Jesus Comes Calling (Revelation 3:19-22)
Gary McManus, 06/05/2016Part of the Life With Jesus is Better series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
June 5, 2016 Revelation 3:19-22 ( p. 1218/ p.1239)
Doorways! The most famous doorway reference
in the Bible, today’s scripture.
Jesus’ knock at the door is a call.
Jesus has come calling.
YOU have to decide to let Jesus in.
Jesus will not barge through the door.
“Doorway” moments in our lives: baptism,
graduation, marriage, funerals.
We see Jesus in several places in the Gospels
at doorway moments for people:
Wedding Feast (John 2)
The Invalid at the Pool (John 5)
The Widow of Nain . (Luke 7:11-17)
The crippled man had the same crisis
OVER and OVER.
The man explains that he is doing everything
in his own power to be healed.
The healing is not dependent on the man’s efforts
—the man’s healing is completely dependent
on Jesus. The man did not seek Jesus but Jesus
acted for the man to move him from invalid to
healed man. . .simply based on who Jesus is.
Thirdly, a funeral. A doorway experience for a woman.
(Luke 7:11-17) And this doorway is a crisis!
Luke talks as if Jesus almost stumbles on to this
scene. Jesus has compassion for her and her situation.
Jesus responds (Luke 7:13-15).
Like the other situations:
Jesus is there, Jesus is present.
Jesus places himself there with the person.
Like Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan,
Jesus responds to the crisis.
Our God through Jesus cares about our crises
whether he immediately resolves our crisis or not.
(whether he resolves the crisis OUR way or not!)
In these examples Jesus’ presence brings
an unexpected result.
Jesus brings the surprise ending;
a resolution they could not even ASK for!
Jesus’ presence is always a blessing
. . .not always expected, more than could be
hoped for or wished for. . .but Jesus presence
does bring blessing.
We can call on Jesus.
. . .ask for Jesus, seek Jesus, answer when Jesus knocks.
Amen
Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
---|---|---|
« We Are Still Free | None | Quick Fix or Perseverance? » |