Sermon 245

SERMON 245 — 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 continues to reveal her tragedy — yet also Christ’s astonishing mercy.Even though their condition is nauseating to Him, and even though He has warned that He may “spew” them out, Christ still stands outside the door, pleading for entrance.This pictures the wonderful mercy of God, who has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but that they repent and live.Let us consider the scene:

SUBJECT: THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

I. WHERE HE STANDS

A. He stands at the door of the church
1. A tragic picture — Christ outside His own church.
2. The church thinks all is well: services, sacraments, worship — assuming Christ is present.
3. Yet worldliness has shut Him out.
4. They do not realize He is no longer in their midst.

B. He stands at the door of the individual Christian
1. A professing Christian may shut Christ out of his life.
2. He imagines Christ is near because he attends worship outwardly.
3. Yet Christ may be outside his heart entirely.

C. He stands deliberately
1. To show them what they have done — they shut Him out.
2. He desires repentance and conversion.
3. He deals with them reasonably, appealing to will and conscience.

II. WHAT HE DOES AT THE DOOR

A. He stands pressing upon the door
His posture shows longing, desire, and persistence.

B. He knocks
1. Making His presence known.
2. His knock may come through chastisement, warnings, preaching, providence, conscience.
3. All reminding: “Christ is near — open the door.”

C. He calls
1. “If any man hear My voice…”
2. His voice is the gospel.
3. He pleads with sinners.
4. Yet will His voice rise above the noise of pleasure, self-satisfaction, and empty worship?

D. He waits
Though shut out and ignored — He still waits.

III. WHAT HE OFFERS TO THOSE WHO OPEN THE DOOR

A. He seeks nothing from them
1. Though appearing as a beggar, He needs nothing.
2. They are the beggars — poor, blind, naked.
3. Christ brings all they lack.

B. “I will come in to him”
1. He promises personal fellowship.
2. He is eager to enter.
3. The favor is entirely His, not the sinner’s.

C. “I will sup with him, and he with Me”
1. Supper means intimate fellowship.
2. Christ becomes the Host.
3. He brings the feast: forgiveness, peace, joy, strength, life.
4. Without Christ the table is empty; with Him the feast begins.

D. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne”
1. Opening the door is victory — conquering sin and darkness.
2. Christ will exalt such a believer.
3. As He was exalted after conquering sin and death, the believer shares His glory.

CONCLUSION

Next Sunday the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.Will the Lord be present with you.If lukewarm, you may come outwardly — yet Christ may still be outside your heart.What a tragedy.Repent.Open the door.Call upon the Lord in faith and repentance.Christ is still standing, knocking, calling.