Sermon Central
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Knock, Knock... Who's ...
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008 (message contributor)
Knock, Knock... Who’s There?
An excuse often given by those who refuse to receive the gospel of Christ is, “Later, I am not ready yet.”
Nevertheless, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). This is the glorious picture of the Lord Jesus at the door of the sinner’s heart.
You may have seen the painting by Holman Hunt, an English artist who attempted to put this concept on canvas. He painted Christ standing outside a door. Looking closely though you see that this door has no handle on the outside. Hunt said this depicts “...the picture of the human heart with the handle of the door on the inside.”
The Christ in Revelation 3:20 will not break down the door as a policeman on a raid or as a fireman busting in to save a child from a burning house. The Lord Jesus has already unlocked all doors that would prevent you from entering through heaven’s door... the strong doors of sin and death.
Christ is, right now graciously by His Word and Holy Spirit, gently knocking at the only door that keeps Him out of your life and keeps you from having communion with Him. The door of your spiritual heart must be opened to Christ and He must be invited in. Those who open the door to Him shall enjoy His salvation, presence and peace as He gives fresh supplies of grace and comfort.
Christ makes kindly visits. Sadly though, He finds the doors of too many hearts bolted shut with ignorance, unbelief and sinful prejudices. As He knocks, God’s Holy Spirit draws upon your conscience to open the door. Yet ignorance will encourage you to believe that living the best life you can on your own will be good enough. God’s Word warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). Unbelief may keep you from accepting the words of Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6); and, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Sinful prejudices may keep you from listening to or paying attention to God’s proclaimers who pronounce that repentance and holiness is what God desires in the heart of a man. “Instead [you] follow the stubborn inclinations of [your] hearts. [You] go backwards instead of forwards” (Jeremiah 7:24).
We urge you, don’t let ignorance, unbelief or sinful prejudices keep you saying, “I am not ready yet.”
There’s still time. When Jesus finds your heart’s door shut, He does not immediately withdraw; He waits patiently, not wanting any to perish. However, “I am not ready yet” could have eternal consequences. “A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed, without remedy” (Prov. 29:1). What will it be? It is your choice.
Knock, Knock... Who’s there? Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. To say, “I am not ready yet,” is an eternally wrong answer. Open the door. Welcome Christ in.
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