Conference 2026 July 1st-6th

Laurelville Church Center

Mount Pleasant, PA

Register for Conference, Children’s Conference, or YCON and make your reservations for lodging, and meals.

"Jesus and the CGBCI"

PASTOR IKE GRAHAM

The Church in Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

Not Philadelphia, PA; Philadelphia in Asia Minor in the first century. Here is a church very closely akin to us; the CGBCI. In light of this spiritual kinship, let’s answer 4 questions related to this church and us.

1. What is our DESTINY as a Fellowship? 3:7

Our Master is the holy and true One. Jesus Christ is holy in His character, His words, His actions, and His purposes. As the Holy One, He is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing can be compared to Him. He is true. That is, He is the real deal. He’s the genuine article. He is the original, not a copy; the authentic God and not a manufactured one. This truth amazes and humbles me. He is the key to my salvation. He opened the door for me to be saved…and you. You’re not here today because you’re so beautiful or handsome. No, it is by the grace of the One who holds the key to your destiny. You and I are not here today because we have great faith. No, it is because of the holy and true One who brought us to faith by His matchless plan and sacrificial death. Jesus is the key to your eternal life and your life here on earth. Now, He has opened a door for us. What will we do? How will we respond to this open door?

2. What is our DOOR of opportunity? 3:8

This phrase, “open door” is used in Acts 14:27 of how God brought non-Jews to faith in Christ. Paul and Barnabas reported how God had opened a door to the non-Jews and they saw them come to faith in Jesus. It is used in 1 Corinthians 16:9 and 2 Corinthians 2:12 to mean an opportunity to serve the Lord. The door is still open for us. We have opportunities in Cameroon, in India, in Myanmar, with NET, in each of the places where you work, or go to school, or shop, or work out; doors of opportunity to witness. We are not a group of thousands. We aren’t monetarily rich. We don’t have great political clout and we are not social elites. But Jesus says, “because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name… ” and then He gives us 2 more promises in addition to an open door. The door will not always remain open, however.

3. What is the DURATION of our opportunity? 3:9-11 Jesus promises to keep us from the time of tribulation that will come on planet earth before Jesus returns. I really think that time is very near. A recently-published book entitled, The New Depression, by Richard Duncan makes it clear the economic collapse of the U.S. and the world is only a matter of time. We should be a lot about the business of telling people how to get right with God rather than pursuing the American dream. The door of opportunity is open, but it is beginning to close. Have you ever watched one of those Indiana Jones movies where the door is closing and he runs and barely gets under the door before it closes? So it is for us. The door is closing. Will we stand by and say, “Will you look at that!” Or, will we say, wow, let’s do all we can while we can.”

4. What is your DECISION? 3:12-13 Notice here what promises the Lord makes to those who hold fast; that is, they continue in the faith unmoved, stable and moving forward. First, that individual is made a pillar. No, I didn’t say “pillow.” Have you been to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.? The pillars are impressive and immovable. So, our place in the Lord’s kingdom will be fixed forever. And we receive inscriptions. All the creatures of heaven and earth will know that we are His. His banner over us is love. Actually, this reward is being determined right now. Once today is over, your opportunity to serve the Lord today is gone. What you have done is history and the Lord knows how you and I have used this day; what our attitude has been; what we have said and how we have served. Our reward is being determined moment by moment.

So, what will you decide? Will you determine to overcome? Will you give your all to witnessing, serving, being a good example to others, teaching your children/grandchildren, loving the brethren, and giving monetarily to the Lord’s work?

I read that there used to be a sign in the registrar’s office at Dallas Seminary which read,

“Salvation is by grace … Graduation is by works. ” So it is with the Christian life.Join us in July of this year to participate in the instructions which we have received from Jesus Himself. We meet for His glory and for the good of His people. Lord willing, see you there!