Sermon Central
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I Stand At The Door
Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 16, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus stands at the door of our heart allowing Him to be a part of every aspect of our lives.
I stand at the door
Introduction-
Last week we looked at letting the Holy Spirit work in our lives.
Sometimes I feel I need to preach the same message twice in a row so we get it.
Paul said that he “resolved to know nothing while he was with them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
He understood Christ
He understood the power that was available to believers. Not only to overcome obstacles but to live a productive and pleasing life to God.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Do you believe that this morning?
You cannot imagine the extent that God would go to get our attention and how far He won’t go to win over our hearts.
To those that do not know Christ, the things of God doesn’t make sense. It is too deep because it is spiritually discerned and they cannot comprehend it.
To those that know Christ- it is God’s simple love we accept by faith and trust God to reveal His truth to us.
Remember last week the 3 stages of mankind.
Natural man
Carnal man
Spiritual man
We have to be one of them. Each one of us falls into one of these stages.
Natural man-
Cannot know God because he/she is still in sin and has no desire for the things of God, In fact, the things of God are foolishness and don’t make sense.
Carnal man-
Is a person of the flesh. They function by human desires and may have faith in Jesus, but Jesus is not a priority in their life. Jesus is on the back burner.
Spiritual man-
They have a relationship with God. They are in a right relationship with Jesus. The Bible calls them teachable because they desire God to change things that are going on in their lives.
That is the thought that I want you to be thinking about as we read the familiar text for this morning.
“Here I am (Jesus speaking) 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. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “
Prayer
He is talking about standing at the door of our hearts and we have a choice weather we will let Him in. we always take that verse as unbelievers with Jesus standing and wanting them to let him into their hearts. It is… unbelievers have an opportunity to let Jesus into their hearts when he knocks and they respond.
Don’t read that too fast, Jesus is addressing seven churches and each one He has found fault with and is standing waiting for them to allow him to change them.
Church at Ephesus- the first church, he says that you have lost your first love. You work hard but you have lost focus and you need to return to me your first love.
Church at Smyrna- He offers encouragement. I see what you guys are going through. Be faithful, I see the affliction and you need to hang on.
Church at Pergamum- short version- They have a split doctrine. The doctrine of Christ and the doctrine they made up to fit their lives that don’t match up with Christ. (Reconcile their doctrine)
Church at Thyatira- spirit of Jezebel. I think this the carnal church doing things by human nature and allowing sexual sin and personal desires to get in front of what God wants. (Put God first)
Church at Sardis- I think this is the big church on the corner where everyone is looking at it and thinking that it is alive and well. Things must be happening there! And God saying that you are dead. Wake up up before it is too late!
Church at Philadelphia- I would hope that this is the church at Rosedale. I have placed an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept thy word and have not denied me. Hold on! I am coming soon and my reward is with me.
Church at Laodicea- everyone hopes and prays they are not this church. The lukewarm church that Jesus rebukes and will spit out of his mouth. You are not hot or cold. I wish that you would be one or the other. (Make a decision- for or against Christ)
After describing these churches, we find our text.
Jesus standing at the door of our hearts knocking.
