Open your door for Jesus

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him… Revelation 3:20

---

I. THAT THERE IS IN THE HUMAN SOUL A DOOR FOR THE ENTRANCE OF THE TRUTH.

1. The intellect. Is not the theology of the Bible in its broad outlines reasonable? Christ, in the evidence, enlightenment, and conviction of the truth, stands knocking at the mind of man, and the greater the knowledge of the truth, the louder is the appeal for entrance.
2. The heart. Man is endowed with the capability of love and sympathy. He has warm affections. He is so constituted as to be attracted by the pathetic and the beautiful. Hence, he looks out upon nature with admiring eye. And it is to this capability in man that the truth appeals. It presents to him an ideal beauty in the life of Christ, as recorded by the gospel narrative, which ought to win his spirit into an imitation of the same.
3. The conscience. Man has the ability to turn his natural judgment to moral and spiritual questions, and this is what we mean by conscience. To this faculty the truth presents its requirements; convinces of failure in the devotion of the inner life to Christ; and spreads out before it the threat of avenging justice.
4. But, strange to say, the door of the soul is closed to the entrance of the truth. The door of the mind is closed by error, by ignorance, and by prejudice. The door of the heart is shut by pride, by unbelief, and by wilful sin. The door of the conscience is barred by a continued habit of evil.


II. THAT AT THE DOOR OF THE HUMAN SOUL TRUTH MAKES CONTINUED APPEALS FOR ENTRANCE.

1. This appeal of truth is authoritative. Truth comes to men with authority, even with the claim of a sinless life, and with the emphasis of a Divine voice. Its distinguished character should gain for it an immediate and hearty welcome into the soul, as a king should be welcomed into a cottage. But truth comes to men not only with the authority of character, but also with the authority of right. The faculties of the human mind were made to receive it.
2. The appeal of Truth is patient. Other guests have entered — wealth in splendid apparel, ambition with loud clamour, and pride with haughty mien — but Christ with gentle spirit has remained without. His patience has been co-extensive with our neglect of Him. It is Divine.
3. The appeal of truth is benevolent. The truth does not seek to enter the soul of man merely to spy out its moral defilement, to pass woful sentence on its evil-doings, but to cleanse it by the Holy Spirit, to save it by grace, to enlighten it by knowledge, and to cheer it by love.
4. The appeal of truth is heard. "And knock." Knocks at the door are generally heard. And certainly this is the case in reference to the advent of Christ to the soul. It is impossible to live in this land of religious light and agency without being conscious of Divine knockings at the portal of the soul.

III. THAT THE HUMAN SOUL HAS THE ABILITY OF CHOICE AS TO WHETHER IT WILL OPEN ITS DOOR FOR THE ENTRANCE OF THE TRUTH OR NOT.

1. The door of the soul will not be opened by any coercive methods. Does it not seem strange that Christ should have the key of the soul and yet stand without? This is only explained by the free agency of man. But though He enter not to dwell, the soul is visited by spiritual influences which are the universal heritage of man.
2. The door of the soul must be opened by moral methods. Calm reflection, earnest prayer, and a diligent study of the inspired Word, together with the gentle influences of the Divine Spirit, will open the soul to the entrance of Christ (Acts 16:14).

IV. THAT IF THE HUMAN SOUL WILL OPEN ITS DOOR TO THE RECEPTION OF THE TRUTH, CHRIST WILL ENTER INTO CLOSE COMMUNION WITH IT.

1. Then Christ will inhabit the soul. "I will come in to him." Thus, if Christ come into the soul He will dwell in its thoughts, in its affections, in its aspirations, in its aims, and in all its activities. He will elevate and consecrate them all. True religion just means this, Christ in the soul, and its language is (Galatians 2:20).
2. Then Christ will be in sympathy with the soul. "And will sup with him." It is impossible to have a feast in the soul unless Christ spreads the table; then the meal is festive. It removes sorrow; it inspires joy. While we are partaking of it we can relate to Christ all the perplexities of life. The good man carries a feast within him (John 4:32).
3. Then Christ will strengthen the soul. He will strengthen the moral nature by the food He will give, by the counsel He will impart, and by the hope He will inspire. The feast, the supply of holy energy will be resident within.
(J. S. Exell, M. A.)


http://ibiblestudies.com/auth/exell/christ_knocking_at_the_door_of_the_soul.htm

Planetshakers - Hallelujah / Anthem

Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Greatness of Jesus' Humility "GREATER" - Conference Devotion Day 07‏ Hope Church Singapore

The Greatness of Jesus

Greatness of Jesus' Humility

TODAY'S VERSES:
John 13:1-12, Philippians 2:1-8

In Bible times, people walked around in sandals on dusty and dirty routes. Washing the guests’ feet was a common practice for household slaves when the guests arrive at a house. Such a task was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants for the society at that time. Feet-washing is thus perceived as a very lowly task. Being their Rabbi, the disciples would most likely be glad to wash Jesus' feet, but it would be unthinkable for them to wash each other's feet.

One night, just as the supper was being served, Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, kneeled down before each of his disciples (even the one who later betrayed him), took their filthy feet into His hands and begun to wash them as the lowliest slave would do.

Nathanael should have been the one pouring the water. Andrew should have been the one carrying the towel. But none of them did. Rather, they were arguing over ‘which one among them is the greatest’ (Luke 22:24) as they bickered, Jesus stood up to illustrated the answer to their question and taught them to do what He has done, to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14).

The act of feet washing is not only a symbol of spiritual cleansing (John 13: 6-9) but also a model of the attitude of true humility. Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of all creation, and yet he is willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve His people. His service to His creation is supremely exemplified by His death on the cross.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:45)

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11)

Christ’s example is for every Christian to have His attitude of self-sacrificing humility to love and serve others. Are you willing to follow Christ’s example of serving? Whom can you serve today? There is a special blessing for those who not only agree that humble service is Christ’s way, but who also follow through and do it.

"You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:13-17)

Every day, we can choose our attitudes – we can expect to be served or we can look for opportunities to serve others. Ultimately, in Christ’s humility, He served his creation, even to death on the Cross (Philippians 2:8).


"GREATER" - Conference Devotion Day 7‏ Hope Church Singapore

The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it

Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

And He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. “They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’ Do not go away, and do not run after them. “For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. “It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. “On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. “Remember Lot’s wife. “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. “I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. “There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. [“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”] And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.”


Luke 17: 20-37

To live is Christ and to die is gain.

Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I'll have even more.
Philippians 1:21 (God's Word translation 1995)


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
1:21-26 Death is a great loss to a carnal, worldly man, for he loses all his earthly comforts and all his hopes; but to a true believer it is gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery. It delivers him from all the evils of life, and brings him to possess the chief good. The apostle's difficulty was not between living in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no comparison; but between serving Christ in this world and enjoying him in another. Not between two evil things, but between two good things; living to Christ and being with him. See the power of faith and of Divine grace; it can make us willing to die. In this world we are compassed with sin; but when with Christ, we shall escape sin and temptation, sorrow and death, for ever. But those who have most reason to desire to depart, should be willing to remain in the world as long as God has any work for them to do. And the more unexpected mercies are before they come, the more of God will be seen in them.

Ready for Life or Death 

A lady once said to John Wesley, "Suppose you knew you were to die at 12 o'clock tomorrow night, how would you employ the intervening time?" "Why, just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning. After that I should ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, meet the Societies in the evening. Then repair to friend Martin's, who expects to entertain me, converse and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at 10 o'clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in glory!"

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.

Proverbs 16:1-3

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Romans 12:9-10

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 Peter 1:8

— 1 Peter 1:8 —

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...

__________________________

The world’s way of pursuing riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain Christ's riches by letting go and giving. The more you give yourself to Christ and his ways, the more he will fill you with inexpressible, heavenly Joy. 

http://www.barbaralehrman.com/