Jesus Christ: A Waiting Saviour

Temple Baptist Church - 2-22-2015

Revelation 3:19-22

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In chapters 2-3 of Revelation, we find John writing to the seven churches situate in Asia Minor. 

 

1.  These were contemporary churches (existing at the same time) and these admonitions, though written to individual churches, were to be circulated and read by all.  Churches have individual problems covered by these churches but any or all churches can follow their progression.

 

2.  Not only were these seven actual churches contemporary with each other, they were also a picture of the Church Age from the days of the apostles until the rapture of the church.  From the first love of the Apostolic Church of the first century: a “loving church” that became the  “leaving church” (which lead to the falling away and entrance of apostasy in the next four churches-the fifth church, the Church at Philadelphia had no rebuke and is a type of the Puritan Age in which the King James Bible was translated and held dear which led to great revivals and a mission outreach unparalleled) to the “lukewarm-ness” of the present day church of the end time: the Church at Laodicea .

 

B.  At the end of the Church Age, we find Christ outside of the church knocking on the door. 

 

1.  He is certainly outside of the average church in the Bible Belt today and His cry is to the individual, not the church.  Churches that have apostatized and become worldly will not allow the true Jesus Christ to enter.  Individuals can still open the door and fellowship with the Lord but they are the exceptions and not the rule.

 

2.  The reason being that the average church would not welcome Him because He would change the way they operate and who is operating the church.  He would cast out the perverted bibles and fill the pulpits with men who would still reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Jesus Christ would not be a welcome Guest!

 

C.  Now that the interpretation has been given, make some applications. 

 

1.  Jesus Christ is Israel’s Saviour.  Isaiah 43:3  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  (He loves Israel and will come as their Lord for all of eternity.)

 

2.  Jesus Christ is the World’s Saviour.  John 4:42  And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

 

3.  Jesus Christ is Our Saviour.  Luke 1:46-47  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  (47)  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 

a)  He saved us from our sins.

 

b)  He saved us from ourselves.

 

c)  He saved us from our fears.

 

d)  He saved us from eternal death and hell.

 

D.  I believe that these verses speak of Christ’s desire to have fellowship with us in a day of apostasy, lukewarmness, worldliness, and general apathy.  There are several things that I want us to notice in verse 20 concerning this Saviour who wants to have fellowship with us:

 

1.  He is an available Saviour – “Behold”   Every child of God has the privilege of a personal relationship with the Lord.  We use the words “personal Saviour” because that is exactly Who He is.  In a world that has no time for Him, He always has time for us.

 

2.  He is a waiting Saviour – “I stand”  I am thankful for much this morning but one thing that makes me glad is that the Lord never gives up on me!  I may, at times, give up on Him but He patiently stands with me and for me as he does for you also.

 

3.  He is a present Saviour – “at the door”  Never leave thee!  Never forsake thee!  These are words spoken and quoted but too often forgotten.  I do not know much about the song but I will quote one part of it:  “You’ll never walk alone!”  He stands at the door of your heart and mine.

 

4.  He is a seeking Saviour – “and knock”  The Lord not only desires our fellowship, He initiates it!  We often say, “When I could not come to Him, He came to me” and that is so true.  The Lord sought you out when you were not seeking Him.  Fellowship is the same.  He actively knocks at our heart’s door and awaits our loving response.

 

5.  He is a pleading Saviour – “if any man open the door”  Knocking and seeking is the work of the Lord but He will not force His love upon us.  Fellowship is and always has been a “two way street.”  You cannot have fellowship with a brother or sister who rejects your advances.  Fellowship is a friendly relationship with others who share the same interest and desires.

 

6.  He is a promising Saviour – “I will come in to him”  The communion of and with the Lord is promised to any and all who will open the door!  He will come in; He will fellowship with us based upon the blood that was shed at Calvary and applied to the Mercy Seat in heaven.  That is a promise!

 

7.  He is a communing Saviour – “sup with him and he with me”  Notice the “two way street” once again in this statement.  We sup with Him; then He sups with us!