Sermon 227

SERMON 227 – THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

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

INTRODUCTION

This message continues Christ’s letter to the lukewarm church of Laodicea. Christ exposed her condition: wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, though she boasted she was rich and needed nothing. He warned, I will spew thee out of My mouth. Yet amazingly Christ has not abandoned this church. He stands at her door, shut out, still offering grace. This passage is a tender and powerful invitation.

I. WHERE THE LORD STANDS (v. 20)

A. He stands outside the church’s door
1. The door is closed against Christ.
2. This church confesses Christ and meets in His name, yet excludes Him from life and worship.
3. Individuals can likewise shut Christ out of their hearts, their walk, and their homes.

B. He stands outside the individual Christian’s door
1. A lukewarm Christian assumes Christ is with him, yet Christ is outside.
2. He attends the Lord’s Supper while Christ is not in his heart.
3. He feels secure, thinking he needs nothing, while unaware worldliness has closed Christ out.

C. Christ still remains at the door
He does not leave immediately. He continues to call.

II. WHAT HE DOES THERE (v. 20)

A. He desires that the door be opened
1. Not because He lacks power to enter.
2. But He desires the church to become conscious of sin and willingly turn back to Him.

B. Behold, I stand — He remains there
1. He stands, not passes by.
2. He presses upon the door, showing desire to enter.
3. Love keeps Him there longer than justice would.

C. He knocks
1. His knock reveals His desire to enter.
2. His knocks include the preaching of the Word, inner conviction, providences, chastisements, and warnings.
3. Some knocks are gentle; others are heavy blows.

D. He calls with His voice
1. If any man hear My voice.
2. His voice is the gospel: pleading, warning, inviting.
3. Will His voice be heard above worldly pleasures, Christless worship, and spiritual noise?
Christ knocks and calls because He loves.

III. WHAT HE OFFERS TO THOSE WHO OPEN THE DOOR (vv. 20–22)

A. He seeks nothing from them
1. They are spiritually poor and have nothing to give.
2. Christ is no beggar at the heart’s door.
3. He comes not to receive but to give.

B. I will come in to him
1. Christ Himself enters the life.
2. He brings forgiveness, peace, fellowship, joy, and power.
3. He gives; the believer receives.

C. And will sup with him, and he with Me
1. Supper symbolizes friendship and communion.
2. Christ becomes the host.
3. He provides the feast; the believer shares His riches.
4. Worldly satisfaction was an empty table; now the believer feasts on Christ.

D. He exalts the conqueror
1. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne.
2. The overcomer triumphs over lukewarmness, sin, worldliness, and self-sufficiency.
3. As Christ overcame and sits with the Father, the believer shares His victory and glory.

E. A solemn call to all
He that hath an ear, let him hear. This message is for every believer, every church, every age.

CONCLUSION

The following Sunday was to be the Lord’s Supper. Christ asks: Will He be there with you? Will He be present in your heart, or will you partake while He still stands outside? The remedy is clear: repent, open the door, and Christ will enter. How is your door — open or closed?