Introduction
1. They say that dogs age 7 times faster than their owners...
a 10 year old dog is the same as a 70 year old man...
They don’t say anything like that for churches...
do churches age the same as people?...
a church 30 years old is like a 30 year old person?...
Or, is it like “dog years”...
a 30 year old church is like a 210 year old person?...
A famous comedian was asked what he would like people to say about him in 100 years...
and he answered, “I’d like them to say, ‘He looks pretty good for his age’”
2. As we look back over the past 30 years of ministry to the City of Belleview and the surrounding community...
As we look at the wonderful people who have served so faithfully down through the years...
As we look at the spiritual victory that has been won around this altar and that in the old church...
as we look at the lives that have been changed...
as we look at the marriages that have been saved...
as we look at the the prodigal children that have come home...
as we look at the bad habits that have been broken by the power of Christ...
As we look at the sacrifice of those Christians in the early days of our church...
We can only say, “To God be the Glory...Great Things He Has Done”!!...
We have to admit...
we look pretty good for our age...all glory to God!!
Read Text: Revelation 3:20
1. Our text doesn’t say it...
A. But the truth is certainly real as it relates to our church...
I was here. I stood at the door and knocked...
and there were those who answered the door...
and I came into their hearts...
Sometimes, someone might carve their name into a tree...
and put, “Johnny was here”...
Or “Cindy was here”...
Perhaps they scratched into wet cement...
or wrote it on the bathroom wall...
wherever they put it...
you can see the evidence that Johnny or Cindy or whoever it was, was there are some time in the past...
B. As we look at this congregation...
as we look at the people and the lives that have been impacted by this church...
I trust that we can see the Hand of God writing...”I was here”...
I knocked on the door of people’s hearts...
and they opened the door of their hearts and let me come it...
“I came...
I touched lives...
I forgave sin...
I healed families...
I was here”...
2. By the same token...I know our text doesn’t say it...but I am convinced that it is true nonetheless...
A. When we look to the future, we hear God saying,...
I will be here. I will stand at the door and knock...
and there will be those who will answer the door...
and let me come in”
As Belleview Church of the Nazarene continues to Worship God Almighty...
As we continue to impact the lives of people in this community for the next 30 years...
we realize that God will be here...
Always faithful...
Always knocking...
Always searching for that man, woman, boy or girl...
who will open the door to His knock.
3. But more important than God’s blessings in the past...
and more important than God’s provisions in the future...
A. God would have us read the text as it is written...
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.
B. God is here today...
He is saying, “Here I am...
I am knocking at your heart’s door today...
if you will open the door of your heart...
I will come in and be with you”...
It’s fun to look back on what God has done in the past...
But are you listening to the voice of the Lord today?...
It’s exciting to look ahead and get a glimpse of what God will do in the future...
Our children are getting saved...
they are getting grounded in the faith...
and many of them are as faithful as anyone else in the church...
C. But, even though God was once here in the past...
and even though God will be here in the future...
The most important thing is what God is doing right now...
I am convinced that He is knocking on someone’s heart’s door right now...
I am convinced that there is someone who received spiritual victory in this church as a child...
That they have gotten away from living for Christ...
Perhaps you haven’t gone into deep dark sin...
But you just aren’t close to the Lord like you used to be...
and you want that joy and excitement of a fresh, vibrant relationship with the Lord again...
Conclusion
1. Some of you might recognize this verse of our text from the letters to the 7 Churches in Revelation...
And this particular verse is part of the Scripture that speaks to the church at Laodicea...
In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus says,
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other!
but, because you are lukewarm--and neither hot nor cold--
I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
It’s exciting to be here...
It’s exciting to renew old friendships and to make new ones...
In a moment we will enjoy a wonderful meal together...
But, if that is all that this day means...
Then we have missed something...
Because we must let the Lord speak to us...
And I believe He is speaking to some people today...
people who have lost their fire for the Lord...
and they have grown lukewarm...
2. I invite you to bow your heads...close your eyes...
Is the Lord knocking at your heart’s door?
He wants to restore the joy you once had when you used to be on fire for Him...
All you have to do is open the door and let Him come in...
What better way for Belleview Church of the Nazarene to embark upon the next 30 years of ministry...than for revival to break out!!
#333 Don’t Turn Him Away
