Sermon 217

📖 SERMON 217 — THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

Text: Revelation 3:20–22
Date: October 18, 1942
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

This passage continues Christ’s message to the lukewarm church of Laodicea. It reveals His yearning attitude toward His people even when they have shut Him out. We picture Him standing outside a closed door — the door of the individual Christian, the church member, and even the church itself.

Subject: THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

I. WHY THE LORD IS AT THE CLOSED DOOR
(Waarom de Heere aan de gesloten deur staat)

A. Because the lukewarm Christian has shut Him out

1. Christ is not present with him in daily life.
2. Yet he imagines that all is well.
3. He feels certain he lacks nothing, unaware that his worldliness has separated him from Christ.

B. To show them what they have done

1. Not because Christ lacks power to enter.
2. But so they may recognize their sin, repent, and return.
3. He reasons with them, appealing to will and conscience.

II. WHAT THE LORD DOES AT THE DOOR
(Wat de Heere doet aan de deur)

A. He stands at the door

1. As though pressing against it.
2. Revealing His earnest desire to enter.
3. Showing patience, compassion, and yearning.

B. He knocks

1. Signaling His presence.
2. His knocking may be chastisements, warnings, sermons, providential dealings.
3. He seeks to awaken them from false security.

C. He cries out

1. Asking entrance.
2. Urging them not to delay.
3. Calling through the Gospel.
4. But will His voice rise above worldly noise and Christless worship?

III. WHAT HE OFFERS TO THOSE WHO OPEN THE DOOR
(Wat Hij belooft aan degenen die de deur openen)

A. He does not come as a beggar

1. He needs nothing from them.
2. They are the poor and miserable ones.
3. He brings what they lack — grace, life, blessing.

B. “I will come in to him”

1. A personal entrance — to him.
2. He comes for their wellbeing.
3. He brings forgiveness, restoration, and fellowship.

C. “And will sup with him, and he with Me”

1. He becomes the host of the feast.
2. The one who opens receives the riches of Christ.
3. What they had was an empty table; what He brings is abundance.

D. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne”

1. Opening the door is a victory over sin and lukewarmness.
2. Christ will exalt the repentant believer.
3. As He overcame and sat with His Father, so shall His people reign with Him.

CONCLUSION

As the Lord’s Supper approaches, the question becomes urgent: Will Christ be with you? A lukewarm believer may come outwardly, yet Christ may still stand outside the door of his heart. Repent and open the door. Call upon Him in faith. The One who knocks is the Savior, ready to enter if you will hear His voice.