Is Jesus knocking on your heart’s door? If we’re where we need to be that’s not a problem. If Jesus is knocking, count it a blessing. He knocked on many hearts over the years and he doesn’t knock at some any longer. If you hear him knock, quickly answer.
You know where Jesus is—either inside or outside your heart. Don’t make him have to knock to get in. John wrote this scripture to the church at Laodicea. It was 30 years after Paul wrote letters to churches and we have them in our Bibles. There is not a book called Laodicea as there is Ephesians and Corinthians but he wanted those letters passed on to Laodicea as well. John was in exile on the island of Patmos and was about 100 years old. Jesus came to him with messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor. They all started out strong and somehow or another Jesus was on the outside of Laodicea. We can blame things like this on many things but the bottom line is we are responsible for our own relationship with Jesus Christ. If we push the Word out and live by our own rules how do we think that affects our relationship? We’re all put to the test. Many are and have compromised with the Word putting it out of their heart and trying to keep it close enough to grad. In effect they put the Lord out of their heart. Laodicea said it was fine and had need of nothing. Jesus thought otherwise. This last letter went out to them.
Whose church do you belong to? I’m not talking about a church. Membership in a church won’t save anyone. Do you belong to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ? You’ll never come to the place that you don’t need Jesus. Be identified by telling people you’re a child of God. He wants to stay in your heart. We need him there. So where is he? Do you hear him knocking? Is he dealing with you about your spiritual life? Before you think about someone else, think about yourself.
Revelation 3: 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
If there is someone in your house that you don’t want in there, you put them out. You don’t invite a thief to come in; you put him out. Do you consider Jesus an intruder in your life? He’s talking to Christians who aren’t where they used to be in their relationship with him. It’s easy to assume he’s on the outside when in reality we’ve pushed him out. Is there anything between you and the Lord? There is hope. If we’d gone too far I wouldn’t be preaching this message.
None of us do all we should. We should want Jesus inside no matter what else we need to put out. We have a tendency to think it’s all right to gossip or not to pray or read our Bible or come to church except when we feel like it. There are many benefits to being a Christian but to get them we first must open the door and let Jesus in. If we live with him just outside a little, it’s too far. The last altar calls are being made. We break our necks to do this and that all the while teaching others and our children that church is secondary. It’s more than being a member of this church or any church. We don’t get a day off from being a Christian. If he’s not on the inside it’s the same as him being a million miles away.
The Bible teaches us that when Jesus comes some will be left behind. In the judgment some will say to God “didn’t I do this in your name” or “didn’t I do that in your name?” He will look at them and say I never knew you. They will be cast into hell. Right now, he’s knocking. He wants in. He’s the Lord of Lord and King of Kings, the best thing you’ll ever have in your life. Things don’t matter. Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He was confined, behind bars and everyone but Luke had left him. Guess who else was there—Jesus! He was not alone. Why do we think we’d be satisfied without him? Nothing can replace Jesus. We don’t reel him in like a fish when we need him and cut a little slack on the line to push him away. Be sure he’s on the inside. If you feel a stirring from the outside, it means he wants in. Be thankful he’s still knocking. Hear his voice. Open the door.
The doorknob is on the inside. While Jesus could knock the door down, he won’t do that. He knocks and waits for us to open. Call on his name. We don’t have much time left to fool around. If we open the door Jesus said I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. We have nothing to offer Jesus but ourselves. He supplies the rest, all we need and he’ll bring it with him. We are living near the end of the age of grace. Where will you be when it ends? That is determined by the location of Jesus to your heart—on the inside or outside. Make sure he’s inside.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 