Knocking on Heaven’s Door.

Definition

Usage

Context

Historical Background

Logic

Precedent

Unity

Inference

Inferring one fact because of other established facts.

Someone takes a bite of food. They then immediately a face of disgust.

You can infer, they don’t like the food.

Our inference isn’t foolproof.

This morning, some of you are not going to agree with me. That is ok!

The Scene

It is the end of service in a traditional church. The preacher is sweating and looks like his is ready for that Sunday afternoon nap.

The music starts playing, “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is calling.”

The preacher tells that if you don’t know that you know that you know you are going to heaven when you die, you need to come down the isle.

He then, through a cracking, almost crying voice says, “Jesus said, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and we will dine with him and he with Me.”

Revelation 3:20–22 NASB95

20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Is that written to believers in Christ or unbelievers?

Most will say UNBELIEVERS!

LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN

Revelation 3:14–22 NASB95

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 17 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

Whom does God discipline?

Revelation 3:19 NASB95

19 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

Hebrews 12:4–6 NASB95

4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

Proverbs 3:12 NASB95

12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

These are Sons. Adopted into the family.

Prodigals that have a penthouse instead of a pig stye.

What is Jesus addressing?

I know your Deeds.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It’s not that they lost their salvation. They just forgot how much they needed it.

I advise you do buy

Gold: reminder of the inheritance as sons and daughters.

White garments : reminder of forgiveness (being clothed in His Righteousness)

Eye Salve: See the truth.

Lukewarm Relationships