who has carefully and joyfully ministered to the youngest of our congregation on a weekly basis – Margaret Frith will have her last official Sunday as our Nursery Worker. Come and wish her God’s blessing as she heads off to Queen’s University. Second: The Governing Session held a special meeting this week to consider a way that we can leverage our resources for more effective Christian ministry in the downtown core of Brockville. The Bible calls us to be alert to open doors for ministry and mission, so it is with a sense of excitement that I tell you to look for a special announcement on Sunday to this end.

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#4
Yvonne and I are off to Alberta and BC on holidays. We leave very very very early on Monday, flying from Ottawa to Calgary. Three of our four children live in Calgary, and we have not been there in 3 years. We look forward to seeing Karis (Glen), Hannah (Peter) and Caleb. Then we will travel to Creston BC where we used to live, and where Yvonne’s parents reside. I have a wedding to officiate at on Saturday August 16th. On Sunday the 17th I will preach in the morning at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian (where we served 1994 - 2002 and then do a baptism of a friend in the Goat River Sunday afternoon. We’ll spend a few more days back in Calgary and be home very very very late on Friday August 22nd. So we only miss one Sunday and I am pleased that one of our Governing Session members, Mr. Quentin Robinson, will be the guest Minister on August 17th. Thank you in advance for encouraging and supporting Quentin’s ministry.

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I trust you will have a good weekend – will I see your pic in tomorrow’s newspaper as the winner of the rib eating contest at Ribfest today?

Looking to a good Sunday,
Doug