May 1, 2022
Sunday Sermon
GOD AT THE DOOR MAKING PROMISES
Revelation 3:20 - 21
Introduction: This is the last church addressed by Christ, and it is the worst church. Christ does not commend Laodicea at all. This the one church about which He has nothing good to say. Imagine a church that may as well not exist----a church that has no good within its body whatsoever---a church that does no good at all. What was it that made the church so bad? So useless and worthless? Lukewarmness, which means that the church was indifferent, complacent, lethargic, self-satisfied, half-hearted, and neutral. The church and its believers were only half-way committed to Christ, only half-hearted in their worship and service for Him. Imagine! To Christ there is no good whatsoever in a lukewarm, half-committed believer.
The church at Laodicea did not have a single true believer. Christ was seeking to enter the church that bore His name but lacked a single true believer. This touching letter was His knocking. If one member would recognize his spiritual bankruptcy and respond in saving faith, Jesus would enter the church. Even the pastors and ministers were lukewarm and spiritually bankrupt.
Laodicea had three particular claims to fame. It was:
* a financial and banking center
* a clothing manufacturing center
* the location of a famous medical school renown for the eye salve which it
produced.
In verse 17 Jesus told the church, because of your false profession: saying you are rich & in need of nothing. But, your true condition, you are "poor, blind, and naked."
Our Lord closes this letter with some truly blessed promises. The sad truth is that the church at Laodicea has evicted Jesus Christ from their church. He is on the outside trying to gain admission. God is at the door making promises.
I. A PRESENT PROMISE v. 20
He says, "I stand at the door and knock" - In His effort to get back into this church,
Jesus stands there and knocks. These verbs are in the Present Tense. You can say
it this way, "Behold, I am continually standing at the door, and I am continually
knocking on the door." Jesus never gives up on us, He always ready to enter our
hearts because He loves us. I am glad that He never gave up on me.
Jesus Christ stands before the heart of man as the Savior of the world, as loving
man so much that He has come into the world to save man. He is the One who has
travelled such a great distance from the majesty of heaven down to man's heart.
II. A PERSONAL PROMISE v. 20b
'If any man hear my voice, and open the door..." Jesus doesn't need the whole
church to catch on fire so that He can come in; he just need one person to hear Him
and to open the door. Jesus is a gentleman! He will knock and He will call, but He
will not break the door down. It must be opened by an act of free will.
He knocks and knocks at the door of man's heart and He refuses to give up. Jesus
keeps on knocking and knocking for man to open up and let Him in. Christ knocks so
much that a person has to either open up or deaden his ears to the knock.
III. A PRECIOUS PROMISE v. 20c
"Sup with him....and he with me" - The ancient Greeks enjoyed three meals. They
usually ate a large breakfast, a much smaller lunch, and then a leisurely evening
meal, which they called "supper". At this evening meal, the family would take their
time, talk and fellowship. It was a time of intimacy for the family. Jesus says, "If you
will just open the door, I will come in and have fellowship with you!" You can be a
member of a dead, dry church, but you don't have to be that way yourself. If you will
open the door to Jesus, He will come in to you. Don't blame your dry condition on
others, open the door and let Jesus in!
III. A POWERFUL PROMISE v. 21
There is the promise to the over-comers, the converted people. The glorious promise.
Those who come to Jesus are promised that they will reign with Him and rejoice with
Him in his haven someday. That is a powerful promise.
The church in Laodicea was filled with lost people, but Jesus is inviting them to be saved and his promises to them make coming to Jesus worthwhile, I am glad that Jesus made that offer to me one day, and I am glad he gave me grace to accept Him. Have you been saved!?
Conclusion: Are you lukewarm and half-committed? Where does this message find you. Can you hear His voice calling: "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."
GOD AT THE DOOR MAKING PROMISES!
Responsive Reading: Revelation 3:14-22
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