“CHRIST IS AT THE DOOR”

(Rev. 3:20)

INTRO – Holman Hunt’s famous painting, “The Light of the World,” is one of the most striking and impressive works on canvas. The painting hangs in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and captures some of the truth expressed in our passage. One of the great texts of the Bible.

Technically, this verse belongs to the 7th church (Laodicea) addressed in Rev. 2-3. Practically, however, it has a universal scope, which will be our approach today. Let me offer five (5) observations on this familiar penetrating passage.

I. THE PERSON WHO SPEAKS

IDENTIFICATION – Note the five (5) personal pronouns (I, I, my, I, me). This is none other than the Lord Himself.

DESCRIPTION – See 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14. Altogether in His self-description He is emphasizing His majesty, glory, deity, authority and sovereignty. He has all authority (Matt. 28:18). He is the enthroned Son of God, the Lord of the Universe, our Sovereign Savior. It is he who speaks these words: “The Creator knocking on the door of the created. The Infinite knocking on the door of the finite. The Almighty at the door of the weak. The Loving at the door of the selfish. The Crucified knocking on the door of those who crucified Him.”

II. THE PLACE HE TAKES (at the door)

EXPLANATION – Christ is at the door. Door is a place of entrance or access. It refers to the inner person. His purpose is to seek entrance into our souls. He desires access to our lives.

PURPOSE – God has always been seeking fallen humanity since the Fall (Gen. 3:8-9). Saving fallen people has always been His aim (Lk. 19:10). We don’t find Christ (He was never lost)! He is the One who finds us. Contrary to Rev. Moon’s…

III. THE PERFORMANCE HE MAKES (stand…knock)

PERSISTENLY is He standing and knocking. Both verbs are present tense continuous action. He’s been standing at your heart’s door and knocking all your life, including today. Never say that Christ has failed to knock at your heart’s door. As Christians our concern for lost people often runs hot or cold. We become inconsistent and indifferent — not so with the Lord! He cares all the time (Lk. 15:3-10…). Lost people matter to God.

PATIENTLY is He standing and knocking. He will not push the door open. He will not force His life into yours. He could kick the door down if He wanted to. The NT has two words to express the act of knocking. One means to batter it down. The other (used here) means to knock with the knuckles or to rap respectfully. He is a gentleman and will not enter unless invited.

* “How does He knock (get our attention that He’s at the door seeking entrance)?” Through His word and sermons (knocking now), witness of others, difficulty and tragedy, our needs, death of a loved one, marital problems, work problems, restless spirit, failure, etc. This is the convicting work of God’s Spirit (Jn. 16:7-11).

WARNING!! Don’t ignore the knocking. 2 Pet. 3:9. Every time we refuse to open the harder it is to open. See Heb. 2:3 and 2 Cor. 6:1-2…

IV. THE PLEA HE STATES (if anyone hears and opens)

SCOPE of plea is UNIVERSAL (anyone). Who does “anyone” include? Pre-Christians who were attending the Laodicean Church, lukewarm church members who were not genuine believers (tares among wheat), to everyone — a great invitation, universal in scope, offered to all (Rom. 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved).

SPECIFICS of plea are to hear and to open. Some hear but never open. They never open for many reasons: pride, fear, too old, too far away, too sinful, too many problems, preoccupation with worldly pursuits.

V. THE PROMISE HE RELATES – Christ pledges to provide:

SALVATION (I will enter in) –

RELATIONSHIP (and eat with him) – close intimate fellowship. Eating a meal pictures closeness to someone — visiting, talking, listening. etc.

SECURITY (he with me) -

CONC – What a great verse. What a great invitation! Replace “anyone” with a blank. Does your name need to fill that blank? Have you heard and are you ready to open? You decide — the door to your soul is through your will.