Jesus Knocking

Jesus Knocking

Rev 3:20

He knocks. Not forced love.

Classic picture by Holman Hunt of Jesus Knocking, now hanging in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Upon it’s first unveiling, a certain critic said, You have made a real mistake, Mr. Hunt, there is no handle on the door.

"That was intentional," theartist is said to have replied."The door opens only fromthe inside."If this story is true, Holman Hunt was right, for it's up to you and me to let the Lordinto our lives. He won't kick the door down. He won't force His way intoour hearts. Forced love is rape.

Jesus is speaking on the outside.

Yet although we use this verse as a call to individual salvation, it was actually written to a self-satisfied congregation. V. 14 Laodicians, ears to hear, churches

A. A woman living in NYC, cleaning woman. Walked to an uptown, affluent church. Pastor: read this book, denominational history. She enrolled herself in night school. Learned to read. Went back, got the book, devoured it. Went back, Pastor I’ve read it. Classes Tues and Thurs Evening. I work, gort off, went , back to pastor. You have to give min annual donatinon of 80K.

She left, went down the street, sat on a bench and cried. The Lord Jesus came to her. 5 years/50 years.

B. Rev320 - Come in and sup… middle eastern culture eating, becoming one.

Is Jesus talking to people meeting in His Name who are supposed to be Christians?

Yes. And is He saying He's on the outside and wants to come in? Yep.

Well, how does one get tothe point where the Lord is on the outside? How does a church get to the placewhere it thinks it's doingfine but is spiritually bankrupt? If it happened at Laodicea, can it happen to us?

C. How did the church, the Bride of Christ, get into that condition.

a) A King in love with his new Bride. He brings her to the banqueting table, his banner over her was love.

b) And her, looking at her defects, cries. He is on the outside.

Because Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture, Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon: the King who took in the maiden, then ostricised, blackened

2:8-9

“THE SHULAMITE The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice.” Song of Solomon 2:8, 9

“My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away! “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.”

HER BROTHERS Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:10-15

"Come away with me," says the bridegroom. "The rain has stopped. The birds are singing. I want to hear yourvoice. I long to see your countenance. Watch out for the little foxes-the subtlelittle temptations that could hinder our love."

After hearing his invitation and warning, the bride responds

“THE SHULAMITE My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies. (TO HER BELOVED) Until the day breaks And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag upon the mountains of Bether.” Song of Solomon 2:16-17

Here is the bridegroom outside the door, saying,"Honey, come on. It's a glorious morning. I want totake you to new heights, tohear wonderful songs, to beon guard against the littlefoxes that will destroy our relationship."

And what does his bride say? "It's too early. You go play on the hills, and I'll catch upwith you later."

I. Doctrinal Drowsiness

“THE SHULAMITE By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. “I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him.”

Song of Solomon 3:1-2

What happened here is something that can happento us corporately or to youand me individually. It's thedanger of doctrinal drowsiness that says,"Lord, I know You'are calling me to come away this morning and seek You. But I'm yours and You're mine. I'm robed in Your righteousness, and my name is written in Your book (yawn so I'll meet with you a little later zzz...