Sermon 259

SERMON 259 — THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

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

INTRODUCTION

The message to the lukewarm church of Laodicea ends with one of the most striking and tender pictures in all of Scripture: Christ standing at a closed door, knocking.This reveals both the condition of the lukewarm church and the persistent love of Christ, who still seeks entrance.Let us consider this solemn and beautiful scene.

SUBJECT: THE LORD AT THE CLOSED DOOR

I. WHY THE DOOR IS CLOSED

A. It is the door of the lukewarm Christian
1.Christ is not inside this person’s life.
2.He is outside, though the church member assumes Christ is with him.
3.They consider themselves blessed, prosperous, and spiritually rich.
4.They are unaware that Christ, whom they claim to worship, has been shut out.

B. It is also the door of the lukewarm church
1.A congregation may be active, wealthy, and self-satisfied, yet Christ may stand outside.
2.A church can imagine itself a fine church while Christ is no longer present.
3.Worldliness, compromise, and self-righteousness have quietly barred the door.

C. The door was closed by them
1.Christ did not withdraw Himself willingly; He was pushed out.
2.Their pride, indifference, and worldly spirit shut Him out.
3.They did not notice His absence.

II. WHAT CHRIST DOES AT THE CLOSED DOOR

Though excluded, Christ does not walk away.

A. He stands at the door
1.He takes His place near the soul or church that shut Him out.
2.He remains; He does not turn His back.
3.This is a posture of longing and patience.

B. He knocks
1.His knocking includes warnings, chastisements, and convictions.
2.His providence shakes the heart.
3.His Spirit presses upon the conscience.
4.He makes His presence felt so that they may awaken to their need.

C. He calls
1.He speaks: “If any man hear My voice…”
2.His call comes through the gospel, the preaching of the Word.
3.He seeks admittance not for His benefit, but for theirs.
4.His voice pleads in love and warns in kindness.Will His voice be heard above the noise of worldly feasting and Christless religion?

III. WHAT CHRIST OFFERS TO THOSE WHO OPEN THE DOOR

A. I will come in to him
1.Christ Himself will enter; this is His promise.
2.He does not force the door open; He enters when welcomed.
3.His entrance brings life, warmth, joy, strength, and salvation.

B. And will sup with him, and he with Me
1.A picture of friendship and fellowship.
2.Christ becomes the host:
 • He provides the food,
 • He gives the blessing,
 • He supplies the joy.
3.The one inside has nothing; Christ brings everything.How empty the table is without Christ!How rich it becomes when He enters!

C. A promise of exaltation
1.To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne.
2.The one who opens the door triumphs over sin and indifference.
3.As Christ overcame and sat with the Father, so shall His people reign with Him.What an honor and what a destiny!

D. A final appeal
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.This message is not only for Laodicea, but for every church and every believer.

CONCLUSION

Next Sunday, Christ says, the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.But will Christ Himself be present in your life?You may sit at the table, but Christ may still be standing outside the door of your heart.If you are lukewarm:Repent.Hear His voice.Open the door.He is knocking still.