Sermon Central
-
Jesus, At Your Door Series
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 27, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 4th seron in the series "When Jesus Comes To Your Town". This series is based on the "Passion Week".
Series: When Jesus Comes To Your Town [#4]
JESUS, AT YOUR DOOR
Introduction:
[Video: “If You Had 24 Hours To Live”- Essentials]
The Disciples asked Jesus, “When will these things happen”? They were speaking about the end times. I often talk to people that believe that Jesus is coming very soon. They use Mark 13 as reference.
There are 4 things in this chapter that Jesus tells us concerning the end that I want you to notice:
1. There are signs that the time is drawing near- “the beginning of birth pains”(Mark 13:5-8).
2. Only God knows the actual day and hour.
3. The day will come suddenly-unexpectedly-shattering the world of unbelievers.
4. The day will be a time of separation and judgment.
Notice verse 29. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Look with me this morning at 4 doors and ask yourself, “Which side of the door does Jesus stand in my life”?
The door that…
Shuts Jesus In
Literally, this means to pray behind closed doors. This does not forbid prayer in the open, or encourage to be “secret Christians”. It does forbid prayer for “show”. When we pray we should give God all of our attention and shut out all of the outside things.
Prayer shuts Jesus in with us and if you want to live a life of love, peace, joy, etc… that is exactly where Jesus needs to be.
The door that…
Shuts Jesus Out
Notice where Jesus is located in this passage. He is on the outside. He had been crowded out by the lukewarmness of the Laodicean Christians. But praise God, He was standing at the door knocking wanting to come into that church. Has Jesus been crowded out of your heart by lukewarmness? Why don’t you allow Jesus back into your life and allow Him to be boss.
Lukewarmness shuts Jesus out of your life. Jesus needs to be on the inside of the door, not the outside.
The door that…
Shuts Man In
God shut Noah and his family in the ark. God had made them safe from the coming flood that was going to destroy. Noah had prepared for the flood just as God had told him to although he didn’t even know what a flood really was.
The Lord shut the door for the 5 wise virgins. These 5 were inside because they were prepared. Preparation is vital for your eternity. If you are here this morning having never received the gift of salvation, you are not prepared and if your life was to end today you would spend eternity in Hell. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation. You don’t know what tomorrow holds.
For those who prepare their hearts before they leave this earth, Jesus prepares something for us:
For those who do not prepare their hearts before they leave this earth, here is what happens:
Christians, this is the whole point for evangelism. This is why we are commanded, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
God is patiently waiting to send Jesus back because, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Preparation shuts man in with God. Are you ready?
The door that…
Shuts The Man Out
The same door that shut Noah and his family in: also shut the wicked world out! The same door that shut the wise virgins in , also shut the foolish virgins out.
Lack of preparation shuts man out from God.
Conclusion:
[Video: “Youth Video Tract”- Essentials]
Which door do you stand behind? Do you shut the Lord in with the door of prayer? Do you shut the Lord out through indifference? Are you lukewarm in your heart and faith? Are you shut in safely behind the door of preparation o are you shut out because of your lack of preparation?
What side of the door do you stand and does God’s Son, Jesus Christ stand there with you?
