The Door.

Introduction.

One of the great 19th Century American artist and painter Ivan Albright masterpiece artworks, which is displayed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is entitled “The Door”.

As you can see, it is a painting of an old fashioned Victorian door, and if you take a closer look you will recognize there’s something different. It is actually the front face of a casket, with a wreath on top and a tombstone as the doorsill. A wrinkled hand of an aging woman rests on the door, with her fingers clenching on a handkerchief.

The complete title of this artwork renders the words “That Which I Should Have Done I Did Not Do” which depicts the tragedy consequences of the doors in our lives that are left unopened. The comparison is made to a casket lid, with the skeleton of a human hand that didn’t quite make it to the doorknob.

Opportunities and invitations in life that have been constantly ignored and rejected will soon become our deathbed. For I believe it is a grave mistake to leave such doors unopened in life.

Transitional thought: Do you have doors still to open? (Read Rev 3:20).

BODY

1. The Man at the Door

Who is the man at the door?

Three times we see personal pronouns but no name mentioned, only I and Me. In Rev 1:13, 20, refers to the vision of Jesus and His messengers.

Jesus has been locked out.

Jesus has been locked out from the churches (Laodicea Church – Rev 3:14). Key point - the churches continues to operate and function without the Presence of Jesus (John 1:11).

“Behold I Stand at the door and knock” (Rev 3:20)

Jesus has been standing at the door and knocking. This presents an amazing picture of God who is persistently reaching out to us, seeking an intimate, loving relationship. He’s pleading to us to let Him in (Song of Solomon 5:2,6). This also represents the imminence of His nearness.

Illustration: Knocking on the door at night

Transitional thought - Have you sense His Presence? Have you heard His voice?

2. The Voice Behind the Door

Jesus voice can be recognised, understood and perceived.

God speaks to us in various ways through His Word, and through the Holy Spirit ministers to our hearts and minds. Our daily encounters and experiences allow us to hear God connecting with us. Key point – Jesus’s voice cannot be unknown or unheard (John 10:3,4).

Jesus pleading and appealing demands a response.

In encountering Christ one has to respond to the divine call. A personal encounter with Christ demands a personal response.

Illustration: Jesus, in His encounter with His disciples asks them “Who do you think I am?” (Matthew 16:13,15).

Transitional thought – The story changes from us inviting Jesus to Him inviting us.

3. The Feast within

Jesus’s encounter ends in an invitation to supper.

The evening meal is the most important time for hospitality and fellowship. Key point - we often have time for church but not for Christ.

Firstly “With Him,” secondly “You with Me.”

Jesus is willing to come into the brokenness and emptiness of our lives and fellowship with Christ will eventually end in eternity.

Illustration: In the flat I used to live in my fridge was always empty and it was embarrassing to invite people over for meal.

CONCLUSION

As we close this morning, we are reminded of Christ’s unconditional love and mercy, and His unwillingness to give up searching for the lost human race. His continual standing at the door and knocking reminds us of His desire and longing to invite us into fellowship with Him so that we may have eternal friendship with Him.

“The long night of gloom is trying; but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God’s unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay”. (E G White, Testimonies, Vol 2, p. 194)

Appeal: Jesus is waiting for you to open the door of your hearts, have you heard Jesus calling and knocking to you? Will you respond to His voice today? In Revelation 4:1 John saw a door standing open in heaven. Only those who open the door to Jesus will find the heavenly door open to them.