December 3, 2010,Revelation 3

Key Verse: 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

(Revelation 3:20)

Central Truth: 

Jesus is always there knocking. He won’t open the door for you. It is up to us to open the door and let Him in.

THE DOOR WITHOUT A DOORKNOB

If you examine this famous picture closely, you will find Jesus knocking on a door that has nodoorknob on the outside.

In Revelation 3:14-22, the author of the book, John the Apostle (also to whom the Gospel of John is attributed), is writing about the church of the Laodiceans, and in verses 15 and 16 writes, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Pretty strong statement, beginning with “I know your WORKS . . . " (notice he didn’t say anything about “I know your FAITH.") “Works” is basically describing our obedience and service to God. We show our obedience and service to Him through our loyalty - by the way we talk, what we talk about, who we fellowship with, and what we do with our time, our knowledge, and energy. In short, we show our loyalty by our works—that is, by our conduct—and what we produce with what we have been given.

He goes on to describe “Lukewarm” Christians as neither hot nor cold and how he will vomit (pretty strong word) them out. Lukewarm Christians send confusing messages. I found a good synopsis of “lukewarm” – "that which gives no refreshment, or that which has neither the cleansing properties of hot water nor the refreshing properties of cold." Modern synonyms of the word "lukewarm" give illuminating insights into its use in this letter: "lacking ardor, enthusiasm or conviction; moderate; mild; unemotional; halfhearted; hesitant; indecisive; irresolute; uncertain; uncommitted; unresponsive; indifferent; impassive; languid; phlegmatic; apathetic; nonchalant; lackadaisical.” Obviously, Christ has little use for the lukewarm. Maybe it’s time we “caught fire.”

I also find verse 19 interesting: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” As a coach, this one is right up my alley. Give me players that are “on fire” for what we are doing. Or, give me those that obviously don’t care at all (I know exactly what to do with them). Either way … just so long as the water is clear (hot or cold). When the water is murky (lukewarm) … that’s when it gets complicated.

In verse 20 ("Behold, I stand at the door and knock …"), Christ is reporting that—in His own church—some know that He is at the door, but they will not rouse themselves from their spiritual lethargy to open it. By implication, they will not invite Him into their lives. As unbelievable as it sounds, there are those in His church who will keep Him on the outside looking in! Jesus willingly continues to knock at the door because He has an everlasting love for us (Jeremiah 31:3).

We must  turn up the heat in our spiritual lives.   We must get up and open the door.