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TITLE: Banner Theme: Sharing The Gospel Song & Lyric: Banner: “So let our praise build an altar, Christ forever and no other. Jesus Your Name be the banner over us” Scriptures: * Revelation 3:7-13 (NIV) * Mark 16:15 (NIV) * 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NIV) * 2 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV) * Colossians 4:3 (NIV) Devotional: ​​”I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” - Revelation 3:8 (NIV) Often in Scripture, an ‘open door’ is referring to some sort of evangelistic opportunity (see 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, and Colossians 4:3). This meaning makes the most sense in the context of Revelation 3:7-13 as well. Jesus is encouraging the believers in the Church of Philadelphia about a gospel opportunity in front of them and he says, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name”. As believers, often we can pray for ‘open doors’ for any number of things. We may pray for an open door within a work opportunity, or maybe for a new relationship to start, but the ultimate opportunity has already been opened before us: the ‘open door’ of sharing the gospel. Jesus has entrusted and empowered His people to “ Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone ” (Mark 16:15 NIV). When it comes to sharing the good news of the Christian faith, many times worry can be placed on what will happen, how we will come across to others, or even confusion about what exactly this process is meant to look like. But, despite these potential worries or roadblocks, we find great encouragement in this passage in Revelation 3:8. Christ promises an ‘open door’, but not a fleeting, temporary, or fast closing one. Instead, the door Christ promises is one that “no one can shut.” Sharing the gospel isn’t predicated on our own goodness or delivery of truth, but on God’s goodness and reality of truth. What a promise from the Lord! The believers in this passage found in Revelation were likely facing severe persecution. The testimony of their faith was not without consequence or ramification. How much more should believers in contexts outside of persecution be emboldened to share our faith with confidence. The prayer “ Jesus Your Name be the banner over us” is not only one of representation or identification with Jesus, but also one of bold faith and proclamation. We are called to boldly proclaim the faith and trust that we have in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He promises an open door before us as we do—one that no one can shut.